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Cyclone Wrestling History

ISU Wrestling, A Rich Tradition

The Iowa State University Wrestling program has a rich and long tradition of excellence. Though hundreds of courageous young Cyclones have stalked their prey on the mat, there have been but six coaches. From the beginning in 1916, Charles “Uncle Charlie” Mayser led the Cyclones to greatness with four undefeated teams and 35 overall victories against only 4 defeats. His last two undefeated squads were named unofficial national champions by Amateur Wrestling News.

In 1924, Hugo Otopalik took the reins and served for 28 years compiling a 159-65-6 mark. Coach Otopalik’s notable achievements included seven conference championships, one NCAA national championship and 8 individual NCAA championships. Otopalik also served as head coach of the 1932 U.S. Olympic squad in Los Angeles, which captured the team title.

The legend, Dr. Harold Nichols, walked onto the Cyclone mat in 1953 and things were never the same. Dr. Nichols rolled up an unprecedented 454-72-11 record. Dr. Nichols’ achievements included six NCAA crowns, seven Big Eight titles and 38 individual NCAA championships. This Hall of Fame recipient retired from coaching in 1985.

In 1986, Jim Gibbons took over the Cyclone wrestling program, after competing and coaching for Dr. Nichols. Gibbons’ squads claimed one Big Eight title and captured the NCAA crown in 1987. He coached seven individual NCAA championships while compiling a 96-32-1 record. Gibbons retired from coaching in 1992.

Iowa State’s tradition-rich history continued under the leadership of Bobby Douglas. Joining the ISU family in 1992, Bobby led the Cyclones for 14 seasons, compiling a 198-75-3 mark. Coach Douglas produced 10 individual national championships. Under Coach Douglas ISU became the first school in NCAA history to foster a four-time undefeated champion in Cael Sanderson. Many of Coach Douglas’ former ISU wrestlers are now involved in coaching.


Past All-Americans
(Bold indicates NCAA Champion)

1928 (at Ames, Iowa)
Team placed second
115 Harold Higgins, 3rd                                       
138 Arthur Holding, 1st
158 James Blair, 3rd

1930 (at State College, Pa.)
Team placed fourth
135 Hugh Linn, 1st

1931 (at Providence, R.I.)
Team placed second
135 Richard Cole, 1st
145 Walter Thomas, 2nd
165 Robert Hess, 2nd

1932 (at Bloomington, Ind.)
Team placed third
158 George Martin, 3rd
174 Robert Hess, 1st

1933 (at Bethlehem, Pa.)
National Champions (tied)
155 Merrill Frevert, 1st
165 George Martin, 1st
175 Bob Hess, 1st

1937 (at Terre Haute, Ind.)
Team placed 10th
165 Marvin Farrell, 3rd

1938 (at State College, Pa.)
Team tied for 11th
145 Sam Linn, 3rd
155 Joe Loucks, 3rd

1940 (at Urbana, Ill.)
Team tied for ninth
155 Marvin Farrell, 2nd

1941 (at Bethlehem, Pa.)
Team tied for 13th
165 Sam Linn, 4th

1946 (at Stillwater, Okla.)
Team placed seventh
155 Dick Ditsworth, 3rd
HWT Glen Brand, 3rd

1947 (at Urbana, Ill.)
Team tied for eighth
175 Glen Brand, 2nd

1948 (at Bethlehem, Pa.)
Team tied for ninth
174 Glen Brand, 1st

1953 (at State College, Pa.)
Team tied for 21st
177 Bob Wirds, 3rd

1957 (at Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Team placed third
130 Dean Corner, 3rd
147 Ron Gray, 2nd
157 Dale Ketelsen, 3rd
177 Gene Franks, 3rd

1958 (at Laramie, Wyo.)
Team placed second
115 Frank Altman, 4th
123 Don Bernard, 4th
130 Les Anderson, 1st
147 Ron Gray, 1st
157 Dale Ketelsen, 2nd
177 Frank Powell, 3rd

1959 (at Iowa City, Iowa)
Team placed second
130 Les Anderson, 2nd
137 Larry Hayes, 1st
147 Ron Gray, 1st
157 Ellie Watkins, 3rd

