Was this one of the best seasons in UNI wrestling history?
The program has plenty of success in the days it was known as Iowa State Teachers College, from 1930 through 1950, so it's not quite the best. But the 2024-25 season was certainly one of the best of the modern era.
Here is how the UNI's season grades out from the regular season, the postseason, the recruiting class and how each weight performed throughout the year:
Grading Northern Iowa wrestling's regular season
Grade: A
- Nov. 16 - Grand View Open (Five Champions)
- Nov. 24 - South Dakota State (W, 16-15)
- Nov. 26 - Missouri (W, 24-10)
- Dec. 6-7 - Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (One champion, sixth place)
- Dec. 14 - Nebraska-Kearney (W, 35-8)
- Jan. 5 - Nebraska - 1 p.m. (W, 24-9)
- Jan. 11-12 - NWCA Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championships (1st place)
- Jan. 17 - Arizona State (W, 33-10)
- Jan. 24 - Oklahoma State (L, 14-22)
- Jan. 25 - Oklahoma (W, 26-13)
- Feb. 1 at West Virginia (W, 29-10)
- Feb. 8 - North Dakota State (W, 33-6)
- Feb. 16 - Iowa State - (W, 26-10)
- Feb. 23 - Wisconsin - (W, 28-12)
It was one of the best dual seasons in recent memory for UNI, with a 14-1 record (most wins since 1991) and a National Duals title over a smaller field. Dominant wins over Iowa State and Nebraska were the highlight, while a narrow loss to Oklahoma State was the lone blemish.
Grading Northern Iowa wrestling's postseason
Grade: B+
This may be a bit of a surprise of a grade, considering it was the first top-10 finish at NCAAs since 1992 and the best under coach Doug Schwab, but there was a bit left on the bone here. Ryder Downey and Wyatt Voelker each fell short of their All-American potential, Parker Keckeisen fell one win short of a second national title.
There was a lot to celebrate, but an even better finish was on the table at NCAAs.
Grading Northern Iowa wrestling's weight classes
125: B+
Trever Anderson had one of the feel-good journeys of the tournament, losing in the first round, marching all the way back to the round of 12 and knocking out reigning national champion Richard Figueroa along the way. He sets himself up for a promising 2026 run.
133: B
Julian Farber got the nod over Cory Land after Land suffered an injury at the Cliff Keen Invitational. He finished the season with an 18-8 record, highlighted by his first-round win at NCAAs over former All-American Anthony Noto of Lock Haven.
141: A
In his final season, Cael Happel got to the podium for the first time with a fifth-place finish. He also won his first Big 12 championship, ending his career with some impressive hardware.
149: B+
Colin Realbuto put it all on the line in his final season, coming up one win shy of a Big 12 title and going 1-2 at NCAAs. Coming off a knee injury and wrestling this season as a first-time father, he will be pleased with the year he had.
157: B
Downey ranked inside the top-five of 157 for a good bulk of the year but fell short of All-American status. However, the Indianola product finishes his sophomore year with a win over the eventual national champion, Antrell Tyalor of Nebraska, a 27-6 record and will enter his junior season as a title contender.
165: B
Jack Thomsen went 2-2 at NCAAs and ended with a 21-12 record. He beat who he was ...
