Iowa then won the NCAA tournament in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1997 before Gable retired with glory. Bob Kawa, Utah, 2:45 Dave Dominick, Oklahoma State, 7:43  Herb Campbell, Lehigh, 23-3 • Gable attended Waterloo West High School, where he was undefeated and won three consecutive Iowa state high school championships compiling a 181-1 record. He had cemented himself as one of the greatest of all time. . Olympic Wrestling Champion and Legendary Wrestling Coach/Motivational Speaker . It came in a dramatic final, with Gable's perfect career on the line. Dale Anderson, Michigan State, 2-2, 6-2(OT) Steve Comiskey, Navy, 16-2 The conference tournament proved to be no exception to that pattern either, as Gable pinned Dale Dittmar of Colorado and Jim McDougal of Kansas State before winning by forfeit against Oklahoma State in the finals. He won 37 matches at 137 pounds and claimed his first NCAA title and  a second-place team trophy for the Cyclones. Larry Hurlburt, Central Michigan, 1:55 I knew I could beat guys in practice, and I did well, but there were guys I had trouble with.". Gable was born on Oct. 25, 1948 in the blue-collar town of Waterloo, Iowa. Gable stuck with the 137-pound weight class for his junior season and tore through every opponent that dared to cross his path. Until Larry Owings took the mat. Owings did it, he topped Gable, 13-11. The storybook ending was in sight. This documentary is about legendary Iowa wrestling icon Dan Gable. Dan Gable, Iowa State He was the Cael Sanderson of his time, a dominant wrestler whose punishing, push-the-pace style captured the attention of fans beyond wrestling. BOYNE CITY — AJ South took some advice from Dan Gable for his college commitment. (Team State Championship) The story of Dan Gable isn't complete without The Match. HISTORY BOOKS: 10 all-time dream college wrestling matchups at every weight. Skip ahead two years to 1978, and Gable’s leadership had changed the culture in the Hawkeye wrestling room. Ray Murphy, Oklahoma State, 6-5 He majored Dunn and then took down Dale Anderson of Michigan State, a man who would go on to win two NCAA titles for the Spartans. Big Eight Tournament Jack Dunn, Northwestern, 7-2 NCAA Tournament Gable earned the Gorrarian Award as a junior and senior for the most pins in the least time in the NCAA Tournament. Gary Baker, Drake, 1:13 Rondo Fehlberg, Brigham Young, 4:57 Lyle Cook, Kansas State, 3:56 Most pins in a career: 76, "Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy." High school career. Dan Gable. No team in history had won nine championships in a row, and no team in history had won 25 straight conference titles. I would have a hundred times rather not have that happened, but I used it.". High school. Wayne Bright, Old Dominion, 6:33 He would be the first wrestler in history to have won all of his high school and college matches if he won his last dual, and he expected to win his last dual. ABC's Wide World of Sports showed up. Ron Russo, Bloomsburg State, 4:16 During his prep and college wrestling careers, Gable compiled the unbelievable record of 182-1-0. The next year, he pinned five opponents in 22:08. Gable guided Iowa to five more national championships, and a second in 1994, over the next six seasons. Only one man who ever lived can say he beat Dan Gable, and that man is 1968 Canby Union High School grad Larry Owings. Mike Rubin, Michigan, 4:09 Owings, the No. Midlands Tournament He was undefeated in 64 prep matches, and was 117-1 at Iowa State University. Don Johnson, Rochester JC, 1:36 He won all 64 of his high school matchups for Waterloo West High School and pinned 25 of those opponents, earning the chance to wrestle collegiately for Iowa State University where he would go on to become a collegiate champion and be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Arizona State   Mack, who wrestled in high school, sometimes took Dan to wrestling meets, but the younger Gable didn't become hooked on the sport until he was a teenager after trying baseball, football, track and swimming. Big Eight Tournament Dan Gable … "I won't get too far away from it. As a junior, he was 30-0 and began a string of 25 straight pins, an NCAA record. The defeat