Iowa History Daily: On October 25, 1948, Dan Gable was born in Waterloo. One of the greatest freestyle wrestlers and coaches of all-time, Gable excelled on the mat in high school (64-0), college (117-1), and internationally (Olympic Gold Medal 1972). As a coach, Gable’s teams at Iowa captured 15 team wrestling titles and 45 individual national champions.
Although wrestling success came eventually, swimming was the first spot Gable excelled in as a Waterloo youth. At twelve years old he captured the YMCA state championship in the backstroke. Attending Waterloo West, Gable switched from swimming since the school did not have a program. However, football, baseball, and wrestling offered Gable opportunities to complete. In high school wrestling Gable put up a perfect 64-0 record.
Committed to Iowa State, Gable carried his success on the mat into Ames where he put up an incredible 117-1 record, not falling until the NCAA finals during his senior year. A two-time NCAA Wrestling National Champion and three-time All-America, Gable set a record which still stands for pin streaks.
Following college, Gable went on to success as a World Champion in 1972, and as an Olympic Gold Medalist at the 1972 Munich games. Following his retirement from the circle, Gable went on to become the most iconic coach in the history of the sport at the University of Iowa. During his time with the Hawkeyes, Gable amassed a stunning 15 NCAA team wrestling titles, while also coaching 152 All-Americans and 45 individual national champions. Coaching at Iowa from 1976 to 1997, Gable’s teams compiled a dual record of 355-21-5. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
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