CORALVILLE, Iowa --- A pair of UNI wrestlers battled their way into semifinal bouts on Thursday as the Panthers opened competition at the inaugural Soldier Salute at Xtream Arena.
Adam Ahrendsen opened the day by picking up the first of three pins for the Panthers at 197 pounds, pinning Bellarmine's Royce Hall in just 31 seconds. In the 133-pound consolation bracket, Cory Land pinned The Citadel's George Rosas 36 seconds into the bout, as Evan Yant pinned teammate Wade Mitchell in 38 seconds.
Thursday's opening sessions also included a 14-4 major decision by Connor Thorpe at 141 pounds over The Citadel's Jacob Silka, as well as an 11-3 major decision from Adam Allard against Carson DesRosier at 149 pounds.