Talented heavyweight Kurt Angle accomplished it all. He powered his way to membership in the "Big Four," claiming championships at the Junior Nationals, NCAA, 1995 World and 1996 Olympic Games.

Only the fourth American to reach those heights, he joined legends Dave Schultz, John Smith and Kenny Monday. In 1993, he became the fourth U.S. Wrestler to bring home a title from the Krasnoyarst tourney in Russia. Kurt was a coach's dream. From Mt. Lebanon High School in Pennsylvania to Clarion University and beyond, he was self-motivated, extremely hardworking and focused. When a coach spoke, he listened.

He started with a Junior Nationals title in 1987, adding a Pennsylvania state championship, along with All-State honors as a linebacker in football. The following year he fought his way to the the gold at the Espoir Nationals.

Guided by Clarion coach Robert G. Bubb, Kurt collected four Eastern League titles and was a three-time Pennsylvania state conference champion. In 1990, he took his first NCAA title. Second place and a knee injury marked the next year, but by 1992 Angle was back in top form, adding a second NCAA championship. He set Clarion's record for 355 takedowns in dual meets while on the way to a 116-10-2 record.

From 1990-96, he collected championships at the Canada Cup, the Henri Deglane Challenge in France, the Grand Prix Slovakia and the Roger Coulon tournament in France.

He has been honored by the Pennsylvania Classic Hall of Fame, the Clarion University Athletic Hall of Fame and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Hall of Fame.

As an amateur wrestler of tremendous stature and a champion of awesome achievements, Kurt Angle is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.