In the days afterward he shut himself from the world. His 1970 NCAA finals victory over Dan Gable cemented his place in wrestling history. When Larry was on his high school team, the coach used to joke that he was so slow that theyd have to drive pegs into the mat to see if hes still moving. Gable had an undefeated high school wrestling career. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Larry Owens (born January 8, 1983) is an American professional basketball player. If you need a little weekend reading, friends, you could do worse -- a lot worse -- thanthis compelling profile by Sports Illustrated's Albert Chen on Dan Gable and Larry Owings, two men whose histories are inextricably intertwined. "I don't think he's out of my head even today," Gable said recently. After returning to Ames the next day, the first thing he did was ask teammates to wrestle him. He's an icon, a champion and the face of the sport. I gave it everything I had.. He growls, What I dont understand, and what still pisses me, off is that how, I did not get up properly for the biggest match of the year. After losing 20 pounds and growing several inches, nobody believed he couldn't be a wrestler anymore. It has to be in the top five here. He wrestled Gable one more time, in the 1972 Olympic Trials, losing 7-1. CACCAMO Rita. His gig was always that he was going to out condition people, says Owings. [6], In addition to coaching folkstyle wrestling at the University of Iowa, Gable coached freestyle wrestling. Gable grew up in Waterloo, Iowa. Grant went up, Owings went. He was going for his third title at 142 pounds, and virtually everyone thought he was a lock. Perri brought the two wrestlers back with 17 seconds left for a final grab-and-hold. 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. Gable, then and now, says the near-fall was "a judgment call.". Every once in a while now Owings will still go to the mat. Grant won in '69 @ 145 and again in '70 @ 150. In Chicago, though, the bubble burst. It was close throughout the three-period match, and the constant crowd noise was deafening. "When I got to the tournament, I still felt fine - that I could win and do everything I thought I could do," Gable said. However, Gable had to deal with more distractions than Owings. Check out the highlights. His one collegiate loss, however, has become the most famous match from his wrestling tenure in his final match. It had a tremendous impact on my entire coaching career.". It was quite the pedigree, but no one expected the same from Larry, for one simple reason. 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). While the result of the match against Owings was unusual, in comparison with Gable's previous results, his effort is undeniable. Waterloo, Iowa 50701 Smith would rather have Owings wrestle at 150 pounds. Im emotional about it because theres still a lot of meaning Gable told SI.com in 2014. Im emotional about it. Graduated from Canby High School where he was a two-time OSAA champion. 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. 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. 0@f@b'>dnk;k2 E\ 5EFsmdm9_-3uyKfmp}Mv$F+\ 8PBMvZ4li-miLbccx*kj3 j CL# ^3>=@aW6F(qmDCL4*@u|hw-fTy-[pal{5@V 08Nl+FNt@@*eF$~1H*UXj1(B`xfLE!HsZm!| I told him I used to wrestle in North Dakota, won a state championship in 1987. "I knew who he was," Owings said, somewhat disingenuously. He took notice of the young Husky, perhaps more than appropriately. % The wrestler would go on to win a national championship. It still stands as one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Owings at that moment pulled off a move that hed never done in a match: a leg sweep that caught Gable by surprise and dropped him down to the mat -- as Gable fell, he felt like he was going down in slow motion. Gable was the head coach of three Olympic teams and six world teams. 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. [6], From 1971 to 1973, Gable competed internationally in freestyle wrestling. Highlights of his career include gold medals at the 1971 Tbilisi Tournament, the 1971 world championships, and the 1972 Olympic Games. Desperation is something that brings out unusual things," Gable said. Gable said when Owings grabbed his leg "it was kind of like a slow-motion fall. So I went up to 149, he says, and I told myself that hed beat me, and everybody will leave me alone. It was not a contest: Gable won 7-1. Gable loves telling the story of how he once had a freshman wrestler on his team who faded at the end of matches; to build up the wrestlers mental toughness, Gable drove would drive the wrestler 10 miles out of town a several times a week after practices, and had the freshman run all the way back to campus as Gable followed him in his car. He was driven. Owings strategy in the match was his strategy in all his others: to wear out the other guy; he was, in short, going to out Gable Gable. Smith successfully argued with the seeding committee for his wrestler, who would finish 33-1 that year, to get the second seed behind Gable. Owings had won. Earned bachelor's degree and master's degree in education from the University of Washington. This was where Owings wanted to be, on the mat in the middle of the action. I seem to remember hearing or reading once that Owings wrestled all season at another weight class, but bumped down to 142 just for the Big Dance. Email: dgmstaff@nwhof.org. 