100 Years of Wrestling

CRESCO - The Cresco 100 Years of Wrestling Celebration is scheduled to take place in Cresco on Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31.
On July 30, the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, which is located at the Cresco Chamber of Commerce, will host a ‘Meet-and Greet’ event that is open to the public from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Hall of Fame Committee will be serving free hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, snacks, beverages and craft beer. Several former wrestlers and State Champions will be in attendance. Afterwards, go to the Heritage Events Center and enjoy listening to the Palomino Band.
On July 31, a golf tournament will be held at the Cresco Country Club at 9 a.m. Also on July 31, the Cresco 100 Years of Wrestling Dinner and Banquet will be held at the Expo Center at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Exhibits at the Expo Center will be open at 3 p.m. 
“Our (Cresco 100 Years of Wrestling) Committee has worked hard to put together an entertaining and fun program,” Committee Member Jim Turvold said. “We are looking forward to seeing many former wrestlers, coaches and State Champions at the celebration.”
After welcoming remarks by Master of Ceremonies, Darin Svenson, a dinner catered by Reno’s Smokehouse will begin at 6 p.m. Following dinner, the program will begin at 7 p.m., which features four speakers discussing Cresco’s 100 years of wrestling. The speakers are former wrestlers, coaches and officials. 
Jerome Hruska, who wrestled for Cresco and coached at Crestwood, will discuss Cresco’s first 25 years, 1921-46. Former wrestling official Craig Bencke will talk about the second 25 years, 1946-71. Former Cadet wrestler and Coach Keith Carman will talk about the years 1971-96. Current Crestwood Coach Keith Slifka will discuss the years 1996-2021.
Following each speakers’ covered years, all wrestlers and coaches from that era will be recognized. Svenson will then make an announcement about the Silent Auction, which includes three prizes. The first prize is framed singlets, which were the Cresco Team 100 singlets worn by the Cadets during the 2020-21 season. The second prize is a State Champion Trophy, which is a metallic sculpture engraved with Cresco’s 70 State Champions. The third prize is a NASCAR Package.
After the Silent Auction announcement, Keynote Speaker Jim Gibbons will speak. Gibbons wrestled at Iowa State University under Cresco native Harold Nichols. Gibbons was a three-time State Champion, a 1981 NCAA Champion, a three-time All-American, a two-time Big Eight Champion and he coached ISU to the 1987 NCAA Team Championship.
Darin Svenson will conclude the banquet with a few closing remarks.
A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door before the banquet. For more information regarding the 100 Years of Wrestling Celebration, call the Cresco Chamber of Commerce at 563-547-3434.
A special tab section saluting Cresco’s 100 years of wrestling is inserted into this week’s issue of the Times Plain Dealer.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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