WATERLOO, Iowa – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum announced that Ben Kueter of Iowa City High School has been chosen as the 2023 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.  

Kueter will be presented his award during the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductions on June 23 at the Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly, Iowa, on Friday, June 23. For more information contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org. 

He is the 32nd four-time champion in state history and only the seventh to complete his career without a loss, compiling an impressive 111-0 record. Of his 111 wins, he recorded bonus points in 94 of them with 74 pins, 15 technical falls, and five major decisions. 

The top-ranked wrestler in the country at 220 pounds, Kueter won a gold medal at the 2022 Junior World Championships. 

He will continue his wrestling and football careers at the University of 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 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
2015 – Max Thomsen, Union of La Porte City
2016 – Carter Happel, Lisbon
2017 – Marcus Coleman, Ames
2018 – Brody Teske, Fort Dodge, and Alex Thomsen, Underwood
2019 – Julien Broderson, Davenport Assumption
2020 – Cael Happel, Lisbon
2021- Drake Ayala, Fort Dodge
2022- Hunter Garvin, Iowa City West
2023- Ben Kueter, Iowa City

Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa Class of 2023 Inductees
Rachel Watters, Oklahoma City University
Jon Reader, Iowa State University
Nate Gallick, Iowa State University
John Oostendorp, University of Iowa
Lennie Zalesky, University of Iowa

Glen Brand Team Award
The 1974-1975 University of Northern Iowa Wrestling Team

Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Josh Schamberger

Bob Siddens Iowa High School Wrestling Coach of the Year
Mark Reiland

Bowlsby Family Legacy Award
The Hinschberger / Shedenhelm Family

Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year
Ben Kueter

Iowa High School Female Wrestler of the Year
Lilly Luft