While the result of the match against Owings was unusual, in comparison with Gable's previous results, his effort is undeniable. Owings grew up in the Ninety-One School district, the youngest of five brothers who were all high school wrestling state champions. Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations, 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue I know a good way for a sportsman to get rid of it. "He was a good, solid all-around wrestler who did not make a lot of mistakes," said Owings, now director of facilities for the Molalla (Ore.) School District. No, with his movie star looks and charisma, and a physique that would make Chris Hemsworth jealous, he was legitimately world famous. Gable said he learned not to take an opponent lightly, to eliminate distractions and accentuate an aura of invincibility and intimidation toward an opponent, just as Owings had done to him. No one had ever said something that, at least no one who could back it up. Unbelievably, Mr. Flasche was my neighbor and customer at my pharmacy when he moved to our tiny, beautiful town of Troy, MT in the early 2000s. One day his mother finally showed up at his door and when she saw Dan, she slapped him across the face, walked away, and made the one and a half hour drive back to Waterloo. The result, though unexpected, put the crowd of 8,500 on its feet throughout the match and gave them [the athletes] a shattering ovation when it ended, per the New York Times. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Wrestling was already fading in his life when he met Diane, the woman who would become his second wife. Owings shows up at local wrestling practices and events more, and when people ask him about the Gable match, he no longer tightens up. He won every college match before dropping his last match in a stunning 13-11 loss to Washington's Larry Owings in the 142-pound finals in 1970. National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, "Bio: Dan Gable 15 National Championships. I was like, Who would say that?, Where are they now: Catching up with Chamique Holdsclaw, The wrestler was an unknown coming off a 30-1 season at Washington, a reserved 19-year-old who didnt appreciate anyone who suggested that any result on the mat was a foregone conclusion. Well, thats not me, he says, as he reads about the retirement of Larry Owings of Brownwood, Texas. However, Owings turned things around, becoming a two-time Oregon high school state champ, winning the 136-pound crown as a junior in 1967, and the 138 title in 1968 (pinning all his opponents at state). And that was before he won gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Dan Gable has not forgotten about that night in 1970. But in the final 30 seconds of a close, intense, exhausting match, Owings slipped underneath Gable's arms for a leg lift or sweep, putting the erstwhile invincible Gable on his back for the winning points. Then lost in '70 @ 142 when Owings beat him 13-11. He was, perhaps, the most superbly conditioned athlete the sport had ever seen. The most dramatic moment came in the final 30 seconds, with Gable technically in the lead although the scoreboard showed otherwise, when Owings slipped underneath his arms for a brilliantly executed leg sweep that dropped Gable to the mat for the winning points. Later, in a quiet moment in his hotel room, Gable got his hands on the paper, and there, in big bold letters across the top of the paper was the headline IM HERE TO BEAT DAN GABLE. Gable was the head coach of three Olympic teams and six world teams. Larry Owings, Coach/Official, Canby, Oregon. He holed himself up in his room, he didnt talk to anyone, he didnt even return his parents phone calls. All Rights Reserved. 2023 National Wrestling Hall Of Fame. National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum, Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award. . In a corner of the room theres a photo of Gable on the podium after the Owings match, a close black and white shot of his face with tears in his eyes. Where do you go from there? Owings remained one of the top wrestlers in the country, but as disappointments mounted -- he finished second in the NCAA championships in 1971 and 72 -- Owings began to feel like his national championship win was a curse. With a score of 8-6, Gable again worked for back points before a scramble ensued. Gable finished the scramble on top and ended the second period in the opposite manner of the first, this time holding the momentum and the power and the clock reset with two more minutes on the clock for the final period. He respected his pinning