Curtis Markle is a 1998 graduate of Bald Eagle Area High School in District 6, where he was a 3-sport athlete, competing in wrestling, track, and soccer. In addition, during his junior high years he was a member of the Nittany Gymnastics Club. Curt was coached by legendary NWHOF member, Dick Rhoades. His career record was 95-24; quite impressive considering he did not begin wrestling until the sixth grade. He was a 2X State Qualifier, winning District and Regional titles in 1998. In his senior year, Curtis won the Snyder Award for classroom excellence and good citizen in the school and community. He was the BEA Service Award winner, the drama award winner, the Big John Riley Scholarship for excellence in community and high school activities, the recipient of the U.S. Marine Corps Award, the McClincy Memorial Award and the BEA Booster Club Wrestling Award as the top wrester in the senior class. After BEA, Curtis wrestled for Blair Academy and the US Military Academy. In 2004, Curtis broke his back and was paralyzed below the chest. The accident did not deter his pursuit of athletics, where he continues to excel in adaptive water and snow skiing, biking, and various Wheelchair Olympics sports. He was recently featured in a short presentation on the BIG 10 Network for his adapted sports activities and training regime. Curtis is a student at Penn State, in Environmental Systems Engineering. He has 9-year-old daughter, Anna.