The Early Years
Omaha, NE
Mike was born in Omaha and attended kindergarten at Ackerman in Millard, NE.
Even at this very young age, exercise became a part of Mike’s life. He was an “Ackerman All-Star!”
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Baton Rouge, LA
His family then moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he attend St. George Catholic grade school through 6th grade.
Mike grew up as a southerner, ate crawfish and of course played with alligators in the Bayou!
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Madison, Mississippi
Mike’s father purchased an auto dealership in Vicksburg, Mississippi and Mike attended Madison Middle School for one year. He loved fishing in the Barnett Reservoir near Madison MS.
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Omaha, NE
8th grade at Beadle Middle School convinced Mike to switch from basketball to wrestling.
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Millard West High School kept him extremely busy with all four years of varsity wrestling.