Clarke wrestling celebrates end of era

Shortly after the Clarke wrestling team put the finishing touches on a 55-20 dual meet win over Davis County Thursday night in Osceola, long-time head coach Rod Gall was honored for 24 great years of service to the school he once competed for.

Gall will hang up his whistle when the season comes to a close for the Indians. The final chapter in the Clarke Community High School gym was written Thursday.

The 1994-95 Class 2A Coach of the Year may have seemed embarrassed on the outside by the balloons and standing ovation, but on the inside, he was beaming.

"It was nice to be recognized. And it was fun to see a lot of former wrestlers and wrestling parents there" he said. "I need to thank Chris Deam for getting that rolling. He made it a good night."

Deam, the current Athletic Director at Clarke and a former assistant coach under Gall for eight seasons, said there are plenty of reasons why Gall was successful and a pleasure to work alongside.

"There's a lot I liked about working with Rod. He told it the way it was and didn't pull any punches," Deam said. "And as a new coach coming in, I loved how open he was to new ideas and new ways to do things.

"And he is so respected in the area. What better experience is there than to coach with a guy who was Coach of the Year?"

Deam added that Gall may have saved the team a few penalty points for having a sharp eye and a strong grip.

"He knew when to grab my shirt when I was going out there to say something to an official. It's like he anticipated it," Deam joked.

The record speaks for itself. A career dual record of 242-109-2, which includes a perfect 13-0 record in the 1993-94 season and a school record 17 wins in 1994-95. That season, the Indians also had a record six State qualifiers, six tournament victories and finished third at the Class 2A State Tournament. In the mid-90s, the Indians had a 34-dual win streak.

In 24 years of coaching, Gall sent xx wrestlers to the State Tournament. Sixteen of them won a combined 21 medals, including two-time State champ Brian Reece and State champ Tom Van Dyke. Four other Indians reached the finals under Gall and earned silver medals.

Reece was one of several former Indian wrestlers who showed up to help celebrate the special night with Gall. The only two-time State champ in Clarke history was unbeaten his final two seasons.

"There was something about Brian Reece that whenever he stepped onto the mat I knew he was going to win. I was never nervous. I haven't had that feeling before or since," Gall said.

But is Reece the best wrestler Gall had the pleasure of coaching?

"Brian may have been the most dedicated kid I had, but may not have been the most talented. There were a lot of great kids who came through the program," Gall said. "It's hard to say, because circumstances are different every year. There are just so many, I hate to say one is the best I ever coached."

So did Gall think about any of those successes and former wrestlers during Thursday night's final home meet?

"Not during the meet. I was trying to concentrate on the matches," he said. "When the meet was over it sunk in that it was the last dual meet. Feelings that I might miss it next year."

During the past 24 seasons, there have been plenty of wins in the home gym for Gall. But there is one in particular that stands out.

"Back in the 94-95 season, beating Winterset here, 36-30, in a standing-room-only gym. There was no place for anyone else to sit," he said. "That was when Winterset was number one and we beat them on our floor."

And while the meets are what everyone from the outside sees, Gall said what he will miss most happens in the practice room.

"What I'm not going to miss are bus rides. I wish I had a dime for every bus ride," he said. "I'm going to miss the camaraderie with the kids at practice. I'm going to miss practices more than meets, because I really enjoy teaching."

Gall said the next Clarke coach will have his blessing and he will try to help with the transition, if asked. But he already knows what he will be doing at home meets in the future.

"Whoever takes it over next year, it's going to be their baby and their program. I would like to come in and watch practice and help out if I can, but I'm not going to step on anyone's toes," he said. "But when it comes meet time, I'm going to buy a bag of popcorn and watch from the stands."