Mr. Baier closed out a 41-year career working the 2016 Class 3A state championship 220 lbs. match - a fitting way to go out on top. A native of Greenfield, he was a standout prep in wrestling and football, earning a fifth place medal in the 1974 State Meet and helping his school to a third place finish. The next year while attending Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, he was back on the mat, officiating junior high matches. He returned home in 1976 as a third generation auctioneer and for the past 29 years has been a sales manager for Schildberg Construction Company. That's the day job, but on nights and weekends he built a reputation as one of the state's best on the whistle. Earning the respect of coaches and the Iowa High School Athletic Association, he worked numerous sectional, district and regional traditional and dual team tournaments. His 30 appearances in the traditional state tournament ties for second most all-time, one behind his partner Jim Christensen. He also worked 16 State Dual Team Tournaments. A 13-time Southwest Iowa District Official-of-the-Year he was twice named Iowa Official-of-the-Year. In 2005 he was honored with induction into the IHSAA Officials' Hall of Fame. He is a Past President and Officer of the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association and a convention committee member. He is a district representative on rules and an IHSAA rules clinician. Professionally he tirelessly works to promote the sport by volunteering at youth tournaments and working at recruiting new and young officials. He and his wife Joni raised three sons, Austin, Jared, and Kolby. Each wrestled and Austin now works as an official in the Kansas City area. The three combined for five state appearances, including a runner-up and championship finish by Austin in 2004 and 2005.