Wrestling: Low-profile Dennis accorded high honors at Grant

A 5-foot-4 man kept it short.

Daniel Dennis, a giant in wrestling, albeit not literally, graciously accepted the microphone from his former high school wrestling coach, Ryan Geist, during Friday's pep assembly in Grant's spacious field house. He spoke only briefly, however. In about the same time it takes him to pin an overmatched opponent, Dennis was done.

He thanked everyone for their support, handed back the mic and then, as he's done hundreds of times, Grant's version of "Dennis the Menace" took a short walk in solitude. He had a bounce in his step, as if seeking a quick escape, as students and faculty cheered.

Someone should have grabbed one of his strong mitts and thrust it toward the rafters, since that's a familiar image for those who've seen him compete on a wrestling mat.

"I'm just not one for attention," Dennis, the bashful bruiser, said with a shrug. "I don't like the spotlight. It's just not my personality. I'm not big on the 'show.' "

And, yet, a big stage awaits Dennis.

Two weeks ago, at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials in Iowa City, Dennis clinched a roster spot on his country's Olympic team, which will compete in Rio de Janeiro in August. A 2005 graduate of Grant, where he was a two-time IHSA state runner-up at 125 and 130 pounds his junior and senior years, respectively, he's endured what he called a "roller-coaster ride" since leaving the Fox Lake school.

That his hometown is honoring him with a weekend that also includes a parade on Sunday is simply big. It's deserved, appropriate and inspiring considering Dennis has experienced lows that would make even a tough man surrender.

Just three years ago, he spent two years living in a 26-foot fifth wheel.

"It was still fun, though," said Dennis, whose thick beard, muscular physique and casual dress scream "outdoorsman."

Two years ago, Dennis' father, Tim, succumbed to cancer at the age of 58.

"We had a great relationship," Dennis said. "He was real supportive, especially with wrestling. He loved going to all the competitions. He traveled all across the country to watch me wrestle when I was at Iowa."

It was the University of Iowa where Dennis continued his wrestling career after Grant. He was a two-time All-American, but that didn't seem to mean a lot after he lost the final match of his collegiate career, in the 2010 NCAA national finals.

Leading by 2 points in the final seconds, he got taken down on his back, surrendering 4 points as time expired.

"That was heartbreaking, and I didn't deal with it very well at the time," Dennis said. "It took me a little bit to come around and get over that. But it only helped mold me into who I am today."

What he is today, besides a Rio-bound athlete, is a locked-in 29-year-old whose ego, like his frame, will never be King Kong-sized.

"I'm focused on wrestling because, really, it's not over," Dennis said. "I mean, I'm happy. We're going in the right direction. But I'm not satisfied with (just making the Olympic team)."

His attitude explains his reaction after he won his Trials bout (57 kilograms) that sealed his berth on the Olympic team. Dennis had no moment of extreme jubilation. No touchdown-celebration move.

Did he even smile after his clincher?

"Like I said, it's not my personality," Dennis said. "I could have jumped up and down and ran through the crowd and gotten everyone hyped up, but that's not me."

He settled for what he called a "great sense of satisfaction" walking off the mat. He'll settle for that same inner, puffy-chest pride this weekend, as his fans wish him well, snap pictures of him and cheer the wrestler's every move. He acknowledges the support he's received has been amazing.

"My college coach said it best," said Dennis, whose (Iowa) Hawkeye Wrestling Club helps support him financially. A former Ingleside resident, he lives in Iowa City. "He said just get (this weekend) out of the way. It's going to be painful, but make it quick. We'll get this weekend out of the way and we'll move on to the next task, and that's competing again."

Among those enjoying the moment with Dennis on Friday in Grant's field house were his mother, Jane, and his older brother, Charlie. His older sister, Melissa, has been hugely supportive of hs Olympic endeavor too.

"I was talking to my mom and she mentioned how my dad would have really loved to watch me come back and compete," Dennis said. "That meant a lot. ... I know he's watching."

There was no need for him to elaborate.

jaguilar@dailyherald.com

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