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. Dan Gable height is 5 Feet 9 Inches. 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 Gables obsession with preparation and routine was already legendary; the stories are almost outlandish -- but they are all true. Larry, what are you doing here? the neighbor said, then looked up and saw the banner that read LARRY OWINGS INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT. He said he "coached some wrestling ". It made him want another crack at the legend, but he wouldnt have a chance until that final round of the 1970 national championship at the Northwestern University fieldhouse in Evanston, Ill. It doesn't matter that it's been 30 years. Then, one night about 10 years ago, he had an epiphany, which he believes came from God. With none of his family members in attendance that day, Owings remembers staggering around, trying to process what just happened. Its been 17 years since he coached his last match, but his life still revolves around wrestling and fixing problems within in the sport, both small and big, from the new freshman at the university who needs a kick in the butt to the sports very survival -- last year, after the International Olympic Committee dropped wrestling as one of its core sports in February 2013, Gable made it a personal crusade to have it reinstated. No one had ever said something that, at least no one who could back it up. They haven't talked to each other since. "I was almost embarrassed to have won," he says. "It was an indication," Gerald said, "that Gable was taking him real seriously. Darrell Keller, Oklahoma State DEC Larry Owings, Washington, 16-12 150 lbs Stan Dziedzic, Slippery Rock DEC Jay Arneson, Oklahoma . 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. 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. But Dan Gable, of course, is so much more than one result. Larry Owings - Washington (1969 - 1972) 1-time NCAA Champion High School: Canby, Oregon That number 182 would have included Gable's undefeated high school and collegiate career. Looking at the photo now, Gable says, I felt -- I feel -- like I let everyone down. After Gable received his second place trophy, there was a loud ovation in the hall that stretched on for minutes, until one of Gables teammates approached him and said, Gable, lift up your head. Maybe Larry Owings is the only thing that is keeping that part of him alive. Stillwater, OK 74075 But Owings honestly believed he could beat him. Help us build a sustainable news organization to serve Canby for generations to come! Danny Mack Gable (born October 25, 1948) is an American former folkstyle and freestyle wrestler and coach. When Owings arrived, the mind games, so subtly important in this sport, began. He even had the honor of facing Dan Gable, then a sophomore at Iowa State and already a national champion. I cant remember anything that happened in the last 40 seconds and when I looked up at the scoreboard and saw he led 13 to 9, I couldnt believe it.. On March 28, 1970, in what remains the most famous college match ever, a Washington sophomore named Larry Owings defeated him, 13-11. Here is Larry Owings: sitting at his dining room table in his modest house in the Oregon countryside, 30 miles outside of Portland, on a May afternoon. They said Id never be a wrestler because I was too fat, he recalled, much later. 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 night's final match, and the PA announcer called for the match wrestlers: Jean had three minutes to get to the mat. Dan Gable was and is a god among men in the world of amateur wrestling. 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. Not only did Owings show incredible confidence in the style he wrestled Gable, he was shrewd in moving down a weight class and avoiding the one wrestler who beat him that season: Mike Grant of Oklahoma. But now he is about to try. He wasn't stalling on top, but he wasn't earning any additional points either. In his senior season at Iowa State, Gable lost the only match of his amateur wrestling career to Larry Owingsa sophomore from the University of Washingtonin the NCAA 142-pound national championship. And that was it, he says. Owings nearly escaped, but Gabled rolled him around and nearly put him on his back before Owings persistence paid off and he earned the escape point. Gambling problem? With 17 seconds left, Owings was ahead 13-11. "It just about killed my parents," he says. Owings started to lose his headgear, as Gable worked him from the top position; unfazed, Owings battled, finally securing the escape and notching a point only to immediately be taken down again by Gable. From 117-0 to 117-1. Michael Jordan is the Dan Gable of basketball, a sportswriter once said. Phone: (405) 377-5243 In 1991, Gable was awarded with the Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award by Cauliflower Alley Club. Gable asked Jean as he stood there under the water. The match at Northwestern had its impact on both wrestlers. 