President Trump Awards Medal of Freedom to Former Iowa Wrestling Coach

In a statement released on Friday, President Trump announced Danny Mack Gable as the latest recipient of the Medal of Freedom.

According to his website, Gable was born and raised in Iowa, wrestling for Iowa State University. As a competitor, he wrestled a record of 117-1, was a two-time NCAA National Champion, a three-time all-American and a three-time Big Eight Champion. Gable still holds the pin streaks record in the NCAA. 

At the 1972 Olympic Games, Gable won gold and did not surrender a point in all of his matches. 

Gable later coached for the University of Iowa and led the university to 15 NCAA titles. During his 21 years at the University of Iowa, Gable coached 45 national champions and had seven perfect seasons. 

After coaching at the University of Iowa, Gable was the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Head Coach in 1980, 1984, and 2000. 

In 1999, he was voted the "Sports Figure of the Century in Iowa" by Sports Illustrated and in 2002, he was appointed to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. 

The award will be presented to Gable on Monday.

According to the White House release, the medal is the Nation's highest civilian honor, and goes to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the U.S., to world peace or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. 

Previous recipients of the Medal of Freedom under President Trump include Elvis Presley, Tiger Woods, and Justice Antonin Scalia.