The NCAA National Wrestling Championships date back to 1928. The tournament has been dominated by the states of Iowa and Oklahoma. Iowa, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma have won a combined 72 NCAA national wrestling championships. Oklahoma State had success in the early years, winning 16 out of 19 championships before 1950. The University of Iowa began a winning dynasty starting in the late 1970s going into the 1990s.
Early Years
From 1928 to 1950 Oklahoma State dominated the wrestling tournament. During this time frame Oklahoma State was known as Oklahoma A&M. From 1928-1931 Oklahoma A&M won four straight national titles under the direction of head coach Ed Gallagher. Gallagher led Oklahoma A&M to 11 national titles from 1928 to 1940. After Gallagher's death in 1940, new coach Art Griffith led Oklahoma A&M to four more team national championships from 1941 to 1950.
1950-1969
From 1950-1969 Oklahoma A&M continued its dominance, winning nine national championships. During this time frame Griffith and Myron Roderick coached Oklahoma A&M. Yojiro Uetake, Bob Johnson and Ted Ellis were some of the key wrestlers that led A&M to the nine titles. Oklahoma A&M changed its name to Oklahoma State in 1958. The University of Oklahoma added five national titles in 1951, '52, '57, '60 and '63. Oklahoma was led by head coach Port Robinson for the '51, '52 and '57 championship seasons. Tommy Evans was Oklahoma's coach for the 1960 and '63 titles.
1970-1989
This time frame became the birth of Iowa wrestling. The University of Iowa won 11 national championships during this era, and Iowa State University added five. Gary Kurdelmeier led the University of Iowa to their first nation title in 1975. Following the '75 season, Dan Gable became the new head coach and led the Hawkeyes to a 1976 nation championship victory. Following the 1977 season, Gable led Iowa to nine straight NCAA national championships. Iowa State broke Iowa's streak in 1987, and won titles in 1970, '72, '73, '77 and '87.
1990-1999
The University of Iowa's wrestling dynasty continued, going in to the '90s. Iowa won eight NCAA national championships. Gable led the Hawkeys to six of those titles before retiring following the 1997 season. Jim Zalesky, a former assistant for Gable, took over as head coach and led Iowa to two more national titles. Oklahoma State added two national championships in 1990 and 1994.
2000-2010
From 2000-2010, Iowa and Oklahoma State won four national championships. Iowa won in 2000, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The coaches at Iowa during this time were Jim Zalesky and Tom Brands. Zalesky led the Hawkeyes to the 2000 championship, and Brands led Iowa to three straight championships from 2008 to 2010. Oklahoma State continued its winning tradition, winning four straight national titles from 2003-2006. The Cowboys were led by head coach John Smith. The University of Minnesota, led by head coach J Robinson, also added three national titles in 2001,02, and 07.
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