Hall of Fame
Bob Yilek ranks among the best of Coe wrestlers. A 134-pounder from Belle Plaine, his aggressive wrestling style set the tone for his Kohawk teammates. Bob defeated all Midwest Conference opposition for four consecutive years as he won the conference title four times from 1981 to 1984. He was named Outstanding Wrestler of the Midwest Athletic Conference for three years and was team co-captain two years. As a freshman, he defeated the defending conference champion, a wrestler from Cornell, 24 - 7 and Coe won the conference title. He was a four-time NCAA qualifier and capped his career by being named to the All-America Wrestling Team his senior year and placing fourth in the NCAA Division III wrestling tournament. As a senior, he went 24 - 7. In his collegiate days, Bob won 76 matches while losing only 27, a record that included 52 pins. After obtaining his master's degree from Northwest Missouri State University Bob began a teaching and coaching career that has included Woodbine, Carlisle and Belle Plaine high schools, where he presently is the coach. He has coached three state champions. Bob has had 19 place winners at the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament. In 1993 he was named Iowa High School Wrestling Coach of the Year. He has coached the Iowa High School Freestyle Team for the past 13 years. For these distinguished accomplishments in a demanding sport, Bob Yilek is inducted as a member of the Coe College Athletic Hall of Fame.
