Former Eagle Grove standout Jessie Whitmer will be inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame Iowa this coming summer.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum announced the Class of 2026 which includes three NCAA champions, 18 individual state championship titles, multiple collegiate and freestyle national champions and All-American, a coach who won 13 national titles and one of the most dominant high school teams in Iowa state wrestling history.

“Being inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame is truly humbling,” Whitmer said. “I think with any accomplishment like this, the people in the background are the true workhorses. I’m most thankful for my family, teammates that were mentors, friends and coaches who made this possible.

“I wouldn’t be here without their constant support and belief in me. I was very fortunate to have great people in all areas of my life growing up and still today.”

Along with Whitmer, Nick Mitchell, Kyven Gadson, Derek St. John and the 2001 Council Bluffs Lewis Central team will be enshrined on June 19. The Dickey Family will be presented with the Bowlsbly Family Legacy Award, James Biscoglia will receive the Bob Siddens High School Coaching Excellence Award and Greg Stockdale the Russ Smith Community Impact Award.

Whitmer was an NCAA national champion and member of the Iowa Hawkeye 1997 national championship team. He was third at state as a freshman, going 112-3 over his final three seasons with a state title and multiple medals.

He won the 118-pound NCAA title under Dan Gable.

Whitmer was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019.

Named in honor of Glen Brand, a 1948 Olympic gold medalist from Clarion, the Hall of Fame is located inside the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo. The banquet will be held in Waverly from the Prairie Links Golf and Event Center.