The greatest Olympic athlete from every U.S. state

Montana: Lones Wigger

Sport: Shooting

Olympics: Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, and Munich 1972

It certainly not a glamorous event but shooting still is an Olympic sport and there may have never been a better representative for the United States than Lones Wigger. He totaled three medals in separate events and also had a remarkable career outside of the Olympics. In addition to his athletic career, Wigger was a member of the United States Army and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.

During his career, Wigger held or co-held a whopping 27 world records. Fourteen of those were individual marks and also won seven Pan-American titles as well. In 1964, Wigger won the gold medal for 50 meters rifle three positions and also took the silver in 50- meter rifle prone position. 1972 saw Wigger take home his final medal in the Olympics as he won the gold in 300- meter free rifle. Throughout his storied career outside of the Games, Wigger captured a remarkable 58 National Championships of various kinds. He was also a member of 16 different major United States international teams including the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. When you combine his Olympic medals and all the other competitive events he entered over the years, his medal count stands at an incredible 108.

When his competitive days were over, Wigger served various terms on the USA Shooting Board. One of his highest honors outside of the Army came in 2008 when Wigger was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame. The sport of shooting hasn’t had many people that could match the influence that Wigger has had over his lifetime.

Honorable Mention: Gene Davis, wrestling in Montreal 1976