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Good exposure: U.S.-Sweden exhibition at Northern Michigan University Olympic Training Site gives Greco-Roman wrestlers a taste of international competition

Frankie Tal’shahar, right, of Boca Raton, Fla., pins Albin Jonsson of Sweden Wednesday night at the Superior Dome in Marquette during the U.S. vs. Sweden Greco-Roman wrestling exhibition conducted by the Northern Michigan University Olympic Training Center. (Journal photo by Rachel Oakley)

“It’s a different feeling in the room and we learn something from each of them.” — Jordan Auen, NMU-OTS wrestler, about the U.S.-Sweden exhibition

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MARQUETTE — The Marquette community was treated to an international wrestling exhibition on Wednesday evening when wrestlers affiliated with the Northern Michigan University Olympic Training Site served as the U.S. team in a Greco-Roman exhibition against Sweden at the Superior Dome.

Seven of the 13 bouts were won by the U.S., but the real storyline was the NMU athletes’ glimpse at Sweden’s top Greco-Roman wrestling team, which NMU’s Jordan Auen said is one of the most rewarding aspects of this week’s program.

The Swedes are here in Marquette all week working out with NMU-OTS wrestlers and those attending the Superior International Wrestling Camp.

“It means a lot to have these guys here,” said Auen, who wrestled at 60 kilograms. “We have a blast in their country, and that’s how we really get to know them and see them at their best.

“They love competition, and we can tell they love this meet and they bring something special. It’s a different feeling in the room and we learn something from each of them. Everyone brings something different individually.”

Greco-Roman is a form of wrestling where takedowns can only involve attacking the upper body, while leg attacks are prohibited. That is opposed to freestyle, the wrestling most people are used to, where the whole body including legs can be used.

NMU is one of the few university programs that travel to Greco-Roman tournaments worldwide, including an annual visit to Sweden each October.

Auen, a freshman from San Jose, California, said a competition such as this is what puts the NMU-OTS program on the map and is what set NMU apart from the rest of the schools in the country when he chose a college.

“I’ve been wrestling for five years, but it’s totally different once you get here,” Auen said. “It’s a lot of work, and the training is insane.

“This is one of the only places you can get Greco wrestling and get an education at the same time. Most colleges are just American style, but I love this kind of competition and travel.”

Competitions such as these in the summer are not just restricted to students who are a part of this NMU program.

Students from other universities travel to train at NMU in the summer, such as Taylor LaMont from Utah Valley University.

LaMont echoed that coming to NMU’s facilities and workouts give him a rare opportunity, such as this competition against Sweden.

“I like coming here because it’s one of the best Greco programs in the country,” LaMont said. “NMU has a lot of good coaches and athletes. Camps like this get looks at foreign kids and a lot of tours, which gives me as much training as I can get.”

LaMont said getting attention as a Greco-Roman wrestler is hard to come by in this country, making events such as this even more special.

“Americans have a different style,” LaMont said of the more prevalent freestyle form. “We don’t put a lot of focus on Greco in this country, so it’s good to see European teams that train like this their whole lives.

“We have different styles that almost make it a disadvantage for us, so it’s good to wrestle these guys and get a good feel so when we go to world championship tournaments we will be ready.”

Auen agreed that Sweden’s team teaches them how they can improve their Greco-Roman skills when facing others across the world.

“Their style is a lot more open,” Auen said. “They’re not afraid to go for big points. Some American wrestlers tend to push the pace and keep points low, but these guys are going for ‘bombs’ and it makes it a lot more exciting.”

And for the NMU-OTS program, LaMont said it is giving their athletes competition that’s needed to reach the next level.

“It all goes back to world championships,” LaMont said. “Any wrestler that has the goal of winning a top championship or becoming an Olympic champion knows they’re going to have to wrestle these guys, and you can’t get this experience at just any program. You have to come to places like NMU to compete and train with these guys for a whole week.

“This gives us the knowledge and skills we need to compete for any world championship.”

Ray Bressette can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 251. His email address is rbressette@miningjournal.net.

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