Mark Schultz vs Ed Banach NCAA Wrestling Finals

Considered by many as the greatest college match, if not one of the most entertaining. NCAA Wrestling Champions Mark Schultz and Ed Banach battle in the 1982 NCAA Finals. Both men won 3 NCAA titles and Olympic gold. Banach was on track to become the first 4-time NCAA Champion. This was one of the toughest weight classes in history with 4 NCAA titles. Banach with 2, Schultz with 1, Matt Reiss with 1, and NCAA runner-up Perry Hummel who Schultz barely beat 2-1 in the semi-finals. Schultz and Hummel wrestled 6 times, each winning 3. Banach pinned or superior decisioned all opponents on the way to the finals. In 1982 Oklahoma University had 3 NCAA Champions, the Schultz brothers and Andre Metzger, and broke the NCAA scoring record, but so did Iowa and Iowa State and O.U. took 3rd.

[@bryanrasmussen6840]

Banach is amazing for giving that interview! What amazing young men they both were! They both deserve a huge standing ovation!

[@mrnimby1]

I wasn't even born in 82', but this is still damn exciting.

[@spencechicago]

Banach had no choice going into the last 30 seconds at 2 points behind, he had to attempt that throw. Schultz knew it was coming and was able to stop the momentum. What a great match.

[@joey2452]

Both of these men were warriors back in the day, very tough!!!

[@chadsdadbrad]

One of the best matches I've ever seen

[@mayscat44]

Uncle Chael sent me. Awesome match!

[@SlimJinGyms]

What a Greco based match. Mark Schultz could've been on both the Greco and Freestyle Olympic Team and probably would've taken gold in both events.

[@miked8227]

Really appreciate the stalling calls back then. No getting the lead on points and then dancing on the edge of the mat. Bring back the stall warnings , call them on non- aggressors

[@poolboyinla]

That was a wild match.

[@axjmd]

Thanks for posting this video. Awesome match!! I LOVE WRESTLING!!

[@user-cq6dg6ql9j]

Is is just me, or does it seem like epic matches between great wrestlers like this are fewer are far between?

[@user-cq6dg6ql9j]

Maz Terbate Your opinion is soundly heard, but you come off as a condescending prick, so that is my response.

[@bullonparade129]

@Maz Terbate i tend to agree but i think the leg passes nowadays are kind of trash and if you expose your back you should be penalized for it's a stall in a alot of cases

[@hswrestlr]

I agree with you, seems like guys do anything they can to avoid wrestling the top guys until they have to.

[@user-cq6dg6ql9j]

Jason L 100% agree with that statement. I remember in the 90s, guys were hungry and went after each other as often as they can. In the 2000s, it became more about trying to stay undefeated until they face the peeps they’ve been avoiding all season.

[@JS45678]

I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, it’s a shame how many coaches in this era put protecting records and seeds above the human spirit of COMPETITION.

[@user-cq6dg6ql9j]

2 legends facing off. What more can you ask for?

[@gco40gray82]

Thanks for posting your match Mark. Great win.

[@Deathbybigmac420]

Thank you for uploading this.

[@kevinhughes3580]

Thanks for sharing. This was epic match and needs to be shared for the sport of wrestling. Plenty of action even with all the greco style ties.

[@sam91004]

Damn, I'm excited for that movie. Finally, a big movie about wrestling :)

[@bennettswatsenbargii4218]

Probably my favorite NCAA match. Always really fun to watch

[@superque4]

As a 2x state champ, D1 Conference champ, NCAA qualifier and a 20+ year official and coach, the difference in wrestling today that stalling is NEVER called and wrestling's a lot less fan/viewer friendly because of it. Look how much the ref here keeps counting for stalling. And can you believe a stall was actually CALLED in a match this exciting? That would have NEVER been called nowadays.

[@LUMLEY92]

Much agreed sir, I couldn't believe he called stalling when Mark was riding hard and going for nearfall but damn it keeps it exciting.

[@charlesshea7974]

Its Lums so true. the stall calls force action and puts the onus on the action of the sport.

