SPORTS

Ben Provisor wrestles way to Summer Olympics

Ben Provisor overcomes injuries, stiff competition to earn return trip to Summer Olympics

Scott A. Williams
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Ben Provisor celebrates after beating Jacob Clark, right, in their 85-kilogram Greco Roman finals match Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa.

STEVENS POINT - Since living out a dream representing his country in the 2012 London Olympic Summer Games, adversity has seemed like a constant companion for Ben Provisor.

The Stevens Point native and Stevens Point Area Senior High graduate could never stay healthy. Provisor underwent back surgery. He dealt with hamstring and elbow injuries.

Just when he thought he would be 100 percent healthy for the U.S. Greco-Roman Olympic Wrestling Trials over the weekend in Iowa City, Provisor rolled an ankle.

Undeterred and unwavering in his personal belief, he pushed forward. His reward is a second consecutive trip to the Olympic Games as the national champion at 85 kilograms or 187 pounds.

"It didn't really get to me until (Tuesday)," said Provisor of the accomplishment April 9, and the upcoming trip to the Rio de Janeiro Summer Games. "I was trying to find peace of mind and what I'm supposed to be doing in life.

"This showed me I'm on the path I'm meant to be on and I'm going to continue to work hard."

Ben Provisor in 2006.

All the pain and rehab over the past three-plus years became a distant memory when Provisor, 25, swept his best two-out-of-three finals match with Jacob Clark.

When he pinned Clark late in the first period of their second match, Provisor showed just how much returning to the Summer Olympics meant to him.

He got up and genuflected and screamed toward the more than 100 supporters from Stevens Point who had donned fluorescent green "Ben Provisor" T-shirts and red, white and blue LED glasses.

Outside of the Team Provisor wrestling room, Ben may have been considered an underdog entering the trials.

"No one else gave Ben a fighting chance, but we didn't care what anyone else thought," said three-time Olympian and coach Dennis Hall. "I know what Ben has inside him. He's so damn tough mentally and has the heart and drive to succeed.

"This is where he wanted to be and dreamed about ever since 2012 didn't go the way he wanted. Now his has another crack at an Olympic medal. For him to come back (from all the injuries) and do what he did is pretty remarkable."

It wasn't all doom and gloom for Provisor since the 2012 Olympic Games.

He also experienced a lot of positives in his life since failing to medal at 74 kg (163 pounds) in the Greco-Roman competition in London.

He got married to another wrestler, Leigh Jaynes, who won a bronze medal in freestyle at the World Championships in 2015 at 60 kg while Provisor was rehabbing.

Provisor, son of Dennis and Tammy who still reside in Stevens Point, became a dad with the arrival of the daughter Evelyn Rose, who will turn 3 in late July.

His performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials, he said, was as much about his family as himself.

"This was about providing for my daughter and my family," Provisor said. "I wanted to prove people wrong who felt I wasn't going to make the team and thought I wasn't 100 percent."

Adding to his satisfaction was that Provisor had to beat many of the best in order to return to the Olympics.

Ranked fourth in his weight class entering the trials, he earned a spot in the semifinals with a 4-1 decision over fifth-ranked Patrick Martinez.

All matches prior to the finals are a pressure-packed single-elimination format. One loss and your bid for Olympic glory vanishes.

All that stood between Provisor and a spot in the finals was top-ranked Jordan Holm. Demonstrating flawless defense, the former SPASH standout was able to pull out a 3-