Cedar Rapids Prairie tabs Zach Becicka as first girls’ wrestling coach

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Prairie’s storied wrestling tradition is about to add a new chapter.

The program decided on a familiar face to lead the way.

Prairie athletics director Rocky Bennett announced Friday that former Hawk and Cornell College wrestler Zach Becicka will be the school’s first head coach for girls’ wrestling.

“This is an important moment in the history of Prairie Athletics as we continue to expand opportunities for all students,” Bennett said in a news release. “It is even more significant to begin our girls wrestling program and hire Zach as our first head coach in a year that we celebrate the landmark legislation of Title IX which has transformed opportunities for girls in sports the past fifty years.”

Becicka was a four-year starter and state qualifier for the Hawks. He was on two state duals teams, graduating from Prairie in 2012 before continuing his career with the Rams.

Becicka has helped lead girls’ wrestling at Solon, beginning in 2019. Seventeen Spartans competed at the 2021 IWCOA state tournament with two winning Wamac Conference titles. Eight were in the 2022 field.

Becicka will look to build the Hawks’ program, which already has female wrestlers in the youth club, junior high and high school.

“It’s a dream come true and I’m excited for the opportunity,” Becicka said. “Very few have the chance to coach at their alma mater and I am excited to be a part of a program with such a rich tradition.”

Before the finals during the second day of the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association state tournament, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union announced girls’ wrestling will become a sanctioned sport for the 2022-23 school year. The competition boomed each season, starting with 87 in the inaugural event to more than 700 competitors from 160 schools this year.

Prairie was represented at the event by Anna Lantz and Mackenzie Childers in January. Childers finished fourth at 125.

“We were overwhelmed with Zach’s passion and experience with girls wrestling as well as his vision and detailed plan to build a competitive girls wrestling program at Prairie,” Prairie boys’ wrestling coach Derick Ball said. ”I look forward to working with Zach as we continue to build on a rich tradition.”

The IGHSAU also announced Friday that it will hold the 2023 girls’ state wrestling tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The inaugural event is expected to be held Feb. 2-3.

“These are important steps for the first year of girls wrestling,” IGHSAU wrestling administrator Erin Kirtley said in a news release. “I commend the hard work that our wrestling advisory committee did to help set up our inaugural season. There are still items that need to be addressed, but it is exciting to have building blocks established.”

Varsity programs are allowed 15 competition dates, beginning Nov. 14 with the first day of practice set for Oct. 31. The first season will consist of one class and 14 weight classes (100 pounds, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 155, 170, 190 and 235).