STATE CHAMPIONS
BEAU LOMBARDI
2019-220
Beau Lombardi won the 2019 220 Pound State Championship in dramatic fashion. He dominated his competition through the 1st 3 rounds, outscoring his opponents 19-0. The finals match needed OT to decide it. It ended with Beau scoring back points and coming out on top 4-1. Beau finished his career as a 2x Place Winner, a State Champion and with 111 career wins.
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NICK OLDHAM
2018-113
Nick Oldham won the 2018 113 pound State Championship in dominating fashion. He pinned his first 3 opponents to advance to the State Finals where he beat Caleb Rathjen of Ankeny 10-8 in one of the most exciting finals matches of the night. He finished his career as a 4x Place Winner, a State Chamion and with 154 career wins.
JOEL SHAPIRO
2018-182
2017-160
Joel Shapiro won the 2017 160 Pound State Championship in methodical fashion by not surrendering an offensive point all tournament. His 2nd State Championship was won in similar fashion, the only difference was Joel did not surrender an offensive point all season. He finished his storied career as a 4x Place Winner, a 2x State Champion, winning 94 straight matches, and had174 career wins.
GRANT STOTTS
2016-120
Grant Stotts won the 2016 132 pound State Championship in workmanlike fashion by not surrendering an offensive point during his State Title run. It ended with him beating Austin Yant of Waverly-Shell Rock 3-2. Grant finished his storied career as a 4x Place Winner, 3x Finalist, and with155 career wins.
JAKE KOETHE
2013-120
Jake Koethe won the 2013 120 pound State Championship. Jake won his first 3 matches of the tournament with relative ease before meeting up with John Gioffredi of Indianola for the 6th time that season. The 2 had gone back and forth all year, but in the end it was a 2nd period cradle that won Koethe the title 4-2 in the finals. Jake finished his storied career as 4x Place Winner, 3x Finalist, and 172 career wins.
CLAYTON EICHER
2013-113
Clayton Eicher won the 2013 113 pound State Championship by grinding out tough victories. Clayton won by Major his first round, a tight 1-0 decision in the Quarters and a tough 5-2 decision in the Semis. Clayton wrestled Kaz Onoo of Mason City, a familiar opponent, and ended up beating him 2-1 after earning an escape in the overtime tiebreaker. Clayton finished his career with 108 wins.
BRANDON JONES
2009-112
Brandon Jones won the 2009 112 pound State Championship by avenging a loss from earlier in the season. Jones had 2 majors and a 2-1 decision on his way to a re-match in the finals with Eric DeVos of Waverly-Shell Rock. Jones used his signature down block and front head position to score a takedown in Sudden Victory to win 3-1. Brandon finished his storied career as a 3x Place Winner and with 127 career wins.
MONTELL MARION
2005-119
Montell Marion won the 2005 119 pound State Championship over Matt Kelly from Dubuque Hempstead. As a Freshman and Sophomore, Montell finished 2nd in the state. He became the first 3 time finalist in Valley History. He finished his Valley career with a 115-7 record and holds the school win percentage record for a career. Montell went on to wrestle at the University of Iowa where he was a 3x All American.
ANDY HARRISON
1998-160
Andy Harrison won the 1998 160 pound State Championship. Andy recorded a fall in the 1st round, a 6-4 decision in the quarters and another fall in the semis. He controlled defending champion Terry Parham of Glenwood in the finals, 7-1. Andy finished his career as a 2x State Finalist and with 133 career wins.
RICE OWENS
1998-112
Rice Owens won the 1998 112 pound State Championship. Rice came into the State Tournament with 12 losses and surprised the rest of the state with an improbable run to the State Title. He pinned his 1st round opponent and won two close matches in the quarters and semis. He defeated Mark Hangsleben of Urbandale in overtime in the State Finals. Rice finished his career as a 2x State Qualifier and with 85 wins.