left Gable in tears. The next two seasons he was an Ohio State high school champion and finished undefeated in his junior and senior years. Dan won three state titles at Waterloo West and two NCAA titles at Iowa State. Dan Gable lost to Larry Owings during the 1970s NCAA finals losing 13–11. "At first, I couldn't face my parents," he said. Leeman, Lehigh, 3:12 Jim McDougal, Kansas State, 10-0 Dave Hartle, Storm Lake, 10-2 McGuire would also go on to win two titles. After moving into Diane's room, Gable kept winning. As a freshman, he was not allowed to wrestle in the varsity wrestling squad just as it is with other sports. Paul Barrow, Southern Illinois, 8-3 Don Stamp, Northern Iowa, 4-0 From 1976 to 1997, Gable was the head wrestling coach at the University of Iowa. He made the varsity as a sophomore for the 1972 season and finished with an 11-8-3 record. Ed Peverill, Fresno State, 2:31 Phil Fitzgerald, Oklahoma State, 5:45 High school career. Bill Bleakley, Oklahoma, 2:27 Watch the match between Larry Owings and Dan Gable: Dan Gable's senior Year (1969-1970)  Masaaki Hatta, Michigan Wrestling Club, 8-3, HAWKEYE HISTORY: All the best moments from Iowa's 23 national titles, Fred Stamm, Nebraska, 2:46 John Hahn, UCLA, 5-3 “You know, I’m larger than you a little bit. IOWA STATE RECORDS A two-time Big Eight champion, Gable had all the momentum he needed to cruise to his second NCAA title. Big Eight Tournament He was going for his third title at 142 pounds, and virtually everyone thought he was a lock. He went 64-0 at Waterloo (Iowa) West High School and 117-0 in three years at Iowa State (freshmen could not compete then) with NCAA titles at 130 and 137 pounds. John Fregau, Illinois, 2:45 There is no disputing that Dan Gable is the most recognizable name in collegiate and U.S. Olympic wrestling history. He was a three-time Iowa high school state champion at Waterloo West and a two-time NCAA champion at Iowa State University. In the summer before his first year as a Cyclone, Gable prepared with a level of heightened discipline and focus, working out every day and building himself into a champion. "My life tightened up," Gable said. In 1966, he entered Iowa State, 110 miles away in Ames. LOST to Larry Owings, Washington, 13-11, Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners. On Memorial Day weekend in 1964, while Dan and his parents were away on a fishing trip, Diane, 19, was sexually attacked and murdered in the Gable living room. @USAWrestling, @NWHOF & @wrestlingmuseum are launching video experience "Legends Series," beginning with Dan Gable University featuring @dannygable WATCH to learn more -> https://t.co/N2k8sCuFnK READ more -> https://t.co/kKSQpwDAix @CycloneWR @Hawks_Wrestling @IAwrestle pic.twitter.com/rPc34Zf4zt. Taking over as head coach at Iowa in 1976, he led the Hawkeyes to 15 national titles in 21 seasons, including a record nine consecutive from 1978-86. But a seed of doubt crept into his mind when he heard University of Washington sophomore Larry Owings utter these heated words to a reporter before the NCAA tournament: "I'm here to beat Dan Gable." 1965 Class AA individual State Champion 103 lbs. "I felt I had let them down. He won 118 times in college, entering his final match undefeated. He was perfect. A year later, he was named coach of the Olympic freestyle team before the U.S. boycotted the Games. Russ McAdams, Brigham Young, 10-5 He wouldn't accept a loss, even from an athlete more experienced at the next level. John Walker, Oswego, 5:32 Dan Gable made his mark as both a wrestler and coach for three of the best college teams ever, 10 all-time dream college wrestling matchups at every weight, All the best moments from Iowa's 23 national titles. Dan Gable brought that perfect record to Iowa State, where he was coached by Dr. Harold Nichols of the Iowa wrestling hotbed of Cresco. Mack and Katie were disciplinarians who didn't hesitate to use corporal punishment on each other or on Dan and his older sister Diane. Not one takedown, not one turn, nothing. Roy Prange, Iowa City, 2:56 Marty Willigan, Hofstra, 4:17. Trump recalled that Gable’s wrestling record in high school was 64-0. Tom Keeley, Oklahoma, 7:00 Dan Larkin, Arizona, 2:57 During