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COLORADO SPRINGS OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER // P. 1

February, 2012 · VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE CSOTC

Dave Schultz Memorial International Meet

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Athlete Spotlight 2

Cultural Preparations for a

Summer in London 3

Community Connection 4

Athlete of the Month 5

On February 2nd through 5th,the CSOTC played host to the annual Dave Schultz International Memo-rial—one of the largest interna-tional wrestling tournaments in the Western Hemisphere. The tournament honors the legacy of wrestling great Dave Schultz, a world and Olympic champion who dominated the sport in the early 80’s and served as an American ambassador to the sport of wrestling. Following his unfortunate death in 1996, USA Wrestling began hosting Schultz Memorial in 1999. The tournament honors the memory of Schultz, as well as brings together some of the best wrestlers from around the world. Team USA performed remarkably well against the international field. CSOTC resident athletes had an outstanding showing, with fourteen wrestlers placing in their events, respectively.

* Alyssa Lampe was named Outstanding Wrestler on the first day of the tournament.

USADA Education Information: Dining Hall

2/13

Valentine’s Day Dinner 2/14

Habitat for Humanity Build 2/16

President’s Day 2/20

Jimi Flowers Swim Classic 2/25

National Read Across America Day Athlete Readers Needed!

3/2

Mark your Calendar!

Alyssa Lampe * Gold, 48k

Elena Pirozhkova Gold, 63k

Jessica Medina Silver, 48k

Victoria Anthony Bronze, 48k

Whitney Conder Silver, 51k

Helen Maroulis Silver, 55k

Chase Pami Silver, 66k Free

Trent Paulson Silver, 74k

Free

Tyler Caldwell Bronze, 74k

Free

Dustin Kilgore Silver, 96k

Free

Spenser Mango Gold, 55k

Greco

Jake Fisher Silver, 74k

Greco

Chas Betts Gold, 84k

Greco

Brandon Rupp Bronze, 120k

Greco

Adecco Career Program

The interest and participation in the Team USA Career Pro-gram and the Athlete Career Program continues to grow. In the last six months, 24 athletes have been placed in employment opportunities with five USOC partner companies, includ-ing , Adecco, GE , Hilton, Powerade and TD Ameritrade

Many thanks to Sherry Von Riesen and all the athletes who attended the focus group on February 1

st with McDonalds. We are

finalizing details with McDonald’s to place four athletes in job opportunities as part of a pilot jobs program here in the Springs! For more information or to enroll in the program, please call Angel Bovee at 719-866-4035. [email protected] .

mailto:[email protected]



Spenser Mango wins Schultz, looks toward making U.S. Olympic Team By USA Wrestling Intern, Jackie Branca


“(Qualifying) is the number one priority. I’ve been working hard to get that done. Without it there is really no use making the Olympic team if you can’t wrestle.” After getting a taste of the Olympic experience in 2008, finishing eighth in Beijing, Mango is anxious to get back on the world’s biggest stage. The opportunity to make his second U.S. Olympic Team comes at U.S. Olympic Trials on April 21st and 22nd in Iowa City, Iowa. Unlike four years ago at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Las Vegas when he was not the favorite, Mango will be the guy with his target on his back. “I was the underdog and this time I’m number one. I’m not so much chasing guys, but keeping everybody else down so it’s a little different this year. I’m ready to take the first stride and make another (Olympic) team,” Mango confidently explains. A three-time U.S. Open champion, Mango would love the chance to get another opportunity to compete at the Olympics now that he knows what to expect. “I was kind of awe struck the first time. It was my first time being there, actually, it was my first time being number one in the U.S.,” Mango reflects. “It was definitely an eye opener for me and you get there and realize it’s the same guys you see every-where else, just on a bigger stage.” Mango is ready for an opportunity to bring home a medal if he gets a second chance at Olympic glory. For more information about USA Wrestling, please

visit their website, TheMat.com.

A week after a less than stellar perform-ance at the Kiki Cup, Greco-Roman wres-tler, Spenser Mango of the U.S. Army re-deemed himself by winning the Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colo-rado Springs, Colo-rado. Mango was able to avenge a loss from last week, defeating India’s Rajender Kumar to take the title at 55 kg/121 lbs. “At the Kiki Cup I was down all day and went 1-3,” Mango said. “Then today I was fired up and ready to go and get a little revenge and it turned out great.” Mango was able to learn some lessons from last week’s event. “I guess I maybe took the Kiki for granted a little bit and really wasn’t as prepared like I should have been. We went to practice after that and worked on the mistakes I made and turned it around,” Mango added. Mango, who trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Cen-ter (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, certainly feels it is an advantage to host such tournaments here due to the altitude. “The advantages of being at the OTC are that you get used to wrestling at the altitude and when other guys come here they are a little bit more tired. When we go down to sea level we feel like we can wrestle forever,” Mango said. “Also, almost all the top guys are here and I guess we all make each other better wrestling each other every day out here.” As the No.1 guy on the U.S. team at 55 kg/121 lbs. Mango is focused on getting his weight class quali-fied for the Olympics and then making the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team for London.


