Mesa High alumnus Anthony Robles is returning to the mat.

But this time he’ll help hand out medals instead of donning them like he did when he blossomed into a state champ and inspirational story at Mesa High and then as a national champ at Arizona State in 2011. Robles will attend one of the medal rounds — Feb. 8 or 9 — during the Arizona Interscholastic Association state championships at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott.

On Feb. 9, Robles also is hosting the first Run with Robles at Tempe Town Lake, a fundraising event for ASU’s wrestling program. Part of the proceeds from that event also will be donated to Arizona high school wrestling programs.

“We are extremely excited that someone who came through an AIA member school like Mesa High is in a position to give back to the communities, and using his story to inspire young athletes to persevere and to get involved,” said Dr. Harold Slemmer, the AIA’s executive director. 

Robles was born without a right leg, but that didn't keep him from reaching his goals.