TULSA, Okla. – The University of Northern Iowa wrestling team learned its path through the 2026 Big 12 Championships on Monday, as the conference released seeds and brackets for the tournament set to take place this Friday and Saturday at the BOK Center. The Panthers will send ten wrestlers to compete, with seven earning top-eight seeds, headlined by Ryder Downey’s No. 2 seed at 165 pounds. The two-day championship event will be broadcast live on ESPN+, offering fans a chance to follow the action as the team pursues individual titles and NCAA qualification.
Downey, a standout for the Panthers, is looking to add to his already impressive resume. He previously captured the Big 12 title at 157 pounds in 2024 and enters the tournament with an 18-21 record this season. His strong performance has been bolstered by seven wins against ranked opponents, solidifying his position as a key contender in the 165-pound bracket. Full brackets for the 2026 Big 12 Wrestling Championships are available for review HERE.
Panthers Positioned for Success
Beyond Downey, several other UNI wrestlers are poised to make a strong showing in Tulsa. Jared Simma (174 pounds) and Nick Fox (184 pounds) both secured fifth-seed placements, marking their pursuit of their first Big 12 championships. Simma, with a 5-3 record in Big 12 duals this season, will open his tournament against Gunner Cramblett of Air Force. Fox, making his debut at the Big 12 Championship, boasts a 9-2 record and will face Mahonri Rushton of Northern Colorado in the opening round.
Julian Farber (133 pounds) and Caleb Rathjen (149 pounds) also earned sixth-seed placements in their respective brackets. Farber, who finished third at 133 pounds a year ago, will battle Gavin Caprella of Air Force after posting a 14-8 record during the regular season. Rathjen, making his first appearance at the Big 12 Championship, will face Bryce Shelton of Air Force in round one.
First-Timers and Veteran Presence
The Panther lineup also includes wrestlers making their Big 12 Championship debuts. Trever Anderson (125 pounds) will take on Cooper Shore of Cal Baptist, having finished seventh at the conference championships in 2025 and compiling an 11-9 record this year. Adam Ahrendsen will compete at heavyweight as the eight-seed, matching up against Rylan Kuhn of Air Force. Maximus Brady (141 pounds) and Cael Rahnavardi (157 pounds) will also make their first appearances, facing seventh-seeded Carter Nogle (Air Force) and Teague Travis (Missouri), respectively. John Gunderson will return to the Big 12 Championship stage after a hiatus, facing fifth-seeded DJ Parker (Oklahoma).
NCAA Championship Implications
The Big 12 Championships carry significant weight beyond individual titles, as they directly impact qualification for the NCAA Championships, scheduled for March 19-21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The NCAA recently announced pre-conference tournament allocations, outlining the path to qualification. The top-eight finishers in the 133, 184, and 197-pound weight classes will automatically qualify for the national tournament, along with the top seven athletes at 141 and 174 pounds.
the top-six finishers at heavyweight, and the top-five at 125, 149, and 157 pounds, as well as the top-four at 165 pounds, will also earn automatic bids. The remaining 42 at-large qualifying spots will be announced on March 10, with brackets and seeding for the NCAA Championships finalized on March 11. All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers.
Fans can continue to follow UNI wrestling action throughout the season on Facebook (University of Northern Iowa Wrestling), X (@UNI_wrestling), and Instagram (@uni_panther_wrestling), and at UNIpanthers.com.
As the Panthers prepare to compete in Tulsa, the focus remains on executing their training and capitalizing on their seeding. The Big 12 Championships represent a crucial step towards the ultimate goal of NCAA qualification and success. The announcement of at-large bids on March 10 will be the next key date for wrestlers hoping to continue their seasons on the national stage.
What do you think of the Panthers’ chances at the Big 12 Championships? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow wrestling fans!
