IWHOF News Articles

IWHOF Board Member Jerome Hruska was recently inducted into the Creston Wrestling Hall of Fame. Hruska was inducted along with Dylan Long and the 1972 Creston wrestling team. Hruska coached at Creston from 1969-1979. See attached story from the Creston News Advertiser.

Legendary coaches Chris Flanagan and Tom Kettman were inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa on Saturday June 24th. The Brand WHOF is located in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo. Along with family members, Flanagan was represented by some current members of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Directors. The IWHOF is located in Cresco, where Flanagan coached. Flanagan coached many of the current board members.

Pictured in front are Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Members Sandy Stevens, Dan Gable, Chuck Yagla and Bob Siddens. In back are Jim Sovereign and IWHOF board members Jerome Hruska and Chuck Curtis.

CRESCO, IA: Four worthy and deserving individuals will be inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco on Monday, April 10th. Among them is the first woman to be inducted into the IWHOF, and the sixth set of brothers to be inducted. The 48th 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 are Joel and Justin Greenlee, Mike Mann and Sandy Stevens.

Waverly natives Joel and Justin Greenlee become the 122nd and 123rd inductees into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, joining five other families with brothers inducted. That impressive group includes Terry and Tom Brands, Jim and Joe Gibbons, Dave and Paul Martin, Don and Harold Nichols and Doug and Mark Schwab. Both Joel and Justin were state champions at Waverly, All-Americans at UNI, and successful international competitors. Joel attained fourth and second place NCAA finishes, while Justin was eighth, second, and second in his three NCAA trips. Joel is in his 20th year as the head wrestling coach at Ohio. Justin is a research veterinary pathologist for the USDA at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, IA.

The 124th inductee into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is Mike Mann. Mike won a state championship wrestling at Marshalltown High School in 1978. He followed that up at Iowa State University with seventh, fourth, second, and second place finishes in the NCAA tournament. He won 113 matches as a Cyclone, was a 1981 Midlands champion and a 1983 Big 8 champion. Mike is the head wrestling coach at Marshalltown High School, where he’s coached since 2012.

Sandy Stevens becomes the 125th inductee in the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame. Sandy has been behind the mic at every level of wrestling competition. She’s announced at state and national championships for Kids, Cadets, Juniors, Espoir, and many state and national high school championships. She did the NCAA D1 tournament 34 years, has been the announcer for the Midlands, Senior World Championships, Pan Am Championships, and the Olympics Games. Sandy received the Order of Merit from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1998, and many other accolades across the USA and the world.

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’s sole purpose is the promotion of amateur wrestling in Iowa. The IWHOF has a rich history of honoring native Iowans at our annual awards banquet and induction ceremony. The inaugural banquet was held in 1970. When we conclude the 48th annual awards banquet on April 10, 2017, our roster of inductees will included 125 outstanding individuals for their contributions to amateur wrestling.

Sherwyn Thorson, inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007, passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday April 6th, 2016. He was 75.

CRESCO, IA: A diverse group of individuals will be inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco on Monday, April 11. Their careers span over 50 years. You’ll recognize them as competitors, coaches and a broadcaster. The 47th 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 are Rick Caldwell, Jim Duschen,Tim Johnson and Mark Reiland.

Knoxville native Rick Caldwell becomes the 118^th inductee into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame. Caldwell was a two-time All-American for IWHOF inductee Al Baxter at Buena Vista University. Following graduation form BVU, Caldwell started a coaching career that took him to the highest levels. He coached at BGM-Brooklyn, Iowa Falls and Ames before settling in at Waverly in 1988. In Waverly he was an assistant at Wartburg under IWHOF inductee Jim Miller until 1999, when he took over the Waverly-Shell Rock coaching duties. In 12 years at WSR his teams won 14 state team trophies, including nine state championships (five traditional and four dual), coached 20 Go-Hawk state champions and twice had four state champions in the same year. The Waverly-Shell Rock 2008 team set an all-time, all-class record of 225 points at the traditional state tournament.

