Luverne Klar

June 1, 1924 – March 11, 2017

Luverne Klar graduated from Osage High School in 1941, where he enjoyed an exceptional wrestling career under legendary coach Howard “Mitch” Mitchell. During Klar’s four years on the squad, Osage’s teams were undefeated in dual competition. They captured the Iowa State Team Championship in 1940 and finished as State Team Runner-up in 1941. Individually, Klar capped his high school career by winning the 1941 state title at 118 pounds.

Following graduation, Klar’s education and athletic pursuits were put on hold due to World War II. After serving his country, he returned to wrestling in 1947 by enrolling at Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa), joining a powerhouse program under Hall of Fame coach Dave McCuskey. There, he became part of a remarkable era alongside Iowa Wrestling Hall of Famers Keith Young, Bill Smith, Bill Nelson, Germ Leeman, Russ Bush, Bob Siddens, and others. This team placed second at the 1949 NCAA Championships and won the NCAA team title in 1950, marking one of the great periods in Panther wrestling history.

Individually, Klar excelled on the national stage, earning All-American honors twice. He finished third at 136 pounds at the 1949 NCAA Tournament and placed fourth at 120 pounds in 1950. He graduated from Iowa State Teachers College later that year, ready to embark on a long and influential coaching career.

Klar first coached the ISTC campus team during the 1950–51 season before moving to Minnesota to start the wrestling program at Mankato High School (later renamed Mankato West) in the fall of 1951. Over the next 36 seasons, from 1951 through 1987, Klar built Mankato into a perennial powerhouse. His teams amassed 359 dual meet wins against 158 losses and 11 ties, for a strong .690 winning percentage. At the time of his retirement, his 359 victories ranked him tied for 12th on the national all-time list for high school wrestling coaches.

Under Klar’s leadership, Mankato captured the Minnesota state team title in 1964, finished as state runner-up six times, and frequently placed third or fourth. His program produced 15 individual state champions and numerous state place-winners, reflecting a consistent standard of excellence and development of young athletes.

Klar’s impact on high school wrestling—marked by his disciplined teams, technical focus, and ability to build both individual and team success—left a lasting legacy in Minnesota and beyond.

Luverne was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1996 with Gordon Hassman.

High School

CoachHoward "Mitch" Mitchell

• 1941 118-pound State Champion
• 1940 State Team Title
• 1941 State Team Runner-up

College

CoachDave McCuskey

• 1949 136-pound NCAA D-I 3rd Place
• 1950 128-pound NCAA D-I 4th Place
• Two-time NCAA D-I All-American
• 1950 NCAA Team National Title
• 1950 AAU Team National Title

Coaching

Record359-161-11

ISTC Campus Team – Head Coach (1950-1951)

Mankato West High School (MN) – Head Coach (1951-1987) – 359-161-11

• 1964 State Team Title
• 6 State Team Runner-up Finishes
• 9 Big Nine Conference Titles
• 15 Individual State Champions
• 57 State Place-winners
• 43 Straight Conference Wins (1956-1961)
• Started the Wrestling Program