Iowa wrestling legend Dan Gable to hold camp at WHA School
Dean Morrill, Editor
The Pilot-Independent
Gable, who has been involved in wrestling for more than 40 years, winning individual and team titles at every level, will give back something to the sport that made him famous. He will be in Walker July 27 to hold a wrestling camp at Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School.
The one-day instructional camp is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with all school age wrestlers welcome to attend. The camp, designed as a promotion for wrestling, is $10 for grades K-6 and $20 for grades 7-adult. Spectators are also encouraged to attend.
The idea for Gable to hold a wrestling camp in Walker was first brought up last year.
Gable, who has been vacationing in the Leech Lake area for many years, loves to fish walleyes. About a year ago he and a couple of friends purchased a cabin on Steamboat Bay.
He happened to be in a Walker sporting goods store last year when he was first approached about doing a camp. From there the idea grew into reality.
Mike Duroe, the U.S. World coach and an Iowa native, and Pablo Ubasa, a former University Of Iowa Hawkeye wrestler from Hawaii, will assist Gable at the camp.
“It’s a sport that develops leadership, second to none, “Gable explained. “Being an individual sport, you’re in the spotlight. This sport covers all sizes. This is a sport that can help get kids off the streets and is perfect for those who are not good at other sports. It is also a great way to release some energy. ”
As the University of Iowa’s all-time winningest wrestling coach, Gable compiled a career record of 355-21-5 from 1977 to 1997. He coached 152 all-Americans, 45 national champions, 106 Big Ten champions and 10 Olympians, including four gold, one silver and three bronze medalists.
These days, Gable serves as assistant to the Director of Athletics in charge of performance enhancement at the University of Iowa. He also spends about 100 days a year traveling around the United States promoting and teaching wrestling.
Most recently, he spent nine days in Illinois and North Carolina presenting wrestling clinics.
“It’s an every day event. I promote wrestling every day, “Gable said.
The camp format will include about 2.5 hours on the mat. Technique, philosophy and strategy will be emphasized to all participants. That will be followed by a live demo by the Gable’s two assistants.
Gable will then give an informational and motivational speech designed to raise the athletes’ level of talent. Wrestlers are then given an opportunity to ask questions and get autographs.
Gable said the camp can really have a positive influence.
“If I’ve done my job, this will be a marker in their lives, “he stated. “When you spend four hours with kids, I develop a good relationship. They will be more motivated with wrestling and life. ”
Gable’s resume before he joined the coaching staff at the University of Iowa is equally impressive.
The Waterloo, Iowa, native finished his high school prep career with a 64-0 record, including winning three state wrestling titles. From there he attended Iowa State, where was a three-time All-American and three-time Big Eight champion.
At Iowa State, he compiled a 118-1 record. His lone loss came in the 1970 NCAA championships.
Larry Owings of the University of Washington beat Gable 13-11. Owings used a four-point move in the closing seconds to win the match and the NCAA championship.
If not for that loss, Gable would have been the only wrestler to go undefeated at both the prep and college levels.
The loss had a lasting affect on Gable, but not in the negative way. He became more focused and determined.
After college, Gable added titles at the 1971 Pan American Games, the 1972 Tbilisi Tournament and the 1971 World Championships. He won an unprecedented six Midlands Open championships and was that meet’s outstanding wrestler five times.
In 1972, he capped off his career by winning a gold medal at the summer Olympics without surrendering a point to any of his opponents. In his final 21 Olympic qualification and Olympic matches, he scored 12 falls and outscored his nine opponents, 130-1. The single point was scored by Owings, the same person who defeated Gable in his final collegiate match.
For more information about the camp, call Leah Crow at 547-1558, or register at the Community Ed Office.
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