Tom Hildreth began his wrestling career at Rockwell City High School, wrestling for Coach Bob Anderson. As a sophomore in 1975, Hildreth qualified for the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament. He was defeated in the medal round by a score of 6-5; just shy of a spot on the award stand. Hildreth began to fall ill during football season of his junior year and by the time the 1976 District wrestling tournament was held, he was in St. Mary's hospital in Rochester, Minnesota after suffering debilitating paralysis as a result of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. This disease would effectively end the high school wrestling career of Hildreth at a record of 42-13-1, but would not keep him out of the sport permanently. Following his recovery from Guilian-Barre and his graduation from Rockwell City High School in 1977, Hildreth attended Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa to study science education. Coach Milt Martin coached Tom to a 71-29-2 collegiate record, including two individual conference championships and four appearances in the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Upon graduating from Westmar, Hildreth began his coaching career at Pocahontas High School, first as an assistant to coach Lynn Moody, then taking over as head coach in 1985. He led the Indians until 1987 when he was afforded the opportunity to return to Rockwell City to coach his Alma Mater. He remained the Wildcat's front man through the 2003-2004 season. In his 19-year head-coaching career, coach Tom Hildreth compiled a 235-66-5 dual meet record, and amassed 36 total tournament championships. In 15 of his 19 seasons as head coach, his teams finished in the top two of the Twin Lakes Conference; that includes 7 conference tournament championships and 6 conference dual championships. Hildreth's 1993-1994 Rockwell City-Lytton Wildcat squad placed fourth in the State Dual Team Championships. Following the 200-2001 season, Coach Hildreth was recognized as the Class 1A Northwest Iowa Coach of the Year after his team won every regular season tournament, Sectionals, Districts, and was unbeaten in regular season dual competition. In all, Hildreth coached 45 state qualifiers including 1 state champion, 1 runner-up, 1 third place finisher, 4 fourth place medalists, 2 fifth place winner, and 3 sixth place winners.