UNI Wrestling Fans Get a Bittersweet Victory as Panthers’ Dual Makes a Comeback, but With a Disappointing Twist

The UNI Panthers are eager to retain their winning ways in the Big 12 conference and aren’t even shy to brave adverse weather conditions to do so. After initially being canceled, it looks like the UNI Panthers vs. Utah Valley Wolverines dual is on as the Northern Iowa wrestling team makes the drive to Ames. However, excited fans will have to cheer their fan from the comfort of their homes as the snowstorm continues to pummel the state.

Only yesterday, the highly-anticipated matchup between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Iowa State Cyclones was canceled because of the same reason. And yet, it looks like the UNI squad is too eager to be bogged down by something so trivial. UNI will take on their Big 12 opponents at the Lied Recreational Center, Iowa.

Fans to stay at a distance

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the official UNI Wrestling account shared the news of the dual being back as scheduled. “After discussion, tonight’s UNI-Utah Valley dual is 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗡!!!“, reads the post, and one cannot overlook the latent excitement to get back to action after the Panthers’ last weekend defeat to the Nebraska Huskers. “The Panthers will battle the Wolverines in Ames this evening at the Lied Recreation Center“, informs the post. However, there’s also news for the Panthers fans who were looking forward to egging on their team physically in Iowa.

Due to the severe weather conditions, fans will not be permitted to attend Saturday’s Big 12 duals. “𝙉𝙊 𝙁𝘼𝙉𝙎 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝙇 𝘽𝙀 𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙈𝙄𝙏𝙏𝙀𝘿 𝙏𝙊 𝘼𝙏𝙏𝙀𝙉𝘿!”, cautions the post, advising the Panthers loyalists to exercise caution and instead rally behind their team from the safety of their homes. And it looks like the fans will have to do their part well if the Panthers want to keep a firm grip on things for the ongoing season. Meanwhile, the season has all the elements to keep the spectators hooked.

Wrestling season is full of unexpected scenarios

Utah Valley’s team arrived in Iowa earlier this week and was handed a resounding defeat by the No. 4 Cyclones (44-3). On the other hand, UNI is riding on a high horse after they triumphed over Wyoming (36-6) last weekend in Lincoln, which was their first Big 12 dual of the season. While the Panthers took a loss to the Nebraska Huskers at the same venue, a UNI freshman managed to pull off an upset win against the Huskers’ darling Peyton Robb.

Read more: UNI Panthers Freshman Topples Country’s Top Wrestler Peyton Robb in Team’s Hard-Fought Loss Against Nebraska Huskers

With the Panthers vs. Wolverines dual back on, it seems like the Iowa Cyclones will have a great opportunity to take notes of their future opponents’ tactics to gain an edge the next time they meet on the mat.

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