Jason Kelber

2013 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

Going unbeaten in Iowa high school wrestling is a daunting task that few achieve. Jason Kelber did it three years in a row while wrestling for West Marshall High School in State Center.

Kelber followed up his impressive high school career by becoming an NCAA champion for the University of Nebraska. He was a three-time All-American and, in the process, earned wins over some wrestling legends.

“Nothing worth doing ever comes easy,” Kelber stated. “I was taught early, growing up on our farm, how to work hard, get the job done correctly, and not cut corners.” He added that wrestling taught him that success in anything is directly related to the amount of commitment, hard work, and effort put in.

At West Marshall, Kelber compiled a 27–3 record as a freshman when he was the state runner-up at 98 pounds. He followed that up with three state championships—winning the 105-pound title as a sophomore with a 31–0 record, a second state title at 105 as a junior with a 33–0 record, and the 119-pound title as a senior with a 32–0 record. His high school career record was 123–3.

A personality trait that served Kelber well in college was his determination. “I never wanted to give up the fight, no matter how far I was down or how many times I got knocked down—I wouldn’t quit,” Kelber recalled.

His college career was capped by winning the 126-pound national title in 1991 when he defeated Terry Brands, avenging a loss to Brands in the NCAA finals the year before. In 1991, Kelber compiled a record of 34–2; the year prior, he went 35–4. He had a 33–13 record as a redshirt sophomore, placing sixth at the NCAA tournament. As a true freshman in 1987, Kelber posted a 21–11 record.

Kelber was named the Big Eight Conference Outstanding Wrestler in 1991, the same year he was also named an NWCA First Team Academic All-American.

He noted career highlights that included his win over Brands for the NCAA title and defeating Kendall Cross in the NCAA semifinals the year prior. The 10–5 win over Brands came after a 3–2 loss to him in the finals the previous year. Kelber also pointed out that his NCAA title win over Brands occurred in Carver-Hawkeye Arena—and that he had defeated Tom Brands in the Iowa state finals in 1985.

Kelber went on to coach at Indiana University and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In 2012, he served as a volunteer coach for the Class C State Championship team in Valentine, Nebraska, where he currently lives.

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