Former Olympic wrestler, 76, killed

Former Olympic wrestler, 76, killed

Published May. 17, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

A 1960 Olympic gold medalist and former NCAA wrester has been killed in a traffic accident in Tonkawa.

Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith confirmed Tuesday that former Cowboys wrestler Doug Blubaugh died Monday. He was 76.

Tonkawa police say Blubaugh was riding a motorcycle west on a city street when he was struck by a northbound pickup truck at an intersection around 9:30 p.m. Police Chief Scott Dark says there was no indication drugs or alcohol were involved.

Blubaugh wrestled at Oklahoma State from 1955-57 and compiled a 27-3-1 overall record. He won the 157-pound title at the 1957 NCAA Championships and captured a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics.

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Smith says Blubaugh was a tough farm kid who overcame adversity to become the best wrestler in the world.

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