Barry Davis (amateur wrestler)

Barry Davis (born September 17 1961, is an Olympic silver medalist and World champion medalist in freestyle wrestling. Since 1994, he has served as head wrestling coach at the University of Wisconsin.

Early life

Davis was born to Elmer and Carol Davis, and grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He credits the support and work ethic of his parents as contributing to his drive to succeed in athletics. Davis attended Cedar Rapids Prairie High School, where he was a three-time state wrestling champion (the second individual from the Cedar Rapids metro area to achieve that distinction), and earned a career prep record of 102-6-1.

College career

At the University of Iowa, Davis wrestled on coach Dan Gable's team. During his college career, Davis was a four-time NCAA Division I all-American, and a three-time Division I champion wrestler. He was named NCAA Outstanding Wrestler in 1985, and Big Ten Athlete of the Year, the same year. Barry Davis' career record at Iowa was 162-9-1. As of 2007, he contines to hold University of Iowa records for season victories (46 in 1982), and career victories (162).

International competition

Davis was champion in freestyle wrestling (125.4 lbs) at the 1983 Pan American Games, and a member of the 1983 U.S. World wrestling team. In 1984, he took a redlist year from college athletics, to compete on the 1984 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team, taking a silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Davis competed in World championships again in 1986 and 1987, earning a bronze medal and a silver, respectively. In 1988 he was once more a member of the U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team, but did not earn a medal.

Coaching career

Barry Davis served as graduate assistant coach at the University of Iowa from 1986-1987, and as assistant coach from 1988-1992. In 1992, he attempted a third-time membership in the U.S. Olympic team, but did not achieve a place on the team. Davis has been head wrestling coach at the University of Wisconsin since 1984. Davis was married to Nan Doak in 1988; Nan, also a University of Iowa alum, is a former NCAA champion distance runner.

Athletic achievements

* Three time Iowa state high school champion in wrestling
* 1982 NCAA Division I Champion, 118 lb class
* Two-time NCAA Division I Champion, 126 lb class (1983, 1985)
* 1983 Pan American Games champion, freestyle, 125.4 lbs
* 1983 Member of U.S. World wrestling team
* Four-time NCAA Division I all-American
* 1984 Olympic silver medalist, 125.5 lbs
* 1985 Big Ten Athlete of the Year
* 1985 NCAA Championships Outstanding Wrestler
* 1986 World championship bronze medalist, 125.4 lbs
* 1987 World championship silver medalist, 125.4 lbs
* 1988 Member of U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team

Recognition

* Davis is a member of the National Iowa Varsity Club's Athletic Hall of Fame, inducted in 1998.
* In June, 2007, Barry Davis was inducted as a Distinguished Member, into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

See also

* Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling

Sources

*

External links

* [http://www.databaseolympics.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=DAVISBAR01 Barry Davis] at databaseOlympics.com
* [http://www.ncaasports.com/wrestling/mens/history/divi-ind Division 1 Individual Wrestling Championships] at NCAA.com
* [http://www.themat.com/index.php?page=showarticle&ArticleID=15916 Barry Davis elected as Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070731/SPORTS0205/707310408/0/SPORTS11&template=printart Nan Doak-Davis and Barry Davis] article from the Des Moines register