Iowa State Media Relations
TULSA, Okla. - Iowa State 149-pounder Paniro Johnson won his second career Big 12 title Sunday night inside the BOK Center. Johnson came from behind to beat UNI's top-seeded Colin Realbuto, 5-4, on a takedown with 22 seconds remaining in the third period.
The victory flipped the dual result between the two foes from three weeks ago where Johnson lost to Realbuto in sudden victory.
Johnson, also the 2023 Big 12 Champion, became the 39th two-time conference champion in school history and the first since David Carr won four (2020-21-22-23).
This marks Iowa State's seventh-consecutive season with a conference champion under head coach Kevin Dresser. Johnson is Dresser's 11th individual Big 12 Champion.
Realbuto struck first with a takedown in the opening period and rode the Cyclone for nearly a minute. Johnson eventually escaped and ended the first trailing, 3-1.
Johnson started in the bottom position to begin the second period which allowed the Panther to bring riding time over the minute mark. The pair ended the period in neutral after a Johnson escape at the 1:33 mark.
Johnson began the final period on top and erased the riding time advantage before allowing Realbuto to escape with 1:34 remaining. The Erie, Pennsylvania native earned the winning takedown with 0:18 remaining and rode Realbuto out for the victory.
Iowa State finished the team race in fourth place with 107.5 points behind champion Oklahoma State (153.5), UNI (149.5) and South Dakota State (110.0).
Up Next
Iowa State wrestlers who did not earn automatic qualifying spots for the 2025 NCAA Championships await their fate for the full field announcement on Tuesday. Official brackets and seeding will be announced on NCAA.com at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12.
TULSA, Okla. - Iowa State 149-pounder Paniro Johnson won his second career Big 12 title Sunday night inside the BOK Center. Johnson came from behind to beat UNI's top-seeded Colin Realbuto, 5-4, on a takedown with 22 seconds remaining in the third period.
The victory flipped the dual result between the two foes from three weeks ago where Johnson lost to Realbuto in sudden victory.
Johnson, also the 2023 Big 12 Champion, became the 39th two-time conference champion in school history and the first since David Carr won four (2020-21-22-23).
This marks Iowa State's seventh-consecutive season with a conference champion under head coach Kevin Dresser. Johnson is Dresser's 11th individual Big 12 Champion.
Realbuto struck first with a takedown in the opening period and rode the Cyclone for nearly a minute. Johnson eventually escaped and ended the first trailing, 3-1.
Johnson started in the bottom position to begin the second period which allowed the Panther to bring riding time over the minute mark. The pair ended the period in neutral after a Johnson escape at the 1:33 mark.
Johnson began the final period on top and erased the riding time advantage before allowing Realbuto to escape with 1:34 remaining. The Erie, Pennsylvania native earned the winning takedown with 0:18 remaining and rode Realbuto out for the victory.
Iowa State finished the team race in fourth place with 107.5 points behind champion Oklahoma State (153.5), UNI (149.5) and South Dakota State (110.0).
Up Next
Iowa State wrestlers who did not earn automatic qualifying spots for the 2025 NCAA Championships await their fate for the full field announcement on Tuesday. Official brackets and seeding will be announced on NCAA.com at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12.
