ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Brad Penrith's contract lasts through June.

After that, his status as University of Northern Iowa wrestling coach is up in the air.

New Panther athletic director Troy Dannen said he will evaluate all aspects of the wrestling program at season's end.

With that said, Penrith said he expects to meet with Dannen sometime soon for that evaulation and talk about a contract extension.

Following the Panthers' 22nd-place finish Saturday at the 79th NCAA Division I national championships at the Scottrade Center, which included Moza Fay's second all-American performance, Penrith said he feels good about his standing with UNI.

"It is not my decision, but I think I'm fine," Penrith said. "I'm not concerned about it. Our kids fought hard this week.

"My kids do well in the classroom. We are recruiting the right kids. We are going in the right direction."

UNI's 22nd-place finish was the second consecutive Top 25 finish for the Panthers, who have placed 18th, 16th, 11th, 21st, 15th, 28th, 34th and 20th previously under Penrith.

Next year would be year 10 for Penrith, and he knows and wants the expectations for his program to rise.

"We are going to raise our expectations. We want to get in the top 20 consistently," Penrith said. "We need funding and resourses. When all that falls in line, we can compete at a higher level.

"Look at what happened at Wisconsin when they upgraded facilities. Missouri is another good example.

"The West Gym is adequate, but Missouri's was worse until they built a new facility. You get a better clientele, and you don't have to develop them all. Moza Fay took two years to develop.

"Name one blue-chip recruit in my room that won multiple national titles. We develop kids, and I think we are doing a pretty good job."

Fay, the Panthers' 24th two-time all-American who finished sixth Saturday at 165, said Penrith is the right guy for UNI.

"I have faith in Brad Penrith," Fay said. "He is the one who recruited me. There is a lot of stuff that doesn't look good, but I know Penrith does a lot of good stuff, and he is a great coach. I have a lot of faith in Brad Penrith."

Penrith likes the future of his team, especially with wrestlers like Trenton Washington, Trevor Kittleson, Charlie Ettleson, Nick Pickerell, Tyson Reiner and Christian Brantley left in the room.

"Trenton Washington has a bright future," Penrith said. "Christian wasn't himself … he was about 10 pounds heavier than he was when he broke his hand. Those three weeks he lost really killed him.

"But we have some positive things for the future. We had two national qualifiers we left home who were injured (Caleb Flores and Pickerell).

"And, there are some things we need to do better, no doubt. Some things we have to do different."

Washington, who suffered a concussion during second-round action, Kittleson and Brantley return as anchors for UNI next season. Three other starters also should be back in Flores, Reiner and Jarion Beets.

Penrith needs to find replacements for Fay, Alex Dolly and Andrew Anderson.

After losing to Bucknell's Andrew Rendos in the fifth-place match, 9-6, Fay was still coming to grips with falling short of winning a coveted national crown.

"Today just wasn't my day," Fay said. "I'm kind of upset. But I'm definitely happy with the way my year went. I'm happy to be purple and gold for life.

"I'm not going to have this be a disappointment. I'm going to leave here with a smile on my face."

Fay lost in the consolation semifinals to Iowa's Ryan Morningstar in sudden victory.

He finished his career 119-33 all-time, the seventh-most wins in program history.

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com