University of Northern Iowa
Nebraska-Kearney
Panther wrestling cruises past Nebraska-Kearney, 35-8
12/14/2024 9:42:00 PM | Wrestling
UNI wins eight bouts en route to third straight dual win. Panther Train returns to action at Soldier Salute on Dec. 29-30.
- OFFICIALS - Carlus Mansel, Leo Mercado
- ATTENDANCE - 2,473
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI bested Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday night in a dual between two of the top wrestling programs in the midwest, with the Panthers defeating the Lopers by a score of 35-8 in non-conference action.
Northern Iowa, who remains undefeated through three duals this season, won eight of ten matches, including six in bonus points with a pair of pins. Additionally, two young Panthers in Garret Rinken and Carter Freeman both made their collegiate dual debuts, each picking up wins for the tenth-ranked Panthers.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lopers would get on the board first as Kyle Gollhofer struggled to establish an offensive attack in an 8-0 major decision loss to Zach Ourada at 125 pounds. UNI quickly got on the board in the following bout with Rinken at 133 pounds, rallying early in the third period against Hector Serratos to tie the match at 5-5 and force overtime. A takedown in overtime would be the difference for the Panther freshman in the 8-5 sudden victory win.
Freeman scored early in his 141-pound bout with Joseph Airola, holding off a late push from his UNK challenger to grab a 4-2 win. Adam Allard dominated at 149 pounds, quickly jumping on Beau Hostler with a quick first period takedown before adding three nearfall points for a 6-0 lead. Allard would add four more nearfall points, followed by three more just seconds later before capping his impressive showing with two additional nearfall points for a 15-0 technical fall in just one minute, 53 seconds.
At 157 pounds, Cael Rahnavardi's second period escape and takedown of Cael Robb helped set the stage for two additional takedowns by the Cedar Falls native, who cruised to an 8-0 major decision win with riding time, giving the Panthers a 15-4 lead in the dual at the intermission.
UNI's impressive night on the mat continued at 165 pounds as Jack Thomsen grabbed a 9-2 lead on Trenton Munoz with three takedowns in the first period. Additional offense in the third period, plus riding time would help give Thomsen a 16-5 major decision, extending the Panthers' lead even further.
At 174 pounds, Nick Fox capitalized on an early 6-1 lead on Dylan Vodicka, parlaying his offense into a late pin in the first period with just 14 seconds remaining in the period. The fall marked Fox's dual win of his career and second pin of his career.
Parker Keckeisen amassed a 9-2 lead after the first period at 184 pounds against Jacobi Deal, adding three nearfall points in the second and another takedown in the second for a 16-2 lead. The reigning NCAA champion would catch Deal off guard and secure just the eighth pin of his career in six minutes, 12 seconds and another bonus point win for his resume. Keckeisen has now won 39 consecutive matches dating back to the start of last season, with bonus point victories in 25 of his last 27 bouts.
Kalob Runyon, like several of his teammates earlier in the night, grabbed a quick lead in his 197-pound bout with Jackson Kinsella with two quick takedowns for a 6-1 lead after the first. Additional offense in the second and third would help Runyon grow his lead, giving the redshirt junior a 12-3 major decision.
Adam Ahrendsen would close the night at heavyweight, taking on Crew Howard, the nation's top-ranked wrestler in Division II. Despite responding to a Howard takedown with a two-point reversal, Ahrendsen would struggle to slow his opponent late, falling to Howard in a 15-3 major decision.
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UP NEXT
UNI returns to action Dec. 29-30 at the Soldier Salute at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa. Live results for the tournament can be found on TrackWrestling.
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FINAL RESULTS (Intermat / FloWrestling rankings listed for UNI only)
No. 10 UNI 35, NEBRASKA-KEARNEY 8
- 125 | Zach Ourada (UNK) maj. dec. #32/NR Kyle Gollhofer (UNI), 8-0 MD
- 133 | Garret Rinken (UNI) dec. Hector Serratos (UNK), 8-5 SV-1
- 141 | Carter Freeman (UNI) dec. Joseph Airola (UNK), 4-2
- 149 | Adam Allard (UNI) tech falls Beau Hostler (UNK), 15-0 TF (1:53)
- 157 | Cael Rahnavardi (UNI) maj. dec. Cael Robb (UNK), 8-0 MD
- 165 | #21/19 Jack Thomsen (UNI) maj. dec. Trenton Munoz (UNK), 16-5 MD
- 174 | Nick Fox (UNI) pins Dylan Vodicka (UNK), Fall 2:46
- 184 | #2/2 Parker Keckeisen (UNI) pins Jacobi Deal (UNK), Fall 6:12
- 197 | Kalob Runyon (UNI) maj. dec. Jackson Kinsella (UNK), 12-3 MD
- HWT | Crew Howard (UNK) maj. dec. Adam Ahrendsen (UNI), 15-3 MDÂ
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UNI wrestling action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (University of Northern Iowa Wrestling), X (@UNI_wrestling) and on Instagram (@uni_panther_wrestling). Check out the latest Panther news and information online at UNIpanthers.com.
Players Mentioned
