Brandon Paulson

Brandon Paulson, born on November twenty-second, nineteen seventy-three, in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, is a distinguished former Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler and a dedicated wrestling coach. A graduate of Anoka High School in nineteen ninety-two, Paulson made a significant mark in high school wrestling, securing three state championships in his weight class and earning the title of Mr. Minnesota Wrestling during his senior year, concluding his high school career with an impressive record of one hundred fifty-five wins, twelve losses, and one draw.

Paulson's wrestling journey took a remarkable turn when he became the first high school wrestler to earn a place on the U.S. National Senior team, qualifying for the nineteen ninety-one to nineteen ninety-two team. His accolades continued to grow as he became a Junior World Silver Medalist in nineteen ninety-three and ultimately achieved the pinnacle of his sport by winning a silver medal in the one hundred fourteen point five pounds weight class at the nineteen ninety-six Olympics.

After his Olympic success, Paulson wrestled for the University of Minnesota, where he earned the title of NCAA All-American in nineteen ninety-eight. He continued to excel in Greco-Roman wrestling, representing the United States in the World Championships in two thousand one, two thousand two, and two thousand three, where he secured a silver medal in two thousand one. Following his retirement from competitive wrestling, he transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach for the Anoka High School wrestling team from two thousand five to two thousand eight, during which he helped produce seven individual champions.

In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Paulson was named USA Wrestling's Greco-Roman Coach of the Year in two thousand eight. He also played a pivotal role as a trainer and mentor for fellow Anoka alumni Jake Deitchler as he prepared for the two thousand eight Beijing Summer Olympics. Currently, Paulson is the co-director of the Pinnacle Wrestling School in Shoreview, Minnesota, and continues to coach for USA Wrestling. His legacy was further solidified when he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in two thousand nineteen.

Brandon resides in Anoka with his wife, Rochell, and their three children: Elijah, Abby, and Sydney. Abby has followed in her father's athletic footsteps, excelling as an elite gymnast and competing at the University of Utah, where she qualified for the P&G Championships in two thousand fifteen, two thousand sixteen, and two thousand seventeen, as well as the prestigious Jesolo Trophy in Italy.