College Wrestler of the Year - 2008

Tanner Gardner
Stanford

All-American Tanner Gardner is one of three KWCA Senior College Wrestlers of the Year.  Gardner finished in 5th place this past season at the NCAA Division 1 national tournament for Stanford.  He had a season record of 43-3, won the PAC 10 tournament and was named Outstanding Wrestler, and was named Stanford University Senior Athlete of the Year.

Gardner’s career at Stanford was very successful, putting together a 145-38 career record and earning three NCAA Division 1 All-American honors (8th, 7th, and 5th).  He was also a two-time PAC 10 champion and claim many freestyle titles while at Stanford.  As a results of his hard work on the mat, Gardner finished as Stanford’s only 3x All-American, finished as Stanford’s career leader in wins, and single season leader in pins and wins.   He was also very successful in the classroom earning three-time Academic All-American honors.

At Shawnee Heights High School Gardner was a two-time 5A state champion and three-time state placer.  In 2002 he was the national Greco-Roman champion in Juniors and Fila Cadet.

Gardner is currently working the Boston Consulting Group and plans to return to school in 2010 and resume training for the 2012 Olympic Games.