[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 73 (Monday, May 5, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E817-E818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYES WRESTLING TEAM ON 
   WINNING THE 2008 NCAA DIVISION I NATIONAL WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DAVID LOEBSACK

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2008

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an amazing 
team from the 2nd District of Iowa, which I represent. I'm proud to 
stand before my colleagues today and commend the University of Iowa 
Hawkeyes wrestling team for winning the 2008 NCAA Division I National 
Wrestling Championship. As many wrestling fans know, the University of 
Iowa has a celebrated history of exemplary wrestlers and coaches that 
have allowed the University of Iowa, the city of Iowa City, and the 
entire State of Iowa to boast numerous Big Ten Titles and NCAA 
championships.
  In total, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team has won 32 
Big Ten Conference Championships, and since 1975, a total of 21 NCAA 
Division I National Wrestling Championships. The current team has kept 
the Hawkeye record strong and it's my privilege to congratulate them on 
the 32nd Big Ten Title and 21st national championship for the school.
  The University of Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team is led by Head Coach 
Tom Brands who, in addition to this championship win, was named Big Ten 
Coach of the Year and the National Wrestling Coaches Association Coach 
of the Year. Under Coach Brands' leadership, along with his assistants 
and strength coaches, the team also had two individual national 
champions.
  Mark Perry won his second national title while overcoming a knee 
injury during his match, and was also awarded his fourth all-American 
honor. Brent Metcalf won his first national title. He was also awarded 
his first all-American honor, the Dan Hodge Trophy, was named as the 
Big Ten Wrestler of the Year, was crowned a Big Ten Champion, finished 
the season with a 32-match winning streak, was named Outstanding 
Wrestler at the NCAA and Big Ten Championships, and was named 
Outstanding Wrestler at the Division I NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. 
Including the two individual national champions, the team had a total 
of seven all-Americans and six Academic All-Big Ten wrestlers.
  With the wrestling program starting in 1911, the current University 
of Iowa Hawkeyes Wrestling Team has built upon past successes to 
continue the teams and schools winning tradition. As wrestling fans 
know, much of this

[[Page E818]]

past success was made possible by the leadership of former head coach, 
and Olympic Gold Medalist, Dan Gable, who continues to provide guidance 
and leadership to the program.
  Congratulations to the entire University of Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling 
team, the University of Iowa, the city of Iowa City, and to my home 
State of Iowa for this great victory.

                          ____________________