Dan Gable and Jim Miller Attend Second Annual Battle at the Boman
By: Joseph Halverson
This past Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, Waldorf Men’s Wrestling competed in the second annual Battle at the Boman, attended by notable wrestling coaches Dan Gable and Jim Miller.
This event came after last year’s (2022) first ever Battle at the Boman, which was an idea Waldorf Wrestling Head Coach Ryan Dickinson derived from Virginia Tech Wrestling.
Waldorf’s second ever wrestling match in the Boman Fine Arts Center came against conference opponent Iowa Wesleyan. Waldorf fell to the Iowa Wesleyan Tigers by a team score of 24-14.
In attendance for Wednesday’s Battle at the Boman was distinguished coaches Dan Gable and Jim Miller. Both with national honors collegiately.
Dan Gable won two national championships at Iowa State at 130 lbs. and 137 lbs., a gold medal at the 1972 Munich Games at 68 kg, and 15 NCAA Division 1 national championships as a head coach at The University of Iowa.
Jim Miller won two NCAA Division 2 national championships at The University of Northern Iowa in 1974 and 1975; Miller went on to coach at Wartburg where he won seven NCAA Division 3 national championships as a head coach.
Dan Gable and Jim Miller gave a short speech after the event was finished. Gable and Miller also announced the winners of the silent auction held after which included a signed singlet and signed print.
Waldorf senior Morgan Dostal was in attendance for Waldorf’s Battle at the Boman.
“I really like this event,” Dostal said. “It was awesome the first year and this year did not let down my expectations. I think it is awesome that the school is able to have an event this unique when it is such as small school.”
Waldorf Athletics required all teams to attend this event last year.
“The attendance was still outstanding this year,” Dostal said. “This is probably one of the most attended events the school has for athletics. I just wish more people would’ve stayed for Gable and Miller’s speech since they are so iconic in wrestling and the state of Iowa.”
Waldorf is likely to hold this event again next year and for years to come.