USOEC team defeats Germany in Greco-Roman dual meet
<< Back to Articles
Jeff Chernach (USOEC)
05/17/2004
HARRIS, MICH. - What at first appeared to be a U.S. Olympic Education Center dominated event came down to the final match between the German National and USOEC Greco-Roman wrestling teams. The USOEC team was victorious in four of seven matches before a crowd of about 500 at the Chip-in's Island Resort and Casino in Harris on Friday night. The event featured seven matches with two three-minute periods. There was no question who was the more accomplished wrestler in the first match as Joe Bettermen (55 kilograms) showed his technical superiority over his opponent Baris Diksu of Tuttlingen, Germany, defeating him by a score of 10-0. The second USOEC victory did not come as easily as the first as Willie Madison (60 kg.) needed overtime to defeat Bengt Trageser of Alzenau-Michelbach, Germany. At the end of the final period of regulation the score was 0-0. Madison obtained the first point as Trageser released from the lock-up first. Final score 2-0. The Germans nabbed their first victory of the evening when Heinz Marneete (60 kg.) of Bad Reichenhal defeated Marco Lara 4-1. The German grappler scored first in the match when he was awarded one point for holding Lara to the mat for five seconds. Marneete built his lead with a three-point body lock. Lara's lone point came on a reversal. The fourth match was one of the more exciting of the evening as the USOEC's Harry Lester (66 kg.) flipped Christian Fetzer of Herbrechtingen every which way on the mat. Fetzer scored the first two points with a reversal and led 2-0 at the end of the first period. The second round belonged to Lester, as he unleashed a furry of moves scoring 11 unanswered points on a number of crowd-pleasing, highly technical moves. "When he scored the first two points, that was a wake-up call," said Lester. "That made me work harder." The USOEC's Kevin Lozano (74 kg.) battled German Jan Fischer of Riegelsberg. Fischer controlled the majority of the match and eventually defeated Lazano 6-2. Things did not improve for the USOEC squad as Aaron Boone (84 kg.) was outwrestled by Bernard Mayr of Feichten a. d. Alz. Mayr attacked early and scored the first three points, finally adding one more in the last period to defeat Boone 4-0. As each team won three, the stage was set for the tie-breaking match between R.C. Johnson and Patrick Schewendemann of Muhlenbach. At the end of the first period each wrestler was scoreless. The intense action continued in the second period as Schewendemann scored the lone point. The first athlete to reach three points was declared victorious. Johnson obtained one point early in overtime and finished with a gut wrench, earning two points and the win, 3-1, bringing the spectators to their feet. "It was a tough match," said Johnson. "You're never sure of the outcome; you just have to wrestle your best." The action seemed to be appreciated by the fans, including Westwood High School varsity head coach Dave Bleau, who made the trip from Ishpeming. Bleau, whose son Tim is a USOEC wrestler, said, "Events such as this have a positive impact on our local wrestling programs as they bring talent from all over the country and world. It allows our kids to see different styles and techniques." Lester was named the Wrestler of the Night for his come-from-behind victory and technical moves. NOTE: Many of the USOEC athletes have qualified to compete in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling in Indianapolis, Ind., May 21-23.