An early star for Iowa State’s wrestling dynasty, Hess was a three-time All-American and two-time NCAA Champion
Signature arm lock helped him dominate his weight class as a collegian
After winning his first national championship as a junior, Hess competed in the 1932 Olympic Games (Los Angeles) for his college coach, Hugo Otopalik
Olympic wrestling rules differed from college and Hess got a copy of the rules on the morning of his first match, but they were written in French and the confusion cost Hess his first bout (he recovered to place fourth)
One of three Cyclones to win an NCAA Championship in 1933 when Iowa State also claimed its first-ever national team title