The 2021 West Liberty Comet Wrestling Hall of Fame Banquet was held at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds on Friday, Nov. 19. This year’s inductees into the Hall of Fame were 1996 189 pound state champion Chad Morrison and the entire 1995 Wrestling Team.
The night opened with a sit-down dinner as the crowd of nearly 150 mingled with each other prior to the induction ceremony. Former Comet wrestling head coach Jeff Wiele served as the emcee for the event.
The crowd was treated to a video produced by Joanna (Ruble) Ray and her husband, Brian Ray, that included submitted photos and videos from various family members and friends of the 1995 team.
Photos included newspaper clippings as well as actual photos of Morrison and the 1995 team. Home videos and actual video footage of the state wrestling tournament were also included in Ray’s compilation. Ray is the sister of 1995 team member, Tommy Ruble.
Current high school head wrestling coach Ian Alke took to the podium next and talked about this year’s team as well as the up-and-coming youth wrestling program that currently has over 70 members.
Curt Diemer, former head wrestling coach at West Liberty, was up next as he had the honor of introducing Morrison, and highlighted his career with several amusing stories including his memories of Morrison and his progression throughout his high school career.
Morrison addressed the audience and thanked his coaches, teammates and family for helping him become the man he is today. He praised Diemer for bringing in a great staff that worked to make all of the wrestlers better every practice.
Diemer then introduced the 1995 team – a team that the coach, along with his assistants Johnny Partida, Jon Brennan, Adam Ruess, Morgan DePrenger and Rob Minick had the honor of leading.
Diemer spoke of each wrestler and had a memory to share about every one of them. He spoke of how the team cruised through the majority of the season ranked number one in the state ahead of Wilton, Davenport Assumption and other perennial powerhouses.
The Comets finished the season with a 20-1 dual meet record, losing only to Davenport Assumption. Some of the highlights of this dream season included three resounding dual meet victories over EIHC rival Wilton, besting Columbus Junction who went on to win the traditional state meet that year, beating the 1A dual team champions, Don Bosco and putting a beat down on top ranked 3A Cedar Falls.
This 1995 team finished fourth at the traditional state meet at the end of the season with Ben Scorpil placing first, Nick Marin second and Ruble finishing third. Brian Bothell, Ralph Cardona and Morrison were all qualifiers that year as well.
Ruble and Marin each spoke on behalf of the team and shared some of the highs and the lows that the team experienced together. Both reiterated much of what Coach Diemer shared and were gracious and thankful for the time they spent as Comets.
Wiele closed out the event with many thanks for all in attendance, with special recognition for Diemer who recently made a generous monetary donation to the West Liberty Wrestling Club.
From the size of the crowd and the excitement in the air, Comet Wrestling is here to stay for a long time.