University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Wrestling: Steiert Ready to Get Down to Business
11/30/2016 8:51:00 AM | Wrestling
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI wrestler Bryce Steiert is a small-business owner who dreams of big things on the wrestling mat.
Steiert and his brother, Andrew, started their own summer business installing school equipment like grandstands, auditorium equipment and lockers. Steiert said the long summer hours in the work force improved his wrestling.
"I think it really added to my wrestling just from a mental standpoint and being able to push through when everyone is tired," he said. "Working translates into the work force, and the work force translates into wrestling."
Steiert, a sophomore, completed much of his general education courses in his first year so he could move his focus to studying business management with an emphasis in entrepreneurship.
"He's got a great business mind and works really hard at what he does," said Steiert's brother, Andrew. "We blend really well together because we are able to bounce ideas off one another and figure out the best solution."
College wrestling wasn't always in the plan for Steiert.
"Four or five years ago, it was never anything I would have dreamed of," he said. "But one day you just look up and you are in a pretty good spot to make the best of it, so you might as well pour your heart and soul into something."
Seiert's motivation comes from his family. His parents, siblings and grandparents come to every meet, which is challenging because his business partner/brother wrestles at nearby Wartburg College. His family would take turns and split up in order to see both brothers wrestle. Unfortunately, Andrew has been injured so he has been able to support his younger brother as he heals.
"I've always looked up to him," Bryce said of his brother, Andrew. "He's a hard worker, and he can always keep going when you're wondering how someone keeps going. … He's a stand-up guy, and I push myself to be more like him in every aspect."
The brothers feed off each other's passion.
"I've looked up to him because of his determination," said Andrew Steiert. "I mean what he does is crazy. He's gritty, and he grinds with the best of them. I have really admired his wrestling, even though I think I can still take him with my older brother syndrome, but he's a talented kid."
Steiert is also pushing for a national title and making UNI wrestling a top-10 program in the nation.
"We are all born with a desire to be great at something and this is my passion," said Steiert.
As a freshman, Steiert became the first true freshman to start for the Panthers since 2010 and the first true freshman from UNI to qualify for the NCAA tournament since 2003.
"I didn't get what I wanted - to be an All-American," he said. "But it was a great learning curve for my wrestling career and my life. There is just a lot of hardships that you go through. You have to figure out how to do the work in season, and then you have to figure out how to be in college too. I knew I was going to throw myself in the fire. It made me a tougher and better person because of it."
Steiert chose the University of Northern Iowa because of the coaching staff.
"Everyone is going to sell you that they want the best for you, but our coaches really do care for you in every aspect and they really want you to grow as individuals and as wrestlers," he said.
Head coach Doug Schwab reminds the team they don't have to have to wait to achieve big things. It really hit home for Steiert when Schwab's brother and former coach, Mark Schwab, spoke last year.
"At our banquet, he said something that really stuck with me about taking advantage of the time between now and your next opportunity to succeed," Steiert said. "I am carrying that with me this season just thinking about it from last year."
Steiert started the year at 157 pounds and has since moved up 165 pounds. He already has one win over a ranked opponent and will get a lot more chances with some big events coming to UNI this year, including the conference championships March 4-5, 2017.
"The MAC Tournament is a fun tournament and to have it in Cedar Falls is just that much more of an atmosphere. So it should be awesome," said Steiert.
He also is looking forward to wrestling Oklahoma in the McLeod Center Feb. 5.
"I'm excited to wrestle in the McLeod," he said. "It'll be my first time wrestling in there, so hopefully we can get a lot of fans out and fill it up. We don't ever want to leave our roots right here in West Gym but having a couple in there will be an awesome experience," said Steiert.
Steiert and his brother, Andrew, started their own summer business installing school equipment like grandstands, auditorium equipment and lockers. Steiert said the long summer hours in the work force improved his wrestling.
"I think it really added to my wrestling just from a mental standpoint and being able to push through when everyone is tired," he said. "Working translates into the work force, and the work force translates into wrestling."
Steiert, a sophomore, completed much of his general education courses in his first year so he could move his focus to studying business management with an emphasis in entrepreneurship.
"He's got a great business mind and works really hard at what he does," said Steiert's brother, Andrew. "We blend really well together because we are able to bounce ideas off one another and figure out the best solution."
College wrestling wasn't always in the plan for Steiert.
"Four or five years ago, it was never anything I would have dreamed of," he said. "But one day you just look up and you are in a pretty good spot to make the best of it, so you might as well pour your heart and soul into something."
Seiert's motivation comes from his family. His parents, siblings and grandparents come to every meet, which is challenging because his business partner/brother wrestles at nearby Wartburg College. His family would take turns and split up in order to see both brothers wrestle. Unfortunately, Andrew has been injured so he has been able to support his younger brother as he heals.
"I've always looked up to him," Bryce said of his brother, Andrew. "He's a hard worker, and he can always keep going when you're wondering how someone keeps going. … He's a stand-up guy, and I push myself to be more like him in every aspect."
The brothers feed off each other's passion.
"I've looked up to him because of his determination," said Andrew Steiert. "I mean what he does is crazy. He's gritty, and he grinds with the best of them. I have really admired his wrestling, even though I think I can still take him with my older brother syndrome, but he's a talented kid."
Steiert is also pushing for a national title and making UNI wrestling a top-10 program in the nation.
"We are all born with a desire to be great at something and this is my passion," said Steiert.
As a freshman, Steiert became the first true freshman to start for the Panthers since 2010 and the first true freshman from UNI to qualify for the NCAA tournament since 2003.
"I didn't get what I wanted - to be an All-American," he said. "But it was a great learning curve for my wrestling career and my life. There is just a lot of hardships that you go through. You have to figure out how to do the work in season, and then you have to figure out how to be in college too. I knew I was going to throw myself in the fire. It made me a tougher and better person because of it."
Steiert chose the University of Northern Iowa because of the coaching staff.
"Everyone is going to sell you that they want the best for you, but our coaches really do care for you in every aspect and they really want you to grow as individuals and as wrestlers," he said.
Head coach Doug Schwab reminds the team they don't have to have to wait to achieve big things. It really hit home for Steiert when Schwab's brother and former coach, Mark Schwab, spoke last year.
"At our banquet, he said something that really stuck with me about taking advantage of the time between now and your next opportunity to succeed," Steiert said. "I am carrying that with me this season just thinking about it from last year."
Steiert started the year at 157 pounds and has since moved up 165 pounds. He already has one win over a ranked opponent and will get a lot more chances with some big events coming to UNI this year, including the conference championships March 4-5, 2017.
"The MAC Tournament is a fun tournament and to have it in Cedar Falls is just that much more of an atmosphere. So it should be awesome," said Steiert.
He also is looking forward to wrestling Oklahoma in the McLeod Center Feb. 5.
"I'm excited to wrestle in the McLeod," he said. "It'll be my first time wrestling in there, so hopefully we can get a lot of fans out and fill it up. We don't ever want to leave our roots right here in West Gym but having a couple in there will be an awesome experience," said Steiert.
Players Mentioned
Wrestler
/ WrestlingUNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 13)
Wednesday, November 12
Doug Schwab Press Conference - Nov. 10, 2025.
Tuesday, November 11
PST: Wrestling Preview (2025)
Friday, November 07
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 12)
Wednesday, November 05