University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Loras Open
Rinken, Thorpe win Loras Open titles for UNI wrestling
1/31/2026 5:46:00 PM | Wrestling
DUBUQUE, Iowa --- Four UNI wrestlers placed at the Loras Open on Saturday, led by a pair of first-place finishes from Garret Rinken (133 pounds) and Connor Thorpe (141 pounds). Austin Paradice earned third place at 157 pounds, while Cameron Geuther rounded out the group with a fourth place finish at heavyweight.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rinken captured the 133-pound title with a dominant run, earning two second period falls. The Osage, Iowa native opened the tournament with a 17-0 technical fall over Dominic Benjamin (Grand View) and closed it out with an 11-5 win over Matthew Chi (Wisconsin-Parkside). The title marks Rinken's second open tournament title of the season after winning the Grand View Open crown back in November.
Connor Thorpe claimed the 141-pound championship title with two major decision victories, finishing the tournament with a 14-9 win over Che Jenkins (Iowa Central). The win marks Thorpe's open tournament championship since the 2025 BVU Open last season and fifth tournament title of his career.
At 157 pounds, Paradice placed third after posting two technical falls and a quick fall over Ayden O'Brien (Grand View) in one minute, 27 seconds. Geuther followed with a fourth place finish, highlighted by two major decisions and a technical fall.
Full UNI results from the tournament can be found below.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to dual action on Sunday, Feb. 8 as they visit No. 15 South Dakota State. Competition is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CT at First Bank & Trust Arena in Brookings with live coverage of the event available on FloWrestling.
FULL UNI RESULTS (#Intermat/Flowrestling rankings listed)
133 | Garret Rinken (4-0) | 1st Place
- W - Dominic Benjamin (Grand View), 17-0 TF
- W - Simon Moreno (Wisconsin-Parkside), Fall 2:18
- W - Devin Bobzien (Wisconsin), Fall 2:53
- W - Matthew Chi (Wisconsin-Parkside), 11-5
141 | Connor Thorpe (3-0) | 1st Place
- W - Hunter Arnold (Valiant College Prep), 17-6 MD
- W - James Lovelady (Upper Iowa), 16-4 MD
- W - Che Jenkins (Iowa Central), 14-9
157 | Austin Paradice (5-1) | 3rd Place
- W - Justin Avila (Grand View), 16-0 TF
- W - Aidan Schoen (Grand View), 18-0 TF
- W - Kane Naaktgeboren (Iowa State), 5-1
- L - Gus Cardinal (Valiant College Prep), 9-5
- W - Ayden O`Brien (Grand View), Fall 1:27
- W - Kane Naaktgeboren (Iowa State), 2-1
HWT | Cameron Geuther (3-2) | 4th Place
- W - Patrick Conneely (Loras), 18-2 TF
- W - Geoffrey Freeman (Upper Iowa), 7-4
- L - Connor Diemel (Unattached), 10-2 MD
- W - Demetrius Stanley (Iowa Central), 14-1 MD
- L - Geoffrey Freeman (Upper Iowa), 4-1
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
