Arthur Holding

March 26, 1907 – February 23, 1976

Arthur Holding, a celebrated wrestler, made his mark in the world of collegiate wrestling. Born in Bancroft, Iowa, he achieved a significant milestone by becoming Iowa State University’s first national wrestling champion in 1928. Despite facing a weight challenge during qualification, Arthur Holding secured the 135-pound title at the inaugural NCAA-sanctioned national tournament held in Ames.

Holding was also the first three-time conference champ in school history, winning three consecutive titles (1927, 1928, 1929) at the Missouri Valley Conference championships and was a member of Iowa State University’s first conference championship team in 1929. He was also the first Cyclone wrestling Olympian, competing at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. Holding finishes his Iowa State career with an undefeated record.

High School

College

Record30-0

• 1927-1929 First three-time conference champion – Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Conference
• 1928 Iowa State University’s first National Wrestling Champion winning the 135-pound title after failing to make weight at his qualification weight of 125-pounds
• 1928 Holding’s title came in Ames at the first-ever NCAA sanctioned national tournament
• 1928 National AAU Champion
• 1928 First Cyclone wrestling Olympian, competing in the 1928 Games in Amsterdam as a bantamweight
• 1929 Member of the Iowa State University’s first Conference Championship Team
• 2016 Glen Brand Inductee