Kip Kristoff
Class of 2002
Bethalto (Civic Memorial) | Siu-Edwardsville
In 1982, Kip Kristoff became the first wrestler to win a Class AA State Championship as a freshman. Kip won two more state championships and placed third while a junior. He had a career record of 161-3 that included 114 pins. His 17 wins in the state tournament is a tournament record. In 1985, Kip was named the I.W.C.O.A. Outstanding Wrestler. He was also named as the Outstanding Wrestler of St. Louis in 1981 and 1985. Also in 1985, he was named to the Asics All-American Dream Team.
He wrestled for his father, Larry, at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He was a four time NCAA Division II All-American and a NCAA Division II National Champion. In 1988, Kip was named the Prairie State Games Outstanding Male Athlete, and in 1990, he was selected as Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville’s Outstanding Male Athlete.
From 1991 through 1993, Kip served as an assistant at SIU-E. He was assistant at Belleville East from 1993-94 and then an assistant at Marion High School from 1994-98. In 1998, he was name head coach at Marion, a position he holds today. Kip has also been a registered official since 1991.
Kip has spent his entire wrestling, coaching and officiating career in the state of Illinois. He joins his father, Larry, as a member of the I.W.C.O.A. Hall of Fame.