University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Arizona State
Panther Train outduels Arizona State, 27-11
1/22/2026 9:26:00 PM | Wrestling
UNI wins seven bouts in first Big 12 dual of 2026. Panthers visit Oklahoma State and Oklahoma next weekend.
ATTENDANCE - 3,042
OFFICIALS - Eric McGill, Ben Marshall
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- Panther fans braved frigid temperatures on Thursday night as the 13th ranked UNI wrestling team emerged victorious with a 27-11 dual win over the Arizona State Sun Devils in Big 12 Conference action.
Northern Iowa recorded its sixth straight dual win after capturing seven of ten bouts, including three in bonus points, defeating the Sun Devils for a second straight season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
At 125 pounds Trever Anderson took on An'ee Vigil in a tightly contested match. After giving up an early takedown, Anderson was able to get an escape and takedown on the edge of the mat to end the first period. In the second, Anderson snagged an escape but Vigil got a takedown. Anderson tied up the match 6-6 late in the third with an escape sending the pair into overtime. In just seconds, Anderson was able to secure the takedown needed for a 9-6 victory.
Julian Farber dominated Carter Dibert at 133 pounds. After giving up the first takedown, Farber responded quickly with a reversal and Dibert escaped to end the period. In the second period, Farber escaped right off the whistle and earned a takedown, cutting Dibert to get another takedown and four back points to extend his lead 13-5. Farber cut Dibert loose on an alternate start in the third period and turned on the jets in the third to roll to a 23-8 technical fall. Max Brady battled hard but ultimately fell 13-4 against No. 26 Pierson Manville in his Big 12 dual debut at 141 pounds.
Caleb Rathjen took on Benji Alanis at 149 pounds. Following a scoreless first period, Alanis was able to escape, midway into the second period Rathjen was able to secure a takedown and extend his lead in the third period earning an escape and riding time point to clinch his 5-1 win. At 157 pounds, Cael Rahnavardi fought hard against No. 2 Kaleb Larkin but fell 5-2 after narrowly missing a defensive pin.
Ryder Downey took on ranked opponent No. 12 Nicco Ruiz at 165 pounds. Securing the first takedown at the edge of the mat in the first period, Downey kept his defense on point to earn the 4-2 decision, gaining his sixth ranked win of the season.
Jared Simma went to work at 174 pounds against Cael Valencia. With a takedown in the first period, Simma kept his momentum rolling with a reversal in the second, Valencia escaped sending them 5-1 into the third period. Simma snagged four back points and a riding time point en route to his 9-1 victory. At 184 pounds Nick Fox received a forfeit for the Panthers marking six team points on board.
John Gunderson picked up a win over Colton Hawks at 197 pounds. Following a scoreless first period, Gunderson was able to escape taking the lead in the second period. Gunderson snagged four nearfall points, while Hawks escaped to send the pair 5-2 into the third period. Gunderson added one more escape and Hawks got a riding time point as Gunderson clinched the 6-3 victory. Cameron Geuther made his collegiate dual debut against No. 18 David Szuba ultimately dropping the heavyweight bout 16-4.
Overall, a solid performance tonight but not the sharpest we've been and as sharp as we will be moving forward, said head coach Doug Schwab. We gave ourselves plenty of opportunities tonight. I'm looking forward to seeing if what we're working on in practice is taking hold in competition.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to dual action next Friday, Jan. 30 as they visit No. 5 Oklahoma State in Stillwater. Competition is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT at Gallagher-Iba Arena with live coverage of the event can be found on FloWrestling.
FINAL RESULTS (#Intermat/Flowrestling rankings listed)
No. 13 UNI 27, ARIZONA STATE 11
- 125 | #31/25 Trever Anderson (UNI) dec. An'ee Vigil (ASU), 9-6 SV-1
- 133 | #25/18 Julian Farber (UNI) tech falls Carter Dibert (ASU), 23-8 TF
- 141 | #29/26 Pierson Manville (ASU) maj. dec. Max Brady, 13-4 MD
- 149 | #32/19 Caleb Rathjen (UNI) dec. Daniel Miranda (ASU), 5-1
- 157 | #2/3 Kaleb Larkin (ASU) dec. Cael Rahnavardi (UNI), 5-2
- 165 | #6/6 Ryder Downey (UNI) dec. #13/12 Nicco Ruiz (ASU), 4-2
- 174 | #14/14 Jared Simma (UNI) maj. dec. Cael Valencia (ASU), 9-1 MD
- 184 | Nick Fox (UNI) def. Unknown (ASU), Forfeit
- 197 | John Gunderson (UNI) dec. Colton Hawks (ASU), 6-3
- HWT | #18/18 David Szuba (ASU) maj. dec. Cameron Geuther (UNI), 16-4 MD
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
