Terry Brands

April 09, 1968 - Present

Known as one of the fiercest, most highly-conditioned competitors in the world, Terry Brands became one of only six athletes in American history to win two or more World freestyle gold medals when he captured World titles in 1993 in Toronto and 1995 in Atlanta. Competing at 57 kg/125.5 pounds, he helped the United States win the freestyle title both years, the only two times the USA has triumphed in the event as a team.

After a short retirement, Brands also won an Olympic bronze medal in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. His only loss came in the semifinals, where he was edged by eventual champion Ali Reza Dabir of Iran.

Alongside his brother Tom, also a World champion, he was named 1993 USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year, John Smith Freestyle Wrestler of the Year and Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year. The duo became the first U.S. brothers to each win a World title in the same year.

Terry was a two-time World Cup champion, a Pan American Games gold medalist and a two-time silver medal winner at the renowned Yarygin Tournament in Russia. He also won three U.S. National Open Freestyle titles. He won the World Team Trials five times but missed two World Championships due to injury.

A two-time NCAA Division I champion and three-time finalist for the University of Iowa, Brands won three Big Ten titles as well, ending his career with a 137-7 record. A native of Sheldon, Iowa, he also captured a state high school championship.

A successful and respected coach, Brands served 10 years as an assistant on the college level, helping develop strong teams at Montana State Northern, the University of Nebraska and the University of Iowa. He then served three years as the head coach at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, bringing the Mocs program to national prominence.

As the National Freestyle Resident Coach for USA Wrestling, Brands works daily with the USA’s best freestyle competitors. He is responsible for the U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athletes who train with him full time and also works with elite athletes who travel to Colorado Springs for short-term programs.

For his outstanding athletic example and his devotion to motivating young wrestlers, Terry Brands is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Awards:

Year
2006
Award
Distinguished Member
Chapter/Region
National
Year
2002
Award
Glen Brand Inductee
Chapter/Region
National

All American Awards:

Season
1992
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
126
Place
1
Season
1991
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
126
Place
2
Season
1990
School
Iowa
Tournament
Division I
Weight
126
Place
1

College Season Records:

Season
1992
School
Iowa
Class
Senior
Bouts
35
Wins
35
Losses
0
Ties
0
Falls
14
Win PCT.
100
Place
1st
Season
1991
School
Iowa
Class
Junior
Bouts
44
Wins
43
Losses
1
Ties
0
Falls
18
Win PCT.
97.73
Place
2nd
Season
1990
School
Iowa
Class
Sophomore
Bouts
35
Wins
33
Losses
2
Ties
0
Falls
8
Win PCT.
94.29
Place
1st
Season
1989
School
Iowa
Class
Freshman
Bouts
30
Wins
26
Losses
4
Ties
0
Falls
8
Win PCT.
86.67
Place
DNP
Season
Career
Bouts
144
Wins
137
Losses
7
Ties
0
Falls
48
Win PCT.
95.14

All Coaching Dual Records:

Season
2005
School
Tennessee-Chattanooga
Division
Division I
Duals
24
Wins
14
Losses
10
Ties
0
Win PCT.
58.33
Season
2004
School
Tennessee-Chattanooga
Division
Division I
Duals
17
Wins
11
Losses
6
Ties
0
Win PCT.
64.71
Season
2003
School
Tennessee-Chattanooga
Division
Division I
Duals
23
Wins
6
Losses
17
Ties
0
Win PCT.
26.09
Season
Career
Duals
64
Wins
31
Losses
33
Ties
0
Win PCT.
48.44

All Rankings:

Season
1992
Rank Date
11/18/1991
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1992
Rank Date
12/23/1991
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1992
Rank Date
01/20/1992
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1992
Rank Date
02/03/1992
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1992
Rank Date
02/17/1992
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1992
Rank Date
03/02/1992
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1992
Rank Date
03/18/1992
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1991
Rank Date
11/19/1990
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1991
Rank Date
12/17/1990
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1991
Rank Date
01/14/1991
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1991
Rank Date
02/04/1991
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1991
Rank Date
02/18/1991
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1991
Rank Date
03/04/1991
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1991
Rank Date
03/14/1991
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa
Season
1990
Rank Date
03/22/1990
Weight
126
Rank
1
School
Iowa

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