Historical Articles

Read more about the 2026 IWHOF Banquet & Induction Ceremony

Banquet Recap

Another long-standing voice of Cresco origins promoting the Norman Borlaug legacy:

Probably unknown to most, Cresco native and U of Minnesota alumnus, Don Henry, and his wife Sandy and son Drew have contributed in various ways to boost awareness of the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug. Borlaug, of course, is a native of Saude and Cresco, and a U of Minnesota alumnus. These Henry efforts have been different from, but complementary to, those legacy promotional activities engaged in by the Cresco-based Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation.

Perhaps most notably, in 2013 the Henrys established at the University of Minnesota the VAALA-HENRY ENDOWMENT (In support of the Norman E. Borlaug Fellowships in International Agriculture). The gift was given in loving memory of Don’s mother Lillian (Vaala) Henry, Vaala aunts Gladys and Melba (Vaala) Robinson, uncles Orin and Harris, and their first cousin Norman who grew up on neighboring farms near Saude. Borlaug was a life-long friend to the Vaalas and in the later years to the Henrys. It was the sale of the beloved Vaala family farm which helped make this gift possible. Over the ensuing years many U of M plant pathology graduate students following in Norman’s footsteps have benefited with much gratitude from this financial support.

For greater detail about the Endowment, and photos of Borlaug and cousins, see a recent article by the ‘U’s Department of Plant Pathology (https://plpa.cfans.umn.edu/ news). What an appropriate time for them to draw attention again to the real, deserving Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and his U of M colleagues, whose achievements may have saved more people’s lives than any in history. And a majority saved were people of color.

Beyond our efforts to honor and support the Borlaug legacy cited in the article, what follows here are additional ones we feel were also significant in that regard. Many are similar to those done in Iowa by the Borlaug-founded World Food Prize Foundation:

– in 2005 persuaded the Pohlad Family Foundation to make a gift of Leon Hesser’s Borlaug biography to every public school and library in Minnesota

– in 2006 persuaded the Minnesota State Department of Education to include Borlaug and the Green Revolution in their revised academic standards for topics to be taught to Minnesota students

– in 2012, conceptualized and successfully lobbied the legislature for passage of an annual Norman Borlaug Day in Minnesota on October 16th

– in 2014, along with others, urged Plant Pathology and the agricultural college to commission the creation of a Borlaug statue for the St. Paul campus and assured that appropriate and accurate honors were inscribed on its base

– in 1999 and 2004 successfully nominated Norman for induction into the Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame (of which Don is also an inductee) and the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame (located in Cresco). For the latter, Don had the privilege of introducing Norman at the induction event. See video of Henry and Borlaug (https://www.iowawrestlinghalloffame.com/inductee/dr-norman-borlaug)

It has been a most worthy cause.

Don Henry, PhD, U of M, Sandy Henry, MSU, Drew Henry, Yale

Charles “Chuck” Curtis passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco at the age of 86.

Charles William Curtis was born April 19, 1939, son of Earl C. and Ellen E. (Stopperan) Curtis in Cresco, Iowa.

Chuck attended grade school, K-8 at Fremont #2 west of Kendallville on the Curtis home farm. (The school is still owned by the Curtis family.) Chuck graduated from Cresco High School in 1957. He played football, wrestled, was a member of the National Honor Society, student council and was senior class president. Chuck was also active in FFA all four years, being an officer for two years.

On August 29, 1959, he married Rachel Johnson. They had two children, Kendall J. and Bradley C., they later divorced.

On January 6, 1973, Chuck married Joan E. (Houdek) Armstrong. Joan had two children, Darla J. and Darren W. Together Chuck and Joan also had a son, Chad Earl.

Chuck was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco, being baptized and confirmed there. Also serving several terms on the church council and working on different committees.

After working different jobs, Chuck started farming in 1960. He received the outstanding young farmer award in 1974. In 1978, he started a farm management company and in 1980 became a licensed Realtor, staying active for 40 years. In 2001, he turned the farm operation over to two sons: Kendall and Chad.

Chuck was active in many area boards: nine year board member of the Northeast Iowa Realtors, 50 years as secretary-treasurer of the Kendallville-Eddy Cemetery, 40 year board member of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, severed several years as Fremont Township trustee, Winneshiek County Extension council, Winneshiek County Farm Bureau board, Winneshiek County Pork Producers, HOCA board and the United Shippers Coop board. Chuck was also a long time Cresco Country Club and Wildlife Club member.