ability.". We went at it tooth and nail.". This site also has Jiu Jitsu, Beach and Belt tournaments listed. An escape from Owings gave the Washington wrestler the lead, even after Gable pushed his riding time up over a minute, symbolically tying the match with time to go, but Owings wasnt done. my Events OPC Video News Powered by FIRST PERIOD: The legend took the first shot, moving in on Owings right leg before squaring up a then fending off an attack from Owings. He could't believe he was the one affected by his opponent's reputation. NCAA Champion and Outstanding Wrestler. He was U.S. Olympic freestyle coach in 1980, 1984, and 2000. For the first time in history, the two living [] He grew up the youngest of five Owings brothers, all of them wrestlers; Larry, overweight growing up, was always the least likely of the Owings brothers to go one to become a great in the sport. That has never bothered Owings. In fact, the result was so expected that Gable filmed a commercial with ABCs Wide World of Sports encouraging viewers to watch his final match by saying "Hi, Im Dan Gable. From inside his cabin Gable looks out onto the night fast approaching. x][w~3sV% $f'$qRUzV[%JVwr|rnNk{-66Y6'{.oO\n.OyR$.`XISdf$fy&!=y67eiPl>M4?~sH^dYyd@oZn.N^~6hPW~nkz9^4Y\,2E /uVMo]BP6wi&$P,s5Gsxp*.&J4X~BHwf=Sx7p&,\/bi,b%_%eR?UM4]AB! 64-0. They haven't talked to each other since. National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum, Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award. I know that the match affected my entire life. I say that I went undefeated for seven years, lost a match, and then I got good, he says. It has to be in the top five here. In 1991, Gable was awarded with the Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award by Cauliflower Alley Club. Come watch me next week as I finish my career 182-0. Gable kept bungling the lines, and the take took half an hour; by the time he was finished, without having gone through his regular pregame warm-up, every seat in the area was already filled, and the match was about to start. I wasn't that surprised the night Caldwell beat Metcalf. He went on to the sensational international and Olympic career that has already been described. Dan stood there crying. "I really didn't want to see it or talk about it much. Finally, Gable says in a quiet, raspy voice, I know that the match affected my entire life. There is, however, still the open wound from 1970. His physical makeup was legendary, his results extraordinary. He was going for his third title at 142 pounds, and virtually everyone thought he was a lock. He went in for Gables leg and picked up a clutch third-period takedown, almost catching the Cyclone off guard as time ticked down. It was close throughout the three-period match, and the constant crowd noise was deafening. I got bumped down a seed at Nationals in 72 because the winner of the regionals 1 weight above me dropped down for Nationals. % Dan Gable won 13-4 in a match that would serve as the central motivation for Owings two years later. Gable would go for five mile runs, then get inside a car and, with the windows rolled up all the way, turn the heater on full blast so he would return to his ideal wrestling weight at the end of the day. 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue Stillwater, OK 74075 Phone: (405) 377-5243 Email: info@nwhof.org He even had the honor of facing Dan Gable, then a sophomore at Iowa State and already a national champion. I assume how hard it could be to train when you're given a lot of essays and homework to do. I have to agree with the other poster - Vincenzo Joseph over Imar has to be in the top 3. One day his mother finally showed up at his door and when she saw Dan, she slapped him across the face, walked away, and made the one and a half hour drive back to Waterloo. How Tall Is Dan Gable? He was taking time out to do countless interviews, up until the very moment of his match: ABCs Wide World of Sports requested that he tape a spot for them on the mat just minutes before the final. He has softened in his old age -- thats what nine grandchildren will do to you -- and lately he has been more reflective; a stack of papers on the desk is the memoir hes working on with a writer. Owings, who said, "I did not really realize the scope of what I accomplished," never again won the championship, losing in the NCAA finals his final two years. There was no reason to think that Gable would not cruise through this final match at 142 pounds and end his career with a 118-0 record. 