Olympics will have competitors with USOEC ties

Courtesy of the USOEC

MARQUETTE, Mich.—Six United States Olympic Education Center and Northern Michigan University alumni will be representing the United States at the Summer Olympic Games in London. Five of the athletes are Greco-Roman wrestlers and one is a weightlifter.

Spenser Mango of St. Louis will wrestle for Team USA for the second consecutive Summer Games in the 55-kilogram weight class. He graduated from NMU in 2010 with a degree in physical education/coaching. Mango credits his time at the USOEC as an important part of his development.

“Marquette is a great place to live and train,” said Mango. “Northern is a great university for young athletes who would like to have the best of both worlds: world-class training and the opportunity to attend school full time.”

Joining Mango on Team USA are the following wrestlers, along with their respective weight classes: Ellis Coleman of Oak Park, Ill., who attended NMU in 2009 and will compete at 60 kg; Justin Lester of Akron, Ohio, a 2007 NMU graduate in history, 66 kg; Ben Provisor of Stevens Point, Wis., who spent 2009-10 at the university, 74 kg; and Chas Betts of St. Michael, Minn., a 2010 electronic imaging graduate, 84 kg.

Former USOEC weightlifter Sarah Robles of San Jacinto, Calif., will also represent the United States in London in the 75 kg weight class. She attended Northern from 2008-09.

Athletes will participate in the opening ceremonies on July 27. Weightlifting begins July 28 and Greco-Roman wrestling will start Aug. 5. Go to www.nbcolympics.com for a detailed schedule of events and a schedule of televised coverage.