A fundamental example of evolu-tion is that a species separated by great distances for a great deal of time become incongruous animals. Famous examples include the Ga-lapagos finches and their ances-tors, Asian and African Elephants, and LeBron James and the city of Cleveland.

In this manner of allopathic speciation, over the last couple centuries Homo Americanus has grown dis-tant from its English speaking ancestors. Before, we could all talk about knee breeches, cod pieces, and the bubonic plague with no issues.

At this Olympic juncture it’s pertinent to remind our-selves that though we both speak English, there are certain ‘intangibles’ which could alienate Team USA upon its arrival to merry ol’ England. We are two countries separated by a common language.

When traveling around the Great Britain, it’s impor-tant to remember the four things most irritating for Brits about American tourists: we’re overpaid, over sexed, over fed, and over there. Although a couple of these things can’t be remedied, here are some minor suggestions:

Try to lower the volume of your conversations by about 50 decibels. While we may consider Brit-ish accents sexy, the opposite does not hold true.

Remember that our countries’ separate evolu-tionary paths resulted in a differentiation of our masticators. While we have been gnawing on free range beef, the Brits have only dealt with cuisine such as beans on toast or bangers and mash. And how many teeth do you really need to gum through a mess of legumes and hot dogs?

For the style unconscious who decide to rock a fanny pack while traveling, avoid the word fanny. It means something slightly different over there.

Brits generally hate the expression ‘Have a nice day!’ Replace that with a confident cheerio or cheers. ‘Ta’ is also a multifaceted word, but toodles is usually frowned upon.

The world over, Americans are regarded as friendly, simple-minded folk, inclined to fatness and ‘over-relaxation.’ Be willing to use this common perception of a Yank to your advantage.


Upon forgetting that one is supposed to drive on left hand side of the road, for example, smile at the bobby (policeman) and try on a Texan drawl with the words, “Oh, I’m sorry! I’m just an ignorant American here to see good ol’ England. Where’s Big Ben?” You can also ask “where’s the queen?” or “do you know where London is?” to similar effect.

Here are a few key training related words with which you should also be familiar:

Now, after the Olympics (instead of misinterpreting) you can confidently accept an invitation to a Limey’s one story home for a celebratory cigar with some quaint English dessert.

And Bob’s your uncle! (Definition - there we have it!)

Greg Billington is a resident triathlete here at the CSOTC. Last year he placed 4th at the U-23 World Championships. He is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Great Britain and went to high school in the United Kingdom. Follow him on Twitter @Grillington or check out his website, www,gregorybillington.com.

Lost in Translation: Triathlete Greg Billington explains the nuances of the British language

English American Use Translation

Knack-ered

Very, very tired

Gor Blimey! After that awful difficult athletics session, I’m properly knack-ered & my trainers are shredded to bits!

God Blind me! I’m tired after running.

Chuffed (Chuffed to bits)

Very pleased

I’m chuffed to bits that the wicket keeper ended the batsman’s knock before his Marillier could score a sixer!

I’m pleased the catcher got the out.

To snooker

Trick (also a game related to pool, but not be confused with any kind of behavior on the Jersey Shore

I got snookered by that snappy cross-over and the striker nutmegged me!

He kicked the ball between my legs!

Pants Underwear This word is pretty straightforward.

Pretty straight-forward, this word is.

Gutted Disap-pointed

I’m gutted that tea time was cancelled. I’ll be starved by supper without my bikkies or jaffa cakes!

I’m disap-pointed that British siesta was cancelled. I need my cookies!


Volunteer Readers Needed for Dr. Seuss Day

Volunteers are needed at local Colo-rado Springs Elementary schools to read to children in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and National Read Across America Day. Events are being held on March 2nd and March 23rd. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Sarah-Kate Masters in the Athlete Service Center. [email protected]

USADA: Athlete Express

The Olympic Education team will be hosting a Dining Hall Chat in the Ath-lete Services area at the Colorado Springs OTC on Monday, February 13, 2012 from 11:30-2pm. Stop by to pick up the latest education resources like the 2012 Wallet Card and Athlete Handbook. There are always free give-a-way items. USADA is here to an-swer questions you may have so please stop by. There will also be a similar Dining Hall Chat set up in the Chula Vista OTC on February 20th from 11:30-2pm.

