Angle to be Given PSAC's Award of Merit at USAir/NWCA All-Star Match, February 3
Lock Haven, Pa. - Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time NCAA wrestling champion, Kurt Angle, a 1992 Clarion University alumnus, will be honored by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) with the league's highest distinction, the Award of Merit, in cermonies prior to the USAir/National Wrestling Coaches' Association All-Star Meet at Clarion University, Monday evening February 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Angle captured the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games in the 200-pound freestyle wrestling classification. His win and subsequent reaction provided one of the most touching moments of the Atlanta Games. Overcome with emotion, Angle dedicated his gold medal performance to his late father and murdered friend and mentor, wrestler Dave Schultz.
The PSAC Award of Merit is given "for outstanding and extraordinary accomplishments....which brings exceptional recognition and honor to the Conference," Only twice before has the Award of Merit been presented by the Conference.
Edinboro head wrestling coach and Olympic gold medalist, Bruce Baumgartner, was an Award of Merit recipient in 1992. Also in 1992, Shippensburg alumnus Steve Spence, a world-class marathoner, was honored by the PSAC with the Award of Merit.
"As the Conference's first-ever alumnus to win an Olympic gold medal, Kurt's performance is all of outstanding, extraordinary and exceptional," explains PSAC Commissioner Dr. Charles 'Tod' Eberle. "This award is given to the best the league has to offer. Kurt is certainly among the best ever," adds Eberle.
After defeating Iranian Abbas Jadidi in overtime, Angle created one of the most memorable Atlanta Olympic moments when he dropped to his knees saying a thankful and teary-eyed prayer upon winning the gold medal.
Angle, a native of Pittsburgh (Mt. Lebanon HS), was a three-time PSAC Wrestler of the Year (1990, '91, '92) after winning three conference titles and two NCAA Division I heavyweight championships (1990 & '92). He also earned the PSAC Freshman Wrestler of the Year award in 1988. Additionally, he won four Eastern Wrestling League titles while compiling a 116-10-2 (.910) collegiate record.
Recently, he has won two United State National Championships (1995 & '96) and the 1995 World Championship title.
Most importantly, Kurt graduated from Clarion in 1992 with a degree in education. While at Clarion, he competed for the legendary Bob Bubb.
In 1995, Kurt was invited for a tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers despite never playing collegiate football. He is a member of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Classic Hall of Fame.