I remember how shocking it was to see that win by Larry Owings - especially because Gable had pinned every single opponent during that regular season except for Mike Grant (the 150 lb. NCAA Champion) and our sophomore starter, Herb Campbell, who lost by 20 points. No tech falls in those days! And, after looking up the brackets, Owings and Gable both pinned their way to the finals in the NCAA tournament to set up the most memorable match in NCAA history.
@@michaelbeard5 I have no idea, but probably one of the people who posts on themat.com's college forum could give you the answer. Quite a few knowledgable people and high-level, ex-wrestlers there... board.themat.com/index.php?/forum/3-college-wrestling/ BTW I just looked up Kyle Dake and David Taylor from 2013, and Taylor pinned his way to the finals. Dake had no pins at all but didn't give up a single point. Every match was a shut-out.
@@jimboslice9472. Not a lucky accident at all. Owings was the more aggressive wrestler, constantly attacking. Totally deserved that win and title. And no shame for Gable to lose to another exceptional wrestler.
Wrestlers are very intense and that can be off putting to some. But when you hear an interview from those guys you realize the intensity us just within the sport Otherwise they are kind and caring people. With humility.
Fans and crowds ultimately decide the life of all sports. The sport of wrestling needs to attract more crowds. If Larry Owings would have defeated Gable by a score of 2 to 1 then very few would want to remember the match or rewatch the match. Nonwrestling fans can watch the match and enjoy the excitement. The sport of wrestling would attract more fans if more wrestlers were like Larry Owings, an aggressive pinner with a determined and charming attitude.
Yes, no question about it ... when Larry Owings beat Dan Gable it shook the entire world of free-style wrestling and it was something that was very good for the sport. Why you ask? Simply because it showed that Dan Gable was human after all. Dan Gable probably didn't realize it at the time, but I am sure that it only made him a better wrestler. More importantly, I believe that it made him a better human being and one of the best wrestling coaches of all time.
Well said! The thing that gets lost is it was a great match. I was nervous and wanted Dan to win. The better man that night actually did win the title.
Fascinating. If you just read this transcript of Mr Owings words without knowing who the speaker was you might think it was Bill Buckner making a statement of his personal redemption.
Humble man, but once you beat Dan Gable, everyone wants to beat the guy who beat Dan Gable. I know that match made BOTH men better. I wish this sport, and ESPECIALLY it's atheletes, got the attention they both deserve.
Rolls Gracie helped a little bit, too. Check that out. Rolls Gracie vs Dan Gable, neat story that shows Dan as a bit more humble than most would have him pegged.
@@johnjay6370 Actually Gable beat Owings twice in freestyle, once shortly after Owings graduated from high school in the 1968 Olympic trials and the second time in the 1972 Olympic trials. In the 1968 trial Gable scored around 15 points, but at the end he took Gable down and got some back points. Not bad for a high school wrestler. Gable had improved for the 1972 Olympics and beat Owings 7-1. The one point was the only scoring against Gable on his way to the Olympic Gold medal.
@@RC-xc9lj I wonder if Owings got in Gables head and that was the reason for the point. Also Owings and Gable will forever be linked to each-other... In 500 years Gable and Owings will be talked about...
saw interview of Dan Gable from about 10 yrs ago, Gable started talking about his loss to Larry Owings. And 50 yrs after losing a wrestling match Gable says > "Not a day goes by that I don't think about losing that match and it still eats at me to this day" Greatest ever wrestler and a really great man but his obsession with that one loss is sort of ridiculous > it was FIFTY years ago Mr Gable. It should not matter anymore. Mr Gable, even in 1970 your loss to Larry Owings was NOT that important of an event. Young men your exact age DIED in the jungles of Vietnam the same week you lost a 7minute wrestling match.
HE’s the greatest wrestler ever to never win it all. You sound stupid. As a human you’re allowed to feel that way. If it was your only loss I can see that. His life is pretty good. Just went to know how you’re is bud? 👀🤷🏽♂️
What’s My Name yeah the sore loser who not only beat Owings the second time around but also won a gold medal without giving up a single point.... yeah he’s more accomplished than you will ever be.
Yes even he don't realize the irrelevance of that day. Dan was undefeated his entire life and a few points from a lucky accident hardly changes anything.
