Former Stewartville High School Coach, Howard Sloneker, in his nomination letter, I think best describes the courageous and accomplished life of Bob "Bart" Bardwell when he says, "I unequivocally endorse Bob, as a candidate for the Medal of Courage Award, and I thank you for the privilege to do so. It would be a major error on my part, or anyone who knew Bob, not to admire the tremendous courage and faith he has demonstrated after his very unfortunate accident that paralyzed him from the waist down. This only inspired him to new heights. He used that character to build facilities called Ironwood Spring Ranch, recognized not only locally, but state, national, and to a degree, international wide. Many youth, adults and organizations have experienced and continue to experience the benefits of his vision and foresight." Bob "Bart" Bardwell is the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's 2006 'Medal of Courage' recipient. As a wrestler Bardwell competed for 5 years at Stewartville High School and was on the varsity for 4 years. He qualified for Regions each year under the then tough ones class system. He was unable to compete his senior year due to an injury. He continued his wrestling career in college at Pillsbury Baptist College (Owatonna, MN) where he compiled a 74-4 record and was Team Captain. His 10-year wrestling career ended upon another injury while training for the 1972 Olympic games. A heavy construction accident left Bardwell paralyzed from the waist down in 1973. His injury only served as an inspiration though. He became founder (1976) and current executive director of a non-profit organization called Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch serving 23,000 kids and adults each year. This ranch serves the 'physically challenged' from across the country and several foreign countries. The past 17 years Bardwell has also served as a national motivational speaker and authored the book "The Marathons of Life." Bardwell continued his athletic participation by competing in 100 marathons between 1983 and 2002. He was a first place finisher in several of them, including the Twin Cities Marathon, three years in a row, from 1985 to 1987. The Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to present the Medal of Courage to a most deserving and courageous athlete, and humanitarian, in Bob "Bart" Bardwell.