University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI wrestling: Future Panthers honored at Dan Gable Awards
3/2/2023 11:09:00 AM | Wrestling
Three UNI signees, all 2023 Iowa high school state champions, named finalists for prestigious wrestling honor.
BOONE, Iowa --- A trio of incoming Panther wrestlers were honored on Wednesday night at the Dan Gable Ms. and Mr. Wrestler of the Year banquet.
Garrett Rinken, Nick Fox and CJ Walrath were all named finalists in their respective classes for the Dan Gable Mr. Wrestler of the Year Award, given to the top high school wrestlers in the state of Iowa. Fox and Walrath were both named finalists for the class 2A award, with Rinken as a finalist in class 1A.
Rinken, a four-time state qualifier from Nashua-Plainfield High School, won a pair of state championships during his decorated prep career with titles in 2023 at 126 pounds, and in 2021 at 113 pounds. The Greene, Iowa native also earned runner-up honors at 120 pounds in 2022, and third place as a freshman at 106 in 2020. Rinken holds a career record 89-7 with 47 pins, 20 technical fall victories and 6 major decisions.
Fox, a two-time class 2A state champion from New Haven, Iowa , picked up titles this season at 170 pounds and in 2022 at 160 pounds. With 43 career pins on his ledger, the Osage High School senior holds a career record of 76-4 with 25 technical fall wins and 4 major decisions.
Walrath, a native of Keokuk, Iowa, is a three-time class 2A medalist, claiming the 2022 and 2023 state title at 182 pounds. The Burlington-Notre Dame product also place third in 2021 at 170 pounds.
