Former Dutch wrestling coach enters Hall of Fame

Central College

PELLA — Greg Lonning, one of the most decorated wrestlers in Iowa Conference history who had a successful three-year stint as the head coach at Central College, will enter the Division III National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame Thursday night.

A former Luther College standout, Lonning won a national championship at 118 pounds in 1983 as well as earning All-American honors in 1982 and 1983. He also won the Iowa Conference title in 1982 and 1983.

Joining Central as an assistant coach in 1984, Lonning assisted Ron Johnson on the way to the program’s second conference title and a runner-up finish at the NCAA Division III Championships in 1985.

Taking over as the head coach in 1986, Lonning helped Central to a pair of top-10 national finishes and another league crown in 1989. In his three years at the helm, Lonning coached 10 All-Americans; including Tim Hackel who won the program’s first national title at 126 pounds in 1987.

“It makes the weekend that much more special to have him inducted,” coach Eric Van Kley said. “He left such a great legacy. It’s especially exciting to have so many of our Central alumni and family members in attendance this weekend.”

Lonning moved on to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where he had a successful run as an assistant and head coach from 1992-98.

Jon McGovern, a two-time national champion wrestler at Central and current head coach at the University of Dubuque, was inducted in 1998.