Trio of North Iowa Wrestlers Among Finalists for “Dan Gable Ms. and Mr. Wrestler of the Year Awards”

A trio of north Iowa wrestlers have advanced to the finals in the Fareway Stores, Inc., IAwrestle, and Iowa Corn “Dan Gable Ms. and Mr. Wrestler of the Year Awards,” in coordination with the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA).

The IWCOA accepted nominations from high school coaches for wrestlers in each of the three state classes for the men and two classes for the women’s award, regardless of their year in school and weight class. In January a committee selected by the IWCOA provided IAwrestle with a list of 15 finalist candidates for public input.

Fans voted once per list at Facebook.com/IAwrestle for their favorite wrestler in each category from January 29th to February 8th, when the list was narrowed down to the top 7. The next round of voting from February 9th to February 22nd, determining the top 3 finalists in each division.

Winners will be announced at the banquet on March 10th at the Fareway Conference Center in Boone at 11:30AM. Dan Gable, Mark Ironside and Alex Marinelli will hand out awards.

The two runner-up student-athletes in each class will receive finalist award plaques. A duplicate Wrestler of the Year trophy and duplicate Wrestler of the Year runner-up plaques will be provided to each high school where finalists attend, for permanent placement in the high school trophy case.

Among the finalists:

• 1A Girls
  Abigail Peterson – Denver
• 2A Boys
  Blake Fox – Osage
  Gavin Landers – Denver

Charles City’s Lilly Luft was named the Ms. Wrestler of The Year in 2023