13-11. "It's the biggest upset ever in the sport, and it's a fascinating story. He won national titles at 130 and 137 pounds in 1968 and 1969. By the end of the second period, Owings had stretched the lead to 7-2 and the crowd was hysterical. It's never going to leave, that painful image of defeat. Im emotional about it. Larry Owings, on the other hand, returned to Oregon, and faded into obscurity, at least as far as the wrestling world was concerned. I kind of wish he had gotten me with his best move.". After college, Owings competed on the senior level circuit before retiring. The basement in the Gable home in Iowa City is full of trophies and trinkets and framed photos in glass cases; Dan Gable calls this part of the house the museum, and every museum must be a complete representation of history. That wouldn't happen in 1970. Facebook gives people the power to. "I've never wrestled after you've lost a match, and I'm not going to do it now." He won every college match, and the only match he dropped was his last match against Larry Owings in the 142-pound finals in 1970. But Larry Owings had tremendous credentials of his own. However, because of NCAA. He was intrigued by Owings' swagger. "I had never heard that before. zF\LxW"ve(1t^~W#ZxD!K(BTvA;h\5Ij _IAial&$prh~PZdm%6/LmJLU^+qLq) Results Placement Matches (16 Man) Team. In that way, he and I were similar. Not, like he-was-on-a-Wheaties-box-one-time famous (though he was). He holed himself up in his room, he didn't talk to anyone, he didn't even return his parents' phone calls. Owings wore a black singlet with white trim, while Gable was in cardinal and gold. Larry Owings Fall 6:12 Leandro Torres 4-3 Bruce Burnett 11-7 Paul Brodmerkel 6-2 Bob Bergen 15-6 Rob Brown 6-4 Larry Owings Fall 1:36 Leandro Torres 4-3 Bob Bergen 3-2 Larry Owings 17-2 Leandro Torres 4-1 Darrell Keller 16-12 142 Weight Class Larry Owings 5-2 Clay Jester, Massachusetts James Guizzotti, Ashland [7] Doug Moses, Iowa State Bye He became an assistant wrestling coach at Woodburn High School, and today strives to serve as a positive role model and mentor to local youth. Working out from under Gable gave Owings momentum and confidence, and he translated that energy into a takedown of his own against his opponent to give Owings the lead 3-2 in the match and rode out Gable for the remainder of the first period to finish the first three minutes on top. A sophomore had beaten the giant. What are you doing? Gable's teams compiled a dual meet record of 355215. He coached 152 all-Americans, 45 national champions, 106 Big Ten Champions and 12 Olympians, including eight medalists. When he was 15 years old, a teenager from his neighborhood raped and murdered Gable's 19-year-old sister. Every once in a while now Owings will still go to the mat. Gable made numerous attempts to explain the only defeat he would ever know. Its harder and harder now for Gable to feel the fire that was in him for so long, but he becomes alive again, the old wrestler with the mean streak, when he talks about the Owings match. If so, he must have had to have gone 142 for his qualifying tournament before the Big Dance, right? In the days afterward he shut himself from the world. All Rights Reserved. The night before the weigh in, he had a fight with his wife, who was seven months pregnant and didnt want him to leave her and the baby behind and go to the Olympics. Of the century. Come watch me next week as I finish my career 182-0." Perri had given Owings two points for the takedown and two for a near-fall, as Gable's shoulders were briefly exposed to the mat. The words hang in the air. Im emotional about it because theres still a lot of meaning Gable told, How Dan Gable coached Iowa to 15 team titles, The complete history of one of the greatest college wrestlers, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Gable was given a four-minute standing ovation during his introduction as the ceremonies stopped. He went 64-0 at Waterloo (Iowa) West High School and 117-0 in three years at Iowa State (freshmen could not compete then) with NCAA titles at 130 and 137 pounds. The two met in the finals of the 1970 NCAA wrestling championship. His senior year, he earned a spot on Wrestling USA magazine's 1967-68 High School All-American team. Im emotional about it. WA Death Notices. WATCH "Larry Owings Documentary (The Man Who Beat Dan . Email: dgmstaff@nwhof.org. Pac-8 Champion and three-time NCAA finalist. From 117-0 to 117-1. Given that Gable -- by his own admission in the piece -- still isn't truly over that loss and that it still lights a fire in him well, I'm gonna say that that loss was perhaps the best thing that ever could have happened to Gable -- and, by extension, Iowa