Rulon Gardner

WAs an olympic wrestler who shocked the world in the 2000 olympics by beating Alexander Kerelin an individual who had not been scored on in 10 years let alone lost a match. GArdner grew up in Afton Wyoming on a dairy and helped with the family dairy. He struggled with learning problems all through school and being picked on do to his weight and learning disabilities.

He overcame surmountable odds in school to pass and also excelled in Football, Wrestling and Track events. Athletics gave him a break from the rigors of farm life for a few hours. HOwever he had to do chores after football and wrestling practice such as hauling calves across a field in a barn, milking cows feeding them and hauling hay.

He attended Ricks College on a wrestling scholarship and enjoyed success there. following Ricks he attended Nebraska University majoring in teaching. He enjoyed success there in wrestling making it to the ncaa tournament.

Following his wrestling eligibility he tried out for the football team but didn't follow suit. He had teaching to do as a student teacher and was credits short and had to deal with teachers against him in the program but got a teaching degree.

After college he tried for the us wrestling team were he enjoyed success. He also struggled with famous wrestlers. Barely missing the 96 olympics do to weigh in complications.

He made the 2000 olympic team and upset russian Alexander Kerelin and was a torchbearer for closing ceremonies. Following ceremony parade held in his hometown in honor. He appeared on several television programs as well as commercials on the dairy.

He suffered many mishaps including hypothermia in a nearfatal accident in yellowstone. Still he overcame odds and won the bronze in the 2004 olympics after being considered lucky to walk again. He left his whoes on the mat.

He has a teaching degree and is a motivational speaker who overcame many odds in life to acheive what he did.