The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum announced that Kane Naaktgeboren of Linn-Mar High School in Marion, Iowa has been chosen as the 2024 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.

Naaktgeboren will be presented his award during the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa induction ceremony on June 21 at the Prairie Links Golf and Event Center in Waverly, Iowa. For more information telephone (319) 233-0745 or email dgmstaff@nwhof.org.

Naaktgeboren has achieved a stellar wrestling career, both in Iowa and on the national stage. He is a four-time Iowa high school state medalist and a two-time state finalist. After a runner-up finish as a junior, he was an undefeated state champion as a senior. Naaktgeboren compiled an impressive 128-10 record with 109 pins and a bonus rate of 94.5 percent for his high school career. He also has outstanding freestyle and Greco-Roman accomplishments, including being a 16U folkstyle national champion and a 16U Greco-Roman All-American, a Junior Greco-Roman All-American, and a 17U Freestyle World Team Trials All-American. Kane will continue his wrestling career at Iowa State University.

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
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 2024 Inductees
Lee Fullhart, University of Iowa
Steve Hamilton, Iowa State University
Perry Hummel, Iowa State University
Tony Ramos, University of Iowa

Glen Brand Team Award
2022-2023 Waverly Shell Rock High School Girls Wrestling Team

Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Shawn Kelly Sr.

Bob Siddens Iowa High School Wrestling Coach of the Year
Brent Jennings

Bowlsby Family Legacy Award
The Light Family

Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year
Kane Naaktgeboren