COL66

does anyone know if lester will be at the training camp helping out his former teammates? or is he really done with wrestling?

architeuthis

I think that what I've heard, and if I'm wrong please correct me, is that the top three from the trials all go to camp. Just in case someone gets hurt, and for training purposes.

I think he's really done though, at least for now. I'm especially interested in two things:

1. Does he go to the Olympics as Deitchler's training partner? Can you imagine that? Its like when Gardener and Byers trained together. What a great experience. The other question is, can a wreslter as talented and driven as Lester deal with going as a training partner? I don't know that if I were him I could, from an emotional standpoint that would be difficult. I've been led to believe that LEster is a standup guy, so I can't imagine him not doing it.

2. MMA is the buzz word, but does anyone think that Lester could become Kevin JAckson of the greco scene? I'm not sure what the qualifications and such are, but it had occured to me that He would be a good canidate to replace Fraser whenever he's done. Anybody have any insight into that? Also (I hope this gets taken the right way), Think about the Rooney (sp) rule in the NFL. It's always such a big deal to have a black headcoach. USA Wrestling could have its two higest ranking coaches both be black athletes that earned their way to the top. That has to account for something.

M

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"It is the difference between humble and hubris that distinguishes their positions." -TLV

ODH

I think the early retirement will count against him if he is considering being a coach.
I hope he trains with Deitchler, goes to the Olympics as his training partner, watches Deitchler win Gold and is inspired to unretire. To make this fantasy complete he will move up a weight class and he and Deitchler will win the next three world championships and Gold in 2012, then he can think about becoming a coach.

architeuthis

See that makes sense. I could NEVER figure out why Lester didn't go 74kg. He's absolutely huge. They (national team staff) must really have a lot of respect for Dantzler (go twisters) because I don't think that TC beats Lester.

I agree with you on the coach front. That was my thoughts on the subject too.

M

__________________
"It is the difference between humble and hubris that distinguishes their positions." -TLV

Champ Kind

Harry won't do the MMA thing. He has stated that a few times before.

__________________
I will smash your face into a car windshield and then take your mother, Dorothy Mantooth, out to a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!

Tell me about it, this morning, I woke up and I shit a squirrel, but what I can't get is the damn thing is still alive. So now, I've got a shit covered squirrel running around my office and I don't know what to name it.

Trusty

He'll be back.

RD149-2

Just like Barry Sanders and Jim Brown

architeuthis

Hey, if you read Jim's blog, you know he's sensitive about coming back for one last go. Why can't you just leave a poor guy alone.

thats gg121and2 if you're curious.

__________________
"It is the difference between humble and hubris that distinguishes their positions." -TLV

Greco-ZAG

I only hope he will come back, I don't think he would get a top level coaching position right off the bat. He would have assist for a while. Would love to see him retire from Greco and try freestlye. He did win University Nationals against a decent wrestler, not training for it very much. I have heard that he is fighting injuries and wants to get healthy again. I hope the fire inside does not fully extinguish.

BHiatt

Here was a post by Harry on an Ohio based wrestling forum.

"First and foremost I want to thank God for all that he has done for me. I am truly blessed to be from the great state of Ohio. I wouldn't want to be from anywhere else. Since I have started wrestling, I have been blessed to be around people that have been very generous, caring, and loving, and to me that is a characteristic of people from Ohio. My goal throughout my career has been to be the best that I could be while enjoying and loving the sport. At the same time, I wanted to make wrestling entertaining and joyous for others, I hope I have made it that way for Ohio fans. I have received many emails and texts asking me to reconsider my retirement from wrestling and I am thankful that so many people care enough to write me, but this is my response to the emails and texts. I love wrestling and I love the wrestling community, but competing isn't the same for me anymore. The fire isn't burning as much as it should be. I have tried to find a way to overcome my feelings, but it just isn't there anymore to compete. I plan to stay involved with wrestling by coaching and passing on my knowledge in any way possible. I think it would be selfish of me not to. I will contribute to the growth of Ohio wrestling in any way I can. Once again, thank you for all the support and prayers."