Five Point Move - U.S. Greco-Roman Wrestling

Joe Uccellini is the founder of one of America's best clubs, Curby 3-Style in Troy, New York. Recently, Uccellini was also named as an assistant coach for the West Point Wrestling Club/RTC.He also has a unique background. As a competitor, Uccellini was coached by two Hall of Fame leaders, the late Joe DeMeo at ATWA, and Ivan Ivanov at Northern Michigan University. SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Parker Betts is the assistant coach for what is arguably the United States' most important Greco-Roman program, Northern Michigan University's National Training Site.In his latest appearance on the podcast, Betts discusses the training block for NMU's two Senior World Team members, Max Black and Payton Jacobson, and provides valuable insights on a range of other topics, including how NMU has received a lot more recent attention given the school's recent successes. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSSSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

One of the most interesting and authentic voices within the sport of wrestling is featured on Episode 64 as two-time Olympian and five-time US World Team member Ildar Hafizov joins the program. Topics include his decision to move up in weight at this stage of his career, how and why he began running practices for the Army team, what it has been like to move into coaching while still competing, and the motivation behind him venturing out to do clinics for age-group wrestlers as well as their coaches. It is a very extensive discussion, and one that offers plenty of valuable (and entertaining) insights. SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

2024 Olympian and recently-named Athlete of the Year Payton Jacobson joins the show for Episode 63 and discusses every big moment from his breakout season. In addition to providing behind-the-match details and what he enjoyed most about his journey to Paris, Jacobson also shares some of the struggles he endured as a young athlete in the spotlight, and what it was like carrying high expectations into the biggest tournament of his life thus far.  SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSSSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Patrick Curran of Northern Michigan University's National Training Site is one of the US Greco-Roman program's brightest young prospects. In just over a year-and-a-half since joining NMU, Curran has had the opportunity to train and compete overseas in order to expand his skill-set, which has already translated to several impressive performances on the domestic circuit. Curran is also equally entertaining on and off the mat, and his story is one to which most wrestlers around the country can relate.  SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSSSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

NMU Assistant Coach Parker Betts returns to the show to discuss his athletes' performances at the Senior World Team Trials, as well as to look ahead to the U23 World Championships next month, a tournament that will feature three Northern Michigan University wrestlers -- Max Black, Jonathan Gurule, and Olympian Payton Jacobson. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSSSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

E60 features the unique pairing of Billy Sullivan and Justus Scott. The Nevadan duo have been friends since their youth wrestling days and have continued to achieve one milestone after another as adults. Sullivan and Scott both made the U20 World Team in 2021, they joined Army WCAP together the next year, and late last month they both won the U23 World Trials, which means they will be on a second World Team together. Sullivan and Scott -- who are also now roommates -- discuss the previous season as they both worked to contend at the Olympic Trials in weight classes outside of their respective comfort zones. An overview of the U23 Trials is explored, as well, and is followed by banter pertaining to numerous topics surrounding the impressive development their careers have undergone since joining the Army. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSSSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Episode 59 of the Five Point Move Podcast brings back Northern Michigan University assistant coach Parker Betts, who discusses Payton Jacobson's rise to the 2024 Olympic Team, what the impact of that has been, as well as the performances of several other NMU top athletes including National Team member Max Black. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSSSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Episode 58 of the Five Point Move Podcast welcomes back Ellis Coleman, who after a two-year hiatus from competition returned to action this past winter and just two weeks ago won the Olympic Trials. Coleman, 32, now has his sights set on placing in the top-3 at the World Olympic Games Qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey. Coleman had appeared on three previous episodes of the program but it has been a while. One thing that has not changed is his forthrightness. As always, the multiple-time World Team member takes a candid approach to a variety of topics, including the implications of the aforementioned World Olympic Qualifier, the impact of his coaches from Illinois, acclimating overseas, and what his plans will look like if his spot at the Paris Olympics is secured. SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Episode 57 welcomes in two of the nation's top Greco-Roman competitors: three-time World Team member/six-time US National Champion Kamal Bey and 2021 U23 World Teamer David Stepanyan. Fresh off of being named Five Point Move's Athlete of the Year for 2023, Bey reflects back on some of the highlights he experienced last season as well as the lessons learned from setbacks that he eventually turned into new goals to achieve. Bey, candid as always, proceeds to dig further into several personal insights pertaining to the sport and also provides his perspective on developing more athletes in the USA.Northern Michigan standout Stepanyan made a lot of noise at the US Nationals last month, where his performance brought with a ticket to the Olympic Trials. Over those two days in Fort Worth, Stepanyan re-asserted himself as a potential force heading into selection for the Paris Games, and so he pulls listeners into what his thought process was during the tournament. There is also the matter of international development. Born to Armenian parents, Stepanyan sheds light on the differences between the American program and how wrestlers come of age overseas. To close out, he shares what his training plan will likely entail as the aforementioned Olympic Trials tournament approaches. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSSSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Episode 56 of the podcast focuses on two athletes from the best weight class in the sport -- 87 kg. Three-time National Champion "The Alaskan Assassin" Spencer Woods and multi-time National Teamer Rich Carlson join the program to discuss their performances from the recently-wrapped Nationals with looks ahead towards the rest of the Olympic push. The two top-level competitors also share training philosophies and mindset insights that are relatable to both wrestlers as well as fans. PHOTO OF CARLSON: Sam JanickiPHOTO OF WOODS: Tony Rotundo SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSSSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

