A homegrown wrestler, Marcus Coleman's journey started in Ames as a high school state champion. He leaves Iowa State as a two-time All-American
Ever since he was a kid, Marcus Coleman was immersed in all things Iowa State.
“I used to go to every football game and wrestling meet,” he recalls. “I’d be on the hill (at Jack Trice Stadium) messing around like little kids do playing football and stuff. I’ve loved Iowa State forever.”
Born in Waterloo, Coleman (’22 criminal justice) and his family relocated to Ames to be closer to family after the Cedar River flooded and destroyed their home in 2009. His uncle coached wrestling at Ames High School and introduced Coleman to the sport.
“He wrestled in college and all through growing up,” Coleman says. “My dad wrestled. My grandpa wrestled.”
It’s like wrestling is in Marcus Coleman’s DNA.
His three state titles for Ames caught the attention of Iowa State Head Wrestling Coach Kevin Dresser.
“As soon as I got to that level where I knew I was going to go D-I for wrestling – it was always Iowa State.”
Since he first stepped on the mat as a Cyclone in 2017, Coleman has racked up personal accolades while helping bring the Iowa State wrestling program back into the national spotlight.
Coleman was an NCAA qualifier in five-straight seasons. His celebrated Cyclone career came to a close in March 2023 following his extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19. He walked off the mat one last time, placing fifth at 184 pounds in the NCAA Championships and becoming a two-time All-American.
Iowa State finished 11th place overall with 47.0 team points. Fellow senior David Carr placed second. It is ISU Wrestling’s best placement in the NCAA Championships since 2013 and the Cyclones’ highest team score in the tournament since 2010.
“I got to live out a childhood dream of being an Iowa State athlete and representing my school at the highest level of the sport,” Coleman says. “It’s extremely special to me.”