Dr. Gary Breece

Dr. Gary Breece was one of the most successful wrestlers to put on a singlet at the University of Oklahoma.

Breece compiled a high school record of 72-1 in becoming a two-time state champion, once at Edmond Memorial and once at Tulsa's Memorial High School. He was named a 1970 High School All-American and won a National Junior Freestyle championship.

He matriculated to college soon after the NCAA lifted its ban on freshmen competing and was named the 1971 Freshman Wrestler-of-the-Year. He was the first wrestler in Sooner history and the first from any school in the modern era to earn All-America honors four times, from 1971-1974. Breece placed third, second and sixth at the NCAA tournament, before defeating Jack Spates 3-2, to win the 1974 NCAA championship at 118 pounds and help OU to its sixth all-time NCAA team title.

He represented the USA in the World Championships later that year.

The former Sooner standout earned his dental degree from the University of North Carolina, his Master's and certificate in orthodontics from the University of Nebraska and became Board certified in orthodontics in 1993.

He currently practices in Enid, Okla., where he coached YMCA wrestling for almost 20 years.

His is also a member of the Enid Chamber of Commerce and of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontics. He is past president of the Oklahoma Orthodontic Society.

For his success on and off the mat, the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Dr. Gary Breece with its Outstanding American award.

Awards:

Year
2013
Award
Outstanding American
Chapter/Region
Oklahoma

All American Awards:

Season
1974
School
Oklahoma
Tournament
Division I
Weight
118
Place
1
Season
1973
School
Oklahoma
Tournament
Division I
Weight
118
Place
6
Season
1972
School
Oklahoma
Tournament
Division I
Weight
118
Place
2
Season
1971
School
Oklahoma
Tournament
Division I
Weight
118
Place
3

College Season Records:

Season
1974
School
Oklahoma
Class
Senior
Bouts
20
Wins
18
Losses
1
Ties
1
Falls
0
Win PCT.
90
Place
1st
Season
1973
School
Oklahoma
Class
Junior
Bouts
21
Wins
16
Losses
3
Ties
2
Falls
3
Win PCT.
76.19
Place
6th
Season
1972
School
Oklahoma
Class
Sophomore
Bouts
13
Wins
12
Losses
1
Ties
0
Falls
5
Win PCT.
92.31
Place
2nd
Season
1971
School
Oklahoma
Class
Freshman
Bouts
19
Wins
15
Losses
4
Ties
0
Falls
5
Win PCT.
78.95
Place
3rd
Season
Career
Bouts
73
Wins
61
Losses
9
Ties
3
Falls
13
Win PCT.
83.56

All Rankings:

Season
1974
Rank Date
02/23/1974
Weight
118
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma

Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations