WATERLOO, Iowa – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum has announced that Dreshaun Ross of Fort Dodge High School has been chosen as the 2026 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. 

Ross will be presented his award during the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductions on June 19 at the Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly, Iowa. For more information contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org 

Click to Purchase Tickets 

A native of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Ross capped off one of the most dominant careers in Iowa high school wrestling history. He finished his career at Fort Dodge High School as a four-time state champion, closing out his senior season in dominant fashion by winning every match by fall or technical fall. Ross compiled an outstanding 146–2 career record, including a 144-match winning streak. 

On the national stage, Ross has also been highly accomplished, earning six Tulsa Nationals titles and winning the prestigious Trinity Award five times. His success began early, capturing the 2022 16U Nationals title at just 14 years old, along with 15U Greco-Roman and Freestyle national championships. 

Ross’ dominance and consistency have solidified his place among the top high school wrestlers in the country, where he is currently ranked No. 1 nationally at 285 pounds. Looking ahead, he will continue his wrestling career at Oklahoma 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
2026 - Dreshaun Ross, Fort Dodge
2025 - Kyler Knaack, Don Bosco
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 2026 Inductees
Nick Mitchell
Kyven Gadson
Jesse Whitmer
Derek St. John

2026 Glen Brand Team Award
2001 Council Bluffs Lewis Central (LC) High School wrestling team 

2026 Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Greg Stockdale

2026 Bob Siddens Iowa High School Wrestling Coach of the Year
James Biscoglia

2026 Bowlsby Family Legacy Award
The Dickey Family

2026 Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year
Dreshaun Ross