Bruce Baumgartner

Bruce Robert Baumgartner (born November 2 1960, in Haledon, New Jersey) is a retired American amateur wrestler and current Director of Athletics for the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

During High school, Baumgartner excelled on the wrestling team, going 23-0, but was defeated in the NJ State Championship match. During the off-season he threw shot put and discus on the track team, setting several records in the shot put. Baumgartner is a four-time Olympian and owns four Olympic Medals: two gold, one silver and one bronze. He holds a Bachelors degree in education from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN where he competed collegiately for 4 years. He frequently worked out alongside Kurt Thomas, the Olympic Gymnast. During his collegiate career he finished runner-up at Nationals his sophomore and junior years, and was the 1982 National Champion his senior year completing an undefeated season of 44-0. His collegiate record was 134-12 with 73 falls. In 1995, he was presented the James E. Sullivan Award by the Amateur Athletic Union as the outstanding amateur athlete in the U.S. He was sponsored through the New York Athletic Club. Baumgartner attended Manchester Regional High School in Haledon, New Jersey. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/olympics/longterm/wrestlng/freebios/baumgart.htm Bruce Baumgartner profile] , "The Washington Post", accessed April 26, 2007.]

In 2008, Baumgartner was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.

He is noted for his huge dislike of professional wrestling.

References

External links

* [http://brucebaumgartner.com Official Web Site]
* [http://www.usolympicteam.com/26_49590.htm Bruce Baumgartner's U.S. Olympic Team bio]