The South Dakota State wrestling team was decisive early, but Northern Iowa won nine-straight matches and won 41-3.
Aaron Pickrel opened the dual with a tough win versus Ryan Jauch at 125 pounds. Pickrel scored a takedown late in the first period and surrendered an escape. After starting on top, Jauch nearly rode out the entire second period, but Pickrel added an escape late in the second. Then, Pickrel did what Jauch could not and rode out the entire third period for a 3-1 decision.
“It is nice for Pickrel to get a win,” head coach Chris Bono said. “He is working hard and hopefully he can keep it rolling through the next couple weeks.”
The next matches were not as pleasant for SDSU, as UNI won three-straight matches by pin. The streak put the Panthers on top 18-3. Two of the three UNI wrestlers were ranked in the top-15 of the NCAA coaches’ rankings.
In the 157-pound match, Cody Pack wrestled another ranked Panther in David Bonin. Bonin, ranked No. 18, scored numerous near falls, built a lead and scored a 15-2 major decision.
UNI led 22-3 at the intermission.
Joe Brewster opened the second half of the dual versus Jarrett Jensen at 165 pounds. Brewster and Jensen wrestled tough and were tied 1-1 late in the second period. Jensen scored a takedown, two points that proved to be the deciding factor, as Brewster only managed another escape and lost a 3-2 decision.
Unfortunately for SDSU, the momentum did not shift, as the Panthers won the remaining four matches. UNI scored one decision, two major decisions and one tech fall in the upper weights.
The results closed out the dual 41-3 in favor of Northern Iowa.
“The effort was better than last week,” said Bono. “Looking at the positives, that is where we head. We need to keep positive, keep building and keep trying.”
SDSU dropped to 4-9, while UNI improved to 7-3.
Next up SDSU continues its five-dual homestand versus Utah Valley. It is SDSU’s third Western Wrestling Conference dual this season. Start time is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6, in Frost Arena.
“The upcoming matches are important,” Bono said. “It is conference. We need to win some conference duals to get to the NCAA Championships. We need to come out fighting.”
Northern Iowa 41, South Dakota State 3
125 – Aaron Pickrel decision Ryan Jauch (UNI), 3-2 (SDSU 3-0)
133 – No. 9 Levi Wolfensperger (UNI) pin Brance Simms, 2:18 (UNI 6-3)
141 – No. 15 Joey Lazor (UNI) pin Ben Gillette, 4:26 (UNI 12-3)
149 – Clay Welter (UNI) pin Tyler Johnson, 1:01 (UNI 18-3)
157 – No. 18 David Bonin (UNI) major decision Cody Pack, 15-2 (UNI 22-3)
165 – Jarrett Jensen (UNI) decision Joe Brewster, 3-2 (UNI 25-3)
174 – No. 21 Cody Caldwell (UNI) decision John Nething II, 9-2 (UNI 28-3)
184 – No. 6 Ryan Loder (UNI) tech fall Shea Nolan, 17-1 (6:25) (UNI 33-3)
197 – Taylor Kettman (UNI) major decision Joe Skow, 10-1 (UNI 37-3)
285 – Blayne Beale (UNI) major decision J.J. Everard, 15-2 (UNI 41-3)