SOURCE: www.hawkcentral.com

April 11, 2016

(Editor's Note: Daniel Dennis defeated Tony Ramos in the best-of-three championship series Sunday night at the Olympic Trials to punch his ticket to Rio at 125.5 pounds (57 kilograms). Dennis claimed a 2-0 victory (2-1, 10-0) over his former Iowa teammate.)

Daniel Dennis was nearly broke three years ago, physically and financially, when he loaded everything he owned into a rickety old pickup and left competitive wrestling behind.

His back ached. His shriveled-up left arm looked like it belonged on someone else. A neck injury sapped his strength on one side and occasionally triggered spells that would leave his left arm numb and unresponsive.

A sport that crumpled his dreams seemingly each time they appeared within reach left the former University of Iowa two-time NCAA all-American with emotional scar tissue, as well.