{"product_id":"a-season-on-the-mat-dan-gable-and-the-pursuit-of-perfection-9780684847870","title":"A Season on the Mat: Dan Gable and the Pursuit of Perfection","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor the past twenty-one years  Dan Gables Iowa Hawkeyes have dominated wrestling to an extent rarely seen in any sport. In A Season on the Mat  award-winning reporter Nolan Zavoral explores Iowas storied wrestling program and Gables record of excellence in an unprecedented  intimate look at the man and his methods. As Gable approached the 1996-1997 season  he was a mere shell of his usual  vigorous self. A dozen back and knee surgeries had reduced his proud athletes walk to that of a stooped  shambling old man. A Season on the Mat chronicles this dramatic season  in which Gable led his team - far from his most talented - to the national title. Zavoral takes the reader behind the scenes  into the stifling heat of the wrestling room where young men from places like Rock Falls  Iowa  or Philip  South Dakota  sacrifice everything they have just to be a part of the Hawkeye program. We watch strong-willed athletes like Mike Mena  whose struggle to make weight almost cost him a shot at the national championship; Lincoln McIlravy  who overcame persistent severe headaches to win his third national title in his four-year career; and all the other wrestlers who contributed to a record-breaking performance at the NCAAs  scoring the most points in collegiate wrestling history. But most important  we see the man behind the Gable legend. From his difficult upbringing  interrupted by the tragedy of his sisters brutal murder  through the single defeat that haunts him to this day  to the ups and downs of his phenomenal coaching career  Gable has come to symbolize to many all that is special about this demanding  elemental sport.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45648210985013,"sku":"ByrdShop_0684847876","price":169.67,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780684847870.jpg?v=1781712812","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/a-season-on-the-mat-dan-gable-and-the-pursuit-of-perfection-9780684847870","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}