Chuck enjoyed woodworking, fishing, camping, golf, bowling, playing cards and watching sports. Chuck and Joan spend several winters in Arizona and Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son in-law Kenneth Stone.

Chuck is survived by his wife Joan E., children: Kendall J. (Maureen) Curtis, Darla J. Stone, Bradley C. (Debra) Curtis, Darren W. (Tracey) Armstrong and Chad Earl (Kristie) Curtis; six grandchildren: Rachel (Jarod) Templeton, Rory (K.B.) Curtis, Mitchell (Haley) Curtis, Morgan (Derek) Newsom, Kyler Curtis and Charley Sue Curtis; three step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; sister Elaine (Gerry) Steffen; brothers in-law Lynus and Butch (Lavada) Houdek and several nieces and nephews.

Even in retirement, he never really retired from the farm. Always helping out when he could and proud of his family carrying on the farming tradition.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Schmelzer Funeral Homes (formerly Lindstrom) in Cresco, and again one hour prior to services on Thursday morning at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Kendallville-Eddy Cemetery or HOCA (Howard County Cancer Association).

Join us Monday, April 13, 2026, for the 55th annual Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Banquet. Reserve your ticket by calling 563.547.3434 today.

Meet your 2025 IWHOF Inductees

On Monday, April 14, 2025, five exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport of wrestling will be inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco, Iowa including two of the State’s all-time greatest coaches and three distinguished athletes.

The 54th Annual Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Banquet & Induction Ceremony will be held at McAllister Catering & Heritage Event Center, 229 3rd Ave West.  Social Hour is at 5:30 pm, with dinner at 6:30 pm. The program will begin at 7:00 pm.
Join us in honoring our 2025 Inductees: Bob Hallman, Keith Massey, Perry Hummel, Brad Smith and Keith Abens (posthumously).

Bob Hallman: West Des Moines Dowling Catholic High School, University of Northern Iowa – State Champion and 3X place winner, NCAA Runner-up, 2X NCAA Qualifier.

Keith Massey: Lewis Central High School (Council Bluffs), University of Northern Iowa – 2X State Place winner, 2X NCAA Qualifier, Coached Lewis Central to back-to-back State Traditional and Dual Championships, several-time Iowa USA Freestyle and Greco-Roman Head Coach.

Perry Hummel: West Des Moines Dowling Catholic High School, Iowa State University – 2X State Champion, Junior National Champion, 3X All-American, NCAA Runner-up.

Brad Smith: Lisbon High School, Iowa City High School, University of Iowa – NCAA Champion, State of Iowa coaching recordholder for most dual wins, most traditional championships, most individual champions, and most 4X state champions.

Keith Abens: Humboldt High School, Iowa State University – 3X State Champion, NCAA Runner-up, 2X All-American, Big Eight Champion and Outstanding Wrestler. Posthumous induction.

Banquet tickets are $40 each and available at the Cresco Chamber of Commerce, 563.547.3434 or by emailing hcbt@cedausa.com.  Please reserve your ticket as soon as possible so we can provide adequate seating and dinner arrangements.

The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame’s sole purpose is the promotion of amateur wrestling and honoring native Iowans. When we conclude the 54th Annual Awards Banquet on April 14, 2025, our roster of inductees will include 152 outstanding individuals for their contributions to amateur wrestling.

Visit our Facebook page at Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame | Facebook

The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is located in the Cresco Welcome Center at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street. The Hall of Fame is open 9-5 daily.

Join us Monday, April 14, 2025, for the 54th annual Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Banquet. Reserve your ticket by calling 563.547.3434 today.

The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame extends their condolences to the family of Inductee Reggie Wicks.

A Decorah, Iowa native wrestled under Harold Nichols, Iowa State University, and won the 1968 NCAA Championship at 160-pounds before his esteemed coaching career began at Mankato State, Wisconsin Stevens Point and the Naval Academy.

Reggie Wicks was inducted into the IWHOF in 1998.

Meet the 2024 IWHOF Inductees:

The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, located in Cresco, Iowa, is proud to announce the 2024 inductees to be honored during the induction ceremony on Monday, April 8^th.  The Class of 2024 is a large and diverse group that includes three unbelievable competitors, two 1928 Olympic alternates, and a distinguished, groundbreaking referee.  The 53^rd Annual Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony will begin with a 5:30 pm social hour, followed by a 6:30 banquet at the McAllister Catering and Heritage Event Center, 229 3^rd Ave West, Cresco.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024:
Leslie Beers – Pocahontas, University of Iowa – 1928 Olympic Alternate, NCAA Champion, 2-time Big Ten Champion.  Posthumous induction.

