Tristan Wirfs honored by Mount Vernon Community

Mount Vernon, IA -- Tristan Wirfs, a 2017 Mount Vernon alum, who went from high school star athlete, to Iowa Hawkeye offensive lineman, to first-round NFL draft pick, to Super Bowl ​​Champion and a NFL top 10 offensive tackle in his rookie season, was honored by the Mount Vernon community at two events on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The Alumni Association presented Tristan with a newly minted ‘Mustang Outstanding Achievement Hall of Fame Award’.

The first and main event on Saturday was an award ceremony in the Performing Arts Center at Mount Vernon High School which began at 10 am.  In addition to the award, the ceremony included a video recapping Tristan’s story from Mount Vernon to the NFL and comments from Tristan about his life and career. 

A second event at 6 pm, took place on the main stage in uptown Mount Vernon, at the city’s summer festival, Heritage Days. The Association presented Tristan and his award, along with honorary speakers including coaches, family, and friends. 

According to Alumni Association President Andrew Morf, “Tristan is a big deal to both Mount Vernon alumni and the entire Mount Vernon community.  Throughout Tristan’s success during his time at Mount Vernon Community Schools, the University of Iowa, and now the NFL, he has never forgotten about Mount Vernon; and, Mount Vernon fans are Tristan’s biggest fans!” He explained that the Association board “determined no current Hall of Fame Award appropriately recognized the success of Tristan and his accomplishments a mere three and a half years after graduating from Mount Vernon High School, and that special recognition beyond anything we had given was both necessary and deserved.” 

As a Mustang in high school, Tristan was known not only as a great athlete, but as a great guy. He played football and he also excelled in wrestling and track and field. During his senior year Tristan helped Mount Vernon to a state semifinal appearance in football, was named an Army All-American for football, won a state wrestling title, and won state discus for the third straight year and shot put for the second straight year. He was honored by the Des Moines Register as the best boys prep athlete in the state.

 As a Hawkeye, Wirfs started seven games as a freshman at right tackle, becoming the first true freshman to start at offensive tackle under coach Kirk Ferentz. As a junior he was selected to the First Team All Big Ten and named the conference lineman of the year. Tristan announced that he would forgo his final season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft.

He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round, the 13th overall pick. Tristan was then the only player on the Bucs who played every snap during the 20-21 season -- 1,284, and allowed just one sack. The Buccaneers and Tristan went on to win Super Bowl 2021 during Tristan’s first year. Entering his sophomore season, Wirfs is already arguably the best right tackle in the entire NFL. 

Tristan is the son of Mount Vernon alum Sarah Wirfs ’93. His high school coach was Lance Pederson.