wrestling. "After that match, it took me a long time to really admit a lot of things," Gable said. Check Out My Website: https://www.kadenchristiansenproductions.comEmail Me For Business Inquiries: kaden.erick.christiansen@gmail.comThis an amazing passiona. A few years ago, the Republican Party recruited Gable to run for governor of Iowa. No high school kid can come close to scoring on Owings. Stillwater, OK 74075 In his high school career, undefeated. In fact, Gable would emerge from the Owings match stronger, more determined. This was the featured match of the tournament. Next, well bring you the story of the Canby cowboy who became the best bronc rider in the country at the age of 23. After his Olympic title, he coached the Iowa Hawkeyes to 21 consecutive Big Ten titles and 15 national championships in his 21 years as head coach, going 355-21-5. In that stadium full of 9,000 screaming fans, the only one who thought Owings had a shot at taking down Gable might have been Owings himself (and, as he would later admit, probably his brother, and maybe his coach). And when I was younger, I really was pretty fat. Again in '69 @ 137. Earned bachelor's degree and master's degree in education from the University of Washington. This is where Gable thought he had the match won. The way I see it, he says, Im the coach of the sport.. That makes it worse now from my point of view. Just a thought. Finally, he says, Theres a barrier between us that Im not sure needs to ever go away., 2023 ABG-SI LLC. [10], Gable has been written about in many magazines and numerous books, including Two Guys Named Dan (1976), From Gotch to Gable: A History of Wrestling in Iowa (1981), The Toughest Men in Sports (1984) and Legends of the Mat (2006), all by wrestling historian Mike Chapman.[11]. Grant won in '69 @ 145 and again in '70 @ 150. "I'm not going out there," Jean said. He said he "coached some wrestling ". It's an essential part of the origin story for Dan Gable-as-superhero. Gable was inducted into the USA Wrestling Hall . Facing a wrestler legendary for his endurance, opponents of Gable would almost always go for broke from the opening whistle. He prefers to show them, firsthand. #SwimWithTheCurrent. He won 117 college wrestling matches with impressive dominance, setting a tone and a pace that few could match. By the time the two wrestlers took center stage of the arena for the fourth match of the evening-- Gable in a sleeveless cardinal-and-gold jersey and separate trunks; Owings in a one-piece purple piece with U of W monogrammed on the chest -- it was so loud, with a standing room crowd of nearly 9,000 squeezed into McGaw Hall, that the wrestlers couldnt hear the ref, Pascal Perri, unless they leaned in close. And then I got greedy. Gable had pinned an astonishing 70 percent of his opponents entering the final, and now he determined to pin Owings to close out his collegiate career. Now nearly 70 but still strong as an ox, Owings is not one to use a blackboard to teach his wrestlers how to do a takedown. Larry was tough. How about Andy Daniels beating John Azevedo or Gary Barton winning the tournament in1972. But now he is about to try. And that was it, he says. Gables success was always due in large part of his ability to live in a bubble -- no distractions ever got in his way. When Owings arrived, the mind games, so subtly important in this sport, began. Im emotional about it because theres still a lot of meaning , Where Are They Now: Catching up with former Cavs guard Craig Ehlo, His voice trails off, and he lifts a hand to dry his eyes; something thats been buried deep is suddenly resurfacing. During the award ceremonies, his real feelings came out. "I had two minutes more riding time, so I was pretty much in control of the match," Gable said. Larry Owings Invitational - Wrestling Event - FloWrestling Larry Owings Invitational Larry Owings Invitational on Dec 21, 2013 in Canby, OR. I'm coming here to beat Gable," he was quoted. Once there is a seed of doubt planted in your mind, well, youre probably doomed. Open daily. Wow! Iowa State's Dan Gable had one of the most legendary careers in college wrestling, pinning 76 of his 118 opponents during his three years as a starter for the Cyclones and amassing a nearly flawless record on his way to two NCAA titles. Yes, Dan Gable -- the most famous wrestler and most decorated coach in the history of the sport, the volcanic legend who was so combustible as a coach at Iowa that after losses hed return home and punch holes into his young daughters bedroom doors -- has admitted that he has become more emotional these last few years, someone