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Download Presentation
PDF HERE |
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Head
Coach
Rob Martin
romartin@crschools.us
Athletic
Director
Chris Deam
cdeam@crschools.us
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Respect
and admiration for Mark’s accomplishments went far
beyond medals, award stands, and statistics however. He
was twice named the Mike Howard Award winner at the team
banquet for being the team Most Valuable wrestler (1997
and 1998). According to IPTV, when asked his “favorite
athletes to coach” Dan Gable responded with eight
names: Bruce Kinseth, Chuck Yagla, Tom and Terry Brands,
Lou and Ed Banach, Royce Alger, and Mark Ironside. Mark
earned his undergrad degree in Recreational Sports Management
in 1998. At this point there were few athletic world’s
left to conquer, however he continued working out with the
Hawkeye Wrestling Club. He did not participate in the 1998
Midlands Championships. He did compete in the tournament
at Evanston, Illinois the following winter. |
1999
Midlands Championships 141 lbs
1. Mark Ironside Hawkeye Wrestling Club
2. Doug Schwab Iowa
3. Scott Schatzman Northwestern
4. Florian Ghinea Montclair State
5. Carl Perry Illinois
6. Dwight Hinson Sunkist Kids
7. Mark Angle Clarion
8. Chris Marshall Central Michigan
This turned out to be Mark’s fourth and final Midlands
title, in doing so he set the record for most-wins at the
134/141 lb weight class with 27. His four Iowa Hawkeye Midlands
titles are surpassed only by Tim Cysweski (5) and Joe Williams
(10).
Mark also competed in freestyle during this time attending
world-class open tournaments in Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Poland.
The only stone left unturned for Mark was to represent his
country at the elite international level. He attempted twice.
1999
Freestyle World Team Trials Seattle, Washington (June 18-19)
138.75 lbs/ 63 Kg
1. Bill Zadick Iowa City, Iowa
2. John Fisher Ypsilanti, Michigan
3. Shawn Charles Mt Pleasant, Michigan
4. Troy Steiner Madison, Wisconsin
5. Mark Ironside Iowa City, Iowa
6. Tony Purler Clarion, Pennsylvania
2000 Freestyle Olympic Team Trials, Dallas Texas
(June 22-24) 127.75 lbs/ 58 Kg
1. Terry Brands Iowa City, Iowa
2. Kerry Boumans Colorado Springs, CO
3. Eric Guerrero Stillwater, Oklahoma
4. Mark Ironside Iowa City, Iowa
5. Yero Washington Fresno, California
6. Danny Felix Norman, Oklahoma
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After
hanging up his wrestling shoes for the last time Mark got
married, began working as a sales representative for InSync
Sales and Marketing, and built a home in Swisher where he
lives today with his wife Samantha and daughters Grace-4,
Hannah-3, and Maggie Jo-infant. He continues to feed his
passion for Iowa wrestling by serving as color commentator
for AM-800 KXIC broadcasting Hawkeye dual meets and tournaments
home and away. In addition Mark conducts numerous camps
and clinics each year all around the nation. He has produced
instructional DVD’s for sale including “Defending
against leg-riders”, the “Sit-back series”,
and “Cuttin and Struttin” in which he demonstrates
techniques in |
turkey
hunting.
In 2005 Mark was inducted into the Glen Brand Iowa Hall
of Fame sponsored by WIN Institute. The award recognizes
achievement for those individuals who exhibited greatness
in the sport of wrestling and competed in the state of Iowa
during their careers. He was presented the award by Glen
Brand himself who was an Olympic gold medallist in 1948
after being an NCAA champion for Iowa State. |
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Editor’s
notes: You need not explain to me the greatness of Cael Sanderson, Dan
Gable, and Tom Brands. With patriotic pride I watched them win
national titles and gold medals, but I did not know them personally.
As one of many J-Hawk assistant coaches, I was privileged to participate
in and observe most of the steps in Mark’s journey. I can
tell you my admiration has not wavered in the nearly twenty years
since I first marveled at him. You could tell straight away Mark
is a “once in a lifetime” individual. Like numerous
others, I am honored to have had a small part in helping out along
the way. In watching his example, friends and acquaintances see
what they only dream they themselves might have aspired to. His
model allows us each to realize what can occur if all the pieces
of life’s puzzle come together. Very few individuals I have
encountered make me feel as alive as the Ironsides. I am a better
person for having been in his family’s presence.
As we celebrate a half century of Jefferson wrestling my hope
is that in another fifty years, when those of us who lived the
journey with him will no longer be able to chronicle the legend,
those who still care deeply about Jefferson wrestling will seek
out senior-citizen Mark Ironside, and his progeny, and try even
more deeply to understand this remarkable person. He is a first-class
gentleman that makes his family, Jefferson High, and the University
of Iowa swell with pride.
I cannot ensure there will never be another like him walk the
halls of Jefferson. Barring catastrophe the institution should
exist into perpetuity. Athletes competing on behalf of local high
schools may well be exterminated before the school itself vanishes.
I do not fool myself into thinking his records may never be equaled.
But if my judgment proves correct, I do not imagine the J-Hawk
wrestling team will celebrate its 2057 centennial by producing
a similar commemorative booklet celebrating some future alumnus
who matched or exceeded his character and accomplishments. In
my mind God broke the mold when creating him, there will never
be another Mark Ironside.
John Hegarty
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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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