[@yoteslayerisawesome6]

Wrestling is a lot less fan friendly? Is that why there was a record amount of people attending the NCAA championships and watching on tv?

[@superque4]

Fighting_Tiger45 "Spectator friendly" is probably a better phrase for what I was trying to say. It's much harder to attract the uninitiated viewer when stalling is tolerated/encouraged. Riding time should be replaced by stalling calls.

[@TB473]

Well. I have to say. Another reason. As exciting as this match may have been to people . You simply can't wrestle like this all the time when your truly facing good opponents. You'll leave yourself open to get scored on and maybe even put on your back. As you can see. Schultz almost got caught in the first period on his back and so did banach. Wrestling so loosely and going for a bunch of high risk moves may make a match more exciting for viewers. But for the person wrestling it simply can increase their chances of losing. Sometimes you have to wrestle conservatively and patiently and feel out your opponent. Your not going to be able to wrestle so loose and wrecklessly when you start wrestling people that are on your level. Two good wrestlers with good defenses wrestling each other can turn into a match that seems to be boring to people and a lot of tying up. Because they both are tough and won't give each other anything. But that's just how it is.

[@cunninglinguist28]

Regarding the sport's having changed since then: there's probably some substance to it, but let's also remember that this is Banach vs Schultz, two legendarily great wrestlers in what's gone down as perhaps the best NCAA match of all time. The announcer himself says around 6:40 that this is by far the best action they've seen in the tournament. Let's not kid ourselves into thinking this was the epitome of early eighties wrestling.

[@user-dn1ov5hn5v]

Ed's answer after the match was spot on.. he took blame for what he did wrong. Wrestlers are a different breed. This is my favorite match of all time.

[@stevecollins1506]

Mark was a stud. Old school wrestling like this is so much more entertaining than the modern styles. Too much defensive wrestling and stalling these days.

[@ljgrodoski]

Are you insane? Wrestling today is better than it has ever been. You clearly haven't been keeping up with the sport.

[@stevecollins1506]

Lenny Grodoski Lenny Lenny Lenny..... please.... I am glad you are a fan but you most clearly have not watched enough wrestling from the 80s and 90s. You name one NCAA match that was worth watching in the past 2 years and I will match it with at least 30 from 1994 alone. Dake vs Taylor was boring, Metcalf in the finals as a senior was boring, basically all the finals matches suck now in D1. Too much stalling and holding back so all I am saying is that back in the day many wrestlers didn't hold back like they do now. All that training and all they do now is try and wait till the final seconds of the 3rd period to score which is smart but un fucking believably boring!!!!!!!! It is killing the sport because the matches that are anticipated are usually boring as hell, filled with stalling tactics and cowardly evasive tactics designed to stifle the opponent rather that engage the opponent.. Dont get me wrong I know these guys are damn good but they choose a different strategy than they did back in the day and it sucks to watch some of the so called greats of the current era. Watch Gables Hawkeyes to see my point. I'm only talking NCAA here though because the last Burroughs vs Taylor Freestyle match was awesome!! So awesome.. anyway I wrestled D1 in the early 90's and my son is a state champ wrestling in college this year so I have been watching the sport for some time now and have a genuine perspective. I am curious to know who you think is so great today? We may agree.

[@kevinjohnson8012]

Steve Collins i agree with alot of what you're saying about the style differences but I do hope that you realize that David Taylor in his senior year would probably tech fall both of these guys in they're prime. The 'Boring style" is an evolution of wrestling. It makes the wrestlers who adopt it much much more likely to win

[@sanitary103]

Steve Collins good points. even as a big wrestling fan, the older matches for the most part were more exciting in general than the current ones. out of curiosity, did you wrestle anyone famous while wrestling d1? if so, who?

[@ap2inthedeep]

Steve Collins that's because the level of wrestling is higher now and and more evolved. The competition is more stiff and so you can't just grab someone legs like back in the day, better defense, more thought into strategy. You think dake or burroughs is gonna let some guy score 10 points in a match? No way. Not because he's stalling but because we have learn ed over the years better positioning and defense.

