Osage’s Fox Class 2A Dan Gable Mr. Wrestler of the Year

A north Iowa high school wrestler has capped off his senior year with more hardware.

Last month, Blake Fox of Osage won his fourth state title. Tuesday (03.10), he was named the Iowa Corn Class 2A Dan Gable Mr. Wrestler of the Year for 2026. Fox received the award at a banquet in Boone, hosted by Fareway Stores, IAwrestle, and the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA).

Fox was initially among a group of 15 finalists for the award in his category, which also included Boden White and Gavin Landers of Denver, along with Carter Schmauss of Cresco-Crestwood. The field was then cut to seven finalists, with Fox, White and Landers advancing. Fox and Landers then made the final three before Fox was named the winner.

Among the initial finalists for the Girls Class 1A Dan Gable Ms. Wrestler of the Year honor were Abigail Peterson and Lilli Cooper of Denver, plus Ainsley Hemann of Osage. Peterson eventually made it to the final three, but the top honor Tuesday went to Chloe Sanders of Vinton-Shellsburg.

Other wrestlers among the initial 15 finalists, but who did not advance past the first round were Teague Smith of West Hancock for Class 1A Mr. Wrestler and Amalia Djoumessi of Waverly-Shell Rock for Class 2A Ms. Wrestler.

Charles City’s Lilly Luft was Dan Gable Ms. Wrestler of the Year in 2023.