Kevin Bracken (born October 29, 1971) is an American Greco-Roman wrestler who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics, where he finished 6th place at 63 kg.[1][2] He is currently the Head Coach of the Olympian Wrestling Club, Castle Rock, Colorado.[3]

Career

High School career

He attended St. Laurence High School in Burbank, Illinois, where he was captain and most valuable wrestler for their first state championship team in wrestling.[3] Bracken provides the Kevin Bracken scholarship fund to St. Laurence high school. He led the St. Laurence Vikings to a team state championship in 1990. Bracken was coached by Bob Trombetta and Thomas M. Gauger. Gauger sparked Bracken’s interest in Greco-Roman wrestling that led to his success. Tom Gauger has coached several wrestlers that competed in the college ranks.

College

In college, Bracken wrestled for Illinois State University before they eliminated their wrestling program during his final year.[4] Bracken holds the record for the most career wins in the history of the Illinois State University, with 127. In 2005, he was inducted into the Illinois State University hall of fame.[4][5]

National/International

Bracken was a five-time national champion, three-time Alternate for the U.S. Olympic Team, and one-time Olympian.[6] He was a Jr. National Championships runner-up in 1989 and Jr. National Champion in 1990 in Greco-Roman Wrestling. He was the 20-year-old age group National Champion in Greco-Roman and Freestyle and 5-time world team trials champion.

Honors and awards

  • 1992, 1996, 2004 United States Olympic Team Alternate
  • 1993, 1995, 2001 Pan-American silver medalist
  • 1996 World Cup Champion
  • 2000 Olympic Team Member, 6th Place
  • 2001 World Championships, 7th Place
  • 2003 Pan-American Champion
  • Olympic Training Center Team Captain for six years
  • 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 World Team Member

References

  1. ↑ "Wrestling" (PDF). XXVIIth Olympiad. 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 23, 2011.
  2. ↑ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Kevin Bracken Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Olympian Wrestling". Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Merrill, Elizabeth (April 25, 2012). "Emotions linger for former Illinois State wrestler". ESPN. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Player Bio: Kevin Bracken". Redbird Athletics. Archived from the original on January 9, 2011.
  6. ↑ "unknown title". Colorado USA Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
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