[@christopherhall1021]

I had the chance to personally witness Mark putting a front headlock on his opponent from the Japanese National Team at the US Open in Las Vegas. His opponent passed outright there on the mat from being within that headlock. It was unbelievable…after a few minutes and assistance- he woke up and wasn’t very happy about what happened. I’ll never forget that! Thanks for posting Mr. Schultz!

[@mas2526]

Epic battle between two future Olympic champions.. MS just a monster!

[@peterc8021]

Probably one of my most favorite all time matches. Both guys were studs

[@jimlahey9317]

This is awesome !! One of the best matches i have ever seen.

[@jimlahey9317]

Parli Parli Haha.

[@pabowtech]

+Parli Parli enjoy your sandbox hadji

[@Marquinten2100]

Both so prideful and accepted the body lock from the other again and again, very fun match up.

[@alexw2689]

Great match!

[@rickc16]

Schultz is a beast!

[@firemanv1]

How the hell does he have any energy to do a back flip after that performance!?!?

[@tylerkeller8869]

He's one half of arguably the greatest pair of wrestlers in NCAA history, THATS HOW. R.I.P. Dave Schultz & fuck you Dupont.

[@johnyguitar258]

wrestling at this level is so hard u can do a back flip after you dead

[@kenzeier2943]

Mark was State champ gymnast in Nor Cal in high school and a natural but hard working athlete per his own words

[@ChaudharyAakarsh]

he was a gymnast first and probably roids, aye but it still needs a lot of work. Bet he had a grueling workout regime, fuckin intense

[@ChaudharyAakarsh]

@@johnyguitar258 nah mark shultz was a gymnast first then switched to wrestling, his core strength is out of the world

[@tylerkeller8869]

I never made it to this level of competition. However I did wrestle from age 6 - 17. I also played several other team sports during that time. While Greco Roman & Freestyle wrestling are both technically team sports, really, it's one on one. I've never experienced more heartache than that which comes from training, lifting weights, running, watching what you eat and ultimately pushing your body & mind to the very limit...only to lose. I still watch NCAA & Olympic wrestling to this day. When I see these men in tears, on their knees after a match, it still brings me back to those days of high school. Worse than any break-up I've ever experienced. Losing a big match is... It's.... I just don't have the words. It fucking SUCKS.

[@eddys.razorxp6445]

We all feel that way... we all lose. We lose and learn. Its a good pain lets you know you are alive.

[@davidpieratt]

excellent match!

[@garretamiller]

great match

[@jimlahey9317]

Cant get over how strong these guys are !!

[@robroberts671]

Interviewer is savage telling banach about how he lost the Greco battle, and he took it like a man... awesome match!

[@iojabba]

Great match! I think that this was my first year to wrestle.

[@functionalvanconversion4284]

These are some beasts!

[@ImaginaryHuman072889]

DAMN. what a match!

[@santiken]

I grew up watching Ed and Lou at Port Jervis in Section 9 of New York and I can tell you these guys were no doubt the most intimidating wrestlers I have ever seen...they dominated everyone similar to how Jesse Jantzen dominated back in his days and to see him look so sluggish against Schultz is just amazing. True, Schultz was dominating in the throw department but he also rode Ed very effectively...the better man won this match on that historic day.

[@lilsteve12]

all good things come to an end, right?

[@CBeast101]

Never knew they were from there, I'm a section 9 wrestler myself

[@omgitsjoetime]

So much better than international freestyle

[@JudoMateo]

What a great display of upper body Wrestler and going for the pin!!!

[@jasonyoung3070]

Hell of a match

[@billgarrity6720]

Good match.

[@israelorais]

This is a good preview of the upcoming movie "Foxcatcher" in Dec 2013, which is about Mark and Dave Schultz.

[@zabokowalski5171]

Mark Schultz conditioning regimen must have been insane. Amazing match

[@azteacher26]

He beat Gary Goodridge in 1996 with a 1 day notice before the fight. That's how well conditioned he was.

[@reggieglubber5420]

Fight or wrestling match?

