Listening to legends: Mark Schultz, Stan Henson

June 25, 4:22 PMCollege Wrestling ExaminerMark Palmer

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Dave (left) and Mark Schultz comparing medals at 1984 Los Angeles
Olympics (Photo/www.MarkSchultz.com)
 

Wrestling is the oldest and greatest sport… but, sadly, too many wrestlers, coaches and fans are clueless about its rich history, and those who wrote it on the mats. For example, for too many folks, Hodge is a name on a trophy; they have no idea about Dan Hodge as a wrestler or a genuinely great guy.

I’m old enough to have remembered watching THE epic upset of college wrestling – Larry Owings defeating Dan Gable in the 142-pound finals at the 1970 NCAAs – on tape-delay on ABC TV’s Wide World of Sports. I’m also old enough to have been stunned by an online poll a few years ago – “Who’s better: Gable or ______ (a high school superstar at the time)?” Let’s say that the 1972 Olympic gold medalist and coaching legend was getting teched by someone who had yet to win an NCAA title.

It’s critically important for all of us in the wrestling community to have an understanding of the past – and an appreciation for those who accomplished so much. That’s why, when someone takes the time to interview two legends of previous generations, it’s time to let the world know about it.

This week, Wrestling 411’s Kyle Klingman interviewed two all-time greats of two different eras: Mark Schultz, a superstar of the 1980s… and Stanley Henson, named “Amateur Wrestler of the Decade – 1930s” by Amateur Wrestling News magazine.
 

No, this is NOT a photo of Stan Henson as a professional
wrestler. During his career at Oklahoma State in the late
1930s, the Cowboys wrestled in roped-off rings (like we
think of for pro wrestling), wearing wool trunks, no shirts.
(This was before today's singlets.) (Photo/1939 Gallagher
Hall dedication program)
 

Mark Schultz. You may only know Mark Philip Schultz as the younger brother of the late Dave Schultz… but Mark had an impressive wrestling resume all his own. He was a three-time NCAA champ for the University of Oklahoma Sooners (1981 at 167 pounds; 1982-1983 at 177; Outstanding Wrestler at 1982 NCAAs)… a three-time World and Olympic champion, claiming the gold in freestyle at 84 kg at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics… and a 1995 inductee into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

In his recent Wrestling 411 interview, Mark Schultz talked about some of his great rivals: Ed Banach, Mike DeAnna and Duane Goldman of the University of Iowa… Mike Sheets of Oklahoma State… and Perry Hummel of Iowa State. Schultz also discusses other greats who wrestled in his weight class and how he got started in mixed martial arts. 


Stan Henson. A number of wrestling historians consider Oklahoma State Cowboy wrestler Stanley Willard Henson, Jr. to be one of the greatest college wrestlers of all time… and for good reason. He was a two-time Oklahoma high school state champ for Tulsa Central (coached by future Oklahoma State coach Art Griffith)… and a three-time NCAA champ for another coaching legend, Ed Gallagher, winning the 145-pound title in 1937 and 1938… and the 155 crown in 1939. He was the first sophomore to earn NCAA Outstanding Wrestler honors, in 1937. In three years of college competition, he lost just one match. (This was back when freshman could not compete intercollegiately.)  Henson was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in its inaugural class in 1976.

In a fascinating Wrestling 411 interview, a 92-year-old Henson recalls in vivid detail some of the highlights of his amateur wrestling career – along with that one heartbreaking loss. He also talks about his career as a surgeon and as a sports medicine pioneer.

Resources 

InterMat profile on Henson's college coach Ed Gallagher

InterMat historical articles on vintage wrestling rings, rules and uniforms and old-school wrestling strategy