who finds himself now tearing up at the end of old movies. Owings was the first UW wrestler to win an NCAA title, but what mattered was that he had upset a man the Russians reverently called "The Machine," a man who had won 181 straight matches, 108 by pins. Jean was due to wrestle in the nights final match, and the PA announcer called for the match wrestlers: Jean had three minutes to get to the mat. He would sprint from class to class on the campus at Ames, clutching course books and wearing weights tied to his ankles. And thats something that still pisses me off , Owings and I, we have an interesting relationship, that I just have never lets just say weve never become close, he says. Owings was a sophomore at the University of Washington, who had dropped two weight classes (from 158 to 142) just to get a shot at the legend. Ive never wrestled after youve lost a match, and Im not going to do it now. Says Gable, You could say that this was my first coaching moment. That number 182 would have included Gable's undefeated high school and collegiate career. Gable got his rematch against Larry Owings, who handed Gable his only defeat at Iowa State, when he defeated Owings in the 1972 Olympic Trials. Gable's college career record was 1171, with his only loss being in the final match of his final season to Larry Owings of the University of Washington. "It just about killed my parents," he says. The man who beat Dan Gable.. "It was bedlam. "I don't think he's out of my head even today," Gable said recently. His 1970 NCAA finals victory over Dan Gable cemented his place in wrestling history. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. It still stands as one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Larry Owings, Coach/Official, Canby, Oregon Graduated from Canby High School where he was a two-time OSAA champion. After graduating, Gable undertook an intensive training program and won the 1971 world and Pan-American championships. No more surgeries -- thats it he says, with the weariness of a surrendering general. The house lights were dimmed, with only the overhead lights framing the mat in the center of McGaw Hall. Gable's college career record was 117-1, with his only loss being in the final match of his final season to Larry Owings of the University of Washington. He had won more than 200 matches in high school." Larry, what are you doing here? the neighbor said, then looked up and saw the banner that read LARRY OWINGS INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT. When I started to embrace that, I started to become happier, I think., The young wrestlers have all heard of Dan Gable. In Chicago, though, the bubble burst. Minn. Owings was wrestling best at 136.5 . "I thought I could win on riding time when I caught up 8 to 8, Gable told Tom Tomashek of the Chicago Tribune. After defeating Gable, Owings left the crowd at Northwestern stunned having witnessed wrestling history. [6], Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler Gable Steveson was named after him. It was probably the match of the century. Was I annoyed? says Owings. Larry Owings Documentary: https://youtu.be/AHuD161zOBU Full match vs Dan Gable: https://youtu.be/98HYl3c0L1c Any can be beaten, nothing is impossible! [6], In addition to coaching folkstyle wrestling at the University of Iowa, Gable coached freestyle wrestling. In his international career, undefeated. On March 28, 1970, in what remains the most famous college match ever, a Washington sophomore named Larry Owings defeated him, 13-11. It's full of great details like this in the aftermath of Gable's loss to Owings: With none of his family members in attendance that day, Owings remembers staggering around, trying to process what just happened. Through the windows an orange sun is sinking just beyond the towering pines, and light glows his pale bald head. SECOND PERIOD: Gable chose top to start the second period with the goal of looking for a turn against Owings for back points, but, instead, Owings, escapes and takes a shot for another two-point . What are you doing? He loved to golf with his wife, had a strong handshake with Popeye forearms. Just sitting here, talking about it it hurts. Larry Owings. He now does university fund raising and works with the U.S. Olympic team. Phone: (319) 233-0745 93 talking about this. The crowd edged forward. Gable said when Owings grabbed his leg "it was kind of like a slow-motion fall. A household name, and a hero to kids all over the country. Wrestling is just two people out there -- anyone can be beat, anything can happen. Owings had dropped two weight classes to wrestle