Jim Zalesky

January 15, 1961 - Present

As a competitor and as a coach, Jim Zalesky epitomizes excellence in the world of wrestling. He is a hero in the history of the sport and a driving force in the present and the future of wrestling.

Born in the wrestling rich state of Iowa, Zalesky won two high school state championships and two state freestyle crowns. His potential established, he enrolled in the University of Iowa where excellence became the benchmark of his mat career. He became one of the elite four- time NCAA All-Americans. In 1982, 1983 and 1984, he captured three NCAA individual championships and three Big 10 titles. In amassing these achievements, he was undefeated his junior and senior years, with 89 consecutive wins. He was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the 1984 NCAA tournament and the Big 10 tournament. Amateur Wrestling News named him the Wrestler of the Decade for the 1980's.

Excellence then became the theme of his wrestling coaching career. He began as an assistant at the University of Minnesota before returning to his alma mater as head assistant coach. In 1992 and 1997, he was honored as the National Wrestling Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year. In 1997 he was named head wrestling coach of the University of Iowa. Currently, he is in his seventh season at the Hawkeye helm and has compiled a record of 106 wins and 22 losses. His record includes coaching three NCAA championship teams and nine individual NCAA champions. In 1998 and 1999, he was honored by the National Wrestling Coaches Association as the Coach of the Year. In 1999 he was also named W.I.N. Coach of the Year and in 2000, the Big 10 Coach of the Year. He is also a member of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame and the University of Iowa Letterman's Club Hall of Fame.

For his legacy of excellence as a competitor and as a coach, Jim Zalesky is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Awards:

Year
2004
Award
Distinguished Member
Chapter/Region
National
Year
2003
Award
Glen Brand Inductee
Chapter/Region
National

All American Awards:

Season
1984
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
158
Place
1
Season
1983
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
158
Place
1
Season
1982
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
158
Place
1
Season
1981
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
158
Place
5

College Season Records:

Season
1984
School
Iowa
Class
Senior
Bouts
39
Wins
39
Losses
0
Ties
0
Falls
8
Win PCT.
100
Place
1st
Season
1983
School
Iowa
Class
Junior
Bouts
40
Wins
40
Losses
0
Ties
0
Falls
11
Win PCT.
100
Place
1st
Season
1982
School
Iowa
Class
Sophomore
Bouts
33
Wins
30
Losses
2
Ties
1
Falls
5
Win PCT.
90.91
Place
1st
Season
1981
School
Iowa
Class
Freshman
Bouts
28
Wins
22
Losses
6
Ties
0
Falls
2
Win PCT.
78.57
Place
5th
Season
Career
Bouts
140
Wins
131
Losses
8
Ties
1
Falls
26
Win PCT.
93.57

All Coaching Dual Records:

Season
2011
School
Oregon State
Division
Division I
Duals
18
Wins
11
Losses
5
Ties
2
Win PCT.
61.11
Season
2010
School
Oregon State
Division
Division I
Duals
21
Wins
18
Losses
3
Ties
0
Win PCT.
85.71
Season
2009
School
Oregon State
Division
Division I
Duals
18
Wins
10
Losses
8
Ties
0
Win PCT.
55.56
Season
2008
School
Oregon State
Division
Division I
Duals
18
Wins
10
Losses
8
Ties
0
Win PCT.
55.56
Season
2007
School
Oregon State
Division
Division I
Duals
19
Wins
17
Losses
2
Ties
0
Win PCT.
89.47
Season
2006
School
Iowa
Division
Division I
Duals
18
Wins
11
Losses
7
Ties
0
Win PCT.
61.11
Season
2005
School
Iowa
Division
Division I
Duals
14
Wins
9
Losses
5
Ties
0
Win PCT.
64.29
Season
2004
School
Iowa
Division
Division I
Duals
15
Wins
11
Losses
4
Ties
0
Win PCT.
73.33
Season
2003
School
Iowa
Division
Division I
Duals
20
Wins
17
Losses
3
Ties
0
Win PCT.
85
Season
2002
School
Iowa
Division
Division I
Duals
20
Wins
16
Losses
4
Ties
0
Win PCT.
80
Season
2001
School
Iowa
Division
Division I
Duals
22
Wins
18
Losses
4
Ties
0
Win PCT.
81.82
Season
2000
School
Iowa
Division
Division I
Duals
18
Wins
18
Losses
0
Ties
0
Win PCT.
100
Season
1999
School
Iowa
Division
Division I
Duals
17
Wins
13
Losses
4
Ties
0
Win PCT.
76.47
Season
1998
School
Iowa
Division
Division I
Duals
16
Wins
13
Losses
3
Ties
0
Win PCT.
81.25
Season
Career
Duals
254
Wins
192
Losses
60
Ties
2
Win PCT.
75.59

All Rankings:

Season
1984
Rank Date
11/21/1983
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1984
Rank Date
12/12/1983
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1984
Rank Date
12/26/1983
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1984
Rank Date
01/16/1984
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1984
Rank Date
01/30/1984
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1984
Rank Date
02/13/1984
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1984
Rank Date
02/27/1984
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1984
Rank Date
03/08/1984
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1983
Rank Date
11/29/1982
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1983
Rank Date
12/13/1982
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1983
Rank Date
12/30/1982
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1983
Rank Date
01/17/1983
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1983
Rank Date
01/31/1983
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1983
Rank Date
02/14/1983
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1983
Rank Date
02/28/1983
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1983
Rank Date
03/10/1983
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Iowa

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