Ft. Carson Scouts take on U.S. Olympic wrestlers

By Cpl. William SmithApril 3, 2013

Take Down
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Ben Provisor, Greco-Roman wrestler, U.S. Olympic Team, is being taken down by Luke M. Antonia, son of Colonel Bruce Antonia, chief of staff, 4th Infantry Division, after Provisor and other teammates taught the Scouts of Pack 264... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Intro
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Colonel Bruce Antonia, chief of staff, 4th Infantry Division, welcomed the U.S. Olympic Freestyle and Greco-Roman Team during the annual Blue and Gold Banquet, which is the anniversary of Scouting. The team demonstrated a few te... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Serene
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Ben Provisor, Greco-Roman wrestler, U.S. Olympic Team, demonstrates a few techniques of the Greco-Roman style of wrestling on teammate, Willie Miklus, Greco-Roman wrestler, U.S. Olypic Team, during the annual Blue and Gold Banqu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Gotcha
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Ben Provisor, Greco-Roman wrestler, U.S. Olympic Team, demonstrates a few techniques of the Greco-Roman style of wrestling on teammate, Willie Miklus, Greco-Roman wrestler, U.S. Olypic Team, during the annual Blue and Gold Banqu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Slammed
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Ben Provisor, Greco-Roman wrestler, U.S. Olympic Team, demonstrates a few techniques of the Greco-Roman style of wrestling on teammate, Willie Miklus, Greco-Roman wrestler, U.S. Olypic Team, during the annual Blue and Gold Banqu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Autographs
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Captain Will Simpson, Freestyle wrestler, All Army, signs autographs for Scouts of Pack 264 and friends as Cpt. Phil Simpson, World Class Athlete Program, answers questions during the annual Blue and Gold Banquet, which is the a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- An 80-pound Cub Scout takes up a wrestling stance and shoots in on his 200-plus pound opponent, grabbing a single leg and exploding upward to take him to the mat while friends and Family watched Feb. 23, at Carson Middle School.

Members of the U.S. Men's and Women's Olympic Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling teams entertained and supported Cub Scout Pack 264 for the annual Blue and Gold Banquet, in celebration of the anniversary of Scouting.

"The Olympic Training Center was asked if they could support the Scout's Blue and Gold Banquet this year," said Capt. Phil Simpson, freestyle wrestler, World Class Athlete Program. "I think it is great to give back to these military kids. I know what they go through and I love to give support to them and programs like the Scouts."

After attendees enjoyed conversation and a potluck dinner, Col. Bruce Antonia, chief of staff, 4th Infantry Division, welcomed the team.

"This was not planned," Antonia said to the wrestlers as he started to remove his blouse. Antonia challenged any one of the wrestlers to a friendly exhibition, laughing and saying that after he was done his son would finish the match.

The wrestlers laughed after their welcome by Antonia and briefly introduced themselves before demonstrating a few techniques of both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.

In freestyle wrestling, wrestlers can use almost any technique to pin their opponent to the ground, but in the Greco-Roman style, wrestlers cannot use their legs to attack or defend and must remain in contact with their opponent for a technique to score points.

Following the demonstration, the team invited a few of the Cubs to wrestle with them and practice the moves they were just shown.

"I think it is awesome for [the Scouts] to be here," said Lisa Jenkins, committee chair, Cub Scout Pack 264. "I know they are all excited."

Concluding the fun with the Cubs, the athletes brought up the fact that their sport might get removed from the 2020 Olympics and asked for support by visiting www.keepwrestlingintheolympics.com, which will allow the wrestlers who are in the WCAP to continue to train and represent the U.S.

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