UNI looks to keep building on recent accomplishments

CEDAR FALLS - University of Northern Iowa Coach Doug Schwab has constructed a competitive wrestling program.

The Panthers finished 15th at the NCAA Championships for the second straight year and produced the only undefeated dual record in NCAA Division I last season. The design is for it to stand tall year after year, instead of needing to be re-erected every couple of seasons.

'We built our foundation extremely strong,” Schwab said. 'Now, we want to build off that. We've been 15th the last two years. That's OK, but getting into the top 10, top five, top two, the top one, that is a whole other level. That is what we're building to do each and every day with our team. That is the expectation of our team right now.”

The Panthers will attempt to continue to rise up college wrestling ranks, despite the loss of three All-Americans to graduation and just one national medalist returning for the 2014-15 season. UNI opens competition Sunday at the Central Missouri Open at Warrensburg, Mo.

Schwab talked to the team in the spring about making those accomplishments the norm instead of an anomaly, meaning wrestlers had to step in and emerge as leaders.

'We lost three seniors, who were All-Americans,” Schwab said. 'So, finding guys to replace that can be tough but that's what good programs do. That's what great program do.”

The expectations are as high as ever for Schwab's fifth season at UNI's helm. The plan is to reload and not just rebuild.

'We don't want it to be a couple year thing,” UNI senior Cody Caldwell said. 'We want it to carry on and don't want it to step it up a notch, no matter who is in the lineup.”

Form one to 38, the Panthers have confidence and support Schwab's goal.

'I feel like we're all on the same page, right now,” Wolfensperger said. 'We're not going to be satisfied until we're on top (and) we get that trophy. We all have that same mentality.”

Five wrestlers return with national tournament experience, including All-American 125-pounder Dylan Peters, who placed sixth as a freshman. Levi Wolfensperger was a 2013 NCAA qualifier, advancing to the round of 12. Caldwell, who is moving up to 184 from 174, junior heavyweight Blaize Cabell and sophomore Cooper Moore (165) reached the national tournament last season. They head the group Schwab is counting on to take the reins and compete at a high level.

'They made it to the national tournament but getting to the national tournament wasn't enough for them,” Schwab said. 'That is important because we want guys putting themselves up on that stand, high up on that stand, thinking they can do it and knowing they can do it.”

Sixth-ranked Peters, who was 34-7 a year ago, was UNI's first freshman All-American since Tony Wieland was eighth in 1996. He serves as a leader for other wrestlers, including underclassmen, to follow. He was not satisfied with his finish and devoted the off-season to improve the top position.

'Being an All-American is a goal but you always want to keep improving and climbing up on that podium,' Peters said. 'Just continuing to work hard.”

Caldwell talked with Schwab after the national tournament and mutually agreed on a move to 184. He dedicated the off-season to bulked up.

'I feel great about it,” said Caldwell, who was 17-15 last year. 'It was best for me and best for the team for me to go up to 184. I put a lot of work in the weight room.

'I put on some size and strength and I believe I'm best suited for this weight class. I'm excited to compete this weekend.”

Wolfensperger was out of the lineup last year, wrestling behind All-Americans Joe Colon (133) and Joey Lazor (141). Both graduated and Wolfensperger is expected to move back in at 133. The sting of sitting out was a learning experience.

'It was hard,” Wolfensperger said. 'I had never been in that situation before. I tried to make the best of it.”

The team has developed depth, closing the gap between starters and the reserves pushing to supplant them in the lineup. Anyone can be pushed at any time, according to Peters. They will be tested before competition, making the individuals and the entire team better.

'There's never an easy day in this room,” Peters said. 'You better come ready to wrestle every day in here.”

Schwab is waiting for some weights to be decided. Jared Bartel and Basil Minto are battling for the 197 spot. Schwab is expecting major strides from Jarrett Jensen at 157. Tanner Hiatt, Zach Witte and Gunnar Wolfensperger could contend at 149. UNI will have a new 174-pounder and Curt Maas is among a group of wrestlers vying for the spot. Schwab said he wants wrestlers to take control, grab the starting job 'by the throat,” and never let go.

'The effort has been high,” Schwab said. 'The guys have bought into what we're doing. They're doing it at a very high level. I think our skills are as high as they've been across the board.”

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