JONATHAN FERREY—GETTY IMAGES

Brad Vering, 30, Wrestling

Growing up in Howells, Nebraska, Brad Vering was surround by football fans. The state is known for the University of Nebraska football team, the Cornhuskers. Naturally, his mother hoped that her son would play ball there. " I could have used another three inches, quicker feet, a little more strength," says the 5-feet 9-inch athlete.. He won an NCAA wrestling title for Nebraska instead, and helped the U.S. to its first Greco-Roman team gold medal at last year's world championships. "I feel that I'm wrestling better now than I ever have in my whole career," he says. His success has surely won some hometown fans, 632 at least--Howells' population. When he hits the Olympic mat in Beijing, football will be the furthest thing from their minds.

--By Sean Gregory