Commentary: Win or lose, Olympian Sam Hazewinkel is a champion on, off mat
By Craig Sesker DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – You won’t
meet a better person in the sport of wrestling than Sam Hazewinkel. That was never more evident than at
the U.S. Greco-Roman World Team Trials on June 13 at the Ocean Center Exhibit Hall.
Just minutes after finishing second in
an American World Team Trials for the second time in just a 13-day span, Hazewinkel stood in an area close to matside while catching his breath. Instead of sulking, running out of the
arena or feeling sorry for himself, Hazewinkel stood in front of a group of kids who lined up to get his autograph and pose for a photo with him. Hazewinkel smiled and patted the young men on the head as they approached. He then graciously agreed to do an interview with a reporter from a local newspaper. That’s Sam Hazewinkel. Win or lose,
he’s a friendly, outgoing, engaging person who is a genuinely good dude with a strong faith. He’s a class act who quite simply gets it. To say it was a rough couple of weeks
for Hazewinkel would be a huge under- statement, but he handled it as well as you can imagine. The favorite to win the U.S. World
Team Trials in freestyle on May 31 in Madison, Wis., Hazewinkel was upset by top young prospect Tony Ramos in the finals at 57 kg/125.5 lbs. A few days later, Hazewinkel announced he would compete in the Greco World Team Trials on June 13 in Daytona Beach. Hazewinkel was a Greco standout early
in his international career, winning two U.S. Open titles and finishing second in the 2008 Olympic Trials. He also was second at the World Team Trials in Greco
18 USA Wrestler
CLASS ACT
Sam Hazewinkel reacts after winning the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in freestyle wrestling at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Tony Rotundo photo.
in 2005 and 2006. Hazewinkel hasn’t wrestled Greco full-
time since 2009, but he decided to give it a shot again this year. He won four tough matches in the Challenge Tournament in Florida to earn a shot at past rival Spenser Mango in the Greco finals. Hazewinkel fought gamely against Mango, a two-time Olympian, and both finals matches were scoreless after the first period at 59 kg/130 lbs. But Mango, lethal in the top position,
piled up big points in the second periods of both matches to make his fifth straight World Team. It was still a very strong performance
for Hazewinkel, who now has five runner- up finishes at the World Team Trials. He also was second in freestyle at the 2011 World Team Trials.
Hazewinkel took advantage of the opportunity to compete in the World Team Trials in freestyle and Greco this year. The Trials in those two styles were held separately for the first time in 15 years. Even after the tough losses to Mango, Hazewinkel proved what a stand-up guy he is. He took time to offer his perspec- tive on the separate Trials. “To be honest, it didn’t come across as
too difficult for me,” said Hazewinkel, who is 31. “I love both styles. I use a lot of Greco in my freestyle. I was just pumped to do it. I just wish I could have done it when I was a little younger. “And it’s just too bad I have to be in
Spenser’s weight.” One of the best moments at the 2012 Olympic Trials was seeing Hazewinkel come through to earn a chance to com- Continued on page 19
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