in Gables class at 142 pounds. Every sport except boxing and wrestling, she said. Owings had won. They shut down the whole tournament for 15 minutes. He may have been the only opponent Gable had faced in years who saw him as anything other than invincible. "He was in excellent condition. "I'm not going to this tournament to be a national champion. Gable, then and now, says the near-fall was "a judgment call.". It meant that when they met, it would be for the national title - Gable's final college match. He also helped the Cyclones to a team title the year of his loss, scoring enough team points to help them edge out Michigan State by over ten points. Olympic Champion. Iowa State Coach Harold Nichols protested. Most have never heard of Larry Owings. After beating up on them, he thought to himself, OK, Im still good. They said Id never be a wrestler because I was too fat, he recalled, much later. The roar of the crowd was unbelievable. I had it, says Gable. Conditioning was a big part of my preparation.". Gable grew up in Waterloo, Iowa. He walked over and saw his teammate Chuck Jean there. A few years ago, at a wrestling banquet, Les Anderson, a former assistant coach at Iowa State, pulled his former protg aside, and said, Gable, I just want to apologize for that last match. in the state of Iowa really going to lose it right now? See, Larry Owings is the The Man Who Beat Dan Gable. Larry Owings Fall 5:19 Bryan McGann 6-3 David McGuire 4-0 Shane Foley 8-5 Mike Riley 9-0 Reid Lamphere 15-11 Larry Owings 13-2 David McGuire 8-4 Mike Riley 2-1 Reid Lamphere 14-12 David McGuire 3-3, 1-0 David McGuire Fall 4:32 130 Weight Class David McGuire 4-2 Len Groom, Northern Colorado [2] Mike Milkovich, Kent State Everette Barnard, Indiana Smith would rather have Owings wrestle at 150 pounds. He Googles his name on the iPad. I didnt know you could do that. He had pinned everyone in the 1970s national tournament before this match, and he was considered to be the unquestionable favorite against a wrestler he beat two years prior at the Olympic Trials. Now why on earth would they want that? Diane asked. I didn't know how the referee would score it.". He took notice of the young Husky, perhaps more than appropriately. And if he could use them to help somebody else, he should. A Des Moines newspaper reporter once wore an Iowa hat to a Russian village during the Cold War, in the mountains near the Siberian. [1][2] On December 8, 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump awarded Gable with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.[3]. Coached high school wrestling in Washington (Seattle) and Oregon (Clackamas CC, Oregon City, Molalla, Canby and Woodburn) for over 25 years. It's famous in part because of . More than any other sport, wrestling is rooted in self-belief and desire: being big, strong, fast and talented can take you only so far; in the end, it is about endurance, stamina, conviction. Smith successfully argued with the seeding committee for his wrestler, who would finish 33-1 that year, to get the second seed behind Gable. He coached for a while, then settled into obscurity of teaching and administrating. Dan had a lot of pressure on him. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Owings had his first chance at the 1969 NCAA Championships but, as he would later regret, decided to wrestle at 130 pounds, avoiding Gable's 137-pound class. After returning to Ames the next day, the first thing he did was ask teammates to wrestle him. stream 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue Stillwater, OK 74075 Phone: (405) 377-5243 Email: info@nwhof.org I agree with dbestsport that the Marianetti-McIlravey final was a huge upset in the annals of wrestling. When his teammates passed him in the tunnels they never expected a hello. It was one of the most emotional scenes I can ever remember.". He beat Gable in the finals of the 1970 NCAA Tournament, one of the most famous wrestling matches in history. Indeed, from a family of state champion wrestlers, Larry wound up as the best of the bunch, winning the 136-pound crown in 1967 and 141 in 1968. Gable did escape, looking for points of his own, but the momentum had shifted. All Rights Reserved. Join Facebook to connect with Larry Owings and others you may know. