He’s not wrestling with move any more
Area star now world No. 3 in Greco-Roman
By Tom Reed
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Harry Lester took a gamble that stunned many in the collegiate wrestling world four years ago.
The Akron native walked away from freestyle wrestling and a scholarship at fabled Iowa State to join a program with an awkward sounding name in the hinterlands of northern Michigan.
Imagine Antonio Pittman transferring from Ohio State after leading the Buckeyes in rushing as a freshman. That’s how bizarre Lester’s switch to the United States Olympic Education Center and Greco-Roman wrestling appeared to outsiders.
“Time will tell if it’s the right decision, or not,” former Iowa State wrestling coach Bobby Douglas told the Beacon Journal in 2004.
A historic bronze medal at the World Championships and a No. 3 world ranking in the 145-pound division suggest Lester’s unorthodox move is paying off.
The former Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy standout is coming home this week to a hero’s welcome after his third-place finish at the World Championships last month in Guangzhou, China. Lester has transformed himself not only into an Olympic hopeful, but a medal contender.
Hometown friends might still have difficulty locating Marquette, Mich. — home of the USOEC and Northern Michigan University — on a map, but they at least understand why he is there.
“I couldn’t be happier with where I am in my career,” said Lester, 23. “I’m getting the best training and coaching available, and I’m also getting an education.”
Lester is pursing a dual major in history and geography at NMU, which is the educational arm of the Olympic developmental program. The USOEC is one of four American Olympic training centers and it houses athletes competing in five sports: boxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, women’s freestyle wrestling, weightlifting and short-track speedskating.
When Lester left Iowa State in 2002 he was hoping to get a jump-start on Greco-Roman wrestling, a discipline not taught or offered at Division I college programs. Few figured the four-time prep state champion would excel so quickly at the Greco-Roman style, which forbids a wrestler from attacking his opponent’s legs or using his own legs to trip, lift or execute other moves.
Lester has failed to win a medal in a major tournament only once in the past two years. He was beaten in the first round of the World Championships a season ago.
“Harry has a desire to be the best,” said Ivan Ivanov, the USOEC coach and former Bulgarian Olympian. “Winning the bronze medal has only made him more hungry.”
Lester became the USOEC’s first male wrestler to win a world championship medal at the senior level. He defeated two former world champions in gaining the honor.
“He wrestled great,” U.S. world team coach Shawn Sheldon said on the USOEC Web site. “(Lester) is intense. He is powerful. He will be around for a long time.”
Lester credits a change in his training technique for the improved results. Ivanov has him spending less time on the mat to concentrate on lifting weights and running sprints. It’s a decision that initially puzzled Lester, who loves to wrestle.
“He has discovered the new routine allows him to better maintain his core strength throughout the season. I guess it’s all about listening to your body,” Lester said.
The training regiment is not the only change in Lester’s life. He married his high school sweetheart, Ashley, who also attends NMU, over the summer.
Lester said he plans to return to Northeast Ohio after his competitive career to open a wrestling school.
“He is the kind of kid that loves to give back to his community,” said his father, Rev. Fred Lester, an associate pastor at Akron Bible Church. “Harry always has liked working with kids.”
Those plans remain on hold for at least another two years. Lester’s journey to China last month could not help but make him think about the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
“This is like the starting blocks for the Olympics,” Lester said. “I’m third in the race right now, but I’ve got time to make my move.”
Wrestling Gear
