Gerry Abas was an outstanding wrestler, but best of all he is a great person. He is always willing to help others with their technique. He is the main reason why Steven was so successful.
This was definitely one of the greatest wrestling matches of all time. Showing these matches is so great. I had known about this match since it happened but had only been able to read about it. This is the first time I have seen the entire match, I could only find clips before.
Cliff, you should have just done your own audio of the match (color commentary) separately and spliced it into this video, I am sure you are savvy enough to do that. You could have told us some useless facts about the two wrestlers like shoe size, what they eat for lunch, and what type of shaving cream they use. Then, of course, you could brief us with some tough luck story like one of the wrestler's long lost brother was hit by a runaway elevator when he was a kid and lost both legs. And now said wrestler is not only competing for an NCAA Title but also for his long lost brother's legs. Maybe even go so far as saying he still carries his brother's mummified legs around with him in his duffle bag. You know, those stupid tear jerking stories we have to listen to every week on College Football Gameday or NFL Live. That would have really spruced this video up.
Regarding Abas gassing out, he should have taken a page out of the Iranian's handbook and just fell down holding his knee begging for the "cold spray" from the corner men, that stuff works wonders for fake injuries while you are also getting a full body massage, oxygen therapy, and drinking gatorade during that injury time.
1st) Abas was the better wrestler
2nd) the better wrestler doesn't always win, thus another illusive Title shot for Abas.
3rd) Its simple, an Iowa wrestler in Iowa, any other location and its simple; no stall call and a victory for Abas.
Stall is an opinion call and that was the wrong opinion.
THAT WAS NOT STALLING!
Abas should’ve won that match
Actually, the Gable vs Owings match was transferred from a reel to VHS, and the sound was lost in that part of the conversion. That or the reel did not have any sound to begin with. So when it was transferred from vhs to dvd, there was no audio to be transferred.
29 points in a finals match? Absurd! The travesty? Fresno State is STILL without a wrestling program. Title IX B.S. In the heart of some of the best wrestling in CA there's no college program other than Bakersfield. FSU JUST got some $10 mill private donation too and of course none of it will go to kick start the program again. Just more all red football uni's (hideous). A superb match. Both these guys can ride, I know it, but just gave up after a bit for the battle on the feet. Abas' snap->drive double is a slick takedown too! Great dig Guru!
new school, you are nuts. This wasn't a lifetime ago!! this was 1993. The pace these guys are going is unbelievable. Reminds me of Metcalf today.
Abas had 4 nice takedowns in first period. He just couldn't keep up the pace of McIlravy. McIlray was always alittle sloppy. So what. He kept comng and coming. These guys would go with anyone today.
I really did shoot this match and in fact all the finals matches. The reason there is no audio is I was with a lot of friends that were raising hell, some for and some against, and I thought you could do without the amateur commentary.
Gerry Abas was hands down the better wrestler. the reffs stall calls were beat. concidering Abas dimanteld Macllravy the hole mach...lol unreal. wow. that long ago and still blows me away.
Ryan, I don't have time to watch it now but if memory serves McIlravy got a point for Abas stalling in the last seconds, that's where the extra point comes from.
Cliff Fretwell with an awesome video yet again... you know I have seen most of these before and find myself watching them again on the edge of my seat... Thanks Fretty!
Probably one of the greatest finishes and comebacks in NCAA finals history. However, the match right before this one at 142 Steiner won in the final seconds also, beating Sutherland from PSU. By the way Marianetti beat Mcllravy in the 1995 finals not the 1994 finals. In 1994 Mcllravy beat Harper from Michigan.
I agree the Ohio State tanning bed is something I wish I had in my locker room. I burn and peal so I guess my response to that is I just have to admire a nice tan and good cradles.
By my count the score was 14-13 heading into the last 20 sec with Abas having a 1:51 riding adv...the last takedown would have made it 15-15. Where is the overtime?
Certainly Abas was better, well in the beginning. You can really see how Iowa wrestlers back in the day wore out the opponet (similar to Kolat match). I don't see that as the case today.
Little side note, it did look sloppy at times, that leg ride was aweful.
I can't help that Iowa wrestlers had some of the best collegiate matches of all time. I'll have a Jaggers match to satisfy your man-crush soon enough buddy.
I would think that somewhere in the A/V Dept. of the University of Iowa Athletic Dept. one would find an old dusty VHS (or Betamax!) tape of this match as I would have to assume the universities film these matches. Of course, then again, maybe the Iowa team camera guy went to get a bite to eat when this match took place and missed it, jerk. Now I have to suffer with no sound!
I looked far and wide for a complete match with audio. The NCAA televised and DVD for purchase both only have the 3rd period. Just queue up some Beethoven and watch the match.
Regarding Abas gassing out, he should have taken a page out of the Iranian's handbook and just fell down holding his knee begging for the "cold spray" from the corner men, that stuff works wonders for fake injuries while you are also getting a full body massage, oxygen therapy, and drinking gatorade during that injury time.
2nd) the better wrestler doesn't always win, thus another illusive Title shot for Abas.
3rd) Its simple, an Iowa wrestler in Iowa, any other location and its simple; no stall call and a victory for Abas.
Stall is an opinion call and that was the wrong opinion.
THAT WAS NOT STALLING!
Abas should’ve won that match
Abas had 4 nice takedowns in first period. He just couldn't keep up the pace of McIlravy. McIlray was always alittle sloppy. So what. He kept comng and coming. These guys would go with anyone today.
Kidding
Martin- What?!?! What?!?!.... priceless
http://www.ncaaondemand.com/composite_sports/men-s-wrestling?
I'm jealous of it and I respect it.
Little side note, it did look sloppy at times, that leg ride was aweful.
We'd all love to dig into that Iowa Public Television and Iowa Athletics video vault and get some relics that no one will ever see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhr4BAysKSc