Iowa Wrestling will have a strong presence at the Glen Brand Hall of Fame inductions this Friday, June 25. The ceremony will take place at Prairie Links Golf and Event Center Banquet Room in Waverly, Iowa. The Induction Ceremony will be at 6:30 PM. The Glen Brand Hall of Fame is a part of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.
Glen Brand Class of 2021
The Iowa Wrestling teams of 1991 and 1992. In my opinion this is the best college wrestling team of all time.
Zaputil-Brands-Brands-Steiner-Steiner-Ryan-Reiland-Chelesvig-Fiser-Oostendorp.
All ten of these wrestlers were at least a two-time All American and nine of them placed in the top 3 in the country in 1991 or 1992, four of them won at least one NCAA title and two others were an NCAA Finalist.
This was a team that dominated college wrestling for two years unlike any other team before or since. These teams were not really even challenged at the NCAA Championships for legendary head coach Dan Gable. Long overdo for this honor.
Mike DeAnna: A coveted four-time All-American for the Hawks and the fifth ever four time Big Ten champion in conference history, DeAnna placed third, sixth, second, and second at the NCAA Championships. DeAnna is remembered for being a part of what many people say is the greatest college wrestling match of all time when he defeated three-time NCAA champion Mark Churella of Michigan in overtime of the 1979 167 lbs. Big Ten finals by the score of 20-18.
Bowlsby Family Legacy Award
The Happel family of Lisbon, Iowa. Dean Happel was a three time state champion at Lisbon before wrestling for Dan Gable at the University of Iowa. His sons Carter and Cael were both four-time state champions at Lisbon. Carter recently graduated from the University of Iowa where he was a four year letter winner and a member of the 2021 NCAA National Championship Iowa Wrestling team. Cael just finished his true freshman year at UNI. Dean, Carter and Cael all wrestled for head coach Brad Smith at Lisbon who was a 1976 NCAA national champion at the University of Iowa.
Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year
Drake Ayala of Fort Dodge. Ayala was a three time state champion at Fort Dodge where he racked up a 171-3 career record as a four time finalist. Ayala has won two national titles in freestyle and a Super 32 title. Ayala will be a freshman at the University of Iowa this fall.
2021 Glen Brand Hall of Fame Ceremony
Friday, June 25
4:30 p.m. Reception
5:30 p.m. Banquet
6:30 p.m. Induction Ceremony
Prairie Links Golf & Event Center Banquet Room
19 Eagle Ridge Dr.
Waverly, Iowa 50677
For more information contact the Dan Gable Museum at:
Phone: (319) 233-0745
Email: [email protected]
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
