WATERLOO, Iowa – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum has announced that Kyler Knaack of Don Bosco High School has been chosen as the 2025 recipient of the Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year award.
Named in honor of the first four-time Iowa high school state champion, the award is presented annually to the top high school senior wrestler in Iowa.
Knaack will be presented his award during the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductions on June 20 at the Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly, Iowa, on Friday, June 20. For more information contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org.
A native of Gilbertville, Iowa, Knaack is a dominant force in high school wrestling. He is a three-time Iowa high school champion with a career record of 148-9, including an 85-match winning streak to conclude his prep career. Knaack captured state titles at 152 pounds in 2022, 157 pounds in 2023, and 165 pounds in 2024, after first placing sixth as a freshman.
A key contributor to Don Bosco’s dynasty, he helped lead the team to four consecutive 1A state dual and traditional team titles. He was named the 2024 1A Wrestler of the Year by the Iowa Wrestling Coaches & Officials Association and he is a finalist for the award again in 2025. Knaack also found success on the national and international stage, winning the 2023 USA Wrestling Triple Crown and finishing as a finalist at the 2024 U17 World Team Trials.
A multi-sport athlete, he was named First Team All-State at linebacker in eight-man football. Excelling both on and off the mat, Knaack is a member of the National Honor Society and has committed to wrestle at the University of Northern Iowa.
Steenlage competed for Britt High School and won state titles in 1959 (95 pounds), 1960 (103 pounds), 1961 (112 pounds), and 1962 (120 pounds). He wrestled at the United States Military Academy and in four years he did not lose in a dual meet while earning All-America honors in 1966 with a third-place finish at 123 pounds. A graduate of the Army’s Airborne school and Ranger school, Steenlage was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War.
Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year Winners
2025 – Kyler Knaack, Don Bosco
2024 – Kane Naaktgeboren, Linn-Mar
2023- Ben Kueter, Iowa City
2022- Hunter Garvin, Iowa City West
2021- Drake Ayala, Fort Dodge
2020 – Cael Happel, Lisbon
2019 – Julien Broderson, Davenport Assumption
2018 – Brody Teske, Fort Dodge, and Alex Thomsen, Underwood
2017 – Marcus Coleman, Ames
2016 – Carter Happel, Lisbon
2015 – Max Thomsen, Union of La Porte City
Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa Class of 2025 Inductees
Kevin Darkus, Iowa State University
Daniel Dennis, University of Iowa
Felicity Taylor, University of Iowa
Joe Zuspann, Iowa State University
1985-1986 University of Iowa Wrestling Team
2025 Russ Smith Community Impact Award
2025 Bob Siddens Iowa High School Wrestling Coach of the Year
2025 Bowlsby Family Legacy Award
2025 Iowa High School Female Wrestler of the Year