HIGH SCHOOL

From the archives: The best Iowa state wrestling tournament celebration photos

Aaron Young
The Des Moines Register

With all of the hard work and dedication hundreds of Iowa's prep wrestlers put in during their careers, it's easy to get a little excited when you're moving up the podium at the state wrestling tournament. 

Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson's Colton Clingenpeel celebrates his Class 3A championship bout win on Feb. 20 in Des Moines. Moines on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016.

OK, a LOT excited — especially when all the blood, sweat and tears inches you closer to state gold. And when athletes are competing on the state's biggest stage, vying for a shot at state glory and recorded history, there's no better atmosphere in Iowa for that type of moment. 

RELATED:See every photo from 2018 state wrestling tournament

Here are the best celebration photos from over the years at the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament  — full of firm bear hugs, hardcore flexes and smiles that brightened the Vets Memorial Auditorium and Wells Fargo Arena: 

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1979: Brian Anderson (Mason City Newman)

1979: Brian Anderson of Mason City’s Newman is congratulated by fans after posting an overtime decision against Marcus’ Mel Lenox in a Class A match in 1979.

1980: Scott Morningstar (Lisbon)

1980: Lisbon's Scott Morningstar is carried off the mat after claiming his fourth state wrestling championship in 1980. He won the 126-pound Class 1-A title with a 4-3 victory against Midland of Wyoming's Tim DeLark.

1982: Aric Birchmier (Bondurant-Farrar)

1982: Bondurant-Farrar Coach Ken Estling hugs 167-pound Aric Birchmier after Birchmier's 3-2 decision over Greene's Mark Tindall for the state championship. Birchmier's win helped the team to a second-place team finish, a new high.

1999: Dan Reisner (Cedar Rapids Kennedy)

Cedar Rapids Kennedy coach Dennis Hynek celebrates the victory of his wrestler Dan Reisner with a twirl on his shoulder, as Reisner won over Phillip Klees of Burlington in the Class 3A 140 lb. match at Vets Memorial Auditorium.

2000: Kelly Gray (Dowling Catholic)

Dowling's Kelly Gray is hugged by Coach Ron Gray after the younger Gray beat Oskaloosa's Mike Foster 3A 125-pound third-place at the Iowa state wrestling tournament.

2001: Jesse Sundell (Ogden)

Jesse Sundell of Ogden hugs his coach after winning Class 1A 119-pound state title, the fourth of his career at the state wrestling championships.

2002: Dan Davila (Underwood)

2002: Dan Davila , of Underwood, jumps into the arms of his coach Matt Dyer after winning Classs 1A 103-pound match in the championship final at Vet's Auditorium, defeating Tony Hager of Ogden.

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2005: Jay Borschel (Linn-Mar)

2005: Jay Borschel gets some help in celebrating title No. 4 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

2007: Jordan Gacke (Central Lyon)

Jordan Gacke jumps into the arms of one of his coaches, Curt Eben, after his win at the Iowa High School State Wrestling Championship at Wells Fargo Arena.

2010: John Meeks (Des Moines Roosevelt)

2010: Des Moines Roosevelt's John Meeks and North Scott's Adam Perrin celebrate during the 125-pound Class 3A championship match at the State Wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

2010: Nick Moore (Iowa City West)

2010: Nick Moore, of Iowa City West, leaps into the arms of his head coach Mark Reiland after Moore won his 4th state title in Class 3A state wrestling championship final 160-pound match at Wells Fargo Arena.

2011: Tyler Shulista (Alburnett)

2011: Alburnett's Tyler Shulista celebrates winning the Class 1A 119-pound championship match at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

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2012: John Meeks (Des Moines Roosevelt)

2012: John Meeks of Des Moines Roosevelt wins his fourth title at Wells Fargo Arena.

2012: Cory Clark (Southeast Polk)

2012: Four-time state champion Cory Clark embraces SEP wrestling coach Jason Christenson. Clark was named to the all-Midwest Region team at 126-pounds and Christenson was the region's coach of the year.

2013: Jake Marlin (Creston-Orient Macksburg)

2013: Jake Marlin of Creston-OM celebrates after defeating Adam Staudt of Charles City in the 138-pound final at the Iowa state wrestling tournament on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. (Charlie Litchield/The Des Moines Register)

2014: Brock Rathbun (Center Point-Urbana)

2014: Center Point-Urbana's Brock Rathbun celebrates his Class 2A state championship with a backflip.

2014: Paul Glynn (Bettendorf)

2014: Bettendorf's Paul Glynn celebrates a win over Dowling Catholic's Michael Zachary during the semi-final round of competition for Class 3-A in the 120-pound weight class at the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

2014: Ethan Anderson (Southeast Polk)

Ethan Andersen, of Southeast Polk, celebrates his win over Cordell Eaton, of North Scott, in their 220-pound championship match in Class 3-A finals at the 2014 Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

2016: Colton Hansen (Mason City Newman)

Newman Catholic's Colton Hansen celebrates his 220-pound Class 1A championship during the 2016 state wrestling tournament in Des Moines.

2017: Nelson Brands (Iowa City West)

Nelson Brands of Iowa City West flexes in celebration after beating Cayd Lara of Fort Dodge for the Class 3A state championship at 152 pounds during the 2017 Iowa high school wrestling tournament.

Who will be next to make this list?

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