1977 BYU Hall of Fame
In high school, Mike took the state wrestling championship three years in a row. His school never forgot him, and six years after he left his home town to attend BYU, Idaho Falls High School honored him at a special Mike Young Wrestling Night in 1968.
Mike continued to distinguish himself at BYU, winning the WAC Championship in 1963 and 1966. He won the university’s first “Most Competitive Athlete” award in 1965. He graduated from BYU in 1967, and also received a master’s degree in 1969.
After college, Mike continued his wrestling career, becoming Pan American Champion in 1967 and the National AAU and Federation Champion in 1969, 1970 and 1973. He placed third in the 1967 and 1970 World Championship meets, and third in the World Invitational meets of 1971 and 1972. While coaching at Boise State University, Mike was voted Big Sky Wrestling Coach of the Year four-straight years. He has served as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the National Wrestling Coaches Association. In 1966, he married Suzy Nielsen, and they have two daughters and a son.
1977 BYU Hall of Fame
In high school, Mike took the state wrestling championship three years in a row. His school never forgot him, and six years after he left his home town to attend BYU, Idaho Falls High School honored him at a special Mike Young Wrestling Night in 1968.
Mike continued to distinguish himself at BYU, winning the WAC Championship in 1963 and 1966. He won the university’s first “Most Competitive Athlete” award in 1965. He graduated from BYU in 1967, and also received a master’s degree in 1969.
After college, Mike continued his wrestling career, becoming Pan American Champion in 1967 and the National AAU and Federation Champion in 1969, 1970 and 1973. He placed third in the 1967 and 1970 World Championship meets, and third in the World Invitational meets of 1971 and 1972. While coaching at Boise State University, Mike was voted Big Sky Wrestling Coach of the Year four-straight years. He has served as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the National Wrestling Coaches Association. In 1966, he married Suzy Nielsen, and they have two daughters and a son.