Iowa Wrestler Ben Kueter Faces Medical Emergency After NCAA Championships

Kueter's mother reveals her son's harrowing ordeal following his All-American performance.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 7:34am

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Ben Kueter, a star wrestler for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, recently faced a terrifying medical emergency after earning All-American honors at the NCAA Championships. Kueter's mother, Tina, shared details of her son's ordeal, which included him stopping breathing and experiencing a drop in heart rate following surgery. Despite the scare, Kueter remained resilient and is now on the road to recovery.

Why it matters

Kueter's story highlights the physical toll that elite collegiate athletes can face, even after achieving success on the mat. His mother's account sheds light on the challenges student-athletes can encounter behind the scenes and the importance of prioritizing their health and well-being.

The details

Kueter, a rare dual-sport athlete who also plays football for the Hawkeyes, finished fifth in the 285 lbs class at this year's NCAA Championships. After the tournament, he underwent surgery and experienced a life-threatening medical emergency, where he stopped breathing and his heart rate dropped. Despite the scare, Kueter remained calm and fought through the ordeal with minimal pain medication.

  • Kueter competed at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships in March.
  • Following the tournament, Kueter underwent surgery.
  • After the surgery, Kueter experienced a medical emergency where he stopped breathing and his heart rate dropped.

The players

Ben Kueter

A star wrestler for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes who also plays football for the team. Kueter recently earned All-American honors at the NCAA Championships before facing a harrowing medical emergency.

Tina Kueter

Ben Kueter's mother, who has been a strong supporter of her son's athletic career and shared details about his recent medical ordeal.

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What they’re saying

“My son has shown me a kind of grit and toughness this season that I don't think I'll ever be able to fully put into words. Being an All-American for the second time is incredible on it's own – but what he's battled through behind the scenes is what truly defines him.”

— Tina Kueter, Ben Kueter's Mother

“This season wasn't smooth. It wasn't easy. But he kept fighting. He kept showing up. And then this week, after surgery, he scared the life out of us. He stopped breathing. His heart rate dropped. But he did what he always does – he fought back. He pushed through with minimal pain meds. He stayed calm. He stayed tough. And today, we're walking out of this hospital and making it to his banquet.”

— Tina Kueter, Ben Kueter's Mother

What’s next

Kueter is expected to make a full recovery and will be honored at his team's upcoming banquet.

The takeaway

Kueter's story serves as a powerful reminder of the physical and mental challenges that elite student-athletes face, even after achieving success. His resilience and determination in the face of a life-threatening medical emergency are truly inspiring.