Ian wrestled for Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie. While building an outstanding career in both football and wrestling, Ian was called a “Can’t Miss” athlete. Through his freshman season at Prep, Ian wrestled at Fargo, placing 2nd in freestyle and 3rd in Greco. He was a 2X Pennsylvania State Freestyle Champion, and a 3X State Greco Champ. He also won the NE Regional Freestyle and Greco Championships to earn his way to Fargo. At Erie Prep in his freshman year, Ian placed 3rd in District 10, then was the District 10 195 lb. AAA Champion in his sophomore year, and a PIAA state qualifier.

But on June 3, 2016, Ian’s life forever at Akron, Ohio. He was competing in a U.S. World Team qualifier for the UWW Cadet Greco Roman Nationals. His opponent slipped out of a headlock attempt by Ian and then went behind him. He then threw Ian head-first onto the mat and landed on top of him. It was a legal throw, it left Ian paralyzed from the chest down.

Ian had also had been a standout football player at Prep. He would recover enough to graduate, and was in the top 10 of his class despite being unable to write. Ian currently attends the University of Miami, and graduates this spring. Ian finished his freshman year with a 4.0 GPA. 

Since his injury, Ian has worked with the Christopher Reeve Foundation to advocate for people with spinal cord injuries/disabilities. He worked with local representatives to change legislation to help improve the lives of people with disabilities. Ian began motivationally speaking, and spoke to PSU wrestling team prior to the 2018 PSU vs OSU dual of the century. Ian did all of this despite being told by doctors I would never be able to move or breathe on his own. The Erie Times-News presented Ian with the Varsity Cup Inspirational Athlete Award in 2017.

One of Ian’s nominators, Jeff Scibetta said, “Beyond his athletic talent, Ian was, and remains, a leader. He was the kid who set the example for others - the kid who stayed after practice, the kid who worked the hardest, the kid who took time to talk to younger kids, the kid who got good grades, the kid who made good life decisions. In short, he was the kid whom the other kids looked up to; and he was the kid whom you as a parent or a coach or a teacher wanted them to look up to.”

Most recently, Ian was just notified this past mid-January that he has been accepted to Harvard Law School. What an INCREDIBLE accomplishment for this phenomenal young man! He continues to achieve highly and has a bright future. The Medal of Courage award is presented to a former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges. It is certainly apparent that Ian Malesiewski’s story no better defines the spirit and intent of that award. 

Ian currently resides in Coral Gables, Florida, near the University of Miami, though he will be relocating to the Cambridge, Massachusetts area when he begins law school at Harvard.,