1960 (at College Park, Md.)
Team placed second
115 Dennis Fredericks, 3rd
137 Les Anderson, 1st
147 Larry Hayes, 1st

1961 (at Corvallis, Ore.)
Team placed third
115 Don Webster, 4th
147 Larry Hayes, 1st
157 Virgil Carr, 4th

1963 (at Kent, Ohio)
Team placed second
115 Lowell Stewart, 4th
130 Ron Jones, 5th
137 Larry Bewley, 4th
147 Veryl Long, 3rd
157 Virgil Carr, 3rd
167 Gordon Hassman, 3rd

1964 (at Ithaca, N.Y.)
Team placed third
115 Roger Sebert, 2nd
137 Bob Buzzard, 4th
147 Veryl Long, 4th
157 Gordon Hassman, 1st
167 Tom Peckham, 5th

1965 (at Laramie, Wyo.)
National Champions
115 Ernie Gillum, 3rd
123 Roger Sebert, 3rd
130 Ron Jones, 4th
137 Bob Buzzard, 3rd
147 Veryl Long, 1st
157 Gordon Hassman, 3rd
167 Vic Marcucci, 3rd
177 Tom Peckham, 1st
HWT Ted Tuinstra, 5th

1966 (at Ames, Iowa)
Team placed second
115 Ernie Gillum, 2nd
123 Rich Leichtman, 5th
145 Dale Bahr, 2nd
160 Vic Marcucci, 2nd
177 Tom Peckham, 1st
191 Don Buzzard, 2nd
HWT Steve Shippos, 4th

1967 (at Kent, Ohio)
Team placed third
123 Gary Wallman, 4th
130 John Hansen, 6th
145 Dale Bahr, 3rd
160 Vic Marcucci, 1st
191 Don Buzzard, 2nd

1968 (at State College, Pa.)
Team placed second
123 Gary Wallman, 6th
130 Dan Gable, 1st
145 Dale Bahr, 1st
160 Reg Wicks, 1st
167 Jason Smith, 3rd

1969 (at Provo, Utah)
National Champions
115 Steve Lampe, 6th
123 Mike Schmauss, 5th
137 Dan Gable, 1st
152 Carl Adams, 5th
160 Dave Martin, 2nd
167 Jason Smith, 1st
177 Chuck Jean, 1st
191 Jim Duschen, 5th
HWT Wayne Beske, 5th

1970 (at Evanston, Ill.)
National Champions
134 Phil Parker, 3rd
142 Dan Gable, 2nd
158 Dave Martin, 1st
167 Jason Smith, 1st
177 Chuck Jean, 1st
190 Ben Peterson, 4th

1971 (at Auburn, Ala.)
Team placed second
134 Phil Parker, 3rd
158 Carl Adams, 1st
177 Al Nacin, 2nd
190 Ben Peterson, 1st

1972 (at College Park, Md.)
National Champions
126 Bill Fjetland, 5th
134 Phil Parker, 2nd
158 Carl Adams, 1st
167 Keith Abens, 2nd
177 Rich Binek, 3rd
190 Ben Peterson, 1st
HWT Chris Taylor, 1st

1973 (at Seattle, Wash.)
National Champions
126 Ron Glass, 2nd
134 Bill Fjetland, 4th
167 Keith Abens, 4th
177 Rich Binek, 1st
190 Al Nacin, 5th
HWT Chris Taylor, 1st

1974 (at Ames, Iowa)
Team placed fourth
118 Dan Mallinger, 3rd
126 Bob Antonacci, 5th
150 Bob Holland, 2nd
190 Al Nacin, 3rd

1975 (at Princeton, N.J.)
Team placed fourth
118 Mike Land, 6th
126 Bob Antonacci, 5th
150 Pete Galea, 4th
177 Willie Gadson, 3rd
190 Al Nacin, 1st

1976 (at Tuscson, Ariz.)
Team placed second
118 Johnnie Jones, 2nd
150 Pete Galea, 2nd
158 Joe Zuspann, 3rd
177 Willie Gadson, 6th
190 Frank Santana, 2nd
HWT Bob Fouts, 6th

