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Dan Gable, 1977 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

Dan Gable

Generally recognized as the greatest amateur wrestler this country has ever produced, Dan Gable graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1966 and received his B.S. degree from Iowa State in 1971. He served as a graduate assistant in the Cyclone physical education department from 1971-1972.

Dan Gable was appointed the University of Iowa head coach in the 1976 off season after serving as an assistant to Gary Kurdelmeir for four years. That coaching tandem turned the Hawkeyes into a national power. The Kurdelmeir-Gable duo recorded a 51-7-5 dual mark, including the three Big Ten and two NCAA titles.

During his prep and college wrestling careers, Gable compiled the unbelievable record of 182-1-0. Dan was undefeated in 64 prep matches and was 118-1-0 in three years at Iowa State. He was 181 consecutive matches. The only defeat came in the NCAA finals in his senior year.

Dan won three state titles at Waterloo West and two NCAA titles at Iowa State. He was a three-time All-American and a three-time Big Eight champion for the Cyclones.

Gable earned national fame in 1972 when he won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics. On his way to the gold, Gable never gave up a point to any of his opponents.

After completing his college eligibility, Gable added three titles from the Pan-American Games, the Tbilisi Tournament, and the World Championships. Gable won an unprecedented six Midlands championships and was the meet's outstanding wrestler five times.

Gable was named to the United States Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1980 and to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1985. He was selected the nation's outstanding wrestler by the AAU iin 1970 and the U.S. Wrestling Federation in 1971. Dan was named Man of the Year by the Amateur Wrestling News in 1971, and was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1977.


WRESTLING RECORD

Dan Gable

HIGH SCHOOL: West Waterloo High School
COACH: Bob Siddens
ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Undefeated in 64 matches
  • Three-time State Champion

COLLEGE: Iowa State University
COACH: Dr. Harold Nichols
ACHIEVEMENTS:
  • 118 wins 1 loss
  • Three Big Eight Titles
  • Two-time NCAA Champion
  • Gold Medal Olympics 1972

COACHING RECORD

COLLEGE: University of Iowa from 1976 through 1989
ACHIEVEMENTS:
  • 224 wins 14 losses
  • 9 consecutive NCAA team titles
  • 25 NCAA champions
  • 77 Big Ten champions
  • 13 consecutive Big Ten titles



ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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