Former Panther wrestler Nick Baima joins IWCOA Hall of Fame
4/17/2023 4:00:00 PM | Wrestling
Four-time NCAA qualifier and 2007 Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Year inducted into Illinois' wrestling Hall of Fame.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- Former UNI wrestler Nick Baima was honored as one of 16 inductees into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches & Officials (IWCOA) on Sunday night, joining a long list of former Panthers to earn special recognition for their contributions to the sport.
A four-year letter winner at UNI from 2004 to 2007 under head coach Brad Penrith, Baima came to Cedar Falls as a four-time Illinois High School state qualifier, building an impressive career with the Panthers. With a career mark of 124-42, he currently ranks sixth on UNI's all-time wins list. Baima went a perfect 8-0 in Western Wrestling Conference duals as a senior, earning conference Wrestler of the Year honors in 2007.
The Glen Ellyn, Illinois native qualified for the NCAA Championships four times at 165 pounds, clinching the 2007 West Regional title en route to earning the 5-seed in the national championship bracket. Baima's 36-8 senior campaign saw him secure 11 wins over NCAA qualifiers, including Johnny Galloway (Northern Illinois), Shawn Kitchner (Brown), Jason Kiessling (Maryland), Michael Cannon (American), Max Dean (Indiana), Dustin Noack (UC Davis), Michael Patrovich (Hofstra), Nick Pullano (Old Dominion) and Ryan Meyer (South Dakota State).
In addition to being a standout athlete, Baima was a stellar student in the classroom, earning three National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American honors, as well as College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-American recognition.
Other members of this year's IWCOA Hall of Fame class include Ed Mears, Tom Rossiano, Mike Garofola, Sharron Jones, Jim Raabe, Roy Seeger, Matt Collum, Ross Truemper, Ron Vermillion, Greg Langley, Jon Murray, Cassio Pero, Todd Combes, Mike Poeta and John Wise.
A four-year letter winner at UNI from 2004 to 2007 under head coach Brad Penrith, Baima came to Cedar Falls as a four-time Illinois High School state qualifier, building an impressive career with the Panthers. With a career mark of 124-42, he currently ranks sixth on UNI's all-time wins list. Baima went a perfect 8-0 in Western Wrestling Conference duals as a senior, earning conference Wrestler of the Year honors in 2007.
The Glen Ellyn, Illinois native qualified for the NCAA Championships four times at 165 pounds, clinching the 2007 West Regional title en route to earning the 5-seed in the national championship bracket. Baima's 36-8 senior campaign saw him secure 11 wins over NCAA qualifiers, including Johnny Galloway (Northern Illinois), Shawn Kitchner (Brown), Jason Kiessling (Maryland), Michael Cannon (American), Max Dean (Indiana), Dustin Noack (UC Davis), Michael Patrovich (Hofstra), Nick Pullano (Old Dominion) and Ryan Meyer (South Dakota State).
In addition to being a standout athlete, Baima was a stellar student in the classroom, earning three National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American honors, as well as College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-American recognition.
Other members of this year's IWCOA Hall of Fame class include Ed Mears, Tom Rossiano, Mike Garofola, Sharron Jones, Jim Raabe, Roy Seeger, Matt Collum, Ross Truemper, Ron Vermillion, Greg Langley, Jon Murray, Cassio Pero, Todd Combes, Mike Poeta and John Wise.
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