Adam Coon details journey to Paris Olympics, Michigan wrestling influence

Adam Coon has a chance to go down in Olympic wrestling history when he takes the mat Monday in Greco Roman Wrestling.

The former Michigan standout will wrestle at 130 KG in the style and he gets to train with fellow Michigan alum Mason Parris, who’s the 125 KG representative in freestyle. Coon briefly left wrestling to pursue football and was invited to camp by the Tennessee Titans.

However, he decided to pull back, return to wrestling and go all in on an Olympic run. It’s paid off so far.

“I decided that I liked the sport of football but I love the sport of wrestling,” Coon said. “That’s why I decided to come back so it was really nice to give football a shot but ultimately this is where I wanted to be.”

Coon previously won a Silver Medal at the 2018 World Championships at his weight in Greco Roman, his best competition to date. After missing out on Olympic qualification last cycle, Coon made it count this time around.

Michigan, which could basically be dubbed “Heavyweight U” at this point, gives Team USA two great opportunities for medals with the big boys.

“Mason Parris on the team has been super fun, a guy I’ve been training next to for a few years now,” Coon said. “It’s really fun watching him develop as well as get to a level where he’s at and it’s gotten to the point now is that friendly competition, we’re constantly pushing each other to get better.”

Growing up, this was Coon’s dream. He turned it into reality when he climbed the recruiting ranks and developed into one of the best NCAA heavyweights of his era. Although he didn’t capture an NCAA title, he has a chance to leave his mark on the sport.

“I’ve obviously put in a lot of hard work as well to get here and help to make everybody proud,” Coon said. “It means a lot to represent Team USA and the University of Michigan here at the Olympics. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to be at this level, so all of that kind of means a whole lot.”

Coon finished 109-15 at Michigan in four varsity seasons. He was a three-time All-American and two-time runner-up. His final collegiate match was a loss to Ohio State’s Kyle Snyder, a three-time NCAA champion.

Snyder is also on Team USA, repping the country at 97 KG in freestyle for the third straight Olympic cycle. Snyder won Gold back in 2016 and Silver in 2020.

Now Coon, Snyder and the others look to show out for the USA in a few days.