WVU Earns First Top 15 Win Under Flynn, Knocks Off No. 15 Northern Iowa on the Road

The Mountaineers defeat the Panthers 23-13 for their first win over a ranked opponent this season.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The No. 18 West Virginia University wrestling team defeated No. 15 Northern Iowa, 23-13, on Saturday at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The victory marks the highest-ranked win for the Mountaineers under head coach Tim Flynn and their first win in 10 tries against Northern Iowa in a series dating back to 1982.

Why it matters

This win is a significant milestone for the West Virginia wrestling program, as they have now eclipsed 10 dual wins for the fourth consecutive season, a first since 1985-88. The victory over a ranked opponent also demonstrates the progress the team has made under Coach Flynn's leadership.

The details

West Virginia got off to a strong start, with redshirt senior Jordan Titus and graduate student Willie McDougald earning wins in the 141-pound and 149-pound bouts, respectively. The Mountaineers then went on to win three of the final five matches, including a major decision victory by freshman No. 16 Gunner Andrick at 133 pounds, to secure the 23-13 win over the Panthers.

  • The dual match took place on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • West Virginia finishes the regular season on the road against Lock Haven on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 6 p.m.

The players

Tim Flynn

The head coach of the West Virginia University wrestling team.

Jordan Titus

A redshirt senior wrestler for West Virginia University who earned an upset win at 141 pounds.

Willie McDougald

A graduate student wrestler for West Virginia University who won the 149-pound bout.

Gunner Andrick

A freshman wrestler for West Virginia University who won the 133-pound bout by major decision.

Rune Lawrence

A redshirt sophomore wrestler for West Virginia University who won the 197-pound bout by disqualification.

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What’s next

West Virginia finishes the regular season on the road against Lock Haven on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 6 p.m.

The takeaway

This victory over a ranked opponent is a significant accomplishment for the West Virginia wrestling program, as they continue to make strides under Coach Flynn's leadership. The team's ability to eclipse 10 dual wins for the fourth consecutive season is a testament to their hard work and dedication.