LONDON -- Milwaukie Oregon’s Kelsey Campbell made it to the round of 16 in the Women’s Freestyle wrestling competition in her Olympic debut.
The competitor who out-wrestled her was China’s Saori Yoshida, who went on to win the gold
Campbell’s wrestling career started in high school with a bet. She was told she wouldn’t last two weeks in the sport but now she’s 26 and still going strong. She spent four years training and competing with the Peninsula Wrestling club, a Portland neighborhood institution based out of PP&R’s Peninsula Park Community Center.
Kelsey moved out on her own and supported herself before graduating from Milwaukie High School in 2003, where she competed on the boys' wrestling team.
After taking community college classes, she went on to Arizona State University and wrestled with ASU's club program as the first-ever female wrestler in the history of the university.
Along with representing the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics, Campbell said a highlight of her time in London was meeting the First Lady at the Opening Ceremony.
In her Twitter feed, Campbell said Michelle Obama offered her some advice: "Have fun, try to breathe a little, and win!!!"
More: Kelsey Campbell's bio
Results: Women's Freestyle Wrestling
Video: Campbell' upset over Maroulis
Complete coverage: NBC Olympic Zone