A different format is in order for Episode 55 as three members of the 2023 USA Greco-Roman World Team are featured in a series of separate audio clips, most of which revolving around Final X: Newark. Co-host Dennis Hall returns to offer input relative to the athletes' descriptions and perspectives, as well as to provide analysis on several key topics.Also included are words from US Greco-Roman General Manager Justin Ruiz, who delivers his take on Final X and the upcoming pre-Worlds training block for the Americans. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spreaker | Google Podcasts | RSSSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Ryan Epps returned from Basic Training after joining the U.S. Army to compete for its World Class Athlete Program and then he found himself winning the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. Epps will face Spencer Woods at 82kg at Final X.Epps was a three-time All-American and two-time NCAA Division III champion at powerhouse Augsburg University. The show will break down the weights at Final X in The Classic Style. Welcome back! SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spreaker | Google Podcasts | RSSSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Two guests are featured in Episode 53, Northern Michigan University Assistant Coach Parker Betts and Pan-Am Championships gold medalist Jamel Johnson. Betts provides perspectives on several topics surrounding the NMU program, including the status of Benji Peak and the school's three recent U20 World Team members. Betts also opens up about an important upcoming trip to Sweden, as well as the value of being able to perform backflips (seriously). As for Marine Captain Johnson, another handful of subjects are brought to the table. Johnson shares his thoughts on the 2022 Worlds from last month, the potentiality of winding down his own career, the continued misunderstanding of Greco-Roman in the US, the need for more education on the part of officials, and much, much more. Not an episode to be missed!SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Two-time Olympian Jim Gruenwald joins the show. Jim just released a new book, Not All Roads Lead to Gold. “Not All Roads Lead to Gold” is a book that tells a story that answers the “Why?” Why should I do something that doesn’t always end with a Gold Medal? Is the journey worth the time, energy, and pain.SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Surging Illinois heavyweight and former Division I lineman and NAIA runner-up Tanner Farmer helps usher in the new season of the podcast by sharing his thoughts on a variety of perspectives. With his first overseas tour now in the books, Farmer is poised for even more improvements entering his second year as a full-time Greco athlete and opens up regarding his approach to learning -- and the confidence he has in his overall physical strength. Says Farmer: "I'm one of the strongest heavyweights in the world."SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Episode 50 has Hall commenting on the unusual training schedule for the Team USA Olympians. After that, US National Team member "Mr. Fantastic" Benji Peak drops by the program for the very first time. At the Olympic Trials, Peak caught fire and garnered nearly as much "mainstream" wrestling attention as the tournament winners, but he was already well-established prior to April. Now, the Wisconsin native is about to take a big step up as he prepares for his first World Championships in November. Peak colorfully illustrates what his surge towards the top has felt like, and what he is doing to maintain momentum. Photo by Tony RotundoSUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Multi-time World Team member and 2016 Olympian Robby Smith joins the show to discuss retirement, the legacy of Mark Halvorson, and becoming the head assistant coach at the place where it all began, the Community Youth Center in Concord, California. Photo: Smith with Halvorson at 2015 World Championships by Tony Rotundo.SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Episode 48 brings a pair of familiar figures to the forefront: Austin Morrow (77 kg, NYAC/NTS) and USA Greco-Roman Manager of Operations Gary Mayabb. Morrow, one of the country's more popular athletes thanks in large part to his exceedingly friendly persona, is also in the midst of a career upswing following his move up in weight prior to the Olympic Trials. Throughout his segment, the NMU grad discusses the thought behind his climb in weight class relative to overall health and performance, as well as what it was like to be bullied by British kids during his youth. Mayabb needs no introduction. A coach who is respected and adored throughout the sport, Mayabb's passion for development and an uncanny knack for communication are well-known. But, there has been a lot going on recently, including Mayabb announcing that he will return to high school coaching next season. How this might affect his role with the National Program and what he sees as some of the biggest strides made over the past few years are all touched upon in this lengthy but engrossing conversation.SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Dennis Hall sinks his teeth into the recent "Ranking Series" event for US Seniors and sheds some light on the upcoming mentoring program being implemented by the National program. Old pal and Oregon State assistant Nate Engel drops by for the first time in a while to discuss how his Beavers overcame several challenges this season to wind up with six NCAA Division I National Qualifiers, as well as how he navigates coaching different styles, and genders. Then it's two-time US National Team member Xavier Johnson of the Marines. One of the most dynamic and dedicated athletes in the country, Johnson shares how he blends fatherhood with his goal of becoming an Olympic Champion. SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS