Darryl Christian :: Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Growing up in a small town in the Pacific Northwest, sports were a way to keep busy. Participating in organized sports has always been a part my life. My wrestling career began when I was in third grade at the Grants Pass Mat Club.

I have always loved the competitive nature of wrestling. Having played team-oriented sports as well, I always disliked the fact that an individual’s effort could go unnoticed. I have always worked hard and wrestling was an outlet that allowed my work ethic to shine through to where I am today in my career.

The death of my father at an early age really changed my life. Having to grow up as my own caretaker and guidance counselor accelerated my earlier childhood years. I now see adversity as a stepping-stone to greater successes. Learning that it's not where you start, but where you finish has always been a part of who I am.

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" - Steve Prefontaine

Darryl Christian – Greco-Roman, 74 kg

2004-05 Team USA Ranking: No. 2 at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Years on Team USA: 4 (2002-06)
Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Club: New York AC
Coach: Momir Petkovic, Anatoly Petrosyan, Steve Fraser
College: University of Oregon
High School: Anaheim Hills, Calif. (Anaheim Hills), Grants Pass, Ore. (Grants Pass)
Born: January 15, 1976 in Grants Pass, Ore.
Height: 5-9

International Competition: Fifth in 2005 Hungarian Grand Prix (Hungary)…Champion in 2005 Dave Schultz Memorial International…Second in 2005 Kit Carson International…Champion NYAC Christmas International…Fifth in 2004 Henry Deglane International (France)...Third in the 2004 World Cup (Georgia)…2004 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion... 10th in 2004 Olympic Qualification Tournament (Serbia-Montenegro)... 10th in 2004 Ivan Poddoubny Tournament (Russia)... Fourth in 2003 NYAC Christmas International... Second in 2003 Sunkist Kids International Open... Fourth in 2003 German Grand Prix... Second in 2003 Pan American Championships... Fourth in 2003 Dave Schultz Memorial International... Second in 2003 Concord Cup... Second in 2002 World Cup... Fifth in 2002 Vantaa Cup (Finland)... Third in 2001 Sunkist Kids International Open...

U.S. Competition: 2005 U.S. Nationals Champion…Second in 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials... 2004 U.S. Nationals champion... Fourth in 2003 U.S. Nationals... Third in 2002-03 World Team Trials...Third in 2002 U.S. Nationals...

College: Attended the Univ. of Oregon, where he was coached by Chuck Kearney... Four-time NCAA Championships qualifier... graduated in 1999 with a Psychology degree...

High School: Attended Canyon High School in California, where he was coached by Mike Gayer, and Grants Pass High School in Oregon, where he was coached by Tim Satre... Two-time Oregon state champion (1992-93) and a California state champion (1994)... Also was an All-State soccer player and a member of the school cross country team...

Personal: Son of Holly Christian... Brother of Brian Moore and R.J. Christian... Currently working at El Pomar Foundation... Interested in Business... U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete...