ST. LOUIS — The calmest man in Northern Iowa’s corner was the redshirt freshman wrestling for a national final.
Max Thomsen had competed beyond his years at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, and Friday night’s 149-pound semifinal was just another step forward. Missouri’s Lavion Mayes proved to be too much in their fourth meeting of the season, but Thomsen’s potential can ease Panther nerves.
“What a great competitor,” Northern Iowa head coach Doug Schwab said. “He is really close to being incredibly dangerous. I don’t think he’s anywhere near to tapping his potential and that’s exciting.