JON TORNBERG
1993-140
Jon Tornberg won the 1993 140 Pound State Championship as a senior. On his way to the finals he earned a tech fall, major and a 6-0 decision. He won a close 4-3 match in the finals. Jon finished his career at Valley High School as a 3x State Qualifer, 2x State Place Winner and with 119 wins.
CURT BENNETHUM
1989-152
Curth Bennethum won the 1989 152 pound State Championship as a senior. On his way to the finals he won by fall, 10-0, and 8-2. In the finals he continued his dominance by winning by major, 9-0. Curt finished his career at Valley High School as a 2x State Place Winner and with 68 wins. He went on to wrestle at the University of Northern Iowa.
MIKE NEUMAN
1988-98
Mike Neuman won the 1988 98 Pound State Championship as a junior. On his way to the finals he won 9-2, 6-5, and 6-1. In the finals he won 5-3 with a takedown late in the match. Mike finished his career as a 3x State Qualifier, 1x State Place Winner and with 89 wins.
KURT ROSENBERGER
1987-185
Kurt Rosenberger won the 1987 185 pound State Championship as a senior. He dominated his bracket at state. On his way to the finals he won by fall twice and 11-0. In the finals he won by technical fall 16-1, showing that he was no questions the best wrestler at his weight. Kurt finished as a 2x State Place Winner and had 69 wins during his career at Valley High School.
KEITH FREISS
1985-145
Keith Freiss won the 1985 145 pound State Championship as a junior. As a sophomore Keith placed 2nd at 138 pounds and as a senior he placed 5th at 145 pounds. Keith finished as a 3x State Place Winner and had 88 wins during his career at Valley High School
MIKE LAND
1974-126
Mike Land won the 1974 126 pound State Championship as a senior. On his way to the finals, he won by fall and 12-6. In the finals be won a close 5-3 decision over Doug Meyer of CBTJ. Mike finished as a 4x State Qualifier, a 3x State Place Winner, and with 112 wins. Mike went on to wrestle for Iowa State where he was a 4x All American and an NCAA Champion in 1978.
DAVE LEON
1972-119
Dave Leon won the 1972 119 pound State Championship as a senior. He won a close 8-7 match in round 1. He pinned his semi-final and finals opponents. Dave finished as a 1x State Champion for Valley High School.
JOE CORSO
1971-112
Joe Corso won the 1971 112 pound State Championship as a senior. On his way to the finals he won 7-1 in round 1 and a close 4-3 in the semis. He controlled the finals with a 5-1 decision. Joe finished his career as a 3x State Qualifier, 2x State Place Winner, and with 115 wins. Joe went on to wrestle at Purdue University where he was an All American. Joe also made the 1976 Olympics and placed 3rd at the 1979 World Championships.
DEAN ROBERTS
1939-125
Dean Roberts won the 1939 125 pound State Championship as a senior. Dean placed 3rd as a junior at 125 pounds. Dean finished his career as a 3x State Qualifier and 2x State Place Winner for Valley High School.
BILL BENNETT
1939-HWT
Bill Bennett won the 1938 Heavyweight State Championship as a senior. Bill finished as a 1x State Champion for Valley High School.
JOHN ROBERTS
1938-165
1937-155
John Roberts became Vally's first 2x State Champion by winning back to back State Championships in 1937 and 1938 at 155 and 165 pounds. John went undefeated during his last 2 seasons at Valley High School. He also placed 4th as a sophomore at 145 pounds. He finished his career at Valley as a 3x State Place Winner. John went on to wrestle at the University of Wisconsin where he was an NCAA Runner-Up in 1941.
JOHN MCLAREN
1937-HWT
John McLaren won the 1937 Heavyweight State Championshp as a senior. As a junior he placed 2nd at Heavyweight. He finished his Valley career as a 2x State Place Winner.
LOUIS PAZZI
1936-105
Louis Pazzi won the 1936 105 Pound State Championship as a senior becoming Valley High School's first State Champion. Louis finished as a 1x State Champion for Valley High School.