It has been said on several occasions that Kendall Cross was destined to become an Olympic Champion. But to realize that prediction would take one of the most wide-open, exciting styles of competition ever seen in American wrestling -- the Kendall Cross style.

After completing his high school career in Mustang, Oklahoma, by winning a state championship, Kendall went on to Oklahoma State University where he became a three-time All-American and the 1989 NCAA champion.

His first success at the international level came in 1988 when he became the Espoir World Cup Champion, setting the stage for his pursuit of the Olympic gold.

In 1992, he was the only freestyle wrestler on the American Olympic Team who was not ranked number one at his weight at the beginning of the year. He finished sixth at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

The road to the Olympic gold would be no easier in 1996. His championship series with Terry Brands at the Olympic Trials in Spokane, Washington, treated American fans to one of the most spectacular displays of wrestling ever seen in this country. His victory at the trials sent him on to the Atlanta Olympic Games where his dominating effort provided one of the most inspiring gold medal performances in memory.

In 1997, he was named the USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year, while in 1992 and 1995 he was declared the Outstanding Freestyle Wrestler at the U. S. Nationals where he became a three time national champion.

Although Kendall has moved on to a professional career as a financial consultant for Merrill Lynch of Boston, he continues to be a role model for young wrestlers and an impressive representative of our sport. He has developed the Kendall Cross Gold Medal Wrestling Club in the Boston area, designed to aid in the development of young, aspiring wrestlers.

For his achievements as an athlete and for his continued representation of the sport of wrestling to the youth of America, Kendall Cross is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.