Photo Credit: TeamUSA.org
Tomorrow the worlds most prestigious wrestlers will begin their quest for gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This year, Team USA has the least amount of wrestlers participating in the Olympics since 1952 with only 14 athletes. Ten men and Four women will be representing the United States for a chance to be named the best wrestler in the world.
Meet the Athletes
Jordon Burroughs
Men’s freestyle 74 kg (163lbs)
Hometown: Sicklerville, NJ
Born: July 8, 1988
Height: 5’7
College: University of Nebraska
Bio: Burroughs grew up in Sicklerville, NJ and started wrestling at 5 years old. In high school he won a total of three district titles, two regional championships and a State title. During this time he was ranked number 52 in the United States. Burroughs was given scholarship to University of Nebraska and during his last three years there, he left with a total of 111 wins and just six losses. He left Nebraska with three Big 12 titles and two National Championships. He won a NCAA title in 2011 and graduated with a degree in sociology. In 2012 he won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics. He returned to the world championships in 2013 and is the second American wrestler to win three world or gold medals in a row.
Kyle Snyder
Men’s Freestyle 97 kg (214lbs)
Born: November 20, 1995
Height: 5’11
Hometown: Olney, Maryland
College: Ohio State University
Bio: In 2013 he became the youngest American in over 20 years to win a FILA Junior World Championship.
Daniel Dennis
Men’s freestyle 57 kg (125.5lbs)
Born: September 24, 1986
Height: 5’4
Hometown: Ingleside, IL
College: University of Iowa
Bio: In 2013 he left wrestling for a couple of years. During this time he lived in his truck with no TV or internet. In 2015 he returned to wrestling and began his journey to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Frank Molinaro
Men’s freestyle 65 kg (143lbs)
Born: December 27, 1988
Height: 5’5
Hometown: Barnegat, New Jersey
College: Penn State
Bio: While in high school Molinaro was a three-time champion in the state of New Jersey. He then went on to compete at Penn State where he was honored as an All-American all four years.
J’Den Cox
Men’s freestyle 86kg (189.5lbs)
Born: March 3, 1995
Height: 6’0
Home Town: Columbia, Missouri
College: University of Missouri
Bio: Cox is currently a junior at the University of Missouri. He is a three-time All-American wrestler as well as a two-time NCAA champion.
Tervel Dlagnev
Men’s Freestyle 125kg (275.5lbs)
Born: November 19, 1985
Height: 6’2
Home Town: Arlington, Texas
College: University of Nebraska-Kearney
Bio: Tervel Dlagnev was born in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1985. At 4 years old his family moved to the United States where he grew up in Arlington, Texas. In high school he only wrestled for two years. During his second year of wrestling he was fourth in the state of Texas. In 2008 he led the University of Nebraska-Kearney to their first ever team title. This is his second time competing in the Olympic games.
Jesse Thielke
Men’s Greco-Roman 59kg (130lbs)
Born: June 9, 1992
Height: 5’7
Hometown: Germantown, Wisconsin
College: University of Wisconsin
Bio: Thielke was a three-time state champion in high school. Before he was introduced to wrestling, he was a troubled kid due to his parent divorce. He was constantly getting in fights at school, but then he discovered wrestling. He credits wrestling with saving his life because he is able to take all of his frustration and internal anger out on the mat.
Andy Bisek
Men’s Greco-Roman 75kg (165lbs)
Born: August 18, 1986
Height: 5’10
Home Town: Chaska Minnesota
College: North Michigan University
Bio: Bisek began wrestling when he was five years old. While in high school, he finished third in the state of Minnesota. This is his first time competing in the Olympic games. Biskek’s hobbies include hunting and fishing. Additionally, he believes he wrestles better with his iconic mustache.
Ben Provisor
Men’s Greco-Roman 85kg (187lbs)
Born: June 26, 1990
Height: 5’8
Home Town: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
College: Northern Michigan University
Bio: Provisor grew up in Stevens Point Wisconsin, where he both wrestled and played football. His father was the original keyboard player for the band, Grassroots. This is his second time competing in the Olympics; competing previously in the 2012 Olympics.
Robby Smith
Men’s Greco-Roman 130 kg (286.5lbs)
Born: January 30, 1987
Height: 6’0
Home Town: Danville, California
College: Northern Michigan
Bio: Smith started wrestling when he was four and by the age of nine he knew he wanted to make it his career. In 2013 he made the decision to move up to heavyweight which he believes has helped him become a better wrestler. At this point he didn’t have to worry about cutting weight all he had to think about was wrestling.
Haley Augello
Women’s Freestyle 48kg (106 lbs)
Born: October 17, 1994
Height: 5’3
Hometown: Lockport, Illinois
College: King University
Bio: In 2014 and 2015 Augello was the WCWA Nationals champion for King University.
Helen Maroulis
Women’s Freestyle 53kg (117 lbs)
Born: September 19, 1991
Height: 5’3
Home Town: Rockville, Maryland
College: Simon Fraser University, Missouri Baptist University.
Bio: Maroulis started wrestling at seven years old after practicing with her younger brother. This is her first time competing in the Olympic games. Previously, she was named one of the eight international wrestling leaders for the United World Wrestling Super 8 women’s wrestling campaign and she is a 2015 world champion.
Elena Pirozhkova
Women’s Freestyle 63kg (139lbs)
Born: October 13, 1986
Height: 5’5
Home Town: Greenfield, Massachusetts
College: Pikes Peak CC
Bio: Pirozhkova was born in Novokuznetsk, Russia, but grew up in Greenfield, Massachusetts. She moved to the United States when she was three years old. This is her second time completing in the Olympic games. She previously participated in 2012.
Adeline Gray
Women’s Freestyle 75kg (165lbs)
Born: January 15, 1991
Height: 5’8
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
College: DeVry University
Bio: Gray began wrestling at 6 years old. She was coached by her dad, a previous high school wrestler who coached her until she began competing in high school. This is her first year competing at the Olympic Games.
