Ryder Downey named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week
1/9/2024 3:00:00 PM | Wrestling
Downey earns first career honor from conference after top-five win this past weekend.
IRVING, Tex. --- UNI's Ryder Downey has been named the Big 12 Conference's Wrestler of the Week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon. The honor is the first conference award of Downey's career.
Downey's selection comes after the Panther redshirt freshman notched a pair of victories in UNI's two duals this past weekend against Wyoming and Nebraska in Lincoln. After rolling past Cooper Voorhees (Wyoming) in a 15-0 technical fall win, the 157-pounder notched the biggest win of his career with an upset victory over third-ranked Peyton Hall (Nebraska).
Downey initially trailed Robb 3-0 after a late first period takedown, but responded with a takedown of his own and added an escape in the second period. Overcoming a reversal by Robb, Downey quickly escapes to reclaim the lead and held on for a 6-5 decision, notching his third victory over a top-15 challenger this season, and first of his career against a top-five ranked opponent.
Other nominees for Big 12 Wrestler of the Week included Wyatt Henrickson (Air Force), Cody Chittum (Iowa State), Kade Moore (Missouri), Stevo Poulin (Northern Colorado), Gaven Sax (North Dakota State), Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma), Teague Travis (Oklahoma State), Bennett Berge (South Dakota State), Michael Wolfgram (West Virginia) and Jore Volk (Wyoming).
Downey, a native of Indianola, Iowa, holds a record of 9-4 this season, including a 4-2 mark in dual meets. Ryder is the son of Jarid and Jacy Downey and older brother of 125-pound UNI wrestler Bowen Downey. He currently is majoring in biology.
The 24th-ranked Panthers return to action on Saturday, January 13 as they host the Utah Valley Wolverines in a Big 12 dual. Competition is slated to begin at 7 p.m. CT in the McLeod Center, with live coverage available on FloWrestling and CFU Channel 15. Tickets can be purchased online at UNIpanthers.com/tickets, or by calling the ticket office at 319-273-4849.
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