Fareway Stores, Inc. and Powerade present the Dan Gable Wrestler of the Year Awards in coordination with IAwrestle and IWCOA.
The IWCOA accepted nominations from high school coaches for student athletes in each of the three state wrestling classes, regardless of their year in school and weight class. A committee selected by the IWCOA provided IAwrestle with a list of 15 finalist candidates for public input. That vote brought in over 60,000 votes and awarded Nelson Brands (3A), Michael Blockhus (2A) and Brian Sadler (1A) each an extra vote towards the committee vote to reach our top 10.
Fans have the ability to vote once per day for their top wrestler in each class until February 7th, where votes will be tallied and the top voted wrestler will receive an extra vote towards the IWCOA committee vote. The three finalists will be announced prior the state semi-finals on Friday the 16th and will be invited to the season end luncheon gala at the Iowa Hall of Pride on Thursday, February 22nd at 11:30 a.m., where a winner will be announced in each class.
The two runner-up student athletes in each class will each 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.
Fans can vote online at IAwrestle.com.