At age 34, former Iowa State wrestler Eric Akin shows no signs of giving up his favorite sport.
Akin, one of just nine ISU wrestlers to earn All-American honors four times, was in Ames last weekend to compete in the U.S. World Team Trials.
“I can’t pass up an opportunity like this, competing in front of Iowa people at Iowa State, “Akin said. “I know I’ve still got a chance. I’ve got the talent, and I’ve still got the ability to do it. It’s kind of like not respecting the gifts that God gave me to sit there and (not compete).”
Akin didn’t make the U.S. World Team. He did reach the finals, where he lost to an old nemesis, Sammy Henson.
Their rivalry goes back to their college days and one memorable match in particular. That came in the championship match at 118 pounds at the NCAA Division I national championships in Chapel Hill, N.C. Henson also won that match, taking advantage of a stalling call to gain a 2-2 tie. Henson eventually won in overtime.
Akin said he learned from that match and continues to learn each time he steps on the mat.
“I learn something about my character every time I compete, “Akin said. “I don’t care about what’s hanging on my wall or what’s in boxes, trophies, medals, things like that. It’s all about character values that you create doing these kind of things.”
Akin hasn’t been without success since leaving ISU after the 1994 season. He was a member of the U.S. World Team in 1999 and a U.S. Nationals champion in 2001. He was a silver medalist in the 2000 World Cup and finished second in the U.S. World Team Trials in 1998 and 2001 in addition to this year. He also finished second in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 1996 and 2000.
“I’ve beaten every Olympian since 1992, Zeke Jones, Lou Rozelli, Sammy Henson and Stephen Abas, “Akin said. “I’ve beaten some good guys, and I’ve learned some things about my own character. And I’ve created some character values that will last me a lifetime.”
Akins said he isn’t haunted by his narrow losses in key matches. In addition to placing second in the 1994 NCAA meet, Akin finished eighth in 1991, third in 1992 and fourth in 1993. So a national championship eluded him, but he’s put that and other losses behind him.
“The key to all my successes is my failures, “Akin said. “Those things drive you, and that’s what tough people are made out of. They hit bottom, and they bounce back up. When you’re at the top, you treat everybody good because when you’re on your way back down, you’re going to want people to treat you good.”
Akin said wrestling is just a small part of the Christian journey he is on.
“Neither one of them is perfect, and I just keep striving every day on both of them, “Akin said.
Akin, his wife, Stephanie, and their four children, two sons and two daughters, make their home in Gardner, Kan., just south of Kansas City. Akin met his wife at ISU and said he works as hard at having a successful marriage as having a successful wresting career.
“Like a wrestling career, marriage isn’t like a shoe that if it squeaks, you kick it off and get a new one; you learn to make it work, “Akin said.
Akin, who serves as a volunteer assistant with the Nebraska wrestling program, works for his father in a remodel company in Kansas City doing upscale remodels.
“We work for professional athletes, business owners and people like that, “Akin said. “(My father’s) built up an incredible business. He’s like the John Smith of carpentry.”
Akin isn’t sold on making the remodel business as a career. He said he may try to take some classes and get into teaching and coaching.
“It would be nice to have my summers to myself, “he said.
And freestyle wrestling will remain a part of his life for a while anyway.
“I’m not going to say I’m going to retire, “Akin said. “I’ve never really came out and said, ‘I’m retired.’ I’ve taken years off and I’ve gone up some weight classes. I just need rest sometimes. I’ve been raising a family since I was 20, and I’m a hard-working dude.”
Dick Kelly can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 355, or [email protected].
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