1977 (at Norman, Okla.)
National Champions
118 Johnnie Jones, 4th
126 Mike Land, 3rd
150 Joe Zuspann, 2nd
158 Kelly Ward, 2nd
167 Dave Powell, 5th
190 Frank Santana, 1st

1978 (at College Park, Md.)
Team placed second
126 Mike Land, 1st
142 Randy Nielson, 6th
150 Joe Zuspann, 4th
158 Kelly Ward, 2nd
177 Charles Gadson, 3rd
190 Frank Santana, 2nd

1979 (at Ames, Iowa)
Team placed second
118 Dan Finnegan, 5th
134 Mike Land, 2nd
158 Kelly Ward, 1st
167 Dave Powell, 3rd
177 Dave Allen, 3rd
190 Mike Mann, 7th
HWT Tom Waldon, 7th

1980 (at Corvallis, Ore.)
Team placed third
118 Mike Picozzi, 5th
134 Jim Gibbons, 7th
142 Dave Brown, 6th
158 Tom Pickard, 4th
167 Perry Hummel, 2nd
177 Dave Allen, 2nd
190 Mike Mann, 4th

1981 (at Princeton, N.J.)
Team placed third
134 Jim Gibbons, 1st
142 Dave Brown, 3rd
150 Nate Carr, 1st
167 Perry Hummel, 4th
190 John Forshee, 6th

1982 (at Ames, Iowa)
Team placed second
118 Kevin Darkus, 2nd
126 Joe Gibbons, 4th
134 Jim Gibbons, 3rd
142 Randy Conrad, 6th
150 Nate Carr, 1st
177 Perry Hummel, 4th
190 Mike Mann, 2nd
HWT Wayne Cole, 4th

1983 (at Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Team placed third
118 John Thorn, 4th
126 Kevin Darkus, 5th
142 Randy Conrad, 5th
150 Nate Carr, 1st
158 Murray Crews, 8th
190 Mike Mann, 2nd
HWT Wayne Cole, 2nd

1984 (at Meadowlands, N.J.)
Team placed seventh
126 Kevin Darkus, 1st
142 Joe Gibbons, 4th

1985 (at Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Team placed third
142 Joe Gibbons, 1st
158 Dave Ewing, 3rd
167 Mike VanArsdale, 6th
HWT Darryl Peterson, 5th

1986 (at Iowa City, Iowa)
Team placed fourth
142 Joe Gibbons, 3rd
150 Tim Krieger, 5th
167 Mike VanArsdale, 3rd
HWT John Heropoulos, 2nd

1987 (at College Park, Md.)
National Champions
126 Billy Kelly, 1st
134 Jeff Gibbons, 3rd
150 Tim Krieger, 1st
158 Stewart Carter, 1st
167 Kevin Jackson, 2nd
190 Eric Voelker, 1st

1988 (at Ames, Iowa)
Team placed third
118 Gary McCall, 7th
126 Steve Knight, 5th
134 Jeff Gibbons, 6th
150 Tim Krieger, 2nd
167 Mike VanArsdale, 1st
190 Eric Voelker, 3rd

1989 (at Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Team placed third
126 Gary McCall, 7th
150 Tim Krieger, 1st
158 Steve Hamilton, 7th
190 Eric Voelker, 1st

1990 (at College Park, Md.)
Team placed ninth
118 Gary McCall, 3rd
126 Dan Knight, 4th
158 Steve Hamilton, 3rd

1991 (at Iowa City, Iowa)
Team placed fifth
118 Eric Akin, 8th
150 Steve Hamilton, 2nd
177 Matt Johnson, 2nd

1992 (at Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Team placed fourth
118 Eric Akin, 3rd
134 Mike Moreno, 7th
150 Torrae Jackson, 6th
167 Steve Hamilton, 3rd
177 Matt Johnson, 3rd
HWT Jamie Cutler, 3rd

