Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/279748
The story of families fleeing the tyranny of Fidel Castro's regime has been told many times over the years. One version of this tale helped in building up part of the legendary history of the Iowa State University wrestling program. The family of three-time All-American Frank Santana escaped in 1961, after his father was "encouraged" to give up real estate holdings to "benefit" the government. The Santanas fled, but troops caught up to them where they hoped to launch a vessel in order to escape the island. The resulting firefight killed the clan's oldest son. Frank's father eventually sent his remaining two sons and wife to Skokie, Illinois. After his father died when Frank was seven, it might have been easy to get into trouble, however fate intervened in the person of Gordon Tech High School wrestling Coach Dennis McCann who taught Santana two moves and sent him out to wrestle. By the time he was a senior in high school in 1973, Santana had drawn the attention of Dan Gable at the University of Iowa who wrestled with the young man. Gable was not impressed and this rejection opened the door for Harold Nichols. Santana well justified the opportunity provided. His overall record at ISU was 86-8, including three appearances in the 190-pound finals of the NCAA Championships. In 1977, he defeated Minnesota's Evan Johnson to win the national championship and help the Cyclones claim the team title, their last under Nichols. In his quest for a second championship his senior season, he was bothered by knee problems and had surgery just prior to the NCAAs. Still, Santana cut through the competition at the NCAA Championships, advancing to the title match against Ron Jeidy of Wisconsin. Then, disaster struck, both on the individual and team level. In the second period, Jeidy shot in. Santana's knee twisted, tearing the ACL. Though he fought on, Nichols threw in the towel to end the contest. Not only did Santana lose the chance to repeat, but also the injury default handed the national crown to the hated Hawkeyes by one half point. Santana not only succeeded on the mat, he also did well in the classroom; eventually graduating with a business degree and moving into the investment field. He currently owns an entertainment and fitness complex in Clive, Iowa, as well as a 200-acre spread in Winterset where he raises cattle and horses. Wrestled 1975-1978 Gordon Tech and Iowa State University 190lbs FRANK SANTANA 50 | NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM LATINO WRESTLING EXPERIENCE