News : Vinton's Inductee into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame passes away at age 97

Vinton lost one of its sports heroes this week. Merle Roths an inductee into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame passed away on Monday at the Lutheran home.

In 1941, Roths won the 105-pound wrestling championship. He was also a three-time place winner at the state level for the Chickasaws 1940s.

He was unbeatable in 1940 until he reached the state finals. He placed 2nd in the 95 pound class.

In his junior year, Roths was the 105 pound State Champion and won the gold medal that year along with winning a state sportsmanship award for the tournament that year.

In 1942, as a senior, he placed third as a 112 pounder. Roths was featured on the cover of the 1942 tournament program, also his last year to compete, where he again reached the finals. He competed in what is believed to be the longest match in state tournament history in 1942.

From a story almost exactly 2 years ago, he talked about how he was able to brag that he did pushups every day at the age of 95.

Our condolences to the Roths family.

To read the story click here.

To find Mr. Roth's obituary, click here.