The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum hosted State Championship Recognition Night on Wednesday, March 10. Athletes coaches and fans from the area packed into the Dan Gable Teaching Center for a memorable night recognizing this year's state championship wrestling teams.

Waverly-Shell Rock (3A), Denver-Tripoli (2A), and Gilbertville-Don Bosco (1A) were all recognized at the event for winning the traditional state team title and the dual meet state team title in their respective divisions. Head coaches Tom Kettman (DB), Chris Krueger (DT) and Rick Caldwell (WSR) addressed the crowd during the program.

Each coach touched on the importance of youth development and local support within their respective programs.

"This was a great way to recognize the rich wrestling tradition the Iowa has," said Gable Museum marketing director Kent Sesker. "To have three teams within a 30 mile radius win the state tournament is remarkable. This event was a tribute to the wrestling talent this area has."

Placewinners from Cedar Falls and Waterloo were recognized alongside the state championship teams. This year's group included Kyven Gadson from East Waterloo (1st at 189), Michael Kelly from Cedar Falls (1st at 152), Kirk Sallis from East Waterloo (2nd at 119), and Will Hansen Waterloo Columbus (4th at 160).

Also in attendance were staff members from United Sport and Athlete, a non-profit group devoted to the betterment of youth in communities through elite sports programming. The Gable Museum and United Sport and Athlete have partnered to provide world class wrestling instruction utilizing both facilities. Tolly Thompson -- NCAA champion and World Championship bronze medalist -- will provide coaching for the club.

"I am excited about our partnership with the Dan Gable Wrestling Museum," said Ernest Middleton, a former state champion for West Waterloo and the director of United Sport and Athlete. "Our goal is provide world class instruction for all sports, but this area is known for its wrestling. This partnership will help continue that wrestling tradition.

The 2010 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame inductees and award winners have been announced. Induction weekend will take place July 9-10 at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. A detailed press release will follow in the coming weeks. For more information about the weekend call (319) 233-0745 or e-mail: info@wrestlingmuseum.org.

Living inductees
1. Terry Funk
2. Paul Vachon

Deceased inductees
1. George George Gordienko
2. Warren Bockwinkel
3. Stanislaus Zbyszko

Frank Gotch Award: Mick Foley
Lou Thesz Award: Rene Goulet
Jim Melby Award: J. Michael Kenyon

A near capacity crowd of 100 people attended our breakfast social at The Marriott Hotel in Cedar Rapids on February 5. The event showcased the wrestling programs of Coe College and Cornell College as well as special guest Barron Bremner, who coached and served as athletic director at both institutions.

In addition to Barron Bremner, the crowd was entertained by speeches from Jim Brown of Cedar Rapids who helped promote the event, Coe head coach John Oostendorp, Cornell head coach Mike Duroe and wrestling legend Dan Gable.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this unique breakfast social.

Pictured from left to right: Dan Gable, Mike Duroe, Barron Bremner and John Oostendorp.