Charles Heard
{{short description|American wrestler}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Charles Heard
| image =
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| nationality = American
| birth_date =
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| weight = 52 kg
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| hometown = LaGrange, Georgia, U.S.
| country = United States
| sport = Wrestling
| event = Freestyle and Folkstyle
| collegeteam = Chattanooga
| club =
| coach =
| team = USA
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport | Men's freestyle wrestling}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|Pan American Games}}
{{MedalSilver|1983 Caracas|52 kg}}
{{MedalSport | Collegiate Wrestling}}
{{MedalCountry | the}} Chattanooga Mocs
{{MedalCompetition|NCAA Division I Championships}}
{{MedalSilver|1983 Oklahoma City|118 lb}}
{{MedalCompetition|SoCon Championships}}
{{MedalGold|1982 Lexington|118 lb}}
{{MedalGold|1983 Chattanooga|118 lb}}
{{MedalGold|1984 Charleston|118 lb}}
| show-medals = yes
}}
Charles "Charlie" Heard is an American former freestyle and folkstyle wrestler. He won a silver medal at the 1983 Pan American Games in freestyle wrestling at 52 kg. Heard was also an NCAA runner-up at the 1983 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at 118 lb.[https://nwhof.org/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame/champions-database?wrestler=6970&tab=aa Charlie Heard – All-Americans]. nwhof.org. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
Early life
Heard attended Troup County High School in LaGrange, Georgia. He amassed a record of 101–2 in wrestling, while also playing baseball and football.[https://waynesburgsports.com/sports/wrestling/roster/coaches/charlie-heard/48 Charlie Heard – Wrestling Coach]. waynesburgsports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
College career
In college, Heard was a three-time NCAA All-American for the Chattanooga Mocs. He finished as the NCAA runner-up at the 1983 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. Heard was also a three-time SoCon champion, winning the Most Outstanding Wrestler award of the SoCon tournament in 1982 and 1984.[https://southernconf_ftp.sidearmsports.com/custompages/socon/files/Wrestling.pdf Southern Conference Wrestling Record Book]. SIDEARM Sports. Retrieved March 25, 2024. He finished his college career with a 113–10 record. In 1992, Heard was inducted into the Chattanooga Athletics Hall of Fame.[https://gomocs.com/honors/hall-of-fame/charlie-heard/174 Charlie Heard (1992) – Hall of Fame]. gomocs.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
Freestyle wrestling
Heard represented the United States at the 1983 Pan American Games, where he won a silver medal in freestyle wrestling at 52 kg. He was also a two-time Olympic alternate.