University of Northern Iowa
Daktronics Open
Panther Train heads to Daktronics Open, Keckeisen to NWCA All-Star Classic
11/17/2023 11:39:00 AM | Wrestling
No. 15 UNI wrestling at Daktronics Open
- 10 a.m. CT | Nov. 19, 2023
- Brookings, S.D. | Frost Arena
- FloWrestling (Livestream)
- FloWrestling (Results)
No. 1 Parker Keckeisen at NWCA All-Star Classic
- 7 p.m. CT | Nov. 21, 2023
- University Park, Penn. | Rec Hall
- FloWrestling (Livestream)
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CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The majority of the UNI wrestling team will hit the mats for their first competition of the season in Brookings, South Dakota this Sunday as the Panthers visit Frost Arena for the Daktronics Open.Â
Three-time All-American Parker Keckeisen meanwhile will head east to the campus of Penn State University for a one-versus-two exhibition at the National Wrestling Coaches Association's (NWCA) All-Star Classic in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Northern Iowa returns to action after a strong start to its 100th anniversary season last weekend from its freshmen newcomers with six titles clinched at the Grand View Open in Grimes. In the freshman/sophomore division, Bowen Downey and Brandon Paez went 4-0 in their collegiate debuts to tie for first-place in the 125-pound bracket, while Izzy Moreno recorded four pins and six victories to win the 165-pound field. Nick Fox also pinned four opponents en route to a 174-pound title, as CJ Walrath won six straight bouts to claim the 197-pound championship. Keckeisen rolled through the 184-pound bracket in the open division to open his season, while RJ Weston won the 157-pound field.
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The Panthers return eight medalists from the 2022 Daktronics Open, including 141-pound champion Cael Happel. Returning medalists include:
- 125 | Kyle Gollhofer - 5th Place
- 141 | Cael Happel - 1st Place
- 157 | Evan Yant - 2nd Place
- 157 | Wade Mitchell - 4th Place
- 174 | Jared Simma - 5th Place
- 174 | Carson Babcock - 6th Place
- 197 | Kalob Runyon - 4th Place
- 285 | Tyrell Gordon - 3rd Place
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Seven Panthers enter the weekend ranked in the latest, FloWrestling rankings include Keckeisen at No. 1 at 184 pounds and Tyrell Gordon at No. 8 at 285 pounds.
FLOWRESTLING RANKS - Nov. 13, 2023
- 133 | Julian Farber - #21
- 141 | Cael Happel - #17
- 157 | RJ Weston - #29
- 174 | Lance Runyon - #30
- 184 | Parker Keckeisen - #1
- 197 | Wyatt Voelker - #31
- 285 | Tyrell Gordon - #8
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NWCA ALL-STAR CLASSIC - Parker Keckeisen
Keckeisen will represent the Panthers on the national stage at the NWCA All-Star Classic for a second consecutive year on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
A prestigious exhibition of college wrestling's finest, the event brought together some of the nation's best competitors during its original run from 1967 to 2017. The event made its return last year in Austin, Texas after a four-year hiatus.Â
Last November, Keckeisen faced off against Penn State's Aaron Brooks at 184 pounds, dropping the exhibition match in a 12-8 decision. The two would ultimately meet again at season's end in the NCAA finals, also won by Brooks in a 7-2 decision.
Keckeisen will face off against another challenger from Penn State in this year's event in preseason No. 2 Bernie Truax. A three-time All-American at Cal Poly, Truax transferred into the Nittany Lion program during the offseason after posting an 18-3 record in 2022-23 and finishing fourth at the NCAA Championships at 197 pounds.
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2023 will mark the 20th time a Panther has participated in the NWCA All-Star Classic, and first time since 1992 that UNI has participated in consecutive events.
- 1967 - Don Parker (177 pounds)
- 1969 - Kent Osboe (HWT)
- 1974 - Jim Miller (134 pounds)
- 1975 - Jim Miller (134 pounds)
- 1984 - John Kriebs (HWT)
- 1988 - Mark Schwab (118 pounds)
- 1988 - Joel Greenlee (HWT)
- 1989 - Joel Greenlee (HWT)
- 1991 - Gary Steffensmeier (150 pounds)
- 1991 - Rich Powers (177 pounds)
- 1992 - Rich Powers (177 pounds)
- 1993 - Justin Greenlee (HWT)
- 2003 - Dylan Long (141 pounds)
- 2004 - Eric Hauan (174 pounds)
- 2004 - Dylan Long (141 pounds)
- 2004 - Sean Stender (197 pounds)
- 2017 - Max Thompson (149 pounds)
- 2017 - Drew Foster (184 pounds)
- 2022 - Parker Keckeisen (184 pounds)
- 2023 - Parker Keckeisen (184 pounds)
Players Mentioned
