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Head
Coach
Rob Martin
romartin@crschools.us
Athletic
Director
Chris Deam
cdeam@crschools.us
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Entering
his senior year Mark had posted 97 career wins and already set
four school records in the process. There was no doubt in his
mind where he would continue his career after leaving high school.
True to the Iowa Hawkeye and Dan Gable mindset, he began his final
prep season with one idea in mind-domination. In addition, there
was a secondary goal related to his team. Mark wanted his J-Hawk
squad to bring home two state team trophies, a feat no Jefferson
team had yet accomplished. That winter, he and his teammates made
school history in Des Moines (3rd) and Marshalltown (4th). To
this day, they remain the only team to do so.
Mark would steamroll his way through his senior campaign on his
way to a second state championship, a 41-1 season record, and
a four-year mark of 138-5-1. During his championship match, in
an attempt to secure bonus points and the silver team trophy,
he set a state tournament record for most match points amassed
during a finals match (27). After winning a second state title,
but falling short of earning a technical fall or pin, he angrily
stormed to the basement of Vets Auditorium in disgust. |
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Mark’s
only two losses (once as a junior, once as a senior) were
to four-time state champion Jeff McGinness (high school
career record 126-0). Both seasons Jeff was moved up a weight
in an attempt to help City High gain a toehold towards victory.
The first time it was successful, the second it was not.
Eastern Iowa’s wrestling community knew it was inevitable
there would |
be a clash of titans. Anticipation of the dream match-up
made the McGinness-Ironside bout a must see event. The two
gladiators did not disappoint, showcasing the most exciting
matches ever witnessed by the Jefferson and City High faithful.
On both occasions the steamy City High gym was standing
room only. The sounds were deafening, the action was rocking
as both wrestlers were on the attack for six minutes. Their
future Hawkeye coach, Dan Gable, was in attendance unable
to contain a continuous smile throughout the match.
Leaving
Jefferson Mark held fourteen individual records that may
never be touched. It will take an extraordinary person in
the next fifty years to eclipse any of his accomplishments.
What the record books and statistics cannot point out is
that the adolescent brawling machine we all witnessed dominate
on the mat is a consummate gentleman out of the arena. Possessing
a boyish natural curiosity and genuine heart-felt concern
for others, Mark has a first-rate sense of humor and easy
going smile. He always gives credit where it is due and
goes out of his way to help those who need assistance. Being
around him makes you want to be a better coach, teammate,
or friend. To anyone who knows Mark, seeing him somewhere
or hearing his voice brings an instant smile to your face.
Mark began his competitive career as an Iowa Hawkeye wrestler
half way through his red-shirt freshman year. He may have
been a new face to the diehard black and gold lineup but
he was no secret to Dan Gable or Tom and Terry Brands who
he had been working out with constantly for a year and a
half. He rolled to the 134 lb Big Ten title as a freshman
and entered his first NCAA tournament, at home, seeded fourth.
Placing sixth and earning All American status the first
time out may have satisfied most competitors, but not Mark
Ironside. As his mentors had modeled during their careers
anything short of the top step is unacceptable (let alone
placing below your seed in Carver Hawkeye Arena). With a
bitter taste in his mouth, Mark drove himself to correct
any deficiencies he perceived existed. Next season would
see him make incredible gains in strength, mat awareness,
riding, and offense coming within inches of his goal.
1995
NCAA Tournament @ Iowa City, Iowa (University of Iowa)
Finish Seed Name School
1 1 TJ Jaworsky (Tournament OW) North Carolina
2 2 Babak Mohammadi Oregon State
3 5 Steve St. John Arizona State
4 3 Eric Kimble Ohio
5 10 DeWayne Zinkin Fresno State
6 4 Mark Ironside Iowa
7 un Frank Laccone Purdue
8 9 JJ Fasnacht Pittsburgh
Mark Ironside’s 1995 NCAA Tournament Pathway
Match Name School Outcome
1 Ryan Nunemaker NC State Won 21-6 5:00
2 Steve Feckanin Edinboro Won 11-4
3 Steve St. John Arizona State Lost 3-4
4 Jason Davids Minnesota Won 8-2
5 Frank Laccone Purdue Won 17-7
6 Eric Kimble Ohio Lost 2-3
7 DeWayne Zinkin Fresno State Lost 4-5
During the 1996 season Carver Hawkeye Arena hosted the NWCA
All Star meet. At 134 lbs number one-ranked Cary Kolat of
Lock Haven met number two-ranked Mark Ironside. After falling
behind early to the cat-like and funky Kolat, Ironside turned
on the heat dominating the third period, letting him up
and taking him down at will for the win. Kolat was so rubber-legged
after Ironside’s physical domination he could barely
walk off the mat. The arena erupted in a pounding rage as
the wolf arose in the hearts of all Iowans. The following
match was unable to begin for several minutes. In case you
are wondering who Cary Kolat was in the wrestling world
his accomplishments include:
4
Time Pennsylvania State Champ (Undefeated in High School)
1999 – Pan-American Games – GOLD Medalist
2 Time NCAA Champion (134-1996) and (142-1997) 2000 –
Pan-American Games – GOLD Medalist
4 Time NCAA All-American 2000 – U.S. Olympic Team
1998 – World Championships – Bronze Medalist
2001 – World Cup – Silver Medalist
1998, 1999, 2000 – World Cup – GOLD Medalist |
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Mark
won his second Big Ten title and was named the Big Ten Wrestler
of the Year for the first time (he would win three in a
row). But Kolat would stand on the top step in 1996 and
earn the coveted gold medal in the upcoming NCAA’s.
Seeded number-one at the NCAA’s in Minnesota, Ironside
would not meet Kolat again falling to Steve St. John in
the semi-finals on a takedown in overtime. Losing in that
manner and not placing at or above your seed was a hard
pill to swallow. Especially when Mark’s hallmark,
his unbridled tenacity and conditioning, allowed him to
drive opponents to the brink of exhaustion.
If a seven-minute match would ever make it to overtime,
Ironside was accustomed to pushing the lesser-conditioned
athlete over the |
edge.
It
was the second year in a row St. John defeated Mark in a
tightly contested match. For Ironside this was maddening.
The next off-season would witness his extreme desire and
dedication, driving him to the brink of perfection. That
loss in the semi-finals was the last time he would lose
in college winning the next 67 matches in a row, including
unblemished junior and senior years.
1996
NCAA Tournament @ Minneapolis, Minnesota (University of
Minnesota)
Finish Seed Name School
1 2 Cary Kolat Lock Haven
2 4 Steve St. John Arizona State
3 1 Mark Ironside Iowa
4 3 Steven Schmidt Oklahoma State
5 un Tony Pariano Northwestern
6 8 Yero Washington Fresno State
7 10 Oscar Wood Oregon State
8 6 Frank Laccone Purdue |
PAGE 1 2 3 4 |
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Our very own Mark Ironside,
Two-Time State Champion
has been inducted to the
Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame
Class of 2010. Read the article and more information on the 2010 induction ceremony!
cick here to visit website |
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