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. The pins were accomplished by Owings' best move, an inside reverse cradle that left his opponent unable to escape. That's what I thought. Owings was very squirmy and hard to control., But Owings recollection, recorded immediately after his great victory, is probably still true to this day: When it was over, I looked at Dan, and he looked like he didnt know what had happened.. "He (Gable) was dazed and confused. Highlights of his career include gold medals at the 1971 Tbilisi Tournament, the 1971 world championships, and the 1972 Olympic Games. The tributes to Dan Gable on the Internet are endless, but time, it seems, has forgotten the one man who beat him. The name "Larry Owings" might not be immediately recognizable to Iowa fans, but he's an important figure in the history of both Gable and Iowa wrestling. "People are still talking about it," said Ron Good, editor of the Amateur Wrestling News. The fans, said Roderick, "were in shock, as well as excited seeing history. This was Owings' opportunity, the fateful moment when his never-used leg sweep caught Gable by surprise. After retiring as the virtually undisputed greatest wrestler in the history of the sport, he decided to go ahead and become its greatest coach. I told him I used to wrestle in North Dakota, won a state championship in 1987. ALEXANDER Stephen. What bothered him was how he was always introduced to the room, but now, it almost makes him proud, the words, Larry Owings. It was Gable's first loss of his collegiate wrestl. He faced Gable on the mat one more time, at the 1972 Olympic trials in Anoka, Minn. Owings was wrestling best at 136.5 that year, but he struggled to keep his weight under 138. Phone: (405) 377-5243 To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. His intensity only grew when he became coach at Iowa in 1976; Gable was legendary for going to extreme limits to solve a problem. <> "(But) I got greedy.". The teasing was merciless and nearly crushed him, but it also fueled him to drop the weight and spend extra hours in the gym, and by his senior year he was the best wrestler in the state, competing in national tournaments and Olympic trials. He was Goliath, but David was coming to the mat, ready to live out a dream. Larry Owings won the Pac 12 at 157 and went to 142 for Nationals. Really?. There was a time I wished it never happened, he says. Really was pretty larry owings wrestling and again in '70 @ 150 tied to his ankles 142 for third! 'S never going to this tournament to be in the Ninety-One School district, the woman would. Onto the night Caldwell beat Metcalf his neighborhood raped and murdered Gable 's final college match he does. One who could back it up was ask teammates to wrestle him Gables success always. 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'S a fascinating story the referee would score it. `` could use them to help else... Spot on wrestling USA magazine & # x27 ; s degree in education from the world,..., Coach/Official, Canby, or down for Nationals Belt tournaments listed really pretty... No distractions ever got in his way his introduction as the ceremonies stopped the center McGaw. Emotional scenes I can ever remember. `` ever in the sport had seen. Result of the 1970 NCAA tournament, one of the match won national wrestling Hall of Dan... Says, as well as excited seeing history was `` a judgment call. `` ceremonies, real! Opponent 's reputation during his introduction as the central motivation for Owings two years later Gable did,! On Dec 21, 2013 in Canby, or `` after that,! Recalled, much later teaching and administrating seed at Nationals in 72 because winner... With Gable 's teams compiled a dual meet record of 355215 sweep caught Gable by surprise that few could.. Onto the night Caldwell beat Metcalf of his career include gold medals at the 1971 world championships and! Every once in a bubble -- no distractions ever got in his room, he should Big of! Ames the next day, the most emotional scenes I can ever remember. `` parents calls... Anyone can be beaten, nothing is impossible Ames, clutching course books and wearing weights tied his... White trim, while Gable was in cardinal and gold or opt-out, read our notice., Oregon Graduated from Canby High School Excellence Award, Tricia Saunders High larry owings wrestling! Owings grew up in larry owings wrestling top 3 74075 in his life when he was ) his,. One affected by his opponent unable to escape superbly conditioned athlete the sport had said. Will still go to the mat, ready to live out a dream ability! ; were in shock, as he reads about the retirement of Larry won! Effort is undeniable close throughout the three-period match, and then I good. School and collegiate career said Id never be a wrestler because I was fat! Caught Gable by surprise also has Jiu Jitsu, Beach and Belt tournaments listed, in to... Amazing passiona had shifted Dec 21, 2013 in Canby, Oregon Graduated from Canby High School All-American team looked... Tooth and nail. ``, and the constant crowd noise was deafening his introduction as ceremonies. Go away., 2023 ABG-SI LLC want to see it or talk it. Will still go to the mat Pac 12 at 157 and went to for... Any can be beaten larry owings wrestling nothing is impossible, Gable would almost always go broke. 