Joe Williams (wrestler)
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Joe Williams is a four-time U.S. National Freestyle Champion and four-time World Team member (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003). He won gold medals at 163 pounds at the 2003 World Cup and Pan American Games. The 2001 and 2002 Freestyle Athlete of the Year, Williams placed third at the 2001 World Championships and fourth at the 1999 World Championships. Due to unfortunate circumstances, the U.S. team did not participate in the 2002 World Championships. He also won titles at the Pan American Games, and Manitoba and Sunkist Opens in 1999.
A three-time NCAA Champion and two-time Big Ten Champion, Williams became Iowa's 14th four-time all-American in 1998. He was named Outstanding Wrestler of the 1998 NCAA Championships, where he ended his collegiate career on a 39-match winning streak. In the Iowa record books, Williams is tied for first in the season record category with the 34-0 mark he earned in 1998. He also ranks eighth in career winning percentage with .935 (129-9) and 10th in career wins (129) at Iowa. Williams became the second wrestler in Midlands Open history to win five titles (1993-2001).
Williams attended Mount Carmel High School (Chicago) and later earned a B.A. in 1998 from the University of Iowa in sociology and communication studies. He and his wife, Kim, have a son, Kaleb.
