Kendall Cross
Kendall Duane Cross is an American freestyle wrestler, wrestling coach and Olympic gold medalist. He won the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, where he wrestled in the 57 kilogram weight class. He defeated Guivi Sissaouri of Canada 5–3 in the final match. Cross also competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics where he placed sixth. He had defeated the eventual winner and the two-time world champion Alejandro Puerto of Cuba in a previous tournament but lost 10–6 in round six of the elimination rounds.
His bracket at the 1996 Olympics is considered one of the deepest of all time, with 8 former or future World and Olympic champions competing in the event.
Early career
In high school, Cross wrestled for Mustang High School in Mustang, Oklahoma where he won a state title.He wrestled collegiately for Oklahoma State University where he was a three time All-American and won the NCAA Championship in 1989. Kendall graduated from OSU with a major in political science and economics.
Highlight achievements
- Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, inducted 2002
- Three time US National Champion
- Outstanding Freestyle Wrestler at the U. S. Nationals, 1992 and 1995
- 1997 USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year
- 1992 Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin Tournament Champion
- Espoir National and Espoir World Cup Champion, 1988
- Bronze medal at Junior World Championships, 1986
- World Cup Champion, 1997
- Olympic Champion, 1996