Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – When the name Ben Kueter is mentioned if the first thought that comes to mind is ‘wrestling’ that makes sense.

The City High junior has proven he is elite on the wrestling mat.

Kueter is an unbeaten two-time state champ, highly ranked on the national scene with a rapidly rising recruiting resume.

If you think of Kueter as a multi-sport athlete that’s accurate as well.

A rare varsity four-sport starter as a sophomore, Kueter played key roles on the football, baseball and track teams a year ago.

After the early success in wrestling Kueter is ready to be known as one of the best football players in the state.

“I love football a lot, just as much as wrestling I just haven’t been able to show what I can do,” Kueter said. “I’m ready to do that this year and just show people what is up.”

Kueter has always stood out.

His combination of size, strength and athletic ability are eye-popping.

Kueter started at middle linebacker as a sophomore last fall, won the Class 3A 195-pound wrestling title in the winter, was a 400 meter runner at the Drake Relays in the spring and a starting outfield for the Little Hawks this summer.

All while competing at national high school wrestling events across the country.

A schedule that would wear some athletes down is what Kueter seems to thrive on.

“I love the process,” Kueter said. “I enjoy the grind, honestly I enjoy it more than the competition part. I could do this all year round. I really enjoy it and if you are going to do it all year round you really have to enjoy it otherwise you are going to get burnt out.”

A proven commodity on the wrestling mat, the football field is where Kueter feels he has something to prove.

Actually, according to first-year City High football coach Mitch Moore, Kueter always feels like he has something to prove.

That’s what makes him so unique.

“What makes Ben Kueter special is his humbleness and his ability to understand that he is always chasing something better,” Moore said. “He is always trying to be the best version of himself every single day. He is such a student of the game of football, he’s a student of wrestling and track and baseball. The uniqueness of his gifted athletic ability combined with his focus, his detail and his humbleness make him different.”

In his first season of varsity football Kueter tied for the team lead with 41.5 tackles in just six games last fall.

His 31 solo stops were a team-high and he also tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (3) and sacks (1).

Even with his success in wrestling Kueter has an affection for football.

In fact, it is the similarities between the two sports that make Kueter love the challenges of both sports.

“I just love how physical it is,” Kueter said. “When you come up and tackle a kid it’s basically just like doublelegging somebody. There is a big mental side to it and I love all that. The preparation going into games is fun. The more prepared team is going to win and I love being able to be a part of that.”

The strong sophomore season for Kueter is just the start.

Moore views the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Kueter as a game-changer.

A versatile athlete with the ability to play all over the field on both sides of the ball.

“Ben has the ability to play on the line, play in the middle, he can cover,” Moore said. “You never want to compare guys to greats but Ben has a little bit of that Brian Urlacher knack. Brian Urlacher at New Mexico State was a punt returner and a safety and a guy that could move all over the field and had great balls skills and Ben can do that. He can play middle linebacker, he can play D end, he can play a little roll down safety look he can play all over the field.”

Kueter is anxious for the opportunity to prove he is an elite football player but is equally excited to help City High return to its winning ways.

After four consecutive two-win seasons Kueter and the Little Hawks have plans to flip the script and turn City High into a 4A contender.

“The way that we practice you wouldn’t know that we have been 2-7 the last however many years,” Kueter said. “We are practicing like a 9-0 team right now. Everyone is excited and ready to show people that City High is back.”

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