1993 (at Ames, Iowa)
Team placed sixth
118 Eric Akin, 4th
142 Jodie Wilson, 7th
150 Torrae Jackson, 5th
158 Earl Harrison, 8th
177 Matt Johnson, 4th
190 Dan Troupe, 6th
HWT Todd Kinney, 6th

1994 (at Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Team placed 10th
118 Eric Akin, 2nd
134 Derek Mountsier, 8th
190 Dan Troupe, 6th

1995 (at Iowa City, Iowa)
Team placed 14th
126 Dwight Hinson, 3rd
150 Chris Bono, 5th

1996 (at Minneapolis, Minn.)
Team placed second
118 Jason Nurre, 2nd
126 Dwight Hinson, 2nd
142 Derek Mountsier, 4th
150 Chris Bono, 1st
167 Barry Weldon, 5th

1997 (at Cedar Falls, Iowa)
Team placed fourth
126 Dwight Hinson, 4th
150 Chris Bono, 2nd
167 Bart Horton, 7th
177 Barry Weldon, 1st

1998 (at Cleveland, Ohio)
Team placed sixth
126 Dwight Hinson, 3rd
HWT Trent Hynek, 2nd

1999 (at State College, Pa.)
Team tied for fourth
133 Cody Sanderson, 2nd
165 Joe Heskett, 3rd
184 Cael Sanderson, 1st
197 Zach Thompson, 8th

2000 (at St. Louis, Mo.)
Team placed second
133 Cody Sanderson, 2nd
165 Joe Heskett, 2nd
184 Cael Sanderson, 1st
197 Zach Thompson, 2nd
HWT Trent Hynek, 3rd

2001 (at Iowa City, Iowa)
Team placed sixth
165 Joe Heskett, 2nd
184 Cael Sanderson, 1st

2002 (at Albany, N.Y.)
Team placed second
133 Zach Roberson, 7th
141 Aaron Holker, 1st
149 Billy Maldonado, 6th
165 Joe Heskett, 1st
197 Cael Sanderson, 1st

2003 (at Kansas City, Mo.)
Team tied for 19th
133 Zach Roberson, 4th
141 Aaron Holker, 7th

2004 (at St. Louis, Mo.)
Team placed sixth
133 Zach Roberson, 1st
141 Nate Gallick, 5th
157 Travis Paulson, 6th
184 Kurt Backes, 7th
HWT Scott Coleman, 8th

2005 (at St. Louis, Mo.)
Team placed tenth
141 Nate Gallick, 2nd
157 Trent Paulson, 4th
HWT Scott Coleman, 7th

2006 (at Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Team tied for 13th
141 Nate Gallick, 1st
157 Trent Paulson, 4th
165 Travis Paulson, 6th

2007 (at Auburn Hills, Mich.)
Team placed second
157 Trent Paulson, 1st
165 Travis Paulson, 5th
184 Jake Varner, 2nd
197 Kurt Backes, 2nd

2008 (at St. Louis, Mo.)
Team tied for fifth
133 Nick Fanthorpe, 7th
141 Nick Gallick, 5th
157 Cyler Sanderson, 7th
165 Jon Reader, 7th
184 Jake Varner, 2nd
197 David Bertolino, 8th
HWT David Zabriskie, 6th

2009 (at St. Louis, Mo.)
Team placed third
141 Nick Gallick, 3rd
165 Jon Reader, 4th
197 Jake Varner, 1st
HWT David Zabriskie, 5th


Past Conference Champions
  (Bold indicates winner of Outstanding Wrestler award)

