UNI's Taylor Lujan produces excitement on the mat

Taylor Lujan does not discriminate when it comes to wrestling technique.

He grew up watching some of the best and plucking out moves to insert into his own diverse arsenal.

He liked the boot scoot from Kent State's Ian Miller. He was impressed by high-crotch single-leg attacks from Iowa's Brent Metcalf. Don't forget the scrambling ability of Missouri's Ben Askren. The Northern Iowa 174-pounder was even influenced by European wrestlers, who seemed like they were improving through a match.

'I'd like to think it's like throwing everything and the kitchen sink at the guy,' Lujan said about his style. 'I think it's exciting.'

The result is a fun and unique brand of wrestling that has produced plenty of action and victories during his redshirt season. Lujan has climbed to 12th in the latest trackwrestling.com NCAA rankings. He is expected to face No. 9 Lelund Weatherspoon when UNI wrestles Iowa State Friday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames

'I think you see a guy, for the most part, who throws a lot of caution into the wind and willing to take some risk,' UNI Coach Doug Schwab said. 'As a freshman, he's gone out and scored points. He's certainly a guy no one wants to take their eyes off of.'

Lujan, a four-time Georgia state champion at Carrolltown High School, recalled the impact those wrestlers had on him. He wanted to emulate it and cause the same effect on fans.

'They were fun to watch and entertaining,' Lujan said. 'You didn't know what was going to happen. I want to be one of those guys people enjoy watching.'

Lujan is 18-3 with all of his losses coming to top-20 opponents. He has five pins, three technical falls and one major decision, placing seventh at the Southern Scuffle. It was a close early-season loss to Virginia Tech's No. 2 Zach Epperly that proved his potential.

'I think that was the main one where it kind of clicked,' said Lujan, who leads the Panthers in dual points. 'But, before that match, I was starting to talk about how you shouldn't have to wait for that one match to verify to yourself you're that good.'

Schwab rarely mentions Lujan without a comment about his exciting style. His funky ability is in contrast to the way Schwab wrestled as an NCAA champion at Iowa. Schwab laughed when he said there are moments when he isn't sure what's going on during Lujan's matches.

As long as Lujan remains stingy in allowing points, Schwab doesn't want to hinder his aggressiveness in tallying them.

'I don't want to take away what makes him special and what builds a reputation,' Schwab said. 'I guess we can make him into a 3-2 grinder, who sits around and looks at a guy but I don't think that gives him the best opportunity. I know for a fact that's not what gets fans excited.'

Lujan is one of three recent Panthers from Georgia, including teammate Jake Hodges and former UNI All-American Joey Lazor. He was a highly-touted recruit receiving offers from larger programs. He heard positive comments from Hodges and was sold in one visit.

Despite the distance and difference between Eastern Iowa and the land of Coca-Cola, peanuts and peaches, he felt at home.

'I know he fits in well with our team and culture,' Schwab said. 'He's got a great personality. He's a fun kid to be around.'

Lujan received unexpected news when he chose UNI. Lee Roper, co-founder of Compound Wrestling Facilities, coached Lujan in his club. Roper was hired as a volunteer assistant last season and is a full-time assistant this season. Lujan said he didn't even know until after he made his decision.

'He's been there with me since the beginning,' Lujan said. 'He's helped me, and not just with wrestling. There are life lessons, too.

'I came to UNI because I wanted to be here and not because he was coming. That was icing on the cake.'

Lujan has goals fixed on the NCAA tournament in March. He is focused on reaching the podium in St. Louis, Mo. The key will be to keep having fun.

'Be loose and score points,' Lujan said. 'There isn't much more I can do.'

No. 18 UNI (5-2) has lost two straight to the Cyclones (1-6), but Schwab said the Panthers have to respond with wins before it becomes a true in-state rivalry. The Panthers have a chance to continue momentum toward the postseason.

'It's another opportunity to go prove ourselves and continue to build and gain momentum,' Schwab said. 'We're competing well right now. I want to see all 10 cylinders click at once. To me, that would be a fun thing to see. Every guy out there, letting it flow and competing at a very high level. We have had all 10 yet.'

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