The most exclusive club in wrestling is 12 members strong. Gable Steveson could be number 13 if he makes a World team.

Steveson won NCAA titles for Minnesota in 2021 and 2022, and a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics (even though it was in 2021). Winning a World title later this year grants him access. 

Only 12 wrestlers have won an NCAA title, World title, and Olympic title during their careers. It’s the triple crown of our sport — a rare feat that requires gold medal success at the three most prestigious wrestling championships in the world. 

Several prominent wrestlers have completed two of three legs but were a win or a circumstance away from entering.

Oh, So Close

Rick Sanders won D1 NCAA titles in 1966 and 1967 for Portland State, a World title in 1969, and silver medals at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics. 

Ben Peterson won NCAA titles for Iowa State in 1971 and 1972, an Olympic gold medal in 1972, and a bronze medal at the 1973 World Championships. 

Stan Dziedzic won an NCAA title for Slippery Rock in 1971, an Olympic bronze medal in 1976, and a World title in 1977. 

Lee Kemp won NCAA titles for Wisconsin from 1976-78, World titles in 1978, 1979, and 1982, but could not compete at the 1980 Moscow Olympics due to a U.S. boycott. 

Chris Campbell won NCAA titles for Iowa in 1976 and 1977, a World title in 1981, a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics, and could not compete at the 1980 Olympics due to the U.S. boycott. 

Bill Scherr won an NCAA title for Nebraska in 1984, a World title in 1985, and a bronze medal at the 1988 Olympics. 

Kevin Jackson finished second at the 1987 NCAA Championships for Iowa State but won World titles in 1991 and 1995, and an Olympic gold medal in 1992. 

Terry Brands won NCAA titles for Iowa in 1990 and 1992, World titles in 1993 and 1995, and an Olympic bronze medal in 2000. 

Sammie Henson won NCAA titles for Clemson in 1993 and 1994, a World title in 1998, and a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics.

Cael Sanderson won four NCAA titles for Iowa State from 1999-02, a silver medal at the 2003 World Championships, and a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics.

Jake Varner won NCAA titles for Iowa State in 2009 and 2010, a bronze medal at the 2011 Worlds and a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics. 

Kyle Dake won four NCAA titles for Cornell from 2010-13, World titles in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022, and a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics. 

J’den Cox won NCAA titles for Missouri in 2014, 2016, and 2017, a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics, and World titles in 2018 and 2019. 

Special mention: Cary Kolat won NCAA titles for Lock Haven in 1996 and 1997 and was stripped of his chances during the Worlds/Olympics from 1997-2000 due to corruption. 

Below are the 12 wrestlers who have won the triple crown. Will Steveson add his name to this prestigious list?

Triple Crown Winners

Wayne Wells (Oklahoma)
NCAA: 1968
Worlds: 1970
Olympics: 1972

Dan Gable (Iowa State)
NCAA: 1968, 1969
Worlds: 1971
Olympics: 1972

Mark Schultz (Oklahoma)
NCAA: 1981, 1982, 1983
Worlds: 1985, 1987
Olympics: 1984

Dave Schultz (Oklahoma)
NCAA: 1982
Worlds: 1983
Olympics: 1984

Bruce Baumgartner (Indiana State)
NCAA: 1982
Worlds: 1986, 1993, 1995
Olympics: 1984, 1992

Kenny Monday (Oklahoma State)
NCAA: 1984
Worlds: 1989
Olympics: 1988

John Smith (Oklahoma State)
NCAA: 1987, 1988
Worlds: 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991
Olympics: 1988, 1992

Kurt Angle (Clarion)
NCAA: 1990, 1992
Worlds: 1995
Olympics: 1996

Tom Brands (Iowa)
NCAA: 1990, 1991, 1992
Worlds: 1993
Olympics: 1996

Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska)
NCAA: 2009, 2011
Worlds: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022
Olympics: 2012

David Taylor (Penn State)
NCAA: 2012, 2014
Worlds: 2018, 2022
Olympics: 2020

Kyle Snyder (Ohio State)
NCAA: 2016, 2017, 2018
Worlds: 2015, 2017, 2022
Olympics: 2016