University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Wrestling to Host at Least 10 Events in 2017
6/30/2016 4:31:00 PM | Wrestling
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI wrestling will host its first MAC tournament and at least eight duals in the upcoming season.
Panther fans will be treated to the most home events since the 2002-03 season when UNI hosted nine duals and the UNI Open tournament.
The Panthers will wrestle all their November duals in the West Gym and wrap up their home stint with the UNI Open before traveling to Wisconsin and adding a new tournament to their schedule.
UNI will be led by two-time All-American Dylan Peters and has four additional returning Division I NCAA qualifiers on the roster. Cooper Moore will enter his senior year as a three-time qualifier. He will be joined by sophomores Josh Alber and Bryce Steiert. Senior JJ Everard transferred from South Dakota State and sat out the 2015-16 season. The heavyweight qualified for the 2015 NCAA tournament at SDSU.
UNI tied with Old Dominion for 25th place at the Division I NCAA National Wrestling Championships last year. The Panthers were 4-10 in duals after being edged out by a point to Ohio and by four points or less by top-25 teams No. 12 Virginia Tech and No. 16 Iowa State.
SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN:
Nov. 11 vs. UNK (5:45 p.m.) and Utah Valley (7:30 p.m.)
UNI will face University of Nebraska Kearney for the first time. The Lopers are coming off a third-place finish at the Division II NCAA Championships. Utah Valley qualified two seniors last year to finish 38th in the Division I national championships.
Nov. 18 vs. Virginia Tech (7 p.m.)
Last year's fourth-place finish was the highest in program history for the Hokies. VT returns seven of their eight NCAA qualifiers from last year, including four All-Americans.
Nov. 27 vs. Old Dominion (2 p.m.)
The Panthers are 7-0 against Monarchs since the series started in 2005. ODU tied with UNI for 25th at the NCAA Division I Championships in 2016. Jack Dechow returns after earning All-American status in 2014 and his third trip to the NCAA tourney in 2016. Brandon Jeske, a three-time NCAA qualifier, is expected to return at 125 pounds.
Dec. 3 hosting UNI Open (all day, UNI-Dome)
The meet gives Panther fans an opportunity to see what is coming up through the team's ranks. Admission for the tournament is included in the season ticket package.
Dec. 11 at Wisconsin (7 p.m.)
The Badgers return all five 2016 NCAA qualifiers, including Isaac Jordan who took second at 165 pounds. The team finished 23rd overall.
Jan. 1-2 at Southern Scuffle (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Last year's competition included six teams that finished in the top 15 at the 2016 NCAA Division I Championships.
Jan. 8 at Northern Illinois (2 p.m.)
UNI's only loss to NIU was in 1998. The Panthers lead the series 33-1-5 over the Huskies. Three of the team's four NCAA qualifiers return.
Jan. 15 at Central Michigan (1 p.m.)
CMU will be led by All-American Justin Oliver, who took seventh at 149 pounds in 2016. The Chippewas graduated three of its seven 2016 NCAA qualifiers.
Jan. 20 at Iowa State (7 p.m.)
The in-state rival edged out UNI by two points last year in the West Gym. The Panthers will travel to Ames, Iowa, for the next matchup. ISU finished 12th in the nation last year.
Jan. 22 at Eastern Michigan (1 p.m.)
Three of the four Eagles who qualified for the 2016 NCAA championships return. Last year was UNI's first loss to EMU since the series started in 1967.
Jan. 27 at Ohio (6 p.m.)
Ohio is coached by former Panther Joel Greenlee who still holds spots in UNI's top-10 lists, including No. 1 for most career dual victories and most victories in a single season. Ohio graduated its only All-American from the 2016 championships. Cameron Kelly will be the only returning 2016 NCAA qualifier.
Jan. 29 at Kent State (1 p.m.)
The teams have only met three times with two of the duals coming down to the final match. UNI leads the series 2-1. In 2014, the Panthers edged out KSU, 19-18 by criteria when they earned 59 match points to KSU's 58 points. The dual in 2015 also came down to the final bout, but heavyweight Blaize Cabell secured the win to give UNI a 21-16 victory. The Golden Flashes took last year's dual in the West Gym, 22-13.
Feb. 5 vs. Oklahoma (2 p.m.)