East Waterloo’s Jim Duschen is the 119^th inductee into the IWHOF. Duschen prepped at East Waterloo, and wrestled collegiately at Iowa State. While at ISU, he earned two Big 8 Championships, a Midlands Championship, All-American honors and was captain of the 1969 ISU National Championship team. Following his career at ISU, Duschen claimed two National Greco Roman Championships, was a ’72 Olympic alternate, and made the ’73 World team. Following his competitive years, he started a successful coaching career that spanned 30 years, from Iowa to Nevada. Duschen is regarded as the dean of high school wrestling in Nevada.

The 120th inductee into the IWHOF is Eagle Grove native Mark Reiland. Reiland was a four time medalist for Eagle Grove from 1984-1987 while wrestling for his father, IWHOF inductee Marv Reiland. He won state titles his junior and senior years. Reiland followed up his successful high school career with a stellar career wrestling for IWHOF inductee Dan Gable at the U. of Iowa. While a Hawkeye, Reiland became a two-time All-American, winning a National Championship in 1991. Upon graduation, Reiland coached as an assistant at Iowa City West, had a short stint at Solon, and then returned to IC West. At West, Reiland has built a powerhouse. His teams are perennially at the top of the class in Iowa high school wrestling.

The Voice of College Wrestling: that’s Morning Sun native Tim Johnson, the 121^st inductee into the IWHOF. Johnson has covered the sport for Iowa Public TV, ESPN, Real Pro Wrestling and the BIG 10 Network. He has worked behind the mic for the past 12NCAA Division I championships. Johnson was the Director of Wrestling for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and is an executive with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He wrestled at Morning Sun for IWHOF inductee Bob Darrah, and at Coe College. During his five years as coach at Mount Vernon, Johnson coached IWHOF inductee Greg Randall to four state championships.

Banquet tickets are available at the Cresco Chamber of Commerce (563-547-3434), Farmers Mill, Protivin (563-569-8501) and CIA Insurance in Cresco (563-547-2382). Tickets are $25 and advance registration is required.

InterMat Senior Writer Mark Palmer shares the news on our new mural!

Follow the link to read his article.

Thanks to Mike Chapman for sending us this WHO TV spot on Frank Gotch.

The public is invited to stop in on Monday afternoon, April 14, 2014 to see the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame and maybe get a chance to meet and greet the new Inductees before they head out to the Cresco Country Club for the Banquet.

CRESCO, IA: The top senior wrestlers from northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota who have completed outstanding high school careers will face off in the 13th annual all-star “Border Battle” dual meet at 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 7 at the Crestwood High School.

“Things are still up in the air as far as who will be wrestling for Minnesota,” stated Dennis Meirick, president of the hosting Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame. “Minnesota just finished their state tournament this weekend and will be putting their team together in the next few days.”

Meirick noted wrestlers from Decorah, Turkey Valley, Osage, South Winneshiek, MFL and Crestwood have committed for the Iowa squad.The Border Battle dual meet record is 6-6 after the Minnesota squad picked up a win last year.

The Minnesota team will consist of senior wrestlers from school districts located in Mower, Fillmore and Houston counties. The Iowa team will consist of seniors from school districts drawing students in from Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek and Allamakee counties. As in the past, both teams could draw a few wrestlers from outside the boundaries.

Iowa wrestlers who have accepted the invitations include eight state place finishers: 132 pound Hunter Slifka who placed third for Crestwood this year and is a three-time state qualifier; 132 pound Chris Hanke, Osage who placed 7th in 2013; 138 pound Christian Fox of Osage who placed third this year and is a two-time state qualifier; 152 pound Douglas Perrin of Osage who is a two-time state place finisher; 182 pound Nathan Howe of MFL who placed sixth at state this year; 195 pound Christopher Brincks of South Winneshiek who placed second at state this year and fifth in 2013; 285 pound Luke Kuennen of Turkey Valley who placed fifth this year; and 285 pound Austin Ashbacher of Decorah who placed 6th last year and is a three-time state qualifier.