[@azteacher26]

@@reggieglubber5420 UFC fight

[@reggieglubber5420]

@@azteacher26 We all thought it was an armpit fight.

[@chadsdadbrad]

Hands down best NCAA final of all time

[@WiLDLiLWayne1997]

I live in OKC and Im just discovering that Mark wrestled for OU. Thats the coolest thing Iv ever freaking known!!!

[@TYLERtheMAGGOT1]

he was a California native and I'm from California:) amazing wrestler

[@troybricker1207]

Mark is a friend of mine and was my idol as a young wrestler in OKC! I saw him win his NCAA championship in Oklahoma City the following year! And I have the 177 lb. weigh in placard from OKC,signed by Mark and his finals opponent, Duane Goldman, of Iowa! Mark Schultz is the Hawkeye Killer!!!

[@FZappa20]

Powerful Mark Schultz

[@stephenkinq1716]

Crowd Was Hype for Thys One

[@williamoleary9330]

Mark...The USA of a University needs you back in the sport and the highest level. It’s time

[@lowellhigh]

What a monster.

[@jeffdarnell7942]

I won 2 State Championships in 83 and 84, and I sure don't remember them stopping action for stalling warnings in High School...but, that was a LONG time ago...

[@edwellis1]

the 1st match of the season was the best match when Mark put Banach on his back with two seconds to go.

[@misterwonderful8628]

"We cannot doubt of our existence while we doubt" ~Rene Descartes

[@juwansmith8899]

Sweet throw-by

[@b.b.5048]

Couple of bears going at it. Fricken monsters at 177. I wonder what they were walking around at?

[@SouthernSideQuests]

crazy how different technique was back in the day.

[@Codemeisterrr]

It's mainly Greco-Roman/ Upper-Body tie clinching, which in folkstyle is like finding a needle in a haystack. Especially if you have two going at it with such excellent technicality. This match was bloody awesome.

[@robthomas229]

They both went on to win gold in the Olympics super tough

[@tdavidg9176]

Great match, exciting to watch after all these years. Sure looks more like an Olympic match than a college match. I graduated from high school that year but I don't recall any of these matches on TV. I recognize what appears to be Al Michaels voice though.

[@tdavidg9176]

Also notice the locking hands which is not allowed these days.

[@delon777]

there was no locked hands buddy

[@tdavidg9176]

Look at 3:35 to 3:40

[@delon777]

It's used a lot in Greco. Locked hands is when both of your hands lock or touch when you're on top in folkstyle.

[@delon777]

It's called the under over body lock

[@Strikerage]

Dang. I enjoyed this more than 95% of UFC fights. What happened?

[@sylvaindescoteaux4208]

well your ignorance about MMA transpires all over your dumb comment and comparing both is a waste of time since u obviously like wrestling more than mma (ufc) .... by the way , Mark Schultz did pretty darm good in UFC 9 agains't a guy that outweighted him by at least 50-60 pounds !

[@johnnybravo3554]

4:44 Dave?! The commentator is having trouble to stop thinking of his older brother.

[@johnosborne7708]

who is the color commentator for this match.

[@sapnil5064]

Who's here after uncle chael's video about this fight?

[@williamoleary9330]

Al Michaels on the call...nice

[@Bananaman11309]

Awesome Mark

[@danielrodrigainz4366]

Anybody know about Shultz or banachs strength training regimen ?

[@scottherdliska372]

He and his brother were monsters

[@scottherdliska372]

LOL, I just realized they both had awesome wrestling brothers

[@ScottKuechenmeister]

Damn... Hard to believe John DuPont was able to beat Mark after watching that match.

[@steveadams7596]

Great match. Both would end up with Olympic Gold Medals in Los Angeles.

[@teamgitusome]

monsters

[@Stanna44]

Came here due to the movie Foxcatcher.

[@ceylonmooney]

HA! me too

[@Tanksnurse]

Same here, pretty good movie

[@Troy428492]

R.I.P. Dave Schultz

[@TheWiddaC]

Channing tatum does have a look of him

[@youarerightboss]

Sorry, Al Michaels, both men weren't juniors. Mark Shultz was a Sophomore, as stated earlier.