Five out of the six Sooners who qualified for the 2016 NCAA championships return, including All-American Ryan Millhof. UNI's Dylan Peters suffered an ACL tear against Millhof at the 2015 Cliff Keen Invite. After sitting out of competition for several weeks, Peters returned to the mat and eventually pinned Millhof in the first period to secure a spot on the podium and earn his second All-American title.
Feb. 10 vs. Buffalo (7 p.m.)
The Panthers are a perfect 4-0 against Buffalo. Buffalo tallied the program's most wins since the 2003-04. The team went 10-9. Muhamed McBryde was awarded a sixth year of eligibility, giving the Bulls nine of its 10 starters from the 2016 MAC Championships.
Feb. 12 at Missouri (2 p.m.)
Mizzou took sixth at the NCAA Championships. The Tigers joined the MAC Championships in 2013 and have won all four team titles. They are led by junior J'den Cox who is set to compete in this summer's Olympic Games. All four of Mizzou's All-Americans from 2016 have eligibility remaining.
Feb. 19 NWCA National Duals
Following the final dual of the year, the top eight teams will compete in the national duals.
March 4-5 hosting the MAC Championships
The Panthers will take their turn hosting the conference championships for the first time since joining the tournament in 2013. It is the qualifying meet for the national championships.
March 16-18 at Division I National Championships (St. Louis, Missouri)
The national meet returns to the Midwest at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Nov. 11 – University Nebraska-Kearney, 5:45 p.m. / Utah Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 18 – Virginia Tech, 7 p.m.
Nov. 27 – Old Dominion, 2 p.m. *
Dec. 3 – UNI Open
Dec. 11 – at Wisconsin, 7 p.m.
Jan. 1-2 – at Southern Scuffle (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Jan. 8 - Northern Illinois, 2 p.m. *
Jan. 15 – at Central Michigan, 1 p.m. *
Jan. 20 – at Iowa State, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 – Eastern Michigan, 1 p.m. *
Jan. 27 – at Ohio, 6 p.m. *
Jan. 29 – at Kent State, 1 p.m. *
Feb. 5 – Oklahoma, 2 p.m.
Feb. 10 – Buffalo, 7 p.m. *
Feb. 12 – at Missouri, 2 p.m. *
Feb. 19 – NWCA National Duals
March 4-5 – MAC Championships
March 16-18 – NCAA Championships (St. Louis, Missouri)
Home dates in bold
* Conference opponents
Panther fans will be treated to the most home events since the 2002-03 season when UNI hosted nine duals and the UNI Open tournament.
The Panthers will wrestle all their November duals in the West Gym and wrap up their home stint with the UNI Open before traveling to Wisconsin and adding a new tournament to their schedule.
UNI will be led by two-time All-American Dylan Peters and has four additional returning Division I NCAA qualifiers on the roster. Cooper Moore will enter his senior year as a three-time qualifier. He will be joined by sophomores Josh Alber and Bryce Steiert. Senior JJ Everard transferred from South Dakota State and sat out the 2015-16 season. The heavyweight qualified for the 2015 NCAA tournament at SDSU.
UNI tied with Old Dominion for 25th place at the Division I NCAA National Wrestling Championships last year. The Panthers were 4-10 in duals after being edged out by a point to Ohio and by four points or less by top-25 teams No. 12 Virginia Tech and No. 16 Iowa State.
SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN:
Nov. 11 vs. UNK (5:45 p.m.) and Utah Valley (7:30 p.m.)
UNI will face University of Nebraska Kearney for the first time. The Lopers are coming off a third-place finish at the Division II NCAA Championships. Utah Valley qualified two seniors last year to finish 38th in the Division I national championships.
Nov. 18 vs. Virginia Tech (7 p.m.)
Last year's fourth-place finish was the highest in program history for the Hokies. VT returns seven of their eight NCAA qualifiers from last year, including four All-Americans.
Nov. 27 vs. Old Dominion (2 p.m.)
The Panthers are 7-0 against Monarchs since the series started in 2005. ODU tied with UNI for 25th at the NCAA Division I Championships in 2016. Jack Dechow returns after earning All-American status in 2014 and his third trip to the NCAA tourney in 2016. Brandon Jeske, a three-time NCAA qualifier, is expected to return at 125 pounds.
Dec. 3 hosting UNI Open (all day, UNI-Dome)
The meet gives Panther fans an opportunity to see what is coming up through the team's ranks. Admission for the tournament is included in the season ticket package.
Dec. 11 at Wisconsin (7 p.m.)
