Times Square wasn’t a big enough stage for Coleman Scott.
Closing out the “Grapple for the Apple” wrestling event, the 26-year-old made his lifelong dream come true under the glaring billboards of midtown Manhattan by securing the final spot on the Olympic roster in London with a win over Shawn Bunch in last night’s deciding match of their wrestle-off for the 60 kg position.
“It’s just surreal,” Scott said afterward. “It’s the best feeling ever. It’s such a big stage. I couldn’t ask for a better place to do it. It’s the best city in the world and I guess it’s a little better now.”
Scott closed out the first match with a 7-0 win before losing the next match 1-0 in the final round.
The third battle started slow. 46th Street and Broadway couldn’t remember such quiet. The gravity of the situation was evident to the ardent supporters and tourists randomly passing by. One mistake could equal four years of their lives.
After taking the first round 3-0, Scott earned his place in London with a five-point slam. After Bunch’s challenge to officials was denied, Scott jumped in the air before falling to his knees and breaking down in tears.
“I finally could let it all out. It’s been a long process,” said Scott, who defeated Reece Humphrey earlier in the day. “I just went for it. I actually envisioned earlier today ending it on a five-point throw. Now, I’m going to go win a gold in London. I’m going to show the world in August. I’m going to be ready.”
Scott almost was denied glory in the unique setting as rain began falling less than an hour before his first match with Bunch. The mat was rolled up and nearby Roseland Ballroom was ready to pinch-hit. After more than 20 minutes, the sky cleared and the stage was set for the third-ranked USA squad to take on the No. 1 Russians.
Sam Hazewinkel, one of four Americans featured who are participating in the Olympics, lost the first match of the seven-match series in two rounds. The matches escalated in weight class from 55 kg, with the Americans winning the next three matches, claimed by Logan Stieber and Olympic team members Jared Frayer and Jordan Burroughs. Burroughs, the Camden, N.J., native and gold medal contender, had the most impressive showing of the day, defeating Kamal Malikov 6-0, 5-0 in the 74 kg weight class.
After two consecutive Russian wins, Bulgarian-born Tervel Dlagnev gave the crowd its biggest thrill of the day as the heavyweight took down Eduard Bazrov for the only pin of the day, giving the U.S. a 4-3 series win.
“What a finish. Wow. What a finish,” said Zeke Jones, head coach of the U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team. “We always expect our guys to do well. I don’t know that it would be that flamboyant maybe, but Tervel finishing with a pin to beat the No. 1 team in the world. I don’t think you can do it any better.”
