In the midst of Iowa's string of nine consecutive NCAA championships, Hawkeye fans rocked the arena by greeting their heavyweight with thunderous chants of Lou ... Lou ... Lou! Although he seldom weighed more than 210 pounds, Lou Banach overpowered behemoths more than twice his weight.

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

Banach was a two-time NCAA champion at Iowa, 1981 and '83, and a three-time All-American, placing third as a junior. He and Ed helped coach Dan Gable establish a new collegiate wrestling dynasty.

Lou was a state high school champion at Port Jervis, N.Y., and won two Big Ten titles with a collegiate career record of 90-14-2. His first trip to the NCAA finals ended in victory by a fall over Bruce Baumgartner, who became an American legend in World and Olympic competition.

At home in the 220-pound class of international wrestling, Lou won the Olympic title at Los Angeles with four falls-each in the first two minutes-and an 11-1 decision (the only point scored against him). The final, against an American competing for Syria, lasted 61 seconds.

After serving as an assistant coach at West Point during four years of military service, and later on the staff at Penn State, Banach became a banking executive in Wisconsin while operating a part-time business promoting wrestling through clinics, posters and sports cards.

Raised by foster parents, Lou, Ed and older brother Steve got a late start in wrestling, but soon took their places among the elite. Lou posted a 65-2 record and won the state high school title in 1977. Pride, determination and a strong work ethic were the foundation of his athletic skills.

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