Wiltz

August 06. 2008 10:10PM
Back home, Iowa grapplers rooting for coach
By K.J. Pilcher

The Gazette
kj.pilcher@gazettecommunications.com

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pb...82/1008/sports


(Jonathan D. Woods/The Gazette)
Doug Schwab practices with Daniel Dennis in the Carver-Hawkeye Arena wrestling room Monday in Iowa City. Schwab will wrestle in the Olympic Games this month in Beijing.


IOWA CITY — As Doug Schwab eyes an Olympic medal, many eyes back home will be fixed on his performance.

Schwab, a state champion at Osage and national champion at the University of Iowa, served as an interim assistant coach last year for the Hawkeyes and is a member of the United States freestyle team. He will wrestle at 145.5 pounds in the Olympic Games this month.

Iowa freshmen Matt McDonough from Linn-Mar and Nate Moore, a four-time finalist and two-time champ at Iowa City West, have a special interest in Schwab. He is expected to be their personal coach.

"I'm going to be watching whenever it's on TV or follow it on the Internet," said McDonough, a three-time state champion from Linn-Mar. "I'm pumped for him."

Iowa Coach Tom Brands won an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta in 1996. Now, Schwab's performance in Beijing could influence recruits for years.

"I don't ever remember (Brands) competing. I just know about him winning a gold medal," McDonough said. "It does hit me as close to home (as Schwab)."

Iowa City West standout Derek St. John recently committed to Iowa. Having Olympians on staff helped sway his decision.

"It shows they're not just planning on national titles," St. John said. "They're planning on carrying the (wrestlers') careers forward and winning world and Olympic titles. That's definitely a selling point. It shows they're committed to what they do."

There is no professional level to reach in wrestling; the Olympics mark the sports apex. Many talented wrestlers enter college with aspirations of reaching that level of competition, and an opportunity to learn from coaches with that experience is hard to pass up.

"It has to bring a lot of attention," Moore said. "You have someone wrestling at the top level in the world. Why wouldn't you want to come and wrestle for him. I think it's pretty sweet. Definitely someone to look up to. Somebody you can believe what they're saying and know what they're talking about."

Schwab and Olympic alternate Mike Zadick have been helped by Hawkeye wrestlers. Dan LeClere and Daniel Dennis served as workout partners Monday, and national runner-up Joey Slaton also has helped.

"These guys are part of it," Brands said. "Coaches coach, wrestlers get ready ... and workout partners sharpen you by being tough."

n Contact the writer: (319) 368-8679 or kj.pilcher@gazcomm.com

__________________
"He quits, not because he wants to, but because he has to. He has no choice.
" -Tom Brands 01/20/08