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.
Gabe Arnold | The Bader Show (Ep. 479)
Apr 1, 2026
Gabe Arnold had trouble with communication last summer which lead to trouble with the Iowa program. After thinking he was off the team, Arnold regrouped to help the Hawkeyes secure wins at 174, 184 and 197 this season. He capped it off with by earning All-American honors at 197 after losing his first match at the NCAAs.
0:40 - Gabe’s eventful morning
3:20 - Was Gabe kicked off the Iowa team last summer?
11:00 - Gabe wanted to wrestle 174 at the start of the year
13:30 - Getting to where Arnold was “locked in”
17:00 - Endene left, what did that mean for Gabe?
19:00 - Angelo Ferrari got hurt, Gabe fills in
22:00 - 197 for Big Tens or nah?
25:20 - Confirming with coach Brands on 197
27:40 - Pretending he liked NCAA brackets and seeds
31:45 - Iowa’s challenging season
37:10 - NCAA first round loss and the long road back
44:30 - Overwhelming emotion of earning All-American
49:30 - Gabe will wrestle 79kg at US Open
53:10 - 174 next year for the Hawkeyes
