June 14, 2025

Newton native Alan Halferty inducted into Glen Brand Wrestling HOF

Halferty part of 1974-75 UNI wrestling team

Alan Halferty, a 1973 Newton High School graduate, was inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame as part of the 1974-75 Northern Iowa wrestling team at an induction banquet at Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly on June 23. That squad finished 15-4 and won the state of Iowa’s first NCAA Division II national championship. (Submitted photo)

WATERLOO — Featuring 20 individual state championships, 14 NCAA All-Americans, a four-time Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association all-American, three Junior World champions, a seven-time state championship high school coach, the state of Iowa’s first NCAA Division II national championship team, one of the most influential wrestling promoters in the world and three Pan American Games silver medalists, the Class of 2023 was inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa on June 23.

Rachel Watters, Jon Reader, Nate Gallick, John Oostendorp, Lennie Zalesky and the 1974-1975 University of Northern Iowa wrestling team were inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa.

Newton native Alan Halferty was part of the 1974-75 Northern Iowa wrestling team. He wrestled for the Panthers from 1973-75, graduated from Newton High School in 1973 and currently resides in Summerfield, Florida.

The Hinschberger/Shedenhelm Family will be presented with the Bowlsby Family Legacy Award, Mark Reiland will posthumously receive the Bob Siddens High School Coaching Excellence Award and Josh Schamberger will be presented with the Russ Smith Community Impact Award.

Newton High School graduate Alan Halferty, right, poses with Dan Gable at the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame induction banquet at Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly on June 23. (Submitted photo)

Ben Kueter was presented with the Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year award while Lilly Luft received the Iowa High School Female Wrestler of the Year award.

Located inside the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, the Glen Brand Hall of Fame was established in 2002 to honor native-born Iowans and those who wrestled or coached for an Iowa school who have made an impact on wrestling on a national level or who have done extraordinary work in Iowa.

A banquet honoring the Class of 2023 took place at Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly on June 23.

The 1974-1975 University of Northern Iowa wrestling team compiled a 15-4 record and won the state of Iowa’s first NCAA Division II national championship.