Alesch Named 2021 Man of the Year

Iowa Lakes head coach Cody Alesch, was named the NJCAA Wrestling Coaches Association's Man of the Year.

Coach Alesch, who just capped his ninth season at Iowa Lake,s and has shown consistent success over the last decade in Estherville. Alesch and his staff have produced 81 national qualifiers, 24 NJCAA All-Americans, eight national finalists, and three national champions. 

Before coaching, Alesch was a great wrestler in his own right as he was a standout for Graettinger High School, where he placed at state twice, finishing second and fourth. Alesch moved on to Wartburg college and wrestled for the Knights from 1998-2002. While he was there, Wartburg had loads of success, finishing as runner ups in 2000 and 2002, and prior to those finishes Wartburg won the National Championship in 1999. 

After moving on from his wrestling career as an athlete, Alesch moved on to coaching and started his family with wife Teresa. When he isn't coaching or spending time with the family,  Alesch serves as the rep for the North Central District on the NJCAA Wrestling Leadership Committee.

Alesch heads his Leadership Committee with the mantra of "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it."