Northern Iowa's Blaize Cabell ready to cap college wrestling career

CEDAR FALLS — The thought crept into Blaize Cabell's mind late in the regular season.

The opportunities to pull up the straps of his University of Northern Iowa singlet were dwindling.

Now, the Panthers' senior heavyweight has one last chance, competing at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships on Thursday at New York City's Madison Square Garden. He is making his third appearance and holds hopes for a medal.

'It kind of hit me toward the end of the year that this is all going to be over,' Cabell said. 'Five years has come to a close. No better way to cap it off than going out to New York and getting an All-American honor.'

Cabell, who has 82 career wins and 72 at heavyweight, was the seventh seed at the 2015 national tournament. The disappointment pushed him in training and now he is as confident as ever.

'I feel like my wrestling has been coming along great, right now,' Cabell said. 'I would have loved to get on the (awards) stand last year in St. Louis, but it didn't happen so I just had to use that as motivation to put myself through workouts and do the things I needed to do to know that it will get me on the stand in New York this year.'

At the beginning of the season, UNI Coach Doug Schwab said the performance a year ago has eaten at Cabell. Schwab said Cabell has continued to improve.

'I do believe he has made that next level jump where he's one of the best guys in the country,' Schwab said in the team's preseason media day. 'I know he is.'

Cabell, a two-time state medalist at Independence High School, entered the program as a 197-pounder. He said he would have been surprised if someone told him as a freshman that he'd bump up a weight class before he left the program. Cabell made a successful transition his sophomore season, beginning his run of NCAA berths and leading to his Mid-American Conference championship a little more than a week ago.

'It's been an experience — a great one,' Cabell said about his time at UNI. 'I met a lot of people along the way. I've met a lot of great coaches. I've been able to learn a lot of great technique.

'I've been able to become a better person as well.'

Schwab has witnessed his evolution.

'He's been a leader for us,' Schwab said. 'I've seen him grow as a man, too. He's taken on a big leadership role for our team.'

Cabell (22-6) is one of five UNI qualifiers and boasts a 10-match win streak. The 14th-seed opens with Drexel's Joseph Goodhart (24-12). The winner will likely face Virginia Tech's third-seed Ty Walz, who has a losing record against Cabell. The draw appears favorable, although Cabell is a huge underdog on paper. Others have discussed the pairings, but he prefers letting it all play out in competition.

'I looked at the bracket once,' Cabell said. 'They are just names. Until Thursday out there on the mat, it doesn't really matter.'

The athletic and lighter heavyweight said he has to attack from start to finish to achieve his goal. He can't allow opponents to slow the pace and prevent him from being offensive and escape from bottom. More importantly, he needs to enjoy his last official event in a Panther uniform.

'I've got to let it all go and have a little bit of fun,' Cabell said. 'You can't be too tight.'

Regardless of the result, Cabell could still be in the Panthers wrestling room in the future. He does have aspirations of freestyle competition, placing second at the 2015 University Nationals. Cabell said he'd be better suited for the 15-pound drop to the 213-pound weight class.

'I think I'm going to give a year of wrestling with the (Panther Wrestling Club) and see how that goes,' Cabell said. 'I'd like to be around the program and still come in to learn from guys like (UNI assistant) Tolly Thompson and (head coach) Doug Schwab.

'We have a great staff in there. I feel 213 is a good weight class for me. I'll be big and strong without having to sacrifice too much weight.'

UNI 125-pounder Dylan Peters will return to the NCAA tournament. Peters, a 2014 All-American, overcame a knee injury to place second at the MAC Championships and advance to a third straight national tournament. Cooper Moore (165) is also making his third straight trip, qualifying at 165.

Josh Alber (133) and true freshman Bryce Steiert (157) are in the field for the Panthers as well.

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