Upper Iowa University Athletics Hall of Fame
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Dwain Burkholder, class of 1971, is being inducted into the Upper Iowa University Athletic Hall of Fame in the athlete category. He was a four-year wrestling letter winner at 118 lbs.; IIAC champion in 1969, 1970 and 1971; and an NAIA All-American, placing fourth at 118 lbs. He was a member of the conference wrestling champions in 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971. His overall collegiate record was 87-26-2.
Burkholder continued to wrestle after graduation. In 1972 and 1984, he was an Olympic Trials Qualifier at 114.5 lbs., a Silver Medalist in the World Masters in 1994, 1995 and 1997, and during the summer of 1998, Burkholder was a Silver Medalist in the World Masters Freestyle at 132 lbs. In that match, he defeated the 1972 Iranian Olympic Silver Medalist by a score of 8-2.
A graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, Burkholder earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Upper Iowa. Since graduation, he has been employed by the United State Postal Service for 24 years at Woodland Park, Colo. Burkholder has spent 14 years as an assistant and head wrestling coach at Woodland Park Schools with 14 straight winning seasons.
He and his wife, Kate (Hefferen) Burkholder, class of 1971, live in Woodland Park, Colorado and have one daughter, Elizabeth.
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