A running joke could turn into reality for Zach Roberson.

After collecting his 100th career victory on Sunday, wrestler Nate Gallick was already thinking of his former teammate and current coach’s final collegiate win totals.

“There are still quite a few matches left this season,” said the top-ranked, 141-pound grappler. “Hopefully, I can beat Zach. I think he’s got 106 . I think if I win the rest of them, then I can almost catch him.”

With two duals, the Big 12 and the NCAA Tournament left, that goal could actually be an attainable one.

Now the coach and the competitor in Roberson are squaring off.

“[Gallick] called me the other night,” Roberson said. “If everything goes as planned, he’ll get 109.”

Roberson was the last Cyclone to win the NCAA Tournament, taking the 133-pound title in 2004. He is the ISU interim assistant coach, which allows him to pursue his own competitive career.

One hundred wins isn’t something he dwelt on as a collegiate athlete, but was a by-product of his championship season.

It’s already been two years since Roberson wore the red-and-yellow Cyclone singlet, but until Gallick approached the mark, he hadn’t yet reflected on what it meant to be a part of that elite group.

Gallick was the 29th ISU wrestler to reach 100 wins.

“It’s nice to look back on, but at the time, I hadn’t won a National Title,” Roberson said.

“And that was my main goal. For my career, it’s nice to be a part of.”

Gallick made quick work of yet another ranked wrestler, Penn State’s DeWitt Driscoll, this past weekend to reach the 100-win mark.

He fended off an inspired early effort by the 10th ranked Nittany Lion, then took Driscoll down four times in the third period, claiming a 17-6 decision.

The milestone victory was symbolic of his loose season strategy: Score points, don’t give up any and win. Gallick has perfected that strategy to this point of the season, and is still undefeated at 26-0. In those wins, he has eight major decisions, three tech falls and two pins to his name.

He has been trying to improve his conditioning and increase his scoring, especially against ranked wrestlers.

“This whole year I’ve been trying to score a whole lot of points, trying to pick it up and make something happen,” Gallick said after Sunday’s dominating victory. “[The accomplishment] means a lot. It is something I wanted this whole year. I wanted . to stay healthy enough to reach it.”

The victory over Driscoll exemplifies the talent Gallick has faced in his career.

“A large percentage are Big 12 and Big 10 wins. When you can reach 100 facing the competition he faces, you’ve done something special,” said coach Bobby Douglas. “He’s not through. He’s got tremendous wrestling ability.”

In order keep the March NCAA Tournament in focus, Douglas said joining the century club might not – and maybe shouldn’t – mean much right now to his wrestler.

“He’ll have to look back,” Douglas said. “Right now, he’ll have to live in the moment because there is the National Tournament looming – World Championships and Olympics. You can’t start looking back, you keep looking forward.”

Champion is one adjective Gallick can’t yet use to describe his NCAA career, but Douglas has always said that a national title is in the cards for his wrestler. The No. 1 ranking, which Gallick got back just weeks ago, only makes that task harder.

“It only takes a blink of the eye,” Douglas said. “And No. 2 is after you, No. 4 or 5 is coming to get you.”

Volunteer assistant coach Dwight Hinson knows something about the record-books.

As a Cyclone, he tallied 141 career victories, good enough for fourth on the all-time win list. Hinson – in his fifth year as a coach – stays on campus as a public safety officer.

“The achievement in his career he is trying to get . is the national championship,” Hinson said. “As far as wins, he is in good company.”

Gallick has only lost seven official matches as a Cyclone since his freshman campaign. He went 16-16 that year, but wrestled at 149-pounds, one roster spot above his normal weight.

“Just to wrestle 100 matches in that spot is a blessing,” Hinson said. “Practices are hard, matches are hard. It shows that you are able to persevere and endure as a champion.”

Roberson said he doesn’t “think [the 100-win mark] holds much weight” right now for Gallick. But, speaking from experience, Hinson said it will be important in the future.

“It meant a lot. It showed me my longevity as far as enduring everything that was in my career,” Hinson said. “It’s hard to be in this sport.”

Having living, breathing examples of success has undoubtedly helped Gallick to where he is at this point of his career.

“We are trying to get more leaders in the room,” Hinson said. “It’s all about giving encouragement. Hopefully, we can lead through our examples.”