[@thawkereynolds]

They treated it like it was a foregone conclusion banach was going to win meanwhile Mark Schultz had already beat him once during the year. I don't understand why it was assumed banach would be unbeatable for Schultz

[@hailerpeter94]

Here because of chael

[@bretzwashington7617]

🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@alzen7041]

Paying homage to the great Dave and Mark Schultz.

[@brandonashcom5164]

There making a movie about Shultz

[@stephenkinq1716]

Like These Two were Lokkin' In The Mirror ...Goin' against one another.

[@scottb.3262]

The toughest 177 pounders ever!

[@isaacwilliamwilde1269]

I want to get I to wrestling and but have no idea how it's scored can someone give me the basics please

[@imnotabotrlyimnot]

2 points for a take down from the neutral position. (both standing) 1 point for an escape from the bottom to the neutral position. 2 points for a reversal from the bottom position to the top position. 2 points for exposing the opponents back to the mat for 2 seconds. 3 points for exposing the opponents back to the mat for 3 seconds(now this is 4 points for 4 seconds of exposure) Points can also be awarded for things like stalling, illegal moves and fleeing the mat.

[@cxpablox]

4.48 announcer said Dave Schultz xD

[@MAMP]

That guy's jawbone is huge

[@myboyabdonfuckinlamronandt553]

are they both wearing the asics tigers? i want those 😍

[@grandbyroll]

Mizuno Tigers … Never forget. lol

[@poolboyinla]

@Terry Duran What is the difference?

[@Tortugasmaximus1]

They look like ASICS gable superflexes to me

[@shanelarker6631]

Visionquest anyone

[@user-hn6eb4pj8t]

Это что за правила такие ? Или я что-то пропустил?

[@commonpeasant8792]

Schultz’s book brought me here, not the cheesy ass movie. PLEASE read his book.

[@breakwoodhopper6739]

He looked big as hell for 167 pounds

[@big0514]

Lean muscle appears bigger than I at skin and bones

[@LUMLEY92]

177 pounds. His brother was 167

[@vaterpolistzg]

he was wrestled only2 years later at the olympic games in 198 pounds division ,and his wrestled at the 220 punds division.They both won gold.Pretty strange that they gain 20-40 pounds of muscle in 2 years

[@pablofonseca13411]

Bryson Jones it was 177

[@macster1228]

Its Lums I think it’s cool Dave had to wrestle up a weight for missing weigh ins and still walked through the 167 bracket

[@Cochise6666]

Schultz kept losing control from the leg ride when Banach would reach back. He needed to Turk Banach.

[@reggieglubber5420]

I think Banach was SO superior physically. It looked liked he got a little lackadaisical at times especially when trying to escape. Banach should have won this match.

[@GD-sq2vj]

No technics here, only power.

[@andrewpupkin3473]

Как можно с такой борьбой стать олимпийским чемпионом и чемпионом Мира?

[@JB-zo7ln]

These guys look like 197 lb guys look today.

[@themaninthesuit5729]

does anybody know if they met again in 83'?

[@joebuck4957]

The Man in the Suit Banach moved up to 190 on 1983.

[@themaninthesuit5729]

AJ GK Thanks!

[@joshmaxon7026]

Uncle Chael sent me

[@itsmeitstrue]

Shultz was a stud. Both were. Banach was the bigger stronger guy. Mark was the better athlete twitchy

[@tylerkeller8869]

I still don't understand how these schools, Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama, etc... States which otherwise are in many cases poverty stricken in many areas. States that have fallen victim to our country's failing industry. Still manage to attract the best athletes in the country.

[@henry-joemurphy1286]

SCH-TUD!!!... And I'll SCHAY it again! SCH-TUD!!!!

[@damianfalcone1800]

4:50 when the announcer says Dave Shultz instead of mark smhhhhh

[@TheHenryboy6762]

Did you catch the fox mother? Did your horse jump over the thing?

[@luispena7134]

LOL