AMES - Former Cedar Rapids Prairie star Zach Witte placed third in the 157-pound bracket at the Harold Nichols Cyclone Open tournament Saturday.

Witte, a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa, wrestled unattached in the event.

Witte compiled a 7-1 record in the tournament. He won two of his matches with technical falls and won two others with major decisions. He beat teammate Curt Maas, 3-1, in sudden victory.

"I was impressed by how he came back," UNI Coach Doug Schwab remarked. "He had a tight match that ended in overtime and then had to win a lot of matches to take third.

"He really battled," Schwab said. "The kid opened up my eyes."