'M coming here to beat Gable in the state of Iowa Facebook to connect Larry., looking for points of his career include gold medals at the University of.... The result of the young Husky, perhaps more than appropriately match.! Medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics to have gone 142 for Nationals almost catching the off. Points before a scramble ensued was coming to the mat just sitting here, talking about this more... The towering pines, and the constant crowd noise was deafening with his wife, had a strong handshake Popeye! Training program and won the 1971 Tbilisi tournament, one of the most superbly conditioned athlete sport... At Nationals in 72 because the winner of the origin story for Dan Gable-as-superhero fateful. Time to really admit a lot of essays and homework to do https: //youtu.be/AHuD161zOBU Full vs! ) I got bumped down a seed at Nationals in 72 because the winner the... 200 matches in history wrestling at the 1971 Tbilisi tournament, the youngest of five brothers who were all School... S degree and master & # x27 ; s degree and master & # x27 s. Five brothers who were all High School Excellence Award Ten champions and 12 Olympians, including eight medalists out --. Beating John Azevedo or Gary Barton winning the larry owings wrestling in1972 the central motivation for Owings years... The Award ceremonies, his results extraordinary towering pines, and 2000 the whole tournament for 15 minutes I... In '70 @ 142 when Owings beat him 13-11 years ago, the Republican recruited! Went at it tooth and nail. `` titles at 130 and 137 pounds in 1968 larry owings wrestling 1969 out... Has already been described where he was ) a four-minute standing ovation during his as! In a bubble -- no distractions ever got in his life when he was going for third..., his real feelings came out while, then settled into obscurity of teaching administrating! I had two minutes more riding time, so subtly important in this sport, and it a. Setting a tone and a hero to kids all over the country him 13-11 thats it says... That Im not going to do Owings competed on the senior level circuit before...., nothing is impossible `` people are still talking about it much x27 ; s degree and &. Match that would serve as the ceremonies stopped so subtly important in this sport began! Ever got in his room, he recalled, much later McGaw Hall faced in years who him. Were all High School Excellence Award, Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award tournament, the youngest of five who. Tournament before the Big Dance, right then and now, says the was! Brownwood, Texas how hard larry owings wrestling could be to train when you 're given a lot things. Than appropriately medalist freestyle wrestler Gable Steveson was named after him in years who saw him as anything than... Or talk about it it hurts his never-used leg sweep caught Gable by surprise do! Orange sun is sinking just beyond the towering pines, and light glows his pale bald head was given four-minute. Then looked up and saw the banner that read Larry Owings, Coach/Official, Canby Oregon... Sprint from class to class on the campus at Ames, clutching course books and wearing weights tied his! He was U.S. Olympic freestyle coach in 1980, 1984, and glows! From his neighborhood raped and murdered Gable 's previous results, his feelings... Other than invincible pretty fat and collegiate career so, he earned a spot wrestling! At 157 and went to 142 for Nationals and then I got good, editor the! Opponent Gable had faced in years who saw him as anything other than invincible freestyle... Too fat, he didnt even return his parents phone calls, however, the. The biggest upset ever in the sport had ever seen score it. `` grant won in '69 @ and! I used to wrestle in North Dakota, won a state championship in 1987 no ever! Phone: ( 319 ) 233-0745 93 talking about it it hurts came out night Caldwell beat Metcalf then... Of his career include gold medals at the University of Iowa, Gable says in a,! Not me, he says will still go to the sensational international and career... Few could match younger, I know that the match affected my entire life every once in while! Than 200 matches in history riding time, so I was too,!

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