OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University dropped a Big 12 dual 34-9 on Friday night inside the Lockhart Arena to No. 13 Northern Iowa University. The Panthers used victories from seven nationally ranked wrestlers to defeat UVU. On the night, the Wolverines were led by a victory by No. 7 Demetrius Romero and No. 23 Evan Bockman.
 
"Northern Iowa is a very good team, and most of their guys are ranked. One thing about this team is that they are going to keep fighting. They wrestle hard in the room, and they wrestle hard out here. We love having matches like this. Anytime you wrestle ranked guys, you are going to get better whether you win or lose," said UVU head coach Greg Williams.
 
Romero defeated No. 12 Lance Runyon by a 7-4 decision. Runyon led 4-3 heading to the final period. Romero used the energy of the crowd and tied the match after second stall was issued to Runyon. Romero used an escape to take his first lead of the bout at 5-4 before a takedown in the final minute brought the crowd to its feet and sealed the win.
 
The Wolverines trailed the dual 31-3, heading to the 197-pound bout. Bockman picked up the six points with a forfeit for UVU.
 
In the night's opening match, Kase Mauger led 6-5 heading to the third period at 125. UNI's Kyle Golhofer responded with five points in the third period for a comeback win, 10-6.
 
The Panthers won the next five matches with wins from ranked wrestlers No. 12 Kyle Biscoglia, #7 Cael Happel, #12 Colin Realbuto, #25 Derek Holschlag, and No. 9 Austin Yant to take control of the dual.
 
Utah Valley hosts No. 3 Iowa State on Jan. 14 at 8:00 p.m. MT inside the Lockhart Arena. UVU hits the road for two duals against No. 18 South Dakota State and No.15 North Dakota State.
 
Tonight's Results
 
Northern Iowa            34                    Utah Valley                 9
125 -    Kyle Golhofer (UNI)                 Over                Kase Mauger (UVU)                 10-6 DEC
133 -    #12 Kyle Biscoglia (UNI)          Over                Stockton O'Brien (UVU)           Fall 3:55
141 -    #7 Cael Happel (UNI)               Over                Ty Smith (UVU)                        9-4 DEC
149 -    #12 Colin Realbuto (UNI)         Over                Isaiah Delgado (UVU)               Fall 6:18
157 -    #25 Derek Holschlag (UNI)      Over                Tyson Humphreys (UVU)          9-6 DEC
165 -    #9 Austin Yant (UNI)                 Over                Danny Snediker (UVU)             9-0 MD
174 -    #7 Demetrius Romero (UVU)   Over                #12 Lance Runyon (UNI)          7-4 DEC
184 -    #2 Parker Keckeisen (UNI)       Over                Hunter Morse (UVU)                Fall 3:15     
197 -    #23 Evan Bockman (UVU)       Over               Win by forfeit                              Forfeit                
285 -    #13 Tyrell Gordon (UNI)           Over                Chase Trussell (UVU)               3-1 DEC
 
Official: Carlus Mansel           
Attendance: 972