2021 NCAA Big12 champion Brody Teske (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Northern Iowa Panthers
Doug Schwab's squad had six guys that made the NCAA tournament last season with five winning matches. Schwab could see it in their eyes, during the placement matches, that every one of them plans to come back with something different the next season. Schwab's response “what's going to change between now and then?†That's what he feels will dictate whether or not his guys will be watching from the stands on Saturday at the NCAA tournament or if they'll be wrestling on Saturday at the NCAA tournament.
TOP RETURNERS
125-Brody Teske-Big 12 Champion/NCAA Qualifier
149-Tristan Lara-NCAA Qualifier
165-Austin Yant-NCAA Qualifier
174-Lance Runyon- NCAA Qualifier
184-Parker Keckeisen-Big 12 Champion/NCAA All-American
285-Carter Isley-NCAA Qualifier
KEY DEPARTURES
Keegan Moore-The starting 197 lber for UNI for most of last season, Keegan Moore has transferred to Oklahoma and will finish out his career there.
Jacob Holschlag-The 2018 All-American had only appeared in two matches since the 2018 tournament in Cleveland. He had missed two full years due to injuries and Schwab confirmed he will not be wrestling at their media day.
TOP NEWCOMERS
174-Carson Babcock
184-Jared Simma
285-Kalob Runyon
WRESTLERS TO WATCH
Brody Teske-Teske was literally seconds away from finishing as an All-American last season at 125. Look for that to put a chip on his shoulder heading into this season that could give him a bit of an edge to make the podium this year.
Cael Happel-The most likely of the freshmen to find a way into the Panther lineup this year is Happel. Last season, Happel went 4-2 last season, with his final win coming over Iowa State national qualifier Todd Small. Schwab says their early season open tournaments will be what decides some of the starting spots, but many view Happel as one that could emerge with the 141 spot.
POTENTIAL LINEUP
125-Brody Teske
133-Jack Skudlarczyk/Kyle Biscoglia
Skudlarczyk won the job last year, but Biscoglia is solid. Pay attention to those early season opens to see how this shakes out.
141-Cael Happel-Ethan Basile
Looks like two freshmen will be fighting it out for this job. Another weight to watch how some of the early opens go to see who emerges.
149-Tristan Lara
157-Cayd Lara
165-Austin Yant
174-Lance Runyon
184-Parker Keckeisen
197-Tyrell Gordon
285-Carter Isley
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