100 years of Hawkeye wrestling: Ironside stops Kolat

It was one of Mark Ironside's defining moments.

Ironside posted a memorable victory when he stopped Lock Haven's Cary Kolat in the 1996 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Ironside battled back from a third-period deficit to win 9-8 and hand Kolat his only loss that season. Kolat entered the match ranked No. 1 with an 11-0 record, winning all by first-period pins. Ironside was 21-0 and ranked second. It was one of the few times Ironside played the role of underdog and he said it is one of his most talked about performance.

“It's bigger from a fan perspective and other people's eyes than it was mine,” Ironside said. “It was a big match and a turning point in my career, but it was just one of those situations where it was No. 1 vs. No. 2 and I had to go out and do my job and I did my job.”

Ironside's well-known tenacity and relentless style was on display on this night.

“I didn't wear him out by just pushing, shoving and hand-fighting,” Ironside said. “I wore him out by hitting offensive holds and attacks throughout the whole seven minutes.”