Athletes and Staff

PWCRTC Athletes

Drew Foster

Son of Don and Karissa Foster ... has a younger sibling, Klay ... graduated from Mediapolis High School and from Burlington, Iowa ... volunteered at summer camps and youth football registration ... majoring in elementary and middle level education.

Taylor Lujan

From Carrollton, Georgia ... son of Eric and Renee Lujan ... has a twin sister and one older sister ... majoring in construction management ... volunteered with local wrestling club in Georgia ... chose UNI because it is the place that will make him a national champion and it felt like home ... credits his mom and dad as the biggest influence on his life for the sacrifices they have made for him, saying he can never thank them enough.

Doug Schwab

Doug Schwab is the Panthers’ ninth head coach in the program’s illustrious history. He enters his 14th season at UNI in 2023-24 season.

Randy Pugh

Assistant head coach Randy Pugh will enter his 19th season as a UNI assistant and has helped develop All-Americans Jarion Beets (174), Eric Hauan (174), Kyle Hansen (184), Jason Payne (197), Sean Stender (197), Paul Hynek (285), Ryan Loder (184) and 2019 NCAA National Champion and Big-12 Wrestler of the Year Drew Foster (184).

Pugh trained for international competition following his All-America career at UNI. The Columbus Junction, Iowa, native finished fourth at the USA World Trials in June 2002 and competed in the trials again in 2003. In 2002, he won the Sunkist International Open and garnered a third-place finish at the U.S. Open. In 2003, Pugh placed eighth at the U.S. Open. He also placed third at the Dave Schultz Open in 2003.

Lee Roper

Lee Roper is in his fifth year as a full-time coach with the UNI wrestling program. He was a volunteer coach in the 2015-16 season.

Roper is the co-founder of Compound Wrestling Facilities in McDonough, Georgia. Under Roper’s leadership since its inception in 2008 until 2015, the club coached 13 wrestlers who advanced as Division I athletes, including former All-American for UNI Joey Lazor and current Panther Taylor Lujan.