ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Clark Avenue brought back a lot of memories for Tony Davis Thursday.

The street that runs from Scottrade Center to Union Station was Davis' constant companion in 2000. In order to make weight for the NCAA tournament, Davis ran up and down the street over and over and over.

The worked paid off when Davis beat Illinois' Adam Tirapelle, 5-1 in overtime, to win the 149-pound national title for Northern Iowa.

He was the Panthers' first Division I champion in 47 years. It also marked the 40th time an African American had won an NCAA championship.

Thursday, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, with its exhibit '50 Years of African American Wrestling Excellence,' honored the 46 African American champions during the 2008 Division I Wrestling Championships Fan Fest at Union Station.

Davis was one of the many former champions to return.

"This is my first time back in St. Louis since I won it here in 2000," said Davis. "It's been fun to walk the path I ran up and down … a lot … had to make weight."

There was a question and answer forum during the Fan Fest celebration with former all-Americans Bobby Douglas (Oklahoma State), Lloyd Keaser (Navy), Lee Kemp (Wisconsin), Kenny Monday (Oklahoma State) and Simon Roberts (Iowa).

Roberts was the first African American champ when he won for the Hawkeyes in 1957. Former Waterloo West standout Mike Van Arsdale was the 30th champion when he won for Iowa State in 1988.

Davis was one of about 20 other former champs to also take part in the celebration.

"A lot of these guys I grew up watching, idolizing as a youth," said Davis.

"It was an honor to be up there on that stage with them and to be honored for something I put a lot of hard work and dedication into. It has been a great feeling to be part of, as well as rewarding."

Davis was the national runner-up in 1999 before winning in 2000. He also won two NJCAA national championships for Iowa Central Community College.

He currently lives in Raliegh, N.C., where he teaches elementary physical education and runs the Dynamic Sports kids' wrestling club.

He was an assistant wrestling coach at North Carolina State from 2005-07.

"It's all about helping grow the sport and helping the kids," said Davis.

Davis returned to Cedar Falls in December for UNI's Night of Champions when the Panthers recognized all 16 of their national champions in Division I and Division II.

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com