This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Barry Davis and Joe Russell, two of this year's honorees.
Davis will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member after a successful international and college career. In 1984 he won a silver medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif., and was a two-time World medallist in 1986 & '87.
While competing for the University of Iowa Davis became a three-time NCAA champion and four-time All-American. He was also a four-time Big Ten champion and holds the record for the most wins (162) in school history. Davis currently serves as the head wrestling coach at the Univ. of Wisconsin.
Russell will receive the Medal of Courage, an award presented annually to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges, which may be physical, mental or other handicaps that make his or her achievements all the more uplifting.
While in high school Russell was one of the top wrestlers in the nation, winning two state titles and earning a 90-1 record through his junior year at Gresham High School in Oregon. Russell won major competitions such as the Junior Nationals and the Espoir Nationals, and competed on U.S. Schoolboy and Espoir World Teams. While still in high school, Russell earned national rankings in Greco-Roman on the senior level.
During high school Russell was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident that led to numerous injuries. Despite his limitations, Russell still competed at the University of Minnesota as a wrestler and is now an assistant coach under head coach J Robinson.
"On the Mat" is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday night. This week's broadcast can be heard live from 6-7 p.m. Central Standard Time. The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, hosts the show.
"On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.
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