Mango, Lester win Greco-Roman titles at Schultz Memorial International
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by Craig Sesker
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Spenser Mango looked up at the clock and knew it was time.
Time to step up and deliver a big move.
Mango did just that, and just in the nick of time. Mango turned rival Sam Hazewinkel just before the final buzzer to pull out a dramatic 6-0, 0-4, 2-1 win in the finals of the Dave Schultz Memorial International Open on Friday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
Mango beat Hazewinkel in a rematch of the Olympic Trials at 55 kg/121 lbs. Mango defeated Hazewinkel to make the 2008 Olympic Team. Hazewinkel came back to win a World University title last year in Greco-Roman.
"It's a great win for me," Mango said. "I've never won this tournament. I've always taken second and that's the highest I've placed. It feels good to get a Dave Schultz title under my belt."
"Winning just isn't enough anymore. You want to win World championships and Olympic titles."
Mango's buddy and teammate, Harry Lester, made a triumphant return at 74 kg/163 lbs. Lester, who retired after finishing third at June's Olympic Trials, came back strong in his return to competition. He won his third career Schultz title.
Lester won by forfeit over Cheney Haight in the finals. Haight sat out the match because of a back injury.
Past World Team member Joe Betterman made it three titles for wrestlers who have trained at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Betterman downed a determined Jeremiah Davis 1-1, 4-2 to win the title at 60 kg/132 lbs.
"This is my weight class," Betterman said, "and I plan on doing whatever I can to defend it."
Jacob Curby helped the New York Athletic Club go 4-for-4 with his title at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Mango, Lester and Betterman also wrestle for the New York AC. Curby beat Kerry Regner in the final round.
"This boosts my confidence, but it just tells me that I am on the right track," Curby said. "Come Vegas (for U.S. Nationals), I should be ready."
Olympian Jake Deitchler finished fourth on Friday. Deitchler, who has moved up a weight class to 74 kg/163 lbs., lost to Haight in the semifinals. He rebounded with a win before falling to Jake Fisher in the third-place match.
FINAL ROUND RESULTS
GRECO-ROMAN
55 kg/121 lbs.
Spenser Mango (New York AC) dec. Sam Hazewinkel (Sunkist Kids), 6-0, 0-4, 2-1
60 kg/132 lbs.
Joe Betterman (New York AC) dec. Jeremiah Davis (U.S. Army), 1-1, 4-2
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Jacob Curby (New York AC) dec. Kerry Regner (Sunkist Kids), 2-0, 3-0
74 kg/163 lbs.
Harry Lester (New York AC) won by forfeit over Cheney Haight (New York AC)
Time to step up and deliver a big move.
Mango did just that, and just in the nick of time. Mango turned rival Sam Hazewinkel just before the final buzzer to pull out a dramatic 6-0, 0-4, 2-1 win in the finals of the Dave Schultz Memorial International Open on Friday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
Mango beat Hazewinkel in a rematch of the Olympic Trials at 55 kg/121 lbs. Mango defeated Hazewinkel to make the 2008 Olympic Team. Hazewinkel came back to win a World University title last year in Greco-Roman.
"It's a great win for me," Mango said. "I've never won this tournament. I've always taken second and that's the highest I've placed. It feels good to get a Dave Schultz title under my belt."
"Winning just isn't enough anymore. You want to win World championships and Olympic titles."
Mango's buddy and teammate, Harry Lester, made a triumphant return at 74 kg/163 lbs. Lester, who retired after finishing third at June's Olympic Trials, came back strong in his return to competition. He won his third career Schultz title.
Lester won by forfeit over Cheney Haight in the finals. Haight sat out the match because of a back injury.
Past World Team member Joe Betterman made it three titles for wrestlers who have trained at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Betterman downed a determined Jeremiah Davis 1-1, 4-2 to win the title at 60 kg/132 lbs.
"This is my weight class," Betterman said, "and I plan on doing whatever I can to defend it."
Jacob Curby helped the New York Athletic Club go 4-for-4 with his title at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Mango, Lester and Betterman also wrestle for the New York AC. Curby beat Kerry Regner in the final round.
"This boosts my confidence, but it just tells me that I am on the right track," Curby said. "Come Vegas (for U.S. Nationals), I should be ready."
Olympian Jake Deitchler finished fourth on Friday. Deitchler, who has moved up a weight class to 74 kg/163 lbs., lost to Haight in the semifinals. He rebounded with a win before falling to Jake Fisher in the third-place match.
FINAL ROUND RESULTS
GRECO-ROMAN
55 kg/121 lbs.
Spenser Mango (New York AC) dec. Sam Hazewinkel (Sunkist Kids), 6-0, 0-4, 2-1
60 kg/132 lbs.
Joe Betterman (New York AC) dec. Jeremiah Davis (U.S. Army), 1-1, 4-2
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Jacob Curby (New York AC) dec. Kerry Regner (Sunkist Kids), 2-0, 3-0
74 kg/163 lbs.
Harry Lester (New York AC) won by forfeit over Cheney Haight (New York AC)
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