Former Dutch National Champion Enshrined in Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame

Jon McGovern, a Central College national champion, is the second Dutch wrestler to be inducted.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:00pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking down a wrestling match into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in deep forest green, navy blue, and burnt orange, conveying the raw power and intensity of the sport.The geometric, cubist style of this illustration captures the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the wrestling matches that defined Jon McGovern's storied career.Riceville Today

Jon McGovern, a former Central College national champion wrestler, was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame earlier this week. McGovern won back-to-back national titles at 167 pounds in 1991 and 1992, and was a three-time Iowa Conference champion and three-time All-American. After graduating, he competed in freestyle wrestling at the international level, including a fourth-place finish at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. McGovern has been the head wrestling coach at the University of Dubuque for 24 seasons.

Why it matters

McGovern's induction into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame recognizes his outstanding collegiate and international wrestling career, as well as his long-standing commitment to coaching the sport at the collegiate level. As the second Dutch wrestler to be honored, this highlights the strength of the wrestling program at Central College and its impact on the sport in Iowa.

The details

A 1992 Central College graduate, McGovern won back-to-back national championships at 167 pounds in 1991 and 1992, and was named the Outstanding Wrestler at the 1992 NCAA Division III Championships. He was a three-time Iowa Conference champion and three-time All-American. After graduating, McGovern joined the Hawkeye Wrestling Club and competed in freestyle wrestling at 85 kilograms, making the USA National Team twice, including a fourth-place finish at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. A Riceville High School graduate, he was a four-time Iowa State qualifier and three-time placewinner, finishing as Riceville's all-time career wins leader. After his competition days, McGovern became an assistant coach at the University of Virginia, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania before becoming the head coach at the University of Dubuque in 2002, a position he has held for 24 seasons.

  • McGovern was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame earlier this week (April 18, 2026).
  • McGovern won back-to-back national championships at 167 pounds in 1991 and 1992.
  • McGovern graduated from Central College in 1992.

The players

Jon McGovern

A former Central College national champion wrestler who was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame. He won back-to-back national titles in 1991 and 1992, and was a three-time Iowa Conference champion and three-time All-American. After graduating, he competed in freestyle wrestling at the international level and has been the head wrestling coach at the University of Dubuque for 24 seasons.

Jason Christenson

A 2023 inductee into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, he was the first Dutch wrestler to be honored.

Riceville High School

The high school that McGovern attended, where he was a four-time Iowa State qualifier and three-time placewinner, finishing as the school's all-time career wins leader.

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The takeaway

McGovern's induction into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is a testament to his outstanding collegiate and international wrestling career, as well as his long-standing commitment to coaching the sport at the collegiate level. As the second Dutch wrestler to be honored, this recognition highlights the strength and impact of the wrestling program at Central College on the sport in Iowa.