Northern Iowa Dominates North Dakota State in Big 12 Wrestling Opener
Despite a valiant effort featuring a pair of upset victories, North Dakota State wrestling fell to Northern Iowa 27-11 on Sunday, November 23, 2025, in their Big 12 Conference opener at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Bison showcased resilience with individual wins, but ultimately succumbed to the Panthers’ overall strength.
Bison Start Strong with Witt’s Upset Victory
Ezekiel Witt ignited the dual meet for North Dakota State, securing a dramatic 3-1 decision over #14 Trever Anderson in the 125-pound bout. Witt trailed 1-0 heading into the third period, but a last-second takedown sealed the upset victory for the Bison.
Northern Iowa Responds with Major Decisions
Northern Iowa quickly responded, claiming the next two matches with major decisions. #16 Julian Farber defeated #30 Tristan Daugherty 12-1 at 133 pounds, and #16 Cory Land bested Michael Olson 11-3 at 141 pounds, giving the Panthers an 8-3 lead.
Petersen Secures Another Upset for NDSU
Max Petersen continued the Bison’s momentum, earning a 6-5 decision over #16 Caleb Rathjen in his season debut at 149 pounds. The match was briefly halted due to an injury to Rathjen, but Petersen persevered upon resumption, securing a crucial win for North Dakota State.
Close Match at 157 Pounds
True freshman Gabriel Gallardo battled competitively in his first collegiate match at 157 pounds, recording a takedown and a reversal against Cael Rahnavardi. Despite a strong effort, Gallardo fell in a close 10-6 decision, extending Northern Iowa’s lead to 11-6.
Panthers Clinch the Dual
Northern Iowa extended their advantage with back-to-back major decisions in the 165 and 174-pound classes. Ryder Downey defeated Tyler Secoy 18-4, and #10 Jared Simma overcame Max Magayna 12-3, bringing the score to 19-6. CJ Walrath then clinched the dual for the Panthers with a 4-2 decision over Andrew McMonagle at 184 pounds.
Wasley Ends NDSU’s Drought with Tech Fall
Devin Wasley provided a bright spot for the Bison, dominating John Gunderson with a 15-0 tech fall at 197 pounds. Wasley showcased his offensive prowess with a takedown, a two-point nearfall, a reversal, and a pair of four-point nearfalls.
Northern Iowa Seals Victory with Heavyweight Tech Fall
The Panthers concluded the dual with another tech fall, as #14 Wyatt Voelker defeated Shilo Jones 20-5 at 285 pounds, finalizing the score at 27-11.
North Dakota State will return to action on December 7, traveling to Minneapolis to face Minnesota at Maturi Pavilion, with the dual scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.
Match Results:
125 | #33 Ezekiel Witt (NDSU) over #14 Trever Anderson (UNI), Dec 3-1; NDSU 3-0
133 | #16 Julian Farber (UNI) over #30 Tristan Daugherty (NDSU), MD 12-1; UNI 4-3
141 | #16 Cory Land (UNI) over Michael Olson (NDSU), MD 11-3; UNI 8-3
149 | Max Petersen (NDSU) over #16 Caleb Rathjen (UNI), Dec 6-5; NDSU 8-6
157 | Cael Rahnavardi (UNI) over Gabriel Gallardo (NDSU), Dec 10-6; UNI 11-6
165 | #12 Ryder Downey (UNI) over Tyler Secoy (NDSU), MD 18-4; UNI 15-6
174 | #10 Jared Simma (UNI) over Max Magayna (NDSU), MD 12-3; UNI 19-6
184 | #28 CJ Walrath (UNI) over Andrew McMonagle (NDSU), Dec 4-2; UNI 22-6
197 | Devin Wasley (NDSU) over John Gunderson (UNI), TF 15-0; UNI 22-11
285 | #14 Wyatt Voelker (UNI) over Shilo Jones (NDSU), TF 20-5; UNI 27-11
