Elliott Awarded National Wrestling Hall of Fame Medal of Courage
10/29/2019 3:18:00 PM | Wrestling
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.– Indiana wrestling alum Trevor Elliott was awarded the Illinois Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Medal of Courage Award.
The award is presented to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appears to be insurmountable challenges.
In October, 2002, Trevor Elliott faced an insurmountable challenge. Following a freak accident at work, the former Illinois state champion and standout Indiana University wrestler had just been told by his doctors that he'd likely be a quadriplegic for the rest of his life.
This courageous wrestler would not accept his prognosis. Trevor's accident left him with two crushed vertebrae in his lower neck. He agreed to a new procedure that would cut through the front of his neck and fuse the damaged vertebrae. Doctors believed if it was successful, he might regain movement in his hands and feet only.
Within three months, Trevor regained movement in his legs. After 12 months of rigorous therapy, tenacity and perseverance, his miraculous recovery restored his ability to walk and move his arms freely.
Trevor's desire to remain active in wrestling was the driving force behind his therapy and recovery from this point forward. He followed his brother Neal and IU teammates to Florida where in 2006, he became the head coach at Cape Coral H.S. Trevor stated that at first he was not "fit enough" to actually get on the mat with his wrestlers, but admits that his determination, character, and hard work have inspired many of his athletes. He now periodically puts on his wrestling shoes and drills moves with his wrestlers on the team.
Trevor Elliott competed for Hall of Fame coach Lon Gerrish at Sandwich High School and was a three-time state champion. He placed third as a freshman. He has the record for most wins at the individual state meet in Class A with 13. His high school statistics include a career record of 166-9, with 108 pins, 22 tournament championships and 517 dual team points. Trevor was a High School All-American. He was captain of the 1991 State Championship Team. He also competed in track and cross-country and was a state qualifier in pole vault.
Trevor went on to compete at Indiana University and was a two-time NCAA National Tournament qualifier. His college career record was 86-34.
He said his time at Indiana was very important and he learned a lot.
"Being a student-athlete at Indiana was probably one of the most influential times in my life," he said. "I learned a lot about life. I learned a lot about friendships and people."
"The amount of work you put in, it was kind of difficult the transition. Out of the wrestling room those guys I wrestled with became lifelong friends. The bond that we created, you get that bond where you would go through anything and help them and be there for them through anything."
Trevor is currently the head wrestling coach and a science teacher at Cape Coral, FL High School. In his first fourteen years at the school, he has coached 15 State Qualifiers, 8 State Place winners, and 2 State Champions. His 2006 team placed fourth in the Florida State Meet.
Trevor said he thought he would be a coach someday. He said it has been fun to watch guys who didn't think they would have the kind of talent necessary to be successful and watch them turn a corner.
Trevor added that something that initially drew him to wrestling was the challenge.
"It was the challenge and competing with people and see if I could win matches," he said. "Its only you and you can't make any excuses. What you put in you get out of it."
The award is presented to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appears to be insurmountable challenges.
In October, 2002, Trevor Elliott faced an insurmountable challenge. Following a freak accident at work, the former Illinois state champion and standout Indiana University wrestler had just been told by his doctors that he'd likely be a quadriplegic for the rest of his life.
This courageous wrestler would not accept his prognosis. Trevor's accident left him with two crushed vertebrae in his lower neck. He agreed to a new procedure that would cut through the front of his neck and fuse the damaged vertebrae. Doctors believed if it was successful, he might regain movement in his hands and feet only.
Within three months, Trevor regained movement in his legs. After 12 months of rigorous therapy, tenacity and perseverance, his miraculous recovery restored his ability to walk and move his arms freely.
Trevor's desire to remain active in wrestling was the driving force behind his therapy and recovery from this point forward. He followed his brother Neal and IU teammates to Florida where in 2006, he became the head coach at Cape Coral H.S. Trevor stated that at first he was not "fit enough" to actually get on the mat with his wrestlers, but admits that his determination, character, and hard work have inspired many of his athletes. He now periodically puts on his wrestling shoes and drills moves with his wrestlers on the team.
Trevor Elliott competed for Hall of Fame coach Lon Gerrish at Sandwich High School and was a three-time state champion. He placed third as a freshman. He has the record for most wins at the individual state meet in Class A with 13. His high school statistics include a career record of 166-9, with 108 pins, 22 tournament championships and 517 dual team points. Trevor was a High School All-American. He was captain of the 1991 State Championship Team. He also competed in track and cross-country and was a state qualifier in pole vault.
Trevor went on to compete at Indiana University and was a two-time NCAA National Tournament qualifier. His college career record was 86-34.
He said his time at Indiana was very important and he learned a lot.
"Being a student-athlete at Indiana was probably one of the most influential times in my life," he said. "I learned a lot about life. I learned a lot about friendships and people."
"The amount of work you put in, it was kind of difficult the transition. Out of the wrestling room those guys I wrestled with became lifelong friends. The bond that we created, you get that bond where you would go through anything and help them and be there for them through anything."
Trevor is currently the head wrestling coach and a science teacher at Cape Coral, FL High School. In his first fourteen years at the school, he has coached 15 State Qualifiers, 8 State Place winners, and 2 State Champions. His 2006 team placed fourth in the Florida State Meet.
Trevor said he thought he would be a coach someday. He said it has been fun to watch guys who didn't think they would have the kind of talent necessary to be successful and watch them turn a corner.
Trevor added that something that initially drew him to wrestling was the challenge.
"It was the challenge and competing with people and see if I could win matches," he said. "Its only you and you can't make any excuses. What you put in you get out of it."
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