CRESCO, Ia., February 18th, 2014 – Two Division I coaches and a highly successful high school coach will be inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco on Monday, April 14th, along with two native Iowans who won Olympic medals nearly 100 years ago. The 45th Annual Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony will begin with a 5:30 social hour followed by a 6:30 banquet at the Cresco Country Club south of Cresco.
Those being inducted this year are Kevin Dresser of Riner Virginia, Doug Schwab of Cedar Falls and Tom Kettman of Gilbertville. They become the 109th, 110th, and 111th members inducted into the Hall since the first class was inducted in 1970. In addition, past Olympians Nat Pendleton and Allie Morrison will be inducted posthumously, becoming IWHOF members 112 and 113.
Kevin Dresser was a two time state champ at Humboldt High School, a two time Big Ten champion and two time All-American at the Univ. of Iowa, winning the 1986 NCAA championship at 142 pounds. Following his stellar career as a wrestler, Dresser embarked on a very success stint as a high school coach, winning 13 state titles over the course of 18 years at Grundy and Christiansburg high schools in Virginia. In 2006 Dresser was named head wrestling coach at Virginia Tech, where he is coming off a season that had the Hokie’s winning the ACC championship and Dresser winning Coach of the Year honors.
Doug Schwab wrestled at Osage High School, winning a state title at 130 pounds in 1996. Schwab wrestled for Dan Gable at the University of Iowa, becoming a three time All-American and winning an NCAA title at 141 lbs in 1999. He continued with a successful international career, culminating with a spot on the 2008 USA Olympic team, competing in freestyle at 145.5 pounds in Beijing, China. Schwab spent time as an assistant coach at Virginia Tech and Iowa before being named head coach at the University of Northern Iowa in 2010. His team just finished the 2013-14 season undefeated at 12-0. UNI had never won 12 consecutive duals in the history of the program that dates back to 1923.
Tom Kettman coached wrestling at Don Bosco High School in Gilbertville for 30 years; 19 as an assistant to Dan Mashek and 11 as the head man. During his 11 years as head coach, he compiled a dual meet record of 260-28. Kettman’s teams won 5 traditional state titles and 7 dual state titles, and finished runner-up 6 times combined in the two formats. He coached 17 young men to state championships, including two 4-timers and a 3-timer. Kettman was a state qualifier for Mashek in 1977, and was a two time NCAA Division III qualifier at Loras College. He continues to be involved with the program at Don Bosco.
Nat Pendleton and Allie Morrison were Olympians in the 1920’s. Davenport native Nathaniel Pendleton was a silver medalist at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp Belgium. He went onto become a famous professional wrestler and film star. Marshalltown native Allie Morrison was an Olympic champion at the 1928 Olympics held in Amsterdam, becoming the first native Iowan to earn Olympic gold in any sport.
Banquet tickets are available at the Cresco Chamber of Commerce (563-547-3434) and CIA Insurance in Cresco (563-547-2382). Tickets are $25 and advance registration is required.
The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame will be open until 6:00 p.m. the day of the banquet.
About the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame – The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame’s sole purpose is the promotion of amateur wrestling in Iowa. We have a rich history of honoring native Iowans at our annual awards banquet and induction ceremony. The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame museum is located in the Cresco Welcome Center, at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street.