University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
North Dakota State
UNI wrestling tops North Dakota State in home opener
11/23/2025 4:10:00 PM | Wrestling
Panthers score five bonus point wins in 27-11 victory over Bison inside McLeod Center.
OFFICIALS - Eric Eckerman, Jacob Frias
ATTENDANCE - 2,729
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The UNI wrestling team captured wins in seven of ten matches, including five in bonus points on Sunday afternoon as the 15th ranked Panthers topped the North Dakota State Bison by a score of 27-11 in its home and Big 12 Conference dual opener.
Northern Iowa has now won its last five duals against the Bison and four consecutive Big 12 openers. Additionally, Jared Simma (174 pounds) and Wyatt Voelker (heavyweight) each picked up their 50th career victories.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Kicking off the dual at 125 pounds, Trever Anderson battled No. 33 Ezekiel Witt. After a scoreless first period, Anderson began the second on bottom snatched an escape midway through the second. Into the third, the pair scrambled to get a takedown but Anderson was taken down in the final seconds of the match to drop 3-1.
Julian Farber (133 pounds) got the Panthers on board after defeating No. 30 Tristan Daugherty with a 12-1 major decision victory. Farber scored his first takedown in the first period and built over a minute and a half of riding time. Into the second frame on bottom, Faber fought out to earn an escape. Daugherty was given two stalling calls against him and two points were awarded to Farber. With one more stalling call on Daugherty, Farber earned two additional points and in the final seconds secured a takedown and riding time point to close out the match.
Continuing the momentum, Cory Land took on Michael Olson in a high pace match at 141 pounds. After giving up an early takedown, Land scored an escape before fighting on the edge of the mat before Land was able to notch a takedown for a one point lead. Land started on top in the second period and rode Olsen for the whole period as Olsen was called for stalling, awarding Land an additional point. In the third period Land secured an early escape with another point awarded to Land as Olsen continued to stall. In the final seconds of the match Land was able to snag a takedown to finish out the match, with a riding time point, a 11-3 major decision.
Caleb Rathjen made his McLeod debut with the Panthers up against Max Petersen at 149 pounds. After Rathjen gave up a takedown in the opening frame, Peterson started on bottom after injury time and escaped. Rathjen responded with a quick takedown but Peterson escaped. Gaining an escape Rathjen looked to score but was unable to finish sending the pair into the third period. Peterson escaped to begin the third and was called for stalling, giving Rathjen an additional point. Rathjen was ultimately unable to score again, dropping the match 6-5.
At 157 pounds for the Panthers, Cael Rahnavardi defeated Gabriel Gallardo 10-6 to keep the Panther Train rolling. After giving up an early takedown, Rahnavardi responded with a reversal and snagged an additional three back points to take a 5-3 lead. Into the second, Rahnavardi secured an escape and takedown continuing his lead into the third period. Rahnavardi would give up a point on locked hands and a reversal but came out on top after receiving a riding time point to win 10-6.
Ryder Downey topped Tyler Secoy at 165 pounds in a high scoring match. After an early takedown, Downey turned Secoy in a tilt for four points with a near fall, and did so again getting eight total back points for an 11-0 lead. Into the second Downey snagged a takedown and Secoy escaped in the final seconds. With one more takedown in the third Downey dominated with an 18-4 major decision victory.
At 174 pounds, Simma battled Waterloo, Iowa native Max Magayna. Simma took control early in the match getting a takedown and four point nearfall pair in the first period. In the second period Simma stayed on top securing riding time. After giving up a takedown in the third, Simma escaped and clinched a final takedown to defeat Magayna 12-3 with a major decision victory.
CJ Walrath battled Andrew McMonagle in a close match, finishing up the match with a 4-2 victory at 184 pounds for the Panthers. Following at 197 pounds John Gunderson stepped out on the mat for the first time this season to take on Devin Wasley, falling in a 15-0 technical fall match.
In the heavyweight bout, Voelker dominated his opponent Shilo Jones. Following a scoreless first period, Voelker began the second with an escape and struck quickly with a takedown and escape exchange leading 4-1 into the third. Jones was able to escape but Voelker picked up the pace to secure a smooth low-single takedown. Cutting Jones, Voelker added two more takedowns to finish out the dual with a 14-4 lead and dominating the final frame en route to a 20-5 technical fall.
I think we really pushed for bonus points, getting them in five matches, said UNI head coach Doug Schwab. Those are huge for your team but also the mentality of how you wrestle. They (North Dakota State) came out and they scrapped and did not give an inch. I liked that Wyatt for example got to a third score and was willing to continue to score team points.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to the mats on Sunday, Dec. 7 as they compete at the Cougar Clash, hosted by SIU Edwardsville. Competition is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. CT at First Community Arena.
FINAL RESULTS (#Intermat/Flowrestling rankings listed)
No. 15 UNI 27, NORTH DAKOTA STATE 11
- 125 | #33/NR Ezekiel Witt (NDSU) dec. #14/13 Trever Anderson (UNI), 3-1
- 133 | #16/16 Julian Farber (UNI) maj. dec. #30/NR Tristan Daugherty (NDSU), 12-1 MD
- 141 | #16/14 Cory Land (UNI) maj. dec. Michael Olson (NDSU), 11-3 MD
- 149 | Max Petersen (NDSU) dec. #16/12 Caleb Rathjen (UNI), 6-5
- 157 | Cael Rahnavardi (UNI) dec. Gabriel Gallardo (NDSU), 10-6
- 165 | #12/7 Ryder Downey (UNI) maj. dec. Tyler Secoy (NDSU), 18-4 MD
- 174 | #10/19 Jared Simma (UNI) maj. dec. Max Magayna (NDSU), 12-3 MD
- 184| #28/29 CJ Walrath (UNI) dec. Andrew McMonagle (NDSU), 4-2
- 197 | Devin Wasley (NDSU) tech falls, John Gunderson (UNI), 15-0 TF
- HWT | #14/14 Wyatt Voelker (UNI) tech falls Shilo Jones (NDSU), 20-5 TF
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
