Cejudo returns to Colorado Springs to a hero’s welcome

Henry Cejudo runs through a cheerleader line to enter the gym at Coronado High School in a welcome-home assembly.

On August 19, 2004, Henry Cejudo moved from Arizona to Colorado Springs, Colo., to attend Coronado High School. He was a high school junior who left his family and home to live at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and pursue his dream of winning an Olympic gold medal.

Exactly four years later, on August 19, 2008, Cejudo won the 55 kg/121 lbs. weight class in freestyle wrestling at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

"The same day I got to this school was August 19. That is the day I won the Olympics. It was exactly four years. That makes this an even bigger story," said Cejudo.

Since that glorious gold-medal day, Henry Cejudo has been traveling the country and the world living his Olympic dream. Today, more than two months after getting the gold medal placed around his neck, Cejudo returned to Colorado Springs and was honored by his adopted city.

Coronado High School welcomed home its most famous graduate with a special assembly today. This is where Cejudo won Colorado state high school titles as a junior and senior.

The gymnasium was packed with students, many carrying signs and wearing red, white and blue clothing. Faculty members were everywhere. The Cougar cheerleaders were lined up, waiting for Cejudo to arrive. A picture of Henry Cejudo posed in a singlet, which first appeared in Sports Illustrated, was beamed up on the gym wall. All of the local television stations and an army of print photographers set up their locations to capture the scene.

Cejudo ran into the gym, carrying an American flag and running through a gauntlet of cheerleaders. He ran the entire length of the gymnasium waving the flag, shaking hands with students in the front row and wearing his now-famous Cejudo smile. He was greeted in the center of the gymnasium by Coronado principal Susan Humphrey and his high school wrestling coach at Coronado, Matt Brickell.

A slide show of Henry Cejudo action images from the Olympic Games was displayed on the gym wall to the sound of the song "One Moment in Time."

"Henry Cejudo is an inspiration to us all," said coach Brickell. "He had a dream. He had a goal. And he became the youngest U.S. wrestler to win an Olympic gold."

Brickell told the story about when Cejudo arrived at Coronado. At that time, Brickell asked Cejudo why he was here. Cejudo told Brickell that he was there "to win a gold medal."

"It was always an adventure when Henry took to the mat," said Brickell. "This kid always came to compete. Henry is probably one of the greatest high school wrestlers ever in the history of the sport."

Brickell asked Katherine Hurtado, the 15-year old sophomore from Coronado who is the daughter of Cejudo's mentor David Hurtado, to come out and join him at center court. Henry hugged her in front of her classmates, then declared to everybody there that "if anybody wants a date with her, they have to come through me." The crowd roared with laughter.

Brickell then got the crowd going by repeatedly asking "Who's in the House?" with the loud response of "Henry's in the House!!!"

"You have proven that with hard work and determination that you can achieve your dreams," said Principal Humphrey. "Your excitement touched the hearts of people all over the country."

Humphrey then awarded a tassel from the Class of 2006 to Cejudo, because Henry had to miss his formal high school graduation ceremony to compete at an international wrestling tournament.

"Your gold medal defines your life," said Colorado Springs mayor Lionel Rivera. "You are a role model for all kids who face challenges. You have given great honor to Colorado Springs, Coronado High School and the entire state of Colorado."

USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender presented the Olympic champion ring that is given by international wrestling federation FILA to every Olympic gold medalist in wrestling.

Then Cejudo got the microphone. He stood by himself in the center of the gym, and captivated the audience in his own unique style, making jokes and giving advice to the young people.

"I couldn't do it without all the people behind me," said Cejudo. "If I can tell you one thing, it is that hard work pays off. You have to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You can achieve anything."

Principal Humphrey next presented Cejudo with a shadow box with a singlet and a number of Henry Cejudo photos, including ones from his high school career. Coach Brickell brought out a new Cougar jacket for him. Then, to the applause of the student body, the school unveiled a huge banner of Henry Cejudo carrying the American flag, with the headline "Olympic Champion" on it, which will remain in Coronado's gymnasium.

The period ended and the students left the gym, but Henry Cejudo was just getting started. He was taken into a nearby health classroom for a press conference, where he was able to talk about his experiences.

"It is very humbling," said Cejudo. "To hear the whole school calling your name is great. I love it. I love to deliver a message to kids that you can be all that you want to be."

When asked about the slogan "The American Dream," which was on the t-shirt that he wore, Cejudo announced that there is a book deal underway which will tell his life story. He then answered questions about his next step in his wrestling career, including a hint that he planned to continue training in Colorado Springs.

"I am going through the 2012 Olympics," said Cejudo. "Colorado Springs is my home. It is a hard decision. I haven't decided anything yet. But, my family has moved here, and I am a big family man. I take every year like it is the last. I try to enjoy life, every minute, every second. I stay humble and I keep training hard. Two golds are better than one."

Cejudo also talked about his whirlwind world tour, where he has been making numerous appearances and doing major media interviews.

"I don't want it to stop," said Cejudo. "It is still a rollercoaster. I will be going to 10 different states next month. I am going to ride the Olympic wave."

Cejudo reminded the media on hand that in spite of his many opportunities that fame had not changed him.

"I'm still the same Henry. I don't want you to think I'm P Diddy or something. I'm still here. I might have a little bigger head, but I'm still Henry," he said.

Cejudo was asked what he tells young people who have big dreams like he did.

"You are going to lose. You will fall," said Cejudo. "I fell a lot. But every day, I pictured this Olympic moment. That is what drove me. I like it when people doubt you. It makes me work harder. I always saw myself as the best in the world."

School officials whisked Cejudo out of the interview room and to a throng of awaiting students outside. A portable tent was placed out in the school courtyard, where a long line of students waited for Cejudo to autograph t-shirts and photos. Many asked to have their pictures taken with the Olympic champion, who was wearing his Olympic medal. For two lunch periods, Cejudo greeted the students, smiling all the time.

When asked how things went today, his high school coach Matt Brickell summed it all up for everybody.

"He did good," said Brickell.