Best traditional powers in Iowa high school wrestling

High school wrestling in the state of Iowa isn’t just a thing of local legend. 

When it comes to packing the old Veterans Memorial Auditorium and the new Wells Fargo Arena, nobody does a state tournament like Iowa.

Over the years, four-time champions have been crowned on the biggest stage, legacies cemented and dynasties formed.

Here is a look at the best traditional powers in Iowa high school wrestling:

Lisbon

Four of the select group of four-time individual state champions graduated from Lisbon in Scott Morningstar, Shane Light, Carter Happel and Cael Happel. Those 16 titles are part of the 73 captured by Lion wrestlers, who have also helped the team win 16 traditional titles and five state dual championships.

Don Bosco

The Dons are currently riding high in Class 1A, claiming each of the last five traditional state titles and the past three dual crowns. Overall, they have 15 traditional championships and 13 dual titles, qualifying for the last 10 state dual tournaments. Mack Reiter and Bart Reiter are both part of the four-time champions club with 50 total titles in all.

Waterloo West

Dan Gable, one of the most well-known wrestlers in the world, graduated from Waterloo West, going 64-0 in his career as one of seven undefeated wrestlers all-time. West has won 17 team titles and earned 89 individual championships overall.

Waverly-Shell Rock

The reigning 3A champions, the Go-Hawks won nine team and seven dual titles, including each of the last three dual championships. They have 50 individual golds on the resume.

Fort Dodge

The home of four-time state champion Brody Teske, the Dodgers ruled in the 1980s and have once again become a frequent contender. They have 12 team titles, one dual crown and 64 individual championships all-time.

Southeast Polk

The Rams quickly moved up the rankings in wrestling, taking over in 3A. They have won five team and five dual titles, qualifying for each of the last 15 dual tournaments. Cory Clark is a four-time individual champion with 28 total titles belonging to the team.

Osage

Following a runner-up showing in 2022 by half-a-point, the Green Devils earned their fifth team title last winter to go along with their fifth duals crown. Four-time champion Mark Schwab has four of the 60 individual titles won by the program.

Emmetsburg

Much like on the football field, the E-Hawks were once a dominant power in wrestling. A dozen team titles, two dual crowns and 31 individual championships belong in the history books. They also have unbeaten and four-time champion Jeff Kerber as one of their own.

Lewis Central

For a brief period of time, the state’s largest class was dominated by Lewis Central, as the Titans scored a record-setting amount of points at state. They won three team titles, with the last coming in 2004, two dual crowns and have 35 individual golds to their credit.

Waterloo East

Back in the day, battles between Waterloo East and Waterloo West highlighted the state. East racked up eight team titles, with the most recent being in 1983. They have also claimed 56 individual champions.

Algona

One of the top teams from the history-rich North Central Conference, the Bulldogs won six team titles, with the last coming in 1980. They have also crowned 39 individual champions along the way.