Ed Banach

February 06, 1960 - Present

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.

Awards:

Year
2002
Award
Glen Brand Inductee
Chapter/Region
National
Year
1993
Award
Distinguished Member
Chapter/Region
National

All American Awards:

Season
1983
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
190
Place
1
Season
1982
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
177
Place
2
Season
1981
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
177
Place
1
Season
1980
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
177
Place
1

College Season Records:

Season
1983
School
Iowa
Class
Senior
Bouts
37
Wins
34
Losses
3
Ties
0
Falls
22
Win PCT.
91.89
Place
1st
Season
1982
School
Iowa
Class
Junior
Bouts
34
Wins
31
Losses
2
Ties
1
Falls
19
Win PCT.
91.18
Place
2nd
Season
1981
School
Iowa
Class
Sophomore
Bouts
36
Wins
35
Losses
1
Ties
0
Falls
16
Win PCT.
97.22
Place
1st
Season
1980
School
Iowa
Class
Freshman
Bouts
44
Wins
41
Losses
3
Ties
0
Falls
16
Win PCT.
93.18
Place
1st
Season
Career
Bouts
151
Wins
141
Losses
9
Ties
1
Falls
73
Win PCT.
93.38

All Rankings:

Season
1982
Rank Date
11/21/1981
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1982
Rank Date
12/14/1981
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1982
Rank Date
12/31/1981
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1982
Rank Date
01/18/1982
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1982
Rank Date
01/31/1982
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1982
Rank Date
03/13/1982
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1981
Rank Date
11/17/1980
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1981
Rank Date
03/12/1981
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1980
Rank Date
03/15/1980
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Iowa

Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations