Joe Colon was a two-time Iowa state high school champion for Clear Lake High School, capturing titles as a sophomore in 2007 and as a senior in 2009 while finishing third as a junior in 2008. Joe was a junior college national champion and was named Outstanding Wrestler in 2010 while helping Iowa Central Community College capture the NJCAA team title. He transferred to the University of Northern Iowa and compiled a career record of 62-6, including a perfect 24-0 mark in duals. Colon was 27-4 and reached the quarterfinals at the NCAA tournament as a redshirt sophomore in 2011-12. After sitting out the 2012-13 season, he went 35-2 and finished third at the NCAA tournament as a senior. Colon allowed bonus points only once in 68 career matches for UNI. He won the Bill Farrell International championship in 2014 while finishing fourth at the World Team Trials and fifth at the U.S. Open. The following year he finished second at the World Team Trials, third at the Cerro Pelado International and fourth at the U.S. Open. Colon won a bronze medal at the World Championships in 2018 and is currently an assistant coach for Northwestern University.