Bob Kenny

2013 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

There are many school systems that boast strong wrestling programs. Only a handful, however, have achieved the legendary status of Emmetsburg—and coach Robert Kenny.

The numbers speak for themselves. In nine years at Emmetsburg/Armstrong/Ringsted, Kenny’s teams won six state team titles and two state dual meet titles, while also finishing as runners-up in three other state tournaments.

But for Kenny, it’s not just about the numbers. “We are more than wrestling coaches; we are character shapers. Most of all, no matter what the wins and losses are, we build winners in life. Coaches shape kids who can focus and make it through adversity when things get tough—in life, in family, and with friends.”

Kenny has many career highlights, but he says, “Being called coach is the ultimate achievement for me, and one that I will always treasure.”

He also pointed to winning four state titles in a row as a highlight. “No one thought we had the horses to do it,” Kenny recalls. He noted that throughout those years, the wrestlers were at their best at the end of the season—and that even after tough losses at state, they were able to come back and win for the team.

“My proudest moment would have to be in 2005. We won a state title with my son, Adam, wrestling in the finals,” Kenny stated. “Adam was unranked. He wrestled kids before the finals who had a combined record of 109–4. Although his finals match only lasted a period and a half, it was the most exciting three and a half minutes of my coaching career.”

But back to the numbers that elevated Emmetsburg to legendary status: In Kenny’s nine years at Emmetsburg, his teams went 227–33–1 overall, 69–2–1 in the Iowa Lakes Conference, won eight Iowa Lakes tournament titles, and seven Lakes dual meet titles.

Kenny also coached at Maquoketa Valley, Osage (as a volunteer), and Estherville before arriving at Emmetsburg. Combined, Kenny’s teams went 289–123–1. He coached 88 state qualifiers and 56 state place winners, including 12 individual state champions, 12 runners-up, 13 third-place finishers, and 9 fourth-place finishers.

Originally from Osage, Kenny was a sectional champion, district champion, and placed fourth in the state at 132 pounds as a senior. In college, he wrestled varsity for three years at Buena Vista and was a national qualifier at 150 pounds as a junior.

Robert Kenny was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013 along with Dave Ripley, Tolly Thompson, and Jason Kelber.