Panther wrestling prepares for top-ten matchup this weekend with Nebraska

No. 10 UNI wrestling (3-0 / 2-0 Big 12) vs. No. 4 Nebraska (5-0 / 0-0 Big Ten)

1 p.m. CT | Jan. 5, 2024
McLeod Center (6,650) | Cedar Falls, Iowa
WATCH (FloWrestling/CFU Channel 15)
LIVE RESULTS
TICKETS

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The UNI wrestling team will open the 2025 calendar year with its biggest test of the season on Sunday afternoon as the Panthers host fourth-ranked Nebraska in non-conference dual action.

Competition is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CT inside the McLeod Center, with live coverage also available on FloWrestling and CFU Channel 15.

Tickets for the dual can be purchased online through the UNI Ticket Office, by calling 319-273-4849 or by emailing tickets@uni.edu. UNI wrestlers will also be made available for autographs on the north deck after the dual.

Northern Iowa, which has won each of its first three duals this year against South Dakota State, Missouri and Nebraska-Kearney, will be in search of its first victory against the Cornhuskers since the 1963-64 season. UNI narrowly fell to Nebraska last January in Lincoln by a score of 16-15.

UNI saw ten athletes make the podium in its last outing at the Soldier Salute in Coralville, a program record at the tournament, led by third-place finishes from Trever Anderson (125 pounds), Colin Realbuto (149 pounds) and Jared Simma (174 pounds).

Sunday's dual is expected to see a number of thrilling rematches at a number of weight classes, including Ryder Downey and Antrell Taylor at 157 pounds, as well as Jared Simma and Lenny Pinto at 174 pounds, both projected rematches from the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational just last month. Julian Farber (133 pounds) is also projected to meet Jacob Van Dee for a fourth time in his career, with Farber holding a 2-1 series lead. Farber defeated Van Dee at the 2023 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and in last year's dual in Lincoln before Van Dee won the third meeting of the season at the NCAA Championships last March.

Panthers in the rankings (Intermat/FloWrestling) [As of 12/30/24]

125 | Kyle Gollhofer (#31/NR)
133 | Cory Land (#21/32)
141 | Cael Happel (#8/9)
149 | Colin Realbuto (#17/15)
157 | Ryder Downey (#5/5)
165 | Jack Thomsen (#21/19)
174 | Jared Simma (#16/14)
184 | Parker Keckeisen (#2/2)
197 | Wyatt Voelker (#15/13)
HWT | Lance Runyon (#16/17)

SCOUTING NEBRASKA
Nebraska brings its undefeated dual record to Cedar Falls to begin a jam packed January. Cornhuskers head coach Mark Manning, who served as UNI's head wrestling coach from 1997 to 2000, can get his 300th win as the head Husker with a victory over the Panthers.

The Cornhuskers' schedule in January will be a big test for the fourth-ranked team in the nation, facing No. 10 UNI on Sunday before hosting No. 7 Minnesota and No. 1 Penn State in the coming weeks. Nebraska is also slated to visit No. 9 Michigan on Jan. 24.

Nebraska returns seven of its nine NCAA qualifiers from last season, including four All-Americans in Brock Hardy (141 pounds), Caleb Smith (125 pounds), Ridge Lovett (149 pounds) and Antrell Taylor (165 pounds).

Nebraska has captured dual wins over Utah Valley, Campbell, North Carolina, Augustana (S.D.) and Nebraska-Kearney. The Cornhuskers also saw four athletes top the podium at the Navy Classic and one at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.

The Huskers placed third at last season's Big Ten Championships and ninth at the NCAA Championships in Kansas City.

PROJECTED LINEUPS (Intermat / FloWrestling rankings listed)

125 | #31/NR Kyle Gollhofer (UNI) OR Trever Anderson (UNI) vs. #5 Caleb Smith (NU) OR Kael Lauridsen (NU)
133 | Julian Farber (UNI) OR #21/32 Cory Land (UNI) vs. #20/21 Jacob Van Dee (NU)
141 | #8/9 Cael Happel (UNI) vs. #5/5 Brock Hardy (NU)
149 | #17/15 Colin Realbuto (UNI) vs. #5/5 Ridge Lovett (NU)
157 | #5/5 Ryder Downey (UNI) vs. #3/4 Antrell Taylor (NU)
165 | #21/19 Jack Thomsen (UNI) vs. #7/7 Bubba Wilson (NU) OR Christopher Minto (NU)
174 | #16/14 Jared Simma (UNI) OR Nick Fox (UNI) vs. LJ Araujo (NU) OR #17/16 Lenny Pinto (NU)
184 | #2/2 Parker Keckeisen (UNI) vs. Ethan DeLeon (NU) OR #5/7 Silas Allred (NU)
197 | #15/13 Wyatt Voelker (UNI) vs. #22/29 Camden McDanel (NU)
HWT | #16/17 Lance Runyon (UNI) OR Adam Ahrendsen (UNI) vs. Matthew Moore (NU) OR #23/28 Harley Andrews (NU)

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.

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