2 with UNI Wrestling Ties Earn Hall of Fame Honors
3/22/2018 3:58:00 PM | Wrestling
CRESCO, Iowa – UNI wrestling's only six-time All-American will be inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco April 9.
Kirk Myers won Division II titles in 1978, 1979 and 1980 in the 190-pound weight class. Division II champions were given the opportunity to compete in the Division I tournament.
At the Division I level, he finished sixth in 1978, third in 1979 and fifth in 1982.
Myers continues to hold three UNI records and is second among all Panthers for number of career dual victories with 56.
Myers won a state title as a senior at Algona High School in Iowa.
Former UNI assistant coach Steve Hamilton will join Myers in this year's class. Hamilton coached under Mark Manning at UNI from 1998-2000.
Hamilton is a four-time All-American for Iowa State. He earned two state titles in Emmetsburg, Iowa. In addition to coaching at UNI, he was at Nebraska and University of Tennessee before a successful high school coaching career.
Shane Light and Lennie Zalesky are the final two hall of fame inductees this year. Light is Iowa's eighth four-time state champion. He was the second Lisbon wrestler to earn four titles. Light and his two brothers all wrestled for state championships his senior year, believed to be the only trio to do that at the prep tournament.
Zalesky was a three-time All-American at the University of Iowa. The two-time runner-up went on to coach at the high school and collegiate levels.
The 49th annual Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony will be held at the Cresco Country Club south of Cresco. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. April 9. The dinner will be served at 6 p.m.
The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is located in the Cresco Welcome Center at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Kirk Myers won Division II titles in 1978, 1979 and 1980 in the 190-pound weight class. Division II champions were given the opportunity to compete in the Division I tournament.
At the Division I level, he finished sixth in 1978, third in 1979 and fifth in 1982.
Myers continues to hold three UNI records and is second among all Panthers for number of career dual victories with 56.
- Overall career victories (tied for first), 134
- Career pins, 61
- Single-season pins, 21
Myers won a state title as a senior at Algona High School in Iowa.
Former UNI assistant coach Steve Hamilton will join Myers in this year's class. Hamilton coached under Mark Manning at UNI from 1998-2000.
Hamilton is a four-time All-American for Iowa State. He earned two state titles in Emmetsburg, Iowa. In addition to coaching at UNI, he was at Nebraska and University of Tennessee before a successful high school coaching career.
Shane Light and Lennie Zalesky are the final two hall of fame inductees this year. Light is Iowa's eighth four-time state champion. He was the second Lisbon wrestler to earn four titles. Light and his two brothers all wrestled for state championships his senior year, believed to be the only trio to do that at the prep tournament.
Zalesky was a three-time All-American at the University of Iowa. The two-time runner-up went on to coach at the high school and collegiate levels.
TICKETS
Tickets cost $24 and are available at the Cresco Chamber of Commerce by calling (563) 547-3434 or CIA Insurance in Cresco at (563) 547-2382. Advance registration is required.The 49th annual Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony will be held at the Cresco Country Club south of Cresco. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. April 9. The dinner will be served at 6 p.m.
IOWA WRESTLING HALL OF FAME
The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame's sole purpose is the promotion of amateur wrestling in Iowa. The IWHOF has a rich history of honoring native Iowans at the annual awards banquet and ceremony. The inaugural banquet was held in 1970 and will include 129 individuals after this year's event.The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is located in the Cresco Welcome Center at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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