Ahead of his time: Rick Sanders

[Oracle]

With apologies to mookie (sorry, not sorry) I happened across some footage of Olympic Silver Medalist and 2X NCAA champ Rick Sanders from the ‘68 and ‘72 Games.

Sanders was really the first American to wrestle pure freestyle. Others, including Gold Medalists, would use college moves.

Late 60s: first time I ever saw a Spladle used in competition. He pinned his Olympic opponent with it.
Then it was the leg cradle. Then a little later on it was the Assassin.

Oh, let’s not forget he used a chest wrap throw over 55 years ago. The guy was a pioneer and waaay ahead of his time.

IMO, he made Dave Schultz look like an amateur….and we all know what a great tactician Schultz was.

[mookie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0S_lvZwJM4

[D3 for LU]

I remembered watching the '72 Olympics in Munich w/ the freestyle coverage on ABC that was over the top and exciting (for the amount they showed!) I knew that Gable was on the team, along w/ the Peterson brothers and Wayne Wells... also a HS'er from PA, Jimmy Carr! But the wrestler that really caught my attention was Rick Sanders!

He made freestyle fluid and magical... like Chuck Berry's lyrics for Johnny B. Good, Rich wrestled on the mat like ringing a bell.
He made it look easy!
There's a bunch of video's over on FLO that had the '72 Olympics/FS of Sanders matches, as well as Gable/the Petersons, Wells, AND Chris Taylor (including the infamous GR match w/ Dietrich of W. Germany suplaying Taylor for the fall.)
If you got the subscription to FLO, check it if you hadn't already!
The fact that he never got back to the USA after the games, was a sad chapter in wrestling, as he died in an auto accident in Yugoslavia.



Still... he was magical on the mats!



D3

[Justafan]

Thanks for the info Oracle

So........did Sanders duck Mike Caruso?

In 1966 Sanders finished 3rd in the NCAA Tournament Div 2. He then dropped to 115 to wrestle in the NCAA Div1, avoiding Caruso and Fehrs. Who knew you could change weights between tournaments? He stayed down at 115 until Caruso/Fehrs graduated and then moved up to 123.

I often wonder how the competition lines up at the lowest weight class. Today the philosophy is that you can never have enough 125#. Finding 115 # 20 yr olds must have had challenges even then. I believe Rick Sanders was the Gene Mills of his day, known to lose massive amounts of weight in a short period of time.

All of which means that Bobby Weaver was an enigma. Not to take anything away from his superb wrestling ability but he was 26 years old when he won his gold medal in 1984 at 105.5#

[1/2NELSON]

Interesting thread on so many levels! I had the pleasure as a CAMP counselor at Jackson Valley Wrestling Camp just outside of Washington, N.J., in the mid to late '60's, to rub-elbows literally with many of the LEGENDS of the game. It was customary for the guest clinician to bring one of his STAR pupils, and many times I also served as the WRESTLING dummy! I recall vividly Coach Nichols/Peterson, Leeman/Caruso, and others coming out and spending 4-5 days at a time with the campers.

It may have been after the '68 Olympics, not sure, when Sanders showed up, and caught everyone's attention, not only with his un-orthodox style, his patented SPLADLE,.. but in appearance. In contrast to Ben Peterson who was clean--cut, he was a HIPPY, long hair, beard, etc. Me and my buddy Curt Callahan(Maryland Captain) took him out for a beer, and some pizza one night. Can't recall if we did any weed ,.. but he sure impressed us as a free spirit. Was saddened to hear of his tragic accident following the '72 Olympics. And much like David Schultz, he didn't hesitate to engage with his foreign foe, and extend his hand in friendship.

Dan Gable on Sanders(2:50Mark)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CepqFF6WWt0

Had another memorable encounter when Camp Director Russ Riegel(Hunterdon Central H.S.) told me to skip lunch to meet another guest instructor for the afternoon session,..and WARM-HIM-UP! Didn't know he was Doug Blubaugh, Olympic Champion,.. very powerful, and built like the proverbial BRICK-SHIT-HOUSE!

https://www.google.com/search?q=doug+bl ... p3U-8,st:0

[D3 for LU]

Ah, yes... Jackson Valley Wrestling Camp.

I spent several summer weeks attending that camp (as well as my two older brothers did several years earlier.)

I have a picture of yours truly, after cross-country practice in the Blair Academy yearbook recovering after speed work on the track... wearing my JACKSON VALLEY CAMP CHAMPS t-shirt!

D3