Born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, van Arsdale's wrestling background is nothing short of illustrious.
Attending Waterloo West High School, van Arsdale's sophomore year saw him compile a remarkable record of 20-6. His junior year was even more impressive, as he went 28-2 and won a state championship.
The following year, as a senior, van Arsdale's record slipped slightly to 27-3, but he still managed to be a state-runner up.
After high school, van Arsdale continued his wrestling career in college at Iowa State University.
As a freshman, he earned first-team freshman All-American honors. His sophomore year saw him place sixth in the NCAA tournament, while his junior year was marked by a third-place finish.
As a senior, van Arsdale's crowning achievement came when he was crowned the 1988 NCAA Division 1 collegiate wrestling champion at 167 lb (76 kg).
After college, van Arsdale's impressive resume continued to grow. He won a World Cup Championship in 1991, a CISM (military) World Championship, and was a two-time Olympic alternate.
Additionally, van Arsdale was a six-time member of the National Freestyle Wrestling team, solidifying his position as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the sport.
In recognition of his achievements, van Arsdale was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011.
