Takedown Report

Wrestling Weekend That Was: Rob Koll wins at father’s old home

The holidays are near, so is a short break from competition for many programs. UNI and Iowa State packed in one last dual. High schools packed in one final big tournament weekend. This is the Wrestling Weekend That Was: Honors and almost homecoming for Koll

Cornell University Coach Rob Koll was born in Pennsylvania, competed in State College, Pa., as a prep and was one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s top wrestlers and an NCAA champion at North Carolina. He didn’t actually live in Cedar Falls, but he felt the strong connection when he brought the eighth-ranked Big Red to the West Gym for a dual against No. 16 Northern Iowa. Interestingly, Koll was recognized as an honorary captain before the dual. His late father, Bill Koll, won three national titles at UNI and coached the Panthers for 11 seasons.

“I used to vacation here, so I used to run through these halls when I was a little boy,” Koll said. “And, my wife is from Ames, so I feel like I’m home at this place. It hasn’t changed a whole lot, the facility, obviously.” Bill Koll was a three-time All-American from 1946-48 as a competitor, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors at nationals twice. He led UNI from 1953-57 and 1959-64. The Panthers placed in the top 10 nationally four straight seasons, tying for eighth and finishing fifth at the NCAA Division I tournament in 1961 and 1962. UNI transitioned to Division II, getting third and eighth in his final two seasons before leaving to coach Penn State from 1965-79.

UNI’s wrestling room is named after Bill Koll thanks to the efforts of program supporter Sandy Stevens. Koll’s family created an endowed scholarship for UNI wrestlers.

Koll is in his 26th season as Cornell head coach and guided the Big Red to a 21-14 victory over the Panthers. He is 5-0 all-time against UNI, but earned his first win in front of more than 1,500 at the same small, hot venue where his father compiled a 72-44-6 dual record.
Rest of the story at https://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/wrestling-weekend-that-was-rob-koll-wins-at-fathers-old-home-20181217?mc_cid=fe6a0178fe&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

January 20, 2019 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized