University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Wrestling: Steffensmeier Earns IWHOF Honors
3/14/2019 4:10:00 PM | Wrestling
CRESCO, Iowa – A three-time All-American for UNI wrestling will be the next Panther to earn a spot in the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco April 8.
Former Panther Gary Steffensmeier will join Joe Corso, Jesse Whitmer Don Buzzard (posthumously) in the 2019 class of inductees. Dale Bahr also will be recognized. He was inducted into the IWHOF in 1988 but was unable to attend that induction ceremony and banquet.
Steffensmeier was inducted in UNI's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. He was named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team in 1991 and 1992.
As a senior in 1992, Steffensmeier became the first UNI wrestler to earn Academic All-America honors when he was named to the GTE Academic All-America third team.
Steffensmeier was a three-time Division I All-American at UNI. He was a runner-up in 1990 as a sophomore in the 150-pound weight class. He finished fourth at 150 pounds as a junior and senior in 1991 and 1992. He finished with a collegiate record of 115-29-3.
Before coming to UNI, Steffensmeier wrestled at Fort Madison High School for Hall of Fame coach Mick Pickford. Steffensmeier was the Bloodhounds' first two-time state champion and their first four-time state tournament medalist. Steffensmeir won titles in 1986 at 112 pounds and in 1987 at 119 pounds. He capped his senior year with a perfect 32-0 record.
Buzzard was a two-time state champion for Waterloo East (1963, 1964). Buzzard went on to Iowa State University, where he was a two-time NCAA runner-up at 191 pounds. As a sophomore, Buzzard won the 191 pound Midlands Championship. Buzzard coached at Jesup before becoming an assistant coach at the University of Iowa (1973-1974). During his competitive career, Buzzard only lost nine matches.
Corso won a state title for West Des Moines Valley at 113 pounds in 1971. After winning a bronze medal in the NCAA championships for Purdue, Corso continued his career in freestyle wrestling where he excelled. Corso went on to be a 10-time national freestyle champion, placed third in the World Championships of 1978 and was the 1979 Pan-American Games champion. Corso was also on the 1980 Olympic team and an alternate in 1984. Corso is still coaching and has had a long history with the Sunkist Wrestling Club.
Whitmer was a four-time medalist and a one-time state champion for Eagle Grove High School. Whitmer then went to the University of Iowa, where he was able to break into the starting lineup as a 118-pound senior. Whitmer was one of five national champions for the storied 1997 squad that broke the record for number of points scored at the tournament (170).
Bahr was a two-time state champion for Iowa Falls high school, wrestling for Gary Kurdelmeier. Under Harold Nichols at Iowa State, Bahr won the 145-pound national championship as a senior. He was a two-time All American before winning his national title. Bahr then went on to a successful coaching career where he ended up as head coach for the University of Michigan from 1978-99.
The 50th annual Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony will begin with a 5:30 p.m. social hour followed by a 6:30 p.m. banquet at the Cresco Country Club south of Cresco.
Banquet tickets are available at the Cresco Chamber of Commerce (563-547-3434) or CIA Insurance in Cresco (563) 547-2382. Tickets are $25, and advance registration is required.
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 induction ceremony. The inaugural banquet was held in 1970. With the addition of the inductees for the 50th annual awards banquet April 8, 2019, the roster of inductees will include 133 outstanding individuals for their contributions to amateur wrestling.
The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is located in the Cresco Welcome Center at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street. The Hall of Fame is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Former Panther Gary Steffensmeier will join Joe Corso, Jesse Whitmer Don Buzzard (posthumously) in the 2019 class of inductees. Dale Bahr also will be recognized. He was inducted into the IWHOF in 1988 but was unable to attend that induction ceremony and banquet.
Steffensmeier was inducted in UNI's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. He was named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team in 1991 and 1992.
As a senior in 1992, Steffensmeier became the first UNI wrestler to earn Academic All-America honors when he was named to the GTE Academic All-America third team.
Steffensmeier was a three-time Division I All-American at UNI. He was a runner-up in 1990 as a sophomore in the 150-pound weight class. He finished fourth at 150 pounds as a junior and senior in 1991 and 1992. He finished with a collegiate record of 115-29-3.
Before coming to UNI, Steffensmeier wrestled at Fort Madison High School for Hall of Fame coach Mick Pickford. Steffensmeier was the Bloodhounds' first two-time state champion and their first four-time state tournament medalist. Steffensmeir won titles in 1986 at 112 pounds and in 1987 at 119 pounds. He capped his senior year with a perfect 32-0 record.
Buzzard was a two-time state champion for Waterloo East (1963, 1964). Buzzard went on to Iowa State University, where he was a two-time NCAA runner-up at 191 pounds. As a sophomore, Buzzard won the 191 pound Midlands Championship. Buzzard coached at Jesup before becoming an assistant coach at the University of Iowa (1973-1974). During his competitive career, Buzzard only lost nine matches.
Corso won a state title for West Des Moines Valley at 113 pounds in 1971. After winning a bronze medal in the NCAA championships for Purdue, Corso continued his career in freestyle wrestling where he excelled. Corso went on to be a 10-time national freestyle champion, placed third in the World Championships of 1978 and was the 1979 Pan-American Games champion. Corso was also on the 1980 Olympic team and an alternate in 1984. Corso is still coaching and has had a long history with the Sunkist Wrestling Club.
Whitmer was a four-time medalist and a one-time state champion for Eagle Grove High School. Whitmer then went to the University of Iowa, where he was able to break into the starting lineup as a 118-pound senior. Whitmer was one of five national champions for the storied 1997 squad that broke the record for number of points scored at the tournament (170).
Bahr was a two-time state champion for Iowa Falls high school, wrestling for Gary Kurdelmeier. Under Harold Nichols at Iowa State, Bahr won the 145-pound national championship as a senior. He was a two-time All American before winning his national title. Bahr then went on to a successful coaching career where he ended up as head coach for the University of Michigan from 1978-99.
TICKETS AND BANQUET DETAILS
The 50th annual Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony will begin with a 5:30 p.m. social hour followed by a 6:30 p.m. banquet at the Cresco Country Club south of Cresco.
Banquet tickets are available at the Cresco Chamber of Commerce (563-547-3434) or CIA Insurance in Cresco (563) 547-2382. Tickets are $25, and advance registration is required.
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 induction ceremony. The inaugural banquet was held in 1970. With the addition of the inductees for the 50th annual awards banquet April 8, 2019, the roster of inductees will include 133 outstanding individuals for their contributions to amateur wrestling.
The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is located in the Cresco Welcome Center at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street. The Hall of Fame is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
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