Olympian Spenser Mango headlines list of Greco-Roman champions at University Nationals
<< Back to Articles
Craig Sesker (USA Wrestling)
04/09/2010
AKRON, Ohio â€" This is the last year Spenser Mango can compete in the University Nationals.
So he plans on getting his money’s worth.
Mango won his third University Nationals Greco-Roman title on Friday at the University of Akron Field House. He competed up a weight class at 60 kg/132 lbs.
He rolled to a 7-0 win over Dmitry Ryabchinskiy of the New York AC in the first period and then pinned him midway through the second period. Mango was named Outstanding Wrestler.
“I was a little sluggish â€" I wasn’t really happy with my performance in my first few matches,†Mango said. “My last match, I think I got after it a little bit more. I had some nice gut wrenches.â€
Mango now turns his focus to trying to win a University Nationals freestyle title. The freestyle competition is set for Saturday and Sunday in Akron. Mango placed eighth in the 2008 Olympics and ninth in the 2009 World Championships.
“This is my last year at University Nationals â€" I’m becoming an old man now â€" so I figured I might as well wrestle a little freestyle,†Mango said, flashing a smile. “Plus my brother is coming out here. I will get to hang out with him for a couple of days.â€
Mango’s younger brother, Ryan, also is expected to compete in freestyle. Ryan just finished his freshman season as an NCAA qualifier for Stanford.
Spenser Mango, 23, said Friday’s Greco-Roman competition will help him prepare for the U.S. Open, set for April 23-24 in Cleveland.
“I’m in this for the long haul â€" I still have a lot of goals I haven’t accomplished in wrestling,†he said. “I want to win some World and Olympic medals, and I want them to be gold.â€
The explosive Mango was one of six wrestlers from the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan to win Greco-Roman titles on Friday. Among them was Andrew Bisek, who won this event for the fourth time. He won Friday at 79 kg/174 lbs.
Ben Sanchez, also from the USOEC, repeated as champion at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
The top two finishers in the seven Olympic weight classes qualify for June’s U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Central Michigan standout Jarrod Trice looked impressive in winning the title at heavyweight. Trice, eighth at the NCAA Championships last month, also plans to compete in freestyle this weekend.
UNIVERSITY NATIONALS GRECO-ROMAN â€" FINALS RESULTS
55 kg/121 lbs.
Max Nowry (New York AC/USOEC) won by tech. fall over Tyler Erdman (Modern Day Gladiators), 7-0, 7-0
60 kg/132 lbs.
Spenser Mango (New York AC/USOEC) pinned Dmitry Ryabchinskiy (New York AC), 7-0,1:05
63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Joe Kemmerer (Virginia Gold) dec. Daniel Osterman (Michigan Wrestling Club), 4-3, 0-1, 3-0
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Ben Sanchez (USOEC) dec. Esai Dominguez (Maverick Wrestling Club), 2-0, 0-2, 1-0
70 kg/154 lbs.
Pat Smith (Minnesota Storm) dec. Josh Castellano (USOEC), 1-0,1-0
74 kg/163 lbs.
Aaron Briggs (New York AC/USOEC) dec. Anton Gottfredson (USOC), 1-0, 1-0
79 kg/174 lbs.
Andrew Bisek (Minnesota Storm/USOEC) won by tech fall over Bryant Craft (Michigan Wrestling Club), 6-0, 7-0
84 kg/185 lbs.
Mark Stenberg (USOEC) dec. Courtney Myers (U.S. Marines), 0-4, 2-0, 1-0
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Charles Fish (U.S. Marines) dec. Patrick Carey (TWC), 0-2, 3-0, 6-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Jarod Trice (CMRTC) dec. Steve Andrus (Michigan Wrestling Club), 1-0, 2-1
TRUE SECOND-PLACE MATCHES
60 kg/132 lbs.
Anthony Jerome (Shamrock Binghamton) pinned Dmitry Ryabchinskiy (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Ellis Coleman (New York AC) dec. Esai Dominguez (Maverick WC), 2-0, 0-3, 7-0
74 kg/163 lbs.
Jonathan Drendel (USOEC) pinned Anton Gottfredson (USOC)
84 kg/185 lbs.
Ben Provisor (USOEC) dec. Courtney Myers (U.S. Marines), 4-0, 4-3
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Robert Prigmore (Chattanooga Wrestling) pinned Patrick Carey (TWC)