Wrestlers with UI ties compete amid the buzz at Olympic Trials
Monday, April 23, 2012
Written by: Bill Adams and Tim Schoon
Image Gallery

Carver-Hawkeye Arena had some 54,000 spectators pass through its doors during the weekend of April 21-22 for the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials. The atmosphere was nothing short of electric as the nation's best wrestlers squared off on the four mats inside the arena.

Gallery
dan gable statue outside carver-hawkeye
gable signing autographs
woman hanging from gable statue
young fan wrestles with statue
boy wearing fake ears
young and old fan wrestle
Climbing the rope at the Asics Fan Fest, held in conjunction with the Olympic Trials.
Working the pegs at the Asics Fan Fest.
A wrestling fan gives his golf swing a workout at the fan fest.
More action at the downtown fan fest.
A fan’s shirt gives a shout-out to Iowa head coach Tom Brands and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Having a seat before the likeness of one of the U.S. Olympic greats.
Fans make their way into Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The victors on the mats weren’t the only ones to have their hands raised inside Carver-Hawkeye.
rulon gardner
The 1972 and 1984 Olympic wrestling teams were recognized on Saturday, April 21. The Banach brothers from the 1984 squad (both gold medalists) drew an ovation from the crowd.
Fans of Olympic hopeful John Cox wear their allegiance on their shirts.
Sitting in shadows.
Checking the brackets.
Iowa’s no stranger to championship wrestling, as evidenced by the banners hanging from the Carver-Hawkeye Arena rafters.
A packed house watched each session of the trials—some 54,000 spectators filled Carver-Hawkeye over the weekend.