Arthur Holding – Burt, Iowa State University – 1928 Olympic Alternate, NCAA Champion, 3-time Missouri Valley Champion.  Posthumous induction.

Mike Allen – Waterloo East, Ellsworth College, University of Northern Iowa – one of the nation’s top college and high school wrestling referees, Allen was the first African American to officiate in the Iowa State Tournament, Iowa Wrestling Official of the Year in 1980, 1987, and 1992, worked 23 NCAA Championships, member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Iowa High School Athletic Association Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Jay Borschel – Linn-Mar (Marion), Virginia Tech, University of Iowa – 4-time State Champion, Big Ten Champion, NCAA Champion, 2-time All-American.

Trent Paulson – Lewis Central (Council Bluffs), Iowa State University – 2-time State Champion, 2-time Big 12 Champion, NCAA Champion, 3-time All-American, US Open Champion, 4-time US National Team Member and current Assistant Coach at the University of Virginia.

Travis Paulson – Lewis Central (Council Bluffs), Iowa State University – 3-time State Champion, 3-time All-American, US Open Champion, 4-time US National Team Member and current Associate Head Coach at the University of Virginia.

Banquet tickets are available at the Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce (563.547.3434). Tickets are $30 and advance registration is requested.

The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame’s sole purpose is the promotion of amateur wrestling.  With a rich history of honoring native Iowans at the annual awards banquet and induction ceremony, the inaugural banquet was held in 1970.  Following the 53^rd annual awards induction ceremony, the number of inductees will include 147 outstanding individuals signifying their contributions to amateur wrestling.  The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is located in the Cresco Welcome Center at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street and is open 9-5 M-F.  For more info visit www.iowawrestlinghalloffame.com or Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame on Facebook.

Mark your calendars for our annual Induction Ceremony & Banquet.

Click on link to read Don Henry’s Letter to the Editor as a 2023 follow-up from 2019

Click here to read entire Letter to the Editor

Due to the predicted snow storm, the 2023 Border Battle has been canceled. Keep safe everyone and we’ll see you next year.

Meet your 2023 IWHOF Inductees

The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, located in Cresco, Iowa, has announced the 2023 Inductees to be bestowed the honor on Monday, April 10^th.  The Class of 2023 is a varied group that includes two fierce competitors, a well-known coach and a distinguished journalist.
The 52^nd Annual Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony will begin with a 5:30 pm social hour, followed by a 6:30 banquet at the Cresco Country Club southwest of Cresco.

The Class of 2023 includes:
Jason Christenson – Anamosa, Altoona – Nationally renowned high school wrestling coach at Collins-Maxwell-Baxter, Oskaloosa and Southeast Polk High School, along with coaching Iowa’s Junior and Cadet national teams and current chairman of Iowa USA Wrestling.

Ken Gallagher – Waterloo Columbus, University of Northern Iowa – State Champion, D-II National Champion, 2-time Division 1 All-American.

Dan McCool – Clarion, Des Moines – Well-beloved award-winning wrestling journalist and author, spending decades covering the incredible sport of wrestling.  Posthumous induction.

Cliff Moore – Dubuque, University of Iowa – 3-time State Champion, 4-time State Finalist, 2-time Big 10 Conference Champion, NCAA champion, 3-time NCAA All-American and current Assistant Head Coach at West Virginia University.

Banquet tickets are available at the Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce (563.547.3434) or CIA Insurance in Cresco (563.547.2382). Tickets are $30 and advance registration is requested.

The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame’s sole purpose is the promotion of amateur wrestling.  With a rich history of honoring native Iowans at the annual awards banquet and induction ceremony, the inaugural banquet was held in 1970.  Following the 52^nd annual awards induction ceremony, the number of inductees will include 141 outstanding individuals signifying their contributions to amateur wrestling.  The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is located in the Cresco Welcome Center at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street and is open 9-5 M-F.

The IHSAA announced the 2023 honorees for induction into their IHSAA Wrestling Hall of Fame, IHSAA Officials Hall of Fame, and escort for the Grand March recognized on February 18, 2023 before the state championship matches at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

The IWHOF was represented along with Cresco High School wrestling coaches to accept the Group Award for Cresco Honorees:
Bob Hess, 1928
Dale Hanson, 1935
Don Nichols, 1935
Gene Lybbert, 1948

IHSAA 2023 Hall of Fame

The Board of Directors of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, located in Cresco, Iowa is pleased to announce they will host the 21st annual Border Battle on Friday, March 10, 2023.

