Jim Zalesky

1994 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

Jim Zalesky, a native of Cedar Rapids, graduated from Cedar Rapids Prairie High School. He compiled an outstanding wrestling record over a four year period, from 1976 through 1979. Ron James was his coach. He had a 99-12 won-loss record in high school and was two-time Iowa State High School Champion.

He enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1981 and joined Dan Gable’s wrestling program. This coach-pupil combination turned out to be very successful. During his four years at Iowa he had a 131-7 won-loss record from 1981 through 1984. He had 89 consecutive wins and was a three time Division I NCAA Champion. He was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA Tournament in 1984; All-American in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984; Big Ten Champion in 1982, 1983, 1984; and was named Outstanding Wrestler of Big Ten Tournament in 1984.

Jim Zalesky graduated from the University of Iowa in 1985 with a major in General Studies. Wrestling has been his endeavor since that time. He has been head wrestling instructor at the Iowa City recreation program and a camp administrator for the Dan Gable Training Camps. Jim was the Assistant Wrestling Coach at the University of Minnesota from September of 1986 until August 1989. He became Assistant Wrestling Coach at the University of Iowa in May of 1990, a position he holds to this day.

Jim Zahesky was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1994.