The biggest story in Northern Iowa wrestling – returning national champion Parker Keckeisen – recently became part of perhaps the biggest story in all of college wrestling with his NWCA All-Star meet showdown against Penn State four-timer Carter Starocci.

Northern Iowa on Monday announced plans to expand a university fundraising campaign to include a new wrestling training facility. The Panthers were recently forced to relocate to the USA Mat Club in Cedar Falls after structural issues were discovered at the 98-year-old West Gym, the longtime home of the Panthers.

Northern Iowa defeated Ohio State at the Collegiate Duals on December 19 and Cedar Falls is buzzing. The Panthers have had lots of big wins over the years. In fact, UNI (known as Iowa State Teachers College) was the best team in the country for a spell.

Head coach: Doug Schwab (13th season)

Iowa State coach Kevin Dresser says that Northern Iowa coach Doug Schwab will never defeat his team from this point going forward. That’s a bold statement given the recent history between these in-state programs.

It is fitting that Oklahoma State entered its February 14, 1998, dual ranked first and Iowa was second. The two teams had combined for 47 NCAA tournament titles with the Cowboys holding a commanding 30-17 historical advantage.

This article was originally published on June 10, 2020 but was updated on December 21, 2020 to reflect minor changes.

Bader and Bray talk with UNI head coach Doug Schwab about training under Gable plus the upcoming NCAA season and its unique challenges.

Nobody got the ending they wanted from the 2019-20 season. Covid-19 canceled the NCAA Championship Tournament, truncating a superb season before it could be properly concluded. But that doesn't mean we can't honor the extraordinary efforts the student-athletes put forth on the mat.