ELMHURST, Ill. - Elmhurst alum Joe Rau is set to become the first Bluejay in school history to compete at the Olympic Games, with wrestling competition for Rau kicking off at 4:00 a.m. CT on Tuesday, August 6.

Rau qualified for the Olympics by winning the Greco-Roman 97kg bracket at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials held in April 2024. Rau, a two-time Olympic Trials winner, is making his first Olympic team after being a member of the USA Wrestling Senior World Championships team three times (2014, 2019, 2023).

OLYMPIC WRESTLING INFORMATION

Joe Rau will be wrestling in the Greco-Roman 97kg bracket. Brackets and draws were released on Monday, August 5. Rau will open the competition at 4:42 a.m. CT against three-time 97kg world medalist Mohammad Saravi of Iran. The full 97kg bracket can be viewed HERE.

Rau competes professionally in Greco-Roman wrestling, which is different than the typical Freestyle wrestling seen throughout the collegiate level. For more information on Greco-Roman wrestling scoring, click HERE.

In addition, Olympic competition uses repechage rounds to determine bronze medalists. For information on repechage, click HERE.

LIVE COVERAGE

The 2024 Olympic Games will be broadcast by NBC, and live coverage is available on television platforms as well as NBC's streaming platform, Peacock. As a reminder, Rau's match occurs at approx. 4:42 a.m. CT on Tuesday, August 6, and can be viewed live on Peacock.

Please visit Peacock for subscription information. 

JOE RAU HISTORY

Rau competed at Elmhurst from 2009-2013 as one of the most dominant wrestlers in school history. Rau captured the NCAA Championship at 184 pounds during the 2012-13 season, helping the Bluejays score a second-place national finish as a team. He closed out his career with an overall record of 121-22, ranking second in school history in all-time victories. His .846 winning percentage remains the highest winning percentage in school history.
 
Rau arrived at Elmhurst in 2009-10 and promptly captured the first of four College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Individual Championships. He won the individual title at 197 pounds in 2010 before winning the 184 pound title in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He was named the CCIW's Most Outstanding Wrestler for the 2012-13 season. During his final two seasons, he posted a combined record of 71-6, winning over 35 matches in each year.
 
A three-time national qualifier, Rau earned All-America honors each year he went to the NCAA Championships. As a sophomore, he placed seventh in the nation in 2011. During his junior year of 2012, he took home third-place before closing the book on his career with the national title during the 2013 season.
 
Rau continued to distinguish himself as a wrestler after he left Elmhurst. Competing in Greco-Roman wrestling, Rau won the 2016 U.S. Open and also claimed the 2016 U.S Olympic Trials Championship.