Northern Iowa rallies to beat Wisconsin 16-15 in Cedar Falls
UNI won five of the final six bouts to overcome an early 0-4 deficit and prevail 16-15 at the McLeod Center on Feb. 22, 2026.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Northern Iowa defeated Wisconsin 16-15 in a dual meet at the McLeod Center on Feb. 22, 2026, overcoming an early four-match deficit with five wins in the final six bouts to take the one-point victory.
Wisconsin claimed the first four matches, but Northern Iowa rallied beginning with a 141-pound major decision by Max Brady. Brady scored takedowns in every period, drew a stalling penalty and earned a riding-time point in a 17-4 major decision that provided the home team’s first big swing.
The Panthers added a sudden-victory overtime decision at 149, when Caleb Rathjen finished with an overtime takedown to beat Joseph Zargo 7-4 after Zargo tied the match late in regulation. Jack Thomsen’s third-period 3-point takedown at 165 produced a 4-2 decision that held up for Northern Iowa.
Northern Iowa also posted narrow decisions at 174 and 184. Jared Simma won 3-0 at 174 with a second-period reversal and a riding-time point, and No. 20 Nick Fox turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 victory at 184 with a third-period reversal and riding time.
Wisconsin answered with key victories of its own. No. 11 Braxton Amos closed at 285 with a 6-1 decision, using a third-period takedown and riding time. No. 20 Wyatt Ingham opened the dual with an 8-2 win at 197. No. 23 Luke Mechler posted a 6-3 decision at 157, building on a first-period takedown, escapes and a riding-time point.
The dual featured multiple ranked matchups and several tight finishes that shifted the team score. Zan Fugitt’s 10-9 decision at 133 was settled by a riding-time point, and Nicolar Rivera beat Trever Anderson 8-5 at 125 after overturning an early deficit.
The available bout records show the ten individual results but do not list an official bout sequence; therefore no single clinching match can be identified from the records provided. The one-point margin resulted from Northern Iowa’s run of bonus and close wins late in the dual rather than a single documented clincher.
UNI’s release said the Panthers were recognized on senior day, announced an attendance of 3,190 and closed the regular season 11-8 with a 4-3 mark in Big 12 action. Wisconsin’s release noted the Badgers finished the regular season 12-5.
The meet ended as a narrow, late swing for Northern Iowa at home; both teams leave Cedar Falls headed into postseason competition.