AMES — Following an upset road win over No. 11 South Dakota State, No. 14 Iowa State looks for its first in-state rivalry win against No. 5 Northern Iowa Sunday.
After falling to No. 2 Iowa 21-15 in the third bout of the season, the Cyclones are out for redemption.
The Panthers’ lineup includes 10 ranked wrestlers at respective weight classes, all in the top 30. Of its 10 ranked starters, Northern Iowa boasts three in the top 10, including undefeated heavyweight senior Parker Keckeisen at 184.
“There are many reasons for [Northern Iowa] to be stoked up,” Iowa State head coach Kevin Dresser said. “It’s their senior night in a highly ranked contest, and our team needs that. They need to have it tough.”
After sweeping the early stages against South Dakota State, the Cyclones won’t have it as easy in Sunday’s dual. The double-digit win steaks held by sophomores Evan and Jacob Frost will be tested against No. 17 ranked Julian Farber at 133 and No. 4 ranked Cael Happel at 141.
“Guys like that are hard to slow down,” Dresser said. “They’re fun to watch, and they’ll have to step up when it matters.”
Fresh off of a return from illness, sophomore Cody Chittum is projected to wrestle at 157 against No. 5 ranked Ryder Downey. Downey, a former Big 12 Champion, is 19-2 on the season, losing only by decision to two top-10 opponents.
“I’m still doing my thing,” Chittum said. “I don’t look at the guys, only at my wrestling. If I can put together some of my stuff and evolve my wrestling, things will fall into place.”
The Cyclones have struggled in the later stages of duals this season, primarily from 174 to 197. Against Northern Iowa, expect nothing out of the ordinary. At 174, sophomore MJ Gaitan is slated to face No. 19 ranked Jared Simma. Senior Evan Bockman and sophomore Nate Schon round out the Cyclone lineup at 184 and 197.
“We expect Bockman to come back in full, but that won’t be his decision,” Dresser said. “The last time he made that decision, things didn’t go well, so he won’t be the one to decide if he returns on Sunday.”
As usual, freshman Daniel Herrera remains a heavyweight at Iowa State. In his 31st matchup of the season, Herrera gets set to face Northern Iowa’s No. 14 ranked Lance Runyon.
“In a dual like this, you have two options,” Herrera said. “Either be scared of the rivalry or be excited for the opportunity to step up and compete in that kind of environment. If you’re not ready, it’s easy to get caught by surprise.”
Herrera’s 8-7 decision win over South Dakota State’s No. 26 Luke Rasmussen was the deciding factor in the team’s 20-15 win over the Jackrabbits.
“I never worry about who I wrestle against,” Herrera said. “It’s day-by-day, practice-by-practice, one step at a time. Much of that comes with experience, which I’m gaining every day.”
The dual is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls. It will also be streamed live on The Varsity Network.
