Rich grew up in Arden Hills where he started wrestling at the age of 6. He graduated from Mounds View High School in 2012 where he was the Social Studies Student of the Year, a 4x wrestling State Entrant, and 2x All-State Wrestler. After high school he attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where he obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry with a Business Minor. During his time at UWL he was a 3x Academic All-American and a 2x All-American at the NCAAs. In 2014 Rich won the U20 National Championships and represented the U.S. at the Junior World Championships. Rich also played rugby while he attended UWL.
After graduating college he enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard as a Combat Medic. He is currently a Sergeant in the Minnesota Guard and was named 2022 Non-Commissioned Officer of the year. Rich is in the 204th Medical Company which is headquartered in Cottage Grove. In 2021 Rich deployed to the Horn of Africa with the 2-135 Infantry Battalion where he was a medic supporting security and transportation missions in East Africa. Since joining the Army Rich has completed Air Assault School, Jump School, the French Desert Commando Course, and Brigade Combat Team Trauma Training. Next year Rich will be going to Ranger School. In 2024 Rich qualified for and competed in the Olympic Trials in Greco Roman wrestling. Rich has been on Team USA two times and represented the U.S. in the 2022 Pan-American Championships.
Rich started his CrossFit Journey.in 2021 when he returned from his first deployment. With his wrestling background he has always enjoyed weightlifting and intense training. Rich was able to obtain his CrossFit Level 1 certification through the Army in October of 2023.
Outside of the gym Rich likes to spend time with his parents who live in White Bear Lake. Rich and his girlfriend Chelsea, who is also a member of COL, live in Saint Paul and have a dog named Rain.