Featuring top senior wrestlers from Southeast Minnesota and Northeast Iowa, the Border Battle will take place in Crestwood High School gym at 7:00pm. Tickets are available at the door.

This distinctive Border Battle allows one last look for fans and coaches of our area’s finest grapplers, promoting the growth of girls and boys wrestling, and supports the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Wrestlers & Coaches Information

Carter Fousek, the 4-time state champion from Crestwood, recently added
his autograph to the mural outside the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in
Cresco. The hall of fame board of directors wanted to honor Crestwood’s
first 4-time state champion by permanently featuring his signature on
the third panel of the mural. That portion of the mural features
highlights of Cresco’s rich wrestling history while also attempting to
explain why the hall of fame is located in Cresco. With Carter is his
high school wrestling coach Keith Slifka. The signature will be traced
over with paint and sealed. The only other autograph on the mural is
that of Dan Gable who signed the mural at its dedication. Carter is now
a red-shirt freshman at Iowa State University in Ames.

Great Cody Goodwin article on Ben Kueter and his reference to 2012 IWHOF Inductee Mark Sindlinger and his IWHOF speech.

By Mark Palmer, Intermat Staff Writer – 4/13/2010

In terms of upsets, it’s bigger than any of the on-the-mat surprises served up at the 2010 NCAAs. Bigger than Darrion Caldwell of North Carolina State’s stunning 11-6 victory over Brent Metcalf in the 149 finals at last years NCAAs.

By Mark Palmer, Wrestling USA Magazine – 12/15/2009

Most high school wrestling programs can’t claim a single NCAA champ…nor have they ever sent anyone to the Olympics.  Yet, the wrestling program in one Iowa small town has produced more than its fair share of national champs and Olympians…along with a couple of college coaches who led their teams to national titles.  Not to mention a wrestler who won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Cresco Iowa is that town.

By Mark Palmer, Intermat Staff Writer – 9/25/2009

Norman Ernest Borlaug may be the most accomplished former wrestler in the twentieth century.

Borlaug never won an Olympic gold medal, or a national collegiate or conference title, or even a state high school title.  His coaching career was brief, serving as a freshman wrestling coach while in college.  However, the former high school and college wrestler’s accomplishments as an agricultural scientist are nothing short of astonishing…..and life saving.

By Chuck Offenburger, Offenburger.com – 9/14/2009

The programs of the Iowa High School Athletic Association have produced some outstanding athletes in their first century of competition, but as former executive Bernie Saggau often said, “I really could care less about all the All-Americans we produce. I am more concerned about the good Americans, not the All-Americans.”

By Mark Palmer, InterMat Staff Writer – 10/6/2008

In the state of Iowa, wrestling is about as close to a religion as it is anywhere. And, in this wrestling hotbed state, Cresco was one of its hottest incubators for the sport — a place where mat champions were born and made.

If Cresco were any further north, it would be in Minnesota. This community of approximately 4,000 residents is located in the rolling farm country of northeastern Iowa, about halfway between Waterloo, Iowa and Rochester, Minnesota. From the 1920s into the 1960s, Cresco launched more than its share of wrestling success stories … with names likely to be familiar to even to today’s fans, including Nichols, Kurdelmeier, Peckham and Borlaug…

By Mark Palmer, Intermat Staff Writer – 5/16/2008

Wrestler. Coach. Athletic director. Innovator. Promoter. Architect.

Gary Kurdelmeier wore many hats in his life. Although he was a two-time Iowa high school state champ, a Big Ten titlist, an NCAA champ, and coach whose wrestlers won conference and national titles, Kurdelmeier’s lasting legacy a decade after his death may well be as the architect whose planning and efforts thirty-five years ago helped put his Iowa Hawkeyes at the top of collegiate wrestling as 2008 NCAA team champions.

By Mark Palmer, Intermat Staff Writer, 7/10/2007

Ask a wrestler why he or she took up the sport, and many times the response is, “My dad was a wrestler.”

One can imagine that there might be considerable pressure on a youngster whose Dad was a three-time NCAA champ (winning NCAA tournament Outstanding Wrestler honors twice) and long-time coach at the University of Northern Iowa and at Penn State.

By Mark Palmer, Intermat Staff Writer – 6/14/2007

This spring, much was made about the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson being the first African-American in major league baseball. There were special ceremonies at baseball parks across the country, along with countless articles, TV news stories and commentaries, commemorating Robinson joining the New York Dodgers in 1947.

This spring also marked the 50th anniversary of a similar milestone in college wrestling history.