Photo: Matthew O’Haren ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
Adam Coon was born on November 14, 1994 in Fowlerville, Michigan. Growing up in Fowlerville, he dominated local and statewide wrestling competitions, earning four state titles at Fowlerville High School. During his high school career, he compiled an impressive 212-3 record, finishing with three consecutive undefeated seasons. He was named Michigan’s “Mr. Wrestler” in 2013 and received the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award (Midwest region).
Adam continued his wrestling career at the University of Michigan, where he majored in Aerospace Engineering. As a Wolverine, he became a two-time NCAA Division I finalist (2015, 2018) and a three-time All-American. He also won the Big Ten Championship three times (2015, 2016, 2018).
VIDEO:
April 20, 2024 ~ University of Michigan alum and three-time NCAA All-American wrestler Adam Coon clinches his Paris Olympics qualification during the 2024 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials inside the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania.
(CONTINUED) In 2016, Adam was the alternate at 130 kilograms in Greco-Roman wrestling for the Olympic Games after finishing second in the U.S. Trials. He won the 2020 U.S. Trials for the same weight class, but couldn’t meet the Olympic qualification standard. He finally overcame this hurdle by winning the 130-kilogram weight class at the 2024 U.S. Trials, securing his spot for the Paris Olympics.
Adam’s international achievements include winning gold at the 2011 Cadet World Championships, bronze at the 2014 Junior World Championships in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle, and silver at the 2018 Senior World Championships in Greco-Roman wrestling. He also won gold at the 2019 Pan American Championships and silver at the 2020 Pan American Championships.
In addition to wrestling, Adam briefly pursued a career in professional football, signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 and later playing for the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL.
Adam will take the international stage for the first time at the 2024 Paris Olympics on August 5.