his prep and college Wrestling careers, Dan Gable compiled an unbelievable record of 181-1. Tom Meier, Nebraska, 5:21 His only defeat came in the NCAA finals his senior year. Irwin Berman, Oklahoma, 7:20 Dean Stauch, Minnesota, 8-0  Jack Stover, Virginia Tech, 3:46 The final against Dave McGuire was much closer, with Gable edging out the win 4-1, but a win is a win, and Gable ended the season as the 1968 NCAA champion at 137 pounds. Not too much trouble as evidenced by his record. Tony Stevens, Mason City, 3:51 85 At the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Gable pinned three of six opponents on his way to the gold medal in the 149-pound class. Gene Davis, Athletes in Action, 8-2 Competing for Iowa State University , he posted a near-perfect record. He invited fellow Cyclone and two-time Big Eight conference champion Bob Buzzard into his basement that summer for a benchmark match to see where he stacked up, and the outcome startled Gable. 117-1. But I really didn't have a clue how I'd do in college. He nearly bonused his way through the Big Eight tournament and then took down John Walker, Mike McAdams and Pete Nord by fall in the NCAA tournament along with a major against Steve Comiskey and a 7-0 win against Wes Caine. The annual honor in its seventh year recognizes the top centers in Division I men's college basketball. As a freshman at Chardon high school, Kemp got involved in wrestling after being cut from the basketball team. His success continued at Iowa State where he won 117 matches in a row, along with two NCAA championships and three All-America titles. Dan Gable’s senior high school career was characterized by nothing but wins. Richie Leonardo, Oklahoma State, 2:45 "Right out of high school I never had the fear of getting beat, which is how most people lose," Gable said. Grown college men couldn’t stop Gable. Jim Cook, Southern Illinois, 4:36 The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the five finalists for the 2021 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. That season Iowa went 25-0-1, the most victories in any year of Gable's coaching career. As a freshman, Gable was not eligible to compete varsity because of NCAA rules at the time, but he ran through the open Midlands bracket, won Outstanding Wrestler honors and picked up a 17-0 unattached record. HIGH SCHOOL CAREER RECORD Sophomore, West Waterloo High (1963-64)-----95 Denny Severson, New Hampton, 6-2 1 0 0 103 Jack Oleson, Cedar Falls, 4-1 2 0 0 95 Dennis Gunder, Cedar Rapids, Jefferson, 7-0 3 0 0 103 Doug Derscheid, Eagle Grove, 4-0 4 0 0 He's an industrial arts teacher at Oregon City (Ore.) High and a member of his union's contract negotiating team; he's taking computer science courses at Portland State; he owns a contracting business; he's the employment specialist for his ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; … Jim McDougal, Kansas State, 2:58 By the end of 1997, Gable had undergone more than a dozen knee and back surgeries. His career coaching record was 355-21-5 for a winning percentage of .938. He pinned his first six opponents of the season, including all five of his Midlands opponents, and then either pinned or won by forfeit against 14 of his next 17 before the Big Eight tournament. As a Wahawk, Gable was 64-0, with three Iowa high school state titles (95 pounds in 1964, 103 in 1965, and 112 in 1966). His father Mack was an investor/real estate salesman and his mother Katie was a homemaker. Pat Bolger, Oklahoma, 6:03 The violent, tragic death of his sister when he was 15 years old lit a fire in young Gable, and he poured himself into his sport as a form of therapy and escape. The journey to gold also included several momentous occasions for Gable, as he won the 1971 World Championships and won the 1971 Pan American Games before beginning his coaching career in 1972 with the Iowa Hawkeyes. His confidence grew. All five of his opponents in the national tournament lost by fall to the powerful and forceful Cyclone champion, and Gable started to capture even more national attention. But just walk through, make sure it's still there.". Joe Carstensen, Iowa, 2:40 Early Years: Dan Gable was born October 25, 1948 and grew up in Waterloo, IA. Eddie Griffin, Oklahoma State, 2:40 As an athlete, Gable was a championship wrestler at every level. After joining Iowa State in college, Gable won two NCAA National wrestling championships, three Big Eight titles; and became a three-time All-American, winning 117 straight matches, while only losing once. Wrestling was all he cared about," says writer Douglas Looney on ESPN Classic's SportsCentury series. They became the first national championship team that didn't crown an individual champion. John Fregeau, Illinois, 3:56 Doug Campbell, Oklahoma State, 1:32 In the history of sport, no one has been so dominant in both avenues. 