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Watch video of Dan Gable addressing the crowd at the 44th annual Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cresco, IA.  Gable gave some insight into where the wrestling community stands in regard to the IOC decision to drop wrestling from the 2020 Olympics.

Nate Troy, The Cresco Times Plain Dealer, posted this article on the 44th annual Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Randy Novotny, WDDNews.com, posted this report from the 44th annual Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Awards Banquet.   Thanks Randy!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Announces 2013 Inductees

CRESCO, Ia., March 26, 2013 – Two coaches and two wrestlers with diverse backgrounds will be inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco on Monday, April 8.  The 44th Annual Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony will begin with a 5:30 social hour followed by a 6:30 banquet at the Cresco Country Club south of Cresco. 

Those being inducted this year are David Ripley, Charles City; Tolly Thompson, Cedar Falls; Robert Kenny, Mason City and Jason Kelber, Valentine, NE.  They become the 105th,106th, 107th and 108th members inducted into the Hall since the first class was inducted in 1970. 

David Ripley was the Riceville wrestling coach for 33 years. In those years Ripley’s teams won two state titles while also being a runner-up in both the state and dual meet tournaments.  The Wildcat teams posted a record of 319-90-1 under Ripley’s tenure. Ripley coached 95 state qualifiers, 51 state place winners and 7 state champions.  He was twice named Coach of the Year. 

Robert Kenny also had an outstanding coaching career, his at Emmetsburg.  Kenny’s teams won six state teams titles and two state dual meet titles while also being a runner-up in three other state tournaments.  Kenny’s teams were 289-123-1.  He had 88 state qualifiers and 56 place winners.  He coached 12 wrestlers to state titles, 12 to second place finishes, 13 to third place finishes and 9 to fourth place finishes. 

Tolly Thompson was a three-time NCAA All-American while capturing one NCAA championship for the University of Nebraska.  The Janesville native twice placed second in the high school state tournament.  Thompson further distinguished himself as he wrestled internationally for eight years after college. Thompson placed third at the 2005 World Championship at 120 kgs/265.5 lbs in Budapest Hungary.  Along with the bronze at the World Cup, Thompson placed second at the Cerrod Pelado International and was the Dave Schultz Memorial International Champion. 

Jason Kelber, who wrestled for West Marshall High School in State Center, was a three-time state champion who went unbeaten his sophomore, junior and senior seasons (123-3 overall). Kelber also wrestled at the University of Nebraska where he was a 126 pound NCAA champion and a three-time all American. 

Banquet tickets are available at the Cresco Chamber of Commerce (563-547-3434) and CIA Insurance in Cresco (563-547-2382).  Tickets are $20 and advance registration is required. 

The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, which was remodeled and expanded in the past two months, will be open until 6:00  p.m. the day of the banquet.  

About the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame - The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame’s sole purpose is the promotion of amateur wrestling in Iowa.  We have a rich history of honoring native Iowans at our annual awards banquet and induction ceremony.  The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame museum is located in the Cresco Welcome Center, at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street. Visit the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame website at iowawrestlinghalloffame.com.

 

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Contact Information

Dennis Meirick

President,Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame

Office 563-569-8501

Mobile 319-240-6659

Email – dmeirick@iowatelecom.net

The IA and MN teams gather at center mat to promote Let's Keep Wrestling.  32 high school seniors represented their respective states in the 12th annual IA-MN Border Battle hosted by the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.  The event was Friday March 8th, 2013 in Cresco IA, home of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.  Visit 2013 Border Battle Results for complete details.  To learn more about Let's Keep Wrestling visit letskeepwrestling.com.

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the Olympics, and the International Olympic Committee has put it on the chopping block for 2020.

Join Governor Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and fellow Iowans in opposing this affront to the Olympic tradition by signaling your support for Olympic wrestling at LETSKEEPWRESTLING.COM.

Let's Keep Wrestling!

Leslie Albert Anderson of Nevada passed away at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames on Friday, November 9, 2012 at the age of 74

From the National Wrestling Hall of Fame:

Legendary wrestler Keith Young passed away on July 29 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was 81.

Thursday April 18, 2012 was an exciting day for IWHOF Board Members who traveled to University of Iowa to attend the unveiling of the Dan Gable Statue.
Pictured left to right, Don Gooder, Dan Gable, Jerome Hruska, and Dennis Meirick. Not pictured Jason Passmore.

On Monday evening April 9th, 2012 the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco inducted the 101st, 102nd, 103rd and 104th members into the elite group of native Iowans that comprise the Hall of Fame.  The 2012 inductees are Bob Buzzard, Gene Doyle, Marv Reiland and Mark Sindlinger.  Follow the link below to view coverage of the Induction Ceremony and Awards Banquet.  Thanks to Randy Novotny and WddNews.com for providing coverage of the banquet.