Missouri Valley

1924

Henry Pillard

A. E. Anderson

175
HWT

1925

Clell Kurtz

Dwight Meyer

Henry Pillard

125
135
HWT
1926

Harold Boyvey

Ralph Prunty

125
155
1927

Arthur Holding

125
1928

Arthur Holding

125
1929

Arthur Holding

135
1930

Kynard McCormick

Doris Williams

115
125
     
Big 6
1933

Gilbert Golden

Gordon Rosenberg

Kenneth Ruggles

Merrill Frevert

George Martin

Robert Hess

126
135
145
155
165
175

1934

Glenn Yarger

Gilbert Golden

Jim Ruggles

118
126
155
1935

Keith Cranston

135
1937

George Haynes

Al Stoecker

118
HWT
1938

Kenneth Stewart

Frank Linn

118
145
1939

Ray Stone

Royce Cox

Joe Loucks

Howard Buck

128
155
165
HWT
1940

Sam Linn

Howard Buck

165
HWT
1941

Ray Stone

Joe Loucks

Sam Linn

Dick Johnson

128
155
165
175
1947

Charles Nelson

Pat Bush

Glen Brand

128
155
175
     

Big 7

1948

Glen Brand

175
1949    

Dick Ditsworth

Pat Bush

Donald Thomas

145
155
165
1950

Bob Wilson

136
1952

Robert Wirds

Melvin Waldon

177
HWT
1953

Robert Wirds

177
1954

Hugh Linn

Sam Ruzic

Ron Larson

123
137
167
1955

Kent Townley

Robert Formanek

123
157
1956

Dean Corner

Robert Formanek

Frank Powell

137
157
167
1957

Ron Gray

147
     

Big 8

1958

Les Anderson

Ron Gray

Frank Powell

130
147
177
1959

Ron Gray

Ron Meleney

147
177
1960

Les Anderson

Larry Hayes

137
147
1961

Don Webster

Larry Hayes

115
147
1963

Lowell Stewart

Veryl Long

115
147
1964

Roger Sebert

Bob Buzzard

Gordon Hassman

Tom Peckham

115
137
157
167
1965

Roger Sebert

Bob Buzzard

Gordon Hassman

123
137
157
1966

Vic Marcucci

Tom Peckham

Steve Shippos

160
177
HWT
1967

Vic Marcucci

167
1968

Mike Schmauss

Dan Gable

Jim Duschen

115
137
191
1969

Dan Gable

Jim Duschen

137
191
1970

Phil Parker

Dan Gable

Carl Adams

Jason Smith

Ben Peterson

134
142
150
167
190
1971

Dave Bock

Ben Peterson

150
190
1972

Rich Binek

Ben Peterson

Chris Taylor

177
190
HWT
1973

Pete Galea

Keith Abens

Al Nacin

Chris Taylor

150
167
190
HWT

1974

Pete Galea

Bob Holland

Al Nacin

142
150
190
1975

Pete Galea

Bob Holland

Willie Gadson

Al Nacin

150
158
177
190

1976

Bob Antonacci

Pete Galea

Dave Powell

Willie Gadson

Frank Santana

126
150
167
177
190
1977

Johnnie Jones

Mike Land

Frank Santana

118
126
190
1978

Mike Land

Randy Nielsen

Joe Zuspann

Kelly Ward

126
142
150
158
1979

Don Finnegan

Mike Land

Kelly Ward

Dave Powell

Tom Waldon

118
134
158
167
HWT
1980

Mike Picozzi

Jim Gibbons

Nate Carr

Perry Hummel

Dave Allen

118
134
150
167
177
1981

Nate Carr

Perry Hummel

Dave Allen

John Forshee

150
167
177
190
1982

Kevin Darkus

Joe Gibbons

Jim Gibbons

118
126
134
1983

Kevin Darkus

Mike Mann

Wayne Cole

126
190
HWT
1984

Kevin Darkus

126
1985

John Thorn

Joe Gibbons

126
142
1986

Billy Kelly

Tim Krieger

Bill Tate

126
150
158
1987 Billy Kelly

Tim Krieger

Stewart Carter

Kevin Jackson

Eric Voelker

126
150
158
167
190
1988 Steve Knight

Tim Krieger

Mike VanArsdale

Eric Voelker

126
150
167
190
1989 Jeff Gibbons

Tim Krieger

Steve Hamilton

Eric Voelker

142
150
158
190
1991 Matt Johnson

Todd Kinney

177
HWT
