Tom Brands is easily rated as one of the top intensity wrestlers this sport has ever seen. His work ethic has rarely, if ever, been matched on the mat. In college, Brands was a force for the Iowa Hawkeyes, capturing the "Gablesque" mentality of the sport by constantly attacking and putting pressure on his opponents. Tom Brands was a four time All-American and three time NCAA national champion in college. He built off his collegiate success and competed for the U.S. in freestyle. Brands won the Gold medal at both the World Championships in 1993 and at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996.He continues today as the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeye program to lead the new generation of Iowa wrestlers.
Dan Gable On Iowa Wrestling NCAA Champions Terry and Tom Brands
May 8, 2025
Former Iowa coach Dan Gable reflects on identical twins Terry and Tom Brands.
Terry Brands
1990 NCAA Championships, 126 pounds, #1 seed
R32: Mike Pasdo, Marquette, 15-5
R16: Dan Flood, Wisconsin, TF 25-10
QF: Duaine Martin, Northern Iowa, 9-6
SF: Dan Knight, Iowa State, 12-4
F: Jason Kelber, Nebraska, 3-2
1992 NCAA Championships, 126 pounds, #1 seed
R32: Jarrett Clark, Oregon, Fall 1:43
R16: Scott Rohrer, Minnesota, TF 23-8
QF: Shawn Harrison, Oklahoma, Fall 2:54
SF: Jody Staylor, North Carolina, 9-6
F: Shawn Charles, Arizona State, 8-5
Tom Brands
1990 NCAA Championships, 134 pounds, #2 seed
R32: Bret Gray, Missouri, Fall 4:22
R16: John Welch, North Carolina, TF 24-7
QF: Tony Hunter, Indiana, 12-4
SF: T.J. Sewell, Oklahoma, 9-4
F: Dave Zuniga, Minnesota, 9-7
1991 NCAA Championships, 134 pounds, #1 seed
R32: Jason Dewland, Boston University, TF 23-8
R16: Shannyn Gillespie, Lock Haven, TF 25-10
QF: Dave Zuniga, Minnesota, 12-6
SF: Joey Gilbert, Michigan, 33-19
F: Alan Fried, Oklahoma State, 5-3
1992 NCAA Championships, 134 pounds, #1 seed
R32: Jody Jackson, Virginia, Fall 4:48
R16: Phil Elliott, Bucknell, 23-9
QF: Lyndon Campbell, Cal State-Fullerton, 16-7
SF: Bob Truby, Penn State, 15-4
F: Alan Fried, Oklahoma State, 6-2
