The Panther Train has begun to roll! #21 on the FloWrestling Senior Big Board, and the third ranked 126-pounder in the country, Rudy Yates, has commited to Northern Iowa. Yates becomes the first top 100 commit for head coach Doug Schwab and company. 

Yates is a three-time Illinois state placer and two-time state champion, and a 2014 FloNationals runner-up. Watch Yates take out Minnesota commit Mitch McKee at the Clash this past season:

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"It came down to which college would ultimately help prepare me to make multiple runs for National Titles, and Coach Schwab and his staff left no doubt in my mind, that is the place to go if you want to win multiple national titles and achieve your goals," Yates said. 

Yates is a fan favorite because of his happy go lucky attitude and open style. This how Yates arrived at the mat for his 2014 FloNationals finals match. 


Yates choose Northern Iowa over Maryland, Northwestern, Michigan, and Illinois. Congrats to Rudy and the Panther Train!