1992 Eric Akin

Torrae Jackson

Steve Hamilton

Matt Johnson

Jamie Cutler

118
150
167
177
HWT
1993 Eric Akin

Jodie Wilson

Torrae Jackson

Matt Johnson

Todd Kinney

118
142
150
177
HWT

1994

Eric Akin

118
1995

Colothdian Tate

134
1996 Jason Nurre

Dwight Hinson

Derek Mountsier

Chris Bono

118
126
142
150

Big 12

1997

Dwight Hinson

Chris Bono

126
150
1998

Dwight Hinson

126
1999 Joe Heskett

Cael Sanderson

Zach Thompson

165
184
197
2000 Cody Sanderson

Cael Sanderson

Trent Hynek

133
184
HWT
2001 Joe Heskett

Chris Bono

Cael Sanderson

126
165
184
2002 Aaron Holker

Joe Heskett

Cael Sanderson

141
165
197
2004

Nate Gallick

141
2005 Nate Gallick

Kurt Backes

141
184
2006 Nate Gallick

Trent Paulson

Kurt Backes

141
157
184
2007 Trent Paulson

David Zabriskie

157
HWT
2008 Nick Fanthorpe

Nick Gallick

Cyler Sanderson

Jake Varner

133
141
157
184
2009 Nick Fanthorpe

David Zabriskie

133
HWT

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
Conference Champions in a Season

    Six............................................................................................................... 1933
    Five.............................................................................. 1970, 76, 79, 80, 87, 92, 93
    Four...................................................... 1939, 41, 64, 73, 75, 78, 81, 88, 89, 96, 2008
    Three..... 1925, 34, 47, 49, 54, 56, 58, 65, 66, 68, 72, 74, 77, 82, 83, 86, 99, 2000, 02, 06
    Two.. 1924, 26, 30, 37, 38, 40, 52, 55, 59, 60, 61, 63, 69, 71, 85, 91, 97, 2001, 05, 07, 09
    One....................................... 1927, 28, 29, 35, 48, 50, 53, 57, 67, 84, 94, 95, 98, 2004


Four-Time Conference Champions

Pete Galea (1973, 74, 75, 76)
Tim Krieger (1986, 87, 88, 89)
Cael Sanderson (1999, 2000, 01, 02)


Three-Time Conference Champions

Eric Akin (1992, 93, 94)
Kevin Darkus (1982, 83, 84)
Dan Gable (1968, 69, 70)
Nate Gallick (2004, 05, 06)
Ron Gray (1957, 58, 59)
Joe Heskett (1999, 2001, 02)
Dwight Hinson (1996, 97, 98)
Arthur Holding (1927, 28, 29)
Matt Johnson (1991, 92, 93)
Mike Land (1977, 78, 79)
Al Nacin (1973, 74, 75)
Ben Peterson (1970, 71, 72)
Eric Voelker (1987, 88, 89)


Two-Time Conference Champions

Dave Allen (1980, 81)
Les Anderson (1958, 60)
Kurt Backes (2005, 06)
Chris Bono (1996, 97)
Glen Brand (1947, 48)
Howard Buck (1939, 40)
Pat Bush (1947, 49)
Bob Buzzard (1964, 65)
Nate Carr (1980, 81)
Jim Duschen (1968, 69)
Nick Fanthorpe (2008, 09)
Robert Formanek (1955, 56)
Willie Gadson (1975, 76)
Jim Gibbons (1980, 82)
Joe Gibbons (1982, 85)
Gilbert Golden (1933, 34)
Steve Hamilton (1989, 92)
Larry Hayes (1960, 61)
Bob Holland (1974, 75)
Perry Hummel (1980, 81)
Torre Jackson (1992, 93)
Billy Kelly (1986, 87)
Todd Kinney (1991, 93)
Sam Linn (1940, 41)
Joe Loucks (1939, 41)
Vic Marcucci (1966, 67)
Trent Paulson (2006, 07)
Tom Peckham (1964, 66)
Henry Pillard (1924, 25)
Dave Powell (1976, 79)
Frank Powell (1956, 58)
Ray Stone (1939, 41)
Frank Santana (1976, 77)
Chris Taylor (1972, 73)
Kelly Ward (1979, 78)
Robert Wirds (1952, 53)
David Zabriskie (2007, 09)

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