1965 Class AA individual State Champion 103 lbs. Mike Grant, Oklahoma, 9-4 "It made me even more of a horse with blinders as far as wrestling went.". Gary Dobson, Colorado State U, 3:44 Gable had his fair share of golds, and, as a three-time conference champion and two-time NCAA champion, he's one of the best to ever compete in the sport. Gable's teams compiled a dual meet record of 355–21–5. Oklahoma State, NCAA Tournament Competing for Waterloo West High School, Gable posted a 64-0 high school record en route to winning three Iowa state scholastic championships. Gable's coached 45 NCAA champions, 12 Olympians, 152 All-Americans and 106 conference champions. With one season to go in his college career, Gable had remained undefeated, won two conference titles and two NCAA titles. Winning 64 matches and winning state championships his sophomore, junior, and senior years. Owings lost to Gable at the Olympic Trials in 1968 but had quietly been making waves and dropped down to compete with Gable at 142 pounds in Gable's senior season. Dave McGuire, Oklahoma, 8-2 A seven-foot bronze statue of the wrestling and coaching legend sits outside Carver-Hawkeye Arena permanently, staring down each opponent who dares to enter the House that Gable Built. That season also marked the first time under Gable that the Hawkeyes, who finished 19-2, lost more than one dual meet. Dan Gable is synonymous with wrestling and his presence hangs over the Hawkeye wrestling room that bears his name. The once-perfect, undefeated college wrestler, the man no one could stop had all the confidence in the world leading into the NCAA tournament. Ervin Nelson, Mankato State, 10-0 Larry Hulburt, Central Michigan, 3:11 In his first season, the Hawkeyes went 17-1-1 and finished third at the 1977 NCAA Tournament. All the success and all the titles though couldn't push away the bitterness of the missing years in the winning dynasty for Gable, and he writes in his book that 1987, the year that would have been the team's tenth consecutive title, was hindered by a team without “the correct attitude and work ethic in and out of practice.” Gable expected nothing less than his men desiring greatness from themselves. 747 Cactus Ct is a townhouse in Brea, CA 92821. His teams won 21 Big Ten Conference championships, and 15 NCAA Division I titles. The next day, Gable was back to work, building the foundation for what would be a stellar international career and an even more successful coaching career. Gable rebounded and starred in international competition, climaxed by his winning a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics, where he didn't surrender a point in six matches. Vernon, 2:56 These words, written about Gable from an interview and not directly spoken by the wrestling legend, still stand out as a true marker of the mindset of this champion. No one could beat Gable, and the wrestling community knew it. Gable's fierce persona became part of reputation, and he describes himself in his book A Wrestling Life 2 as “the guy who never smiled,” but explains that the image came from always having his “game face on.” Coaching brought him joy though, so much so that he found himself working after hours and spending extra time with his athletes. Gable's first season as a the head coach at the University of Iowa resulted in five conference champs and five All-Americans, as well as an NCAA Champion in Chris Campbell at 177 pounds. Gable amassed a college record of 117-1 — losing just once in his career as a senior in the NCAA finals — when he wrestled for the Iowa State Cyclones from 1966-1970.