World Cup Charlotte

Residents Margaux Isaksen and Dennis Bowsher repre-sented US Pentath-lon in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 25th for the city's press confer-ence, announcing it’s role in hosting the first UIPM world cup of the 2012 international world cup circuit. The competition will take place on March 8th-11th and will play a major role in Olympic qualification for U.S. pentath-letes. Charlotte also announced they will host Olympic Trials for Canoe Slalom (April 12-14) and the 2012 Charlotte UltraSwim (May10-13).

Jimi Flowers Classic

In memory of our friend and former colleague, Jimi Flowers, the USOC will be hosting The Jimi Flowers Classic Swim Meet on February 25

th

and 26th. The

meet will feature several of the USA’s top Paralympic swimmers as they prepare for the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Both American and world records were set at this event the last two years. This will be an exciting world class competi-tion held at the Olympic Training Cen-ter in Colorado Springs.

For those who never had a chance to meet Jimi, he was an amazing hus-band, father, USOC staff member and swim coach extraordinaire who died on July 10, 2009 following a climbing acci-dent near Aspen.

We currently are looking for volunteers to help with timing during the swim meet. No prior experience neces-sary! We may also need volunteers for other miscellaneous jobs throughout the competition. There are three swim-ming sessions and we will need 16-20 volunteers for each one. Volunteers from outside of the USOC or NGB fam-ily are also welcome. All of the pro-ceeds from this event go to Jimi’s chil-dren via the Sam and Lauren Flowers college fund. To volunteer, or for more information, contact Dave Denniston at [email protected].

March Madness Bracket Challenge

After Selection Sunday on March 11th the CSOTC will open the 2012 Bracket Challenge. First, sec-ond, and third place participants will receive prizes! All athletes and CSOTC staff are welcome to partici-pate. Games will be televised in the ASC.


Queen Underwood Goes Red for AHA

In honor of Go Red for Women month, Queen Un-derwood, a boxer train-ing at the CSOTC, along with other female Olympians and Hopefuls, posed for photos in red attire.

A boxer since 2003, Underwood has been the national lightweight boxing champion for the past four years. She is hoping to make history by qualifying for the Olympics’ first ever women’s boxing event to be held in London this summer. A native of Seattle, Wash-ington, the “Queen of the Ring” as she is known by her fans, gained interna-tional prominence after winning the bronze medal at the 2010 World Championships. Underwood is cur-rently training at the CSOTC in prepa-ration for US Olympic Team Trials to be held in Spokane, Washington Feb-ruary 13-19th.

Underwood, along with many mem-bers of Team USA ,continually sup-port The American Heart Associa-tion’s commitment to the awareness of heart disease in women. You can see more pictures from the photo shoot at TeamUSA.org or by checking the link Olympic ladies wear red for AHA. Best of luck to Queen and the rest of Team USA at trials later this month!!

Need Help with Your Taxes?

We are currently taking appointments for Wednesdays in February. Please contact Stacy Miller with any questions. This is a free service. You will need to bring all of your 1099s, W-2s, receipts, etc.

Email: [email protected] Text: 719-352-7694 (or you can call) Office: 2nd floor Athlete Center Lobby

http://www.teamusa.org/multimedia/photo_gallery/2788

http://www.teamusa.org/multimedia/photo_gallery/2788




Congrats to John Coughlin and Caydee Denney for winning the 2012 U.S. National Championships for pairs figure skating. Remarkably, John successfully defended his 2011 national title, despite teaming with Cay-dee only shortly after the 2011 World Championships. John, who you can find working part-time at the Athlete Center Front Desk for the CSOTC Operations department, will be joining Caydee to compete this weekend (2/9-12) at the 2012 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. Over 100 athletes from 17 countries (hailing

from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceana) will be competing at the Colorado Springs World Arena. Congrats to John & Caydee!! Best of luck to the pair and the athletes competing at Four Continents!

Congrats to the following athletes who had outstanding competitions in January & February !!

Seth Kelsey, Cody Mattern, & Jimmy Moody (FEN)

Team Silver World Cup Legnano

John Orozco (GYM) 3 x Gold, All Around,

Parallel & Horizontal Bars Winter Cup, Las Vegas

Alyssa Lampe (WRE) Gold

Outstanding Wrestler Dave Schultz Intl Memorial

Myles Porter (JUD) 2 x Gold

Pajulahti Games Finland

Ron Hawthorne (JUD) Gold


Dartanyan Crockett (JUD) Gold


Emily Caruso (SHO) Silver

Rocky Mountain Rifle CSOTC

RC Johnson (WRE) Undefeated Kiki Cup

CSOTC

Erin Clodgo (WRE) Bronze

Ivan Yarvgin Memorial Grand Prix, Russia

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