When Dan Gable launched his Iowa Hawkeyes on a string of nine consecutive NCAA championships in 1978, Ed Banach was just wrapping up a brilliant high school career. Before the Iowa string had ended, Banach had become a key element in wrestling's newest dynasty.

Not only did the one-two punch provided by Ed and twin brother Lou lift Iowa wrestling to new heights of achievement and excitement, it also gave the USA a double harvest of gold medals in the 1984 Olympics.

Ed Banach, nicknamed "The Horse," was a thoroughbred in all respects. His career record of 141 victories, nine defeats and one tie, sent him to the NCAA finals four times. He won three national championships at 177 and 190 pounds, but his bid for an unprecedented fourth was blocked in his junior year by another 1984 Olympic gold medalist, Mark Schultz of Oklahoma.

Ed responded by winning his fourth Big Ten Conference crown, and was honored as Big Ten all-sports athlete of the year after capturing his third national crown. He was undefeated in conference dual meets and tournaments all four seasons, and won the Midlands three times. He was a member of the 1983 World team and a silver medalist in the 1984 World Cup. In Los Angeles, he was overwhelming at 198 pounds with a 48-second fall and four decisions with an average score of 13 points.

Raised by foster parents in Port Jervis, New York, Ed, Lou and older brother Steve got a late start in wrestling, but soon took their places among the elite. Ed posted a 97-8 record and won a state high school title in 1978. After his collegiate and Olympic career, he entered coaching briefly as an assistant at Iowa State, and was recognized as assistant coach of the year when the Cyclones won the NCAA title in 1987. But he soon left coaching to concentrate on academic counseling.

As an extraordinary athlete, and a positive role model for the youth of our land, Edward Joseph Banach is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.