Colon was huge get for Schwab at UNI

Doug Schwab's first prize catch has turned into a big fish in the University of Northern Iowa's wrestling pond.

Members of the Panthers wrestling staff recognized Joe Colon's special talent immediately, and were determined to add him to the program. Colon, a 2010 NJCAA national champion, became the first big recruit landed in Schwab's first year.

In his first year in Cedar Falls, Colon has developed into one of the top performers for the Panthers, entering the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships as the No. 5 seed at 133 pounds. He will face Nebraska's Ridge Kiley in the first round, starting 11 a.m. Thursday at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.

Schwab's brother and Panther assistant coach, Mark Schwab, watched Colon as a prep place at Junior Nationals. He was impressed and classified him as a must to sign.

"We targeted him hard," Doug Schwab said. "It's our first guy we actually got committed to UNI and he's doing some really good things for our program.

"He was a high priority for us from day one, and we are definitely happy to get him locked down."

Colon was a state champion for Clear Lake High School, while the Schwabs were fixtures in Osage's wrestling tradition. They knew of each other, coming from the same area of the state. The coaches' attraction for Colon was reciprocated.

"The biggest thing is he and his brother both (coached) on winning teams," Colon said. "(Doug) was at Iowa and they won national titles there, and Mark won a national title (as an assistant) in Minnesota, so they know what it takes to get there."

Their attitudes have meshed, producing a mutually beneficial relationship. Colon has bolstered the UNI lineup and developed into a highly ranked D-I competitor in Schwab's second year.

"He's an intense kind of guy," Colon said of Schwab. "He likes to get the best out of kids. He likes to see them compete in and out of the (practice) room. He pushes the guys to give it their all and work for what they really want."

Colon had to wait a little longer for what he wanted with the Panthers. He suffered a broken jaw in the preseason and couldn't wrestle until mid-December. He won his opening tournament and then placed seventh at Midlands Championships. Colon has gotten better as the season advanced. Conditioning, timing and technique improved with more time on the mat.

"It's progressed a great amount," Colon said. "It's flowing. Everything's clicking."

Colon owns a 25-2 record, scoring bonus points in 21 of his wins. Schwab said Colon is relentless, attacking and building leads. Colon is dangerous in all positions with the ability to score points in bunches. As much as he can score, Schwab said Colon's best attribute is preventing points. Opponents know his matches are a battle.

"They better come with a sledge hammer, because he's going to keep coming and keep fighting," Schwab said. "He's going to make them earn every single point, win or lose."

Colon, who won the West Regional title to reach the NCAA tournament, notched a signature win when he major decisioned then top-ranked Devin Carter of Virginia Tech at the Ames Regional of the National Wrestling Coaches Association/Cliff Keen National Duals in February. The victory propelled Colon up the rankings, and garnered respect.

"That was a big win for me," Colon said. "It gave me notice."

Not that Colon desires it. He admits notoriety helps the program, but he doesn't pay attention to it personally. Rankings mean nothing when it comes to performance on the mat, especially for the final competition. Colon is confident for a high finish in the biggest tournament of the season.

"It means something for the seed meeting, but to make the national tournament and the goal is to win it, so who cares where they put you in the bracket or what your draw is," Colon said. "You have to beat them all anyway."

Colon is one of five Panther qualifiers, joining Levi Wolfensperger (141), David Bonin (157), eighth-seeded Ryan Loder at 184 and heavyweight Blaine Beale. Bonin and Loder were qualifiers last year with Loder falling a win short of All-American status.

Loder (32-4) opens with University of Iowa's Grant Gambrall (10-10). Bonin (29-7) has Harvard's fourth-seeded Walter Peppelman (26-4). Beale (28-11)  has the Hawkeyes' fifth-seed Bobby Tleford (25-7).

The five qualifiers provide a strong foundation for the Panthers, who are continuing to rebuild the program. Colon fits in well as a good example of UNI getting stronger, but this week will be a real test for Colon and the other Panthers.

"It makes you feel good, but nothing's been done yet," Schwab said about his first major recruit having success. "If we go to the national tournament and we don't come home with much then it's going to be, 'You had a good season, but ...' I'm not patting ourselves or him on the back just yet.

"I tell you what, it makes you feel good about the future of the program."