Other wrestlers competing for Iowa include: 145 pound Erick Buckendahl of Turkey Valley; 152 pound Riley Meirick of Turkey Valley;152 pound Cody Ritner of Decorah, 152 pound Isaac Hover of Crestwood, 160 pound Tyler Randall of Osage; 160 pound Charles Hadacek of Turkey Valley; 170 pound Dillon Johnson of Osage; 170 pound Levi Henry of Crestwood; 195 pound Brandon Slifka of Crestwood; and 220 pound Kyle Reicks of Turkey Valley.

“We have to thank the coaches from both Iowa and Minnesota who make this happen every year,” Meirick said. “We really have to scramble to make this happen but it’s always worth it because we do this to honor our seniors who have given so much to our sport. It’s always exciting.”

Border Battle organizers hope to feature about 15 to 20 matches again this year.

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.

Watch video of Dan Gable addressing the crowd at the 44th annual Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cresco, IA. Gable gave some insight into where the wrestling community stands in regard to the IOC decision to drop wrestling from the 2020 Olympics.

CRESCO, Ia., March 26, 2013 – Two coaches and two wrestlers with diverse backgrounds will be inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco on Monday, April 8.  The 44th 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 David Ripley, Charles City; Tolly Thompson, Cedar Falls; Robert Kenny, Mason City and Jason Kelber, Valentine, NE.  They become the 105th,106th, 107th and 108th members inducted into the Hall since the first class was inducted in 1970.

David Ripley was the Riceville wrestling coach for 33 years. In those years Ripley’s teams won two state titles while also being a runner-up in both the state and dual meet tournaments.  The Wildcat teams posted a record of 319-90-1 under Ripley’s tenure. Ripley coached 95 state qualifiers, 51 state place winners and 7 state champions.  He was twice named Coach of the Year.

Robert Kenny also had an outstanding coaching career, his at Emmetsburg.  Kenny’s teams won six state teams titles and two state dual meet titles while also being a runner-up in three other state tournaments.  Kenny’s teams were 289-123-1.  He had 88 state qualifiers and 56 place winners.  He coached 12 wrestlers to state titles, 12 to second place finishes, 13 to third place finishes and 9 to fourth place finishes.

Tolly Thompson was a three-time NCAA All-American while capturing one NCAA championship for the University of Nebraska.  The Janesville native twice placed second in the high school state tournament.  Thompson further distinguished himself as he wrestled internationally for eight years after college. Thompson placed third at the 2005 World Championship at 120 kgs/265.5 lbs in Budapest Hungary.  Along with the bronze at the World Cup, Thompson placed second at the Cerrod Pelado International and was the Dave Schultz Memorial International Champion.

Jason Kelber, who wrestled for West Marshall High School in State Center, was a three-time state champion who went unbeaten his sophomore, junior and senior seasons (123-3 overall). Kelber also wrestled at the University of Nebraska where he was a 126 pound NCAA champion and a three-time all American.

Banquet tickets are available at the Cresco Chamber of Commerce (563-547-3434) and CIA Insurance in Cresco (563-547-2382).  Tickets are $20 and advance registration is required.

The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, which was remodeled and expanded in the past two months, will be open until 6:00  p.m. the day of the banquet.

The IA and MN teams gather at center mat to promote Let’s Keep Wrestling.  32 high school seniors represented their respective states in the 12th annual IA-MN Border Battle hosted by the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.  The event was Friday March 8th, 2013 in Cresco IA, home of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.  Visit 2013 Border Battle Results for complete details.

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the Olympics, and the International Olympic Committee has put it on the chopping block for 2020.

Join Governor Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and fellow Iowans in opposing this affront to the Olympic tradition by signaling your support for Olympic wrestling.

Leslie Albert Anderson of Nevada passed away at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames on Friday, November 9, 2012 at the age of 74

Legendary wrestler Keith Young passed away on July 29 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was 81.