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue Stillwater, OK 74075 Phone: (405) 377-5243 Email: info@nwhof.org The two met in the finals of the 1970 NCAA wrestling championship. 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. Only one man who ever lived can say he beat Dan Gable, and that man is 1968 Canby Union High School grad Larry Owings. 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. Great article, Mark, thanks. 1971 NCAA University Division Wrestling Championships; Tournament information; Sport: College wrestling: Location: Auburn, Alabama: Dates: March 25, 1971-March 27, 1971: Host(s) Auburn University: . It was a name I had not come across too much ahead of time, but I began paying more attention to him. This site also has Jiu Jitsu, Beach and Belt tournaments listed. In his international career, undefeated. Where Are They Now: Catching up with Cubs legend Ernie Banks. It's also a worthwhile read to find out more about Owings, who was an interesting figure in his own right. Iowa State had won the national team championship, but Gable's loss dominated the headlines. World Champion", "Named for an icon, Gable Steveson becomes a legend in his own right", "Where are they Now: Catching up with Dan Gable and Larry Owings", Website of film 'Catch: the hold not taken', Gable's wins and losses between the years 1963 and 1973, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dan_Gable&oldid=1134702764, Chen, Albert. 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. >ZY&k>.w6jI.E]^`OUF2X28U2EaI<5^F:+}TskfpjSiC)s5:V\4jgU3[[8?&JzK'[Iz)MHeqk}\"/y fd8< iqNHh|@bLM(uE'+8 ANqWR%T]t?s6S(t.yuzw,eb`WV(^Q*DYnuQuXUvWy1 kNV*)?I'lf}(+2_{^i|Dd$wIZ)E5AR a5SysmZ5o=~atjtlINH9[fy:y Gable was in the locker room when he heard the water running in the shower. Im emotional about it. I told him he had to get out there. Jean made it out just in time; he won the match, and the national title. The promo never ran. His results were extraordinary. He coached 152 all-Americans, 45 national champions, 106 Big Ten Champions and 12 Olympians, including eight medalists. He also has a museum named for him in his hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, part of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Gable was told Owings' comment and said he didn't realize the infamous leg sweep was not a practiced move. And then I got greedy. Gable had pinned an astonishing 70 percent of his opponents entering the final, and now he determined to pin Owings to close out his collegiate career. Facebook gives people the power to. 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue Stillwater, OK 74075 Phone: (405) 377-5243 Email: info@nwhof.org During the award ceremonies, his real feelings came out. "He (Gable) was dazed and confused. "It was my mom's worst fear." In the days afterward he shut himself from the world. An escape from Owings gave the Washington wrestler the lead, even after Gable pushed his riding time up over a minute, symbolically tying the match with time to go, but Owings wasnt done. As for Owings, people did not leave him alone. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). As did one summer before high school, where he went to work for a Norwegian dairy farmer who had him hauling hay bales from dawn to dusk. v%NoBPXw By the end of the second period, Owings had stretched the lead to 7-2 and the crowd was hysterical. ,Bk*+P2S` (fTrcSo NY]XX+%[w R&]_O!-(%z2R Er= de DHN"q)^P#o6Cx$%{s'1|zV9 Iowa shocked college baseball on Saturday, dominating top-ranked LSU 12-4 in the Karbach Round Rock Classic. They made up songs about me and teased me unmercifully.. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. How Tall Is Dan Gable? Conditioning was a big part of my preparation.". The atmosphere was electric, though what everyone had expected -- what ABC had come for -- was a coronation, not a competition. His days now are spent talking -- talking on stages and in boardrooms across the country on the speaking circuit; talking to millionaires over dinners to raise money for a sport hes trying to save; talking to strangers who still worship him like a god -- here in Iowa there are, at latest count, three bronze statues of him in the state. Im not going out there, Jean said. I'm coming here to beat Gable," he was quoted. After defeating Gable, Owings left the crowd at Northwestern stunned having witnessed wrestling history. BRENNAN Stacy. There was a time I wished it never happened, he says. I know a good way for a sportsman to get rid of it. He noticed that the UW wrestler was making "all kinds of mistakes but still ended up pinning his opponent." I told him he had to get out there." It was a decision the Chicago Daily News writer Bill Jauss said made him either the bravest or dumbest guy in amateur wrestling. 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