Wrestling is as much a part of winter in Iowa as is snow and cold. Dreams of state championships begin in elementary school and, since 1972, come to fruition - or heart-breakingly fall short - at an arena in Des Moines in February or March. In 2011, the tournament finals sold out for the 24th consecutive year. Individuals and teams carve their names on the sport's history tree each year. Some champions were blind, some were deaf, some were amputees but all earn the respect of thousands for their work ethic - a hallmark of the state's pupulace. Is this heaven? No, it's better than that....

Wrestling is as much a part of winter in Iowa as is snow and cold. Dreams of state championships begin in elementary school and, since 1972, come to fruition - or heart-breakingly fall short - at an arena in Des Moines in February or March. In 2011, the tournament finals sold out for the 24th consecutive year. Individuals and teams carve their names on the sport's history tree each year. Some champions were blind, some were deaf, some were amputees but all earn the respect of thousands for their work ethic - a hallmark of the state's pupulace. Is this heaven? No, it's better than that....