The Badgers return all five 2016 NCAA qualifiers, including Isaac Jordan who took second at 165 pounds. The team finished 23rd overall.
Jan. 1-2 at Southern Scuffle (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Last year's competition included six teams that finished in the top 15 at the 2016 NCAA Division I Championships.
Jan. 8 at Northern Illinois (2 p.m.)
UNI's only loss to NIU was in 1998. The Panthers lead the series 33-1-5 over the Huskies. Three of the team's four NCAA qualifiers return.
Jan. 15 at Central Michigan (1 p.m.)
CMU will be led by All-American Justin Oliver, who took seventh at 149 pounds in 2016. The Chippewas graduated three of its seven 2016 NCAA qualifiers.
Jan. 20 at Iowa State (7 p.m.)
The in-state rival edged out UNI by two points last year in the West Gym. The Panthers will travel to Ames, Iowa, for the next matchup. ISU finished 12th in the nation last year.
Jan. 22 at Eastern Michigan (1 p.m.)
Three of the four Eagles who qualified for the 2016 NCAA championships return. Last year was UNI's first loss to EMU since the series started in 1967.
Jan. 27 at Ohio (6 p.m.)
Ohio is coached by former Panther Joel Greenlee who still holds spots in UNI's top-10 lists, including No. 1 for most career dual victories and most victories in a single season. Ohio graduated its only All-American from the 2016 championships. Cameron Kelly will be the only returning 2016 NCAA qualifier.
Jan. 29 at Kent State (1 p.m.)
The teams have only met three times with two of the duals coming down to the final match. UNI leads the series 2-1. In 2014, the Panthers edged out KSU, 19-18 by criteria when they earned 59 match points to KSU's 58 points. The dual in 2015 also came down to the final bout, but heavyweight Blaize Cabell secured the win to give UNI a 21-16 victory. The Golden Flashes took last year's dual in the West Gym, 22-13.
Feb. 5 vs. Oklahoma (2 p.m.)
Five out of the six Sooners who qualified for the 2016 NCAA championships return, including All-American Ryan Millhof. UNI's Dylan Peters suffered an ACL tear against Millhof at the 2015 Cliff Keen Invite. After sitting out of competition for several weeks, Peters returned to the mat and eventually pinned Millhof in the first period to secure a spot on the podium and earn his second All-American title.
Feb. 10 vs. Buffalo (7 p.m.)
The Panthers are a perfect 4-0 against Buffalo. Buffalo tallied the program's most wins since the 2003-04. The team went 10-9. Muhamed McBryde was awarded a sixth year of eligibility, giving the Bulls nine of its 10 starters from the 2016 MAC Championships.
Feb. 12 at Missouri (2 p.m.)
Mizzou took sixth at the NCAA Championships. The Tigers joined the MAC Championships in 2013 and have won all four team titles. They are led by junior J'den Cox who is set to compete in this summer's Olympic Games. All four of Mizzou's All-Americans from 2016 have eligibility remaining.
Feb. 19 NWCA National Duals
Following the final dual of the year, the top eight teams will compete in the national duals.
March 4-5 hosting the MAC Championships
The Panthers will take their turn hosting the conference championships for the first time since joining the tournament in 2013. It is the qualifying meet for the national championships.
March 16-18 at Division I National Championships (St. Louis, Missouri)
The national meet returns to the Midwest at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Nov. 11 – University Nebraska-Kearney, 5:45 p.m. / Utah Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 18 – Virginia Tech, 7 p.m.
Nov. 27 – Old Dominion, 2 p.m. *
Dec. 3 – UNI Open
Dec. 11 – at Wisconsin, 7 p.m.
Jan. 1-2 – at Southern Scuffle (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Jan. 8 - Northern Illinois, 2 p.m. *
Jan. 15 – at Central Michigan, 1 p.m. *
Jan. 20 – at Iowa State, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 – Eastern Michigan, 1 p.m. *
Jan. 27 – at Ohio, 6 p.m. *
Jan. 29 – at Kent State, 1 p.m. *
Feb. 5 – Oklahoma, 2 p.m.
Feb. 10 – Buffalo, 7 p.m. *
Feb. 12 – at Missouri, 2 p.m. *
Feb. 19 – NWCA National Duals
March 4-5 – MAC Championships
March 16-18 – NCAA Championships (St. Louis, Missouri)
Home dates in bold
* Conference opponents
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