THE THREE AMIGOS
Hair-raising trio: Greco-Roman stars Robby Smith, Andy Bisek and Jordan Holm bring their unique looks to World Team
By Richard Immel They are known as The Beard, The Stache and The Fro. Robby Smith, Andy Bisek and Jordan Holm are all hammers on the mat in Greco-Roman wrestling, but all three sport a dis- tinguished look that sets them apart from anyone in the world. “It is their thing,” U.S. Greco-Roman coach Matt Lindland said. “It seems to work for our Greco guys. They are definitely getting recognized.
“People know who they are worldwide and it is not just because their facial or big hair, but because these are the guys that are performing and winning tournaments overseas.” Smith is visibly one of the loudest characters wrestling in the United States, regardless of style.
He does not have the imposing size or frame of two-time
World freestyle bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev, but he makes up for it by sporting knee-high American flag socks and a mighty impressive beard.
This on top of his wrestling skill, which has carried him to the top of the U.S. ladder the past three years and to a fifth-place finish at the World Championships in 2013.
“It doesn’t just grow like this over night. I shampoo and condi- tion it every time I get in the shower,” Smith said. “It’s my baby and I love it.”
Bisek rode the power of his mustache to a World bronze medal in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last year, the first Greco-Roman World medal for the U.S. in five years. Not only did he win a World medal, but he also captivated the local crowd and was the source for some of the loudest applauses in Uzbekistan. What does Bisek credit for the highly impressive piece of facial hair known worldwide? “Usually, I just eat bacon and try to rub the grease in there,” Bisek said. “We are just trying to have some fun with it and express ourselves in different ways. (Freestyle star Jake] Herbert is getting the picture now, with his mullet.” Perhaps the piece of hair that stands out the most is the bushy afro of Jordan Holm. Holm made his third U.S. World Team this year and has post- ed an undefeated record heading into September’s World Championships, making him a serious threat to medal in Las Vegas.
“I’m just having fun with the opportunity I have and there will be plenty of time for me to cut my hair and wear a suit,” Holm said. To no surprise, these three individuals, with their three distinct styles, all declare their hair as the best in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Who reigns supreme is an ambiguous determination, but Holm appears to have the best argument as to why he is atop
32 USA Wrestler
Andy Bisek celebrates after earning a bronze medal at the 2014 World Championships. Bisek made his fourth World Team this season. USA Wrestling file photo.
the list. “Here is why I reign supreme. I can grow a beard, I can grow
a mustache and I can grow a fro. They can’t grow a fro. In fact Bisek can’t grow a beard. He can only grow a mustache. I can grow all three,” Holm said.
The irony of this great debate is the other five members of the Greco-Roman World Team are all clean-cut military men. Spenser Mango, Justin Lester, Patrick Martinez and Caylor Williams are members of the U.S. Army while Bryce Saddoris
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