Ben Zulauf, a 2004 graduate, was one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of Sterling High School. He was also a tremendously successful football player. Zulauf was a three-year varsity starter in wrestling with an overall record of 121-18. He was a two-time North Central Illinois Conference Champion, a three-time Regional Champion, and a two-time Sectional Champion. He finished in fifth place at state as a junior and second place at state as a senior. He was voted the Most Valuable Wrestler two years in a row. Zulauf holds the following school records: most wins in a season (44), most pins in a season (32), and most pins in a career (78). He was named the 2004 Homer Musgrove Outstanding Wrestler. In football, Zulauf was a two-year starter as an offensive and defensive lineman. He was captain his senior year and voted the Most Valuable Player. Zulauf was named to the NCIC All-Conference First Team as an offensive lineman both his junior and senior years. His senior year, he was selected as an honorable mention on the IHSA All-State team. He also participated in the 2004 Illinois Shrine All-Star Game. Zulauf also received the 2004 Male Roscoe Eades Award.Zulauf went on to school at the University of Illinois and was a member of the Fighting Illini wrestling team for three years. Ben currently is teaching 5th grade in Bensenville, Ill., and coaching wrestling at Fenton High School. In June 2012, he obtained his master's degree in literacy from Judson University, Elgin, Ill.