USOEC unanimously names wrestler Harry Lester as its Athlete of the Year

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Julee M Basal (USOEC)
06/14/2005


MARQUETTE, Mich. - Greco-Roman wrestler Harry Lester (Akron, Ohio) was named the United States Olympic Education Center 2004-2005 Athlete of the Year by the first unanimous decision in the six years the award has been given.      One athlete is honored from each resident program every semester:  boxing, women's freestyle wrestling, men's Greco-Roman wrestling, speedskating and weightlifting.  The athlete of the year is selected from that pool.      Lester started the year strong, ranked third in the nation at 66 kg.  He went on to win gold at four competitions, including the Sunkist International Tournament and the Dave Schultz Tournament.  The two other first place finishes were at USA Wrestling's Senior National Championships and the University Nationals.  He was named the "Outstanding Wrestler" at both competitions.      Lester also took silver at the New York Athletic Club's International Invitational Tournament and bronze at the Petrov International Tournament in Bulgaria.  He is currently ranked first in his weight class.            Lester has trained at the USOEC for two years and is studying history at Northern Michigan University.  His interests include cooking, and watching law and cooking television shows.  He is one of six children.     Weightlifter Amber Davis (Chiefland, Fla.) was the second pick for the award and speedskater Carly Wilson (Jefferson City, Mo.) was third.  Outside of Olympic training, Davis is working toward a degree in education and Wilson plans to study interior design after graduating from high school this month.  More than 70 athletes train at the USOEC and attend classes at NMU and Marquette Senior High School.