WILTON, Iowa–Following her first state championship victory, Wilton Junior-Senior High School’s Hannah Rogers, a junior, has worked her way towards another great honor. Her prowess as a wrestler has earned her a spot as one of the 15 wrestlers in consideration for the Dan Gable Ms. Wrestler of the Year Award. Wrestling fans throughout Muscatine County have the opportunity to help Hannah win this prestigious award through online voting.
Named for Iowa State University graduate Dan Gable, who won two NCAA Division I national wrestling championships, an Olympic gold medal, and several other international gold medals, the Dan Gable Ms. Wrestler of the Year Award honors the top female wrestlers in Iowa, including many state championship winners and those who distinguished themselves at national competitions. Hannah felt thrilled to find herself on the list along with some of the most competitive wrestlers from across the state. “It’s an honor to be nominated and to be considered at the same level as some absolute hammers like Lilly Luft, Jasmine Luedtke, Molly Allen, and Alexis Ross,” she said.
In the first round of voting, 12 members of the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association, as well as a 13th vote consisting of the results from a public poll, will determine which of the 15 wrestlers will progress to later rounds of voting. Individuals may vote once every 24 hours in the first round of polling by visiting iawrestle.com daily through Jan. 15. Following that vote, additional daily voting opportunities will become available for the top three and first place wrestlers, with final voting ending Feb. 6. After Jan. 15, voters can get more information about voting in subsequent rounds by visiting the iawrestle.com website.
An exciting time for Hannah, she hopes many in the county will support her by voting for her. “If you are willing, please vote,” she encouraged. “It would mean the world to be in the top seven, let alone win.” The top wrestler of the year will receive a trophy and the runners up will receive plaques for themselves, as well as ones for their schools to display.
As wrestling season has gotten underway, Hannah has experienced a lot of excitement on the mat as well as in the running for the Dan Gable Ms. Wrestler of the Year Award. “I’ve had a pretty good season going into break–I’m not completely satisfied and know there is room to improve,” she reflected. “I’ve put in a lot of work and been grinding since September for these next four weeks.”
With the state wrestling meet on the horizon, Hannah also has big goals for earning the state championship again. She shared, “not only do I want to qualify, but I want to stand on the top of that podium, but I want to completely dominate every opponent and make it the cleanest and best performance I’ve had up until that point.” With hard work and determination, she may yet bring the championship home to Wilton again.
