UNI wrestling preview and predictions for NCAA Championships
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Northern Iowa wrestling doesn't have the largest coalition heading to Cleveland, Ohio, for the March 19-21 NCAA Championships, but the Panthers hope to make noise nonetheless.
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With a crew of five in Julian Farber (133 pounds), Caleb Rathjen (149), Ryder Downey (165), Jared Simma (174) and Nick Fox (184), it's a mix of four veterans looking to become NCAA All-Americans or better for the first time in their careers and a first-time NCAA qualifier in Fox seeking to make a name for himself. While UNI will be without Cory Land and Wyatt Voelker, two of the team leaders after season-ending injuries, the Panthers and head coach Doug Schwab seem to routinely find a way to make waves at nationals.
Who will it be this year that surprises? How will UNI place? Let's dive into the five wrestlers going to Cleveland and predict where they will finish.
UNI wrestling's NCAA Championships paths
Starting with Julian Farber at 133 pounds, he's the No. 20 seed with No. 13 Jacob Van Dee of Nebraska in the first round. He's 2-4 all-time vs. Van Dee, including a loss this year and in the last four matchups. If he found a way to turn the matchup back in his favor, he'd then likely have No. 4 Aaron Siedel of Virginia Tech, one of a handful of freshman phenoms at 133 pounds. The savvy veteran will have a lot of work to do in his final postseason.
Caleb Rathjen at 149 pounds is one to watch. He not only finished the season strong with a run to the Big 12 finals, but has a workable path as well. As the No. 14 seed, he opens with No. 19 Brock Herman of Little Rock. If he advances, he'd likely have Penn's Cross Wasilewski (No. 3) who is 24-3 and the Ivy League runner-up. If he found a way to pull an upset, he'd likely draw either Caleb Tyus of SIU Edwardsville (No. 6) or Michigan's Lachlan McNeil (No. 11) in the quarterfinals. 149 pounds doesn't have the depth of the rest of the weights, so if Rathjen continues his recent winning ways, he could make a run.
Next, Ryder Downey at 165 pounds (No. 11) is the Panthers' top contender for the podium. He opens with a matchup vs. No. 22 Matthew Olguin or Oregon State. Assuming he gets through and seeding holds, a showdown with No. 6 LJ Araujo of Nebraska awaits. Downey defeated Araujo in a 3-0 sudden victory this season. If he can defeat him once again, a fun clash of styles between Downey's defense and the offense from Michael Caliendo of Iowa (No. 3) would likely be set up in the quarterfinal. If Downey's defense continues to shine and he can finish his attacks, Downey stands a chance to get on the NCAA All-American stand for the first time ever.
Jared Simma returns for a third time at 174 pounds for NCAAs, earning an at-large bid. As the No. 16 seed, he faces No. 17 Nick Fine of Columbia in the first round,. His reward for getting through that would be No. 1 seed Levi Haines barring a surprise. Simma made a heck of a run to the NCAA quarterfinals two years ago, and he will need to curate some of that magic again either vs. Haines or in consolations if he hopes to make the podium for the first time.
Nick Fox makes his first NCAA Championships at 184 pounds. He's the No. 29 seed, with an opening-round match vs. No. 4 James Conway of Franklin and Marshall. UNI has had some tremendous success at 184 pounds in recent years, including NCAA champion Parker Keckeisen most recently. Fox has had some nice ranked wins this season to help earn an at-large bid, but this will be his proving ground to show he can continue the legacy at 184.
Predictions for UNI wrestlers at NCAA Championships
- 133: Julian Farber - Round of 12
- 149: Caleb Rathjen - Round of 12
- 165: Ryder Downey - Sixth, NCAA All-American
- 174: Jared Simma - Round of 16 finish
- 184: Nick Fox - 0-2, does not place
- Team: Top-25 finish
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: UNI wrestling NCAA Championships preview, predictions