Meet the 2024 IWHOF Inductees:
The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, located in Cresco, Iowa, is proud to announce the 2024 inductees to be honored during the induction ceremony on Monday, April 8th. The Class of 2024 is a large and diverse group that includes three unbelievable competitors, two 1928 Olympic alternates, and a distinguished, groundbreaking referee. The 53rd Annual Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony will begin with a 5:30 pm social hour, followed by a 6:30 banquet at the McAllister Catering and Heritage Event Center, 229 3rd Ave West, Cresco.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024:
Leslie Beers – Pocahontas, University of Iowa – 1928 Olympic Alternate, NCAA Champion, 2-time Big Ten Champion. Posthumous induction.
Arthur Holding – Burt, Iowa State University – 1928 Olympic Alternate, NCAA Champion, 3-time Missouri Valley Champion. Posthumous induction.
Mike Allen – Waterloo East, Ellsworth College, University of Northern Iowa – one of the nation’s top college and high school wrestling referees, Allen was the first African American to officiate in the Iowa State Tournament, Iowa Wrestling Official of the Year in 1980, 1987, and 1992, worked 23 NCAA Championships, member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Iowa High School Athletic Association Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Jay Borschel – Linn-Mar (Marion), Virginia Tech, University of Iowa – 4-time State Champion, Big Ten Champion, NCAA Champion, 2-time All-American.
Trent Paulson – Lewis Central (Council Bluffs), Iowa State University – 2-time State Champion, 2-time Big 12 Champion, NCAA Champion, 3-time All-American, US Open Champion, 4-time US National Team Member and current Assistant Coach at the University of Virginia.
Travis Paulson – Lewis Central (Council Bluffs), Iowa State University – 3-time State Champion, 3-time All-American, US Open Champion, 4-time US National Team Member and current Associate Head Coach at the University of Virginia.
Banquet tickets are available at the Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce (563.547.3434). Tickets are $30 and advance registration is requested.
The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame’s sole purpose is the promotion of amateur wrestling. With a rich history of honoring native Iowans at the annual awards banquet and induction ceremony, the inaugural banquet was held in 1970. Following the 53rd annual awards induction ceremony, the number of inductees will include 147 outstanding individuals signifying their contributions to amateur wrestling. The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is located in the Cresco Welcome Center at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street and is open 9-5 M-F. For more info visit www.iowawrestlinghalloffame.com or Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame on Facebook.
