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Former Wyoming wrestler Martinez receives Medal of Courage

Related Topics: Medal of Courage

Former University of Wyoming wrestler Michael Martinez will be honored as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame 2018 Medal of Courage recipient, it was announced Thursday.

Martinez complied a 116-43 record with the Cowboys, won three Western Wrestling Conference titles and was a four-time qualifier to the NCAA Championships.

On April 2, 2013, Martinez was severely burned at his family home outside Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Martinez received second- and third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body.

After months of recovery, Martinez later became an assistant wrestling coach at Pagosa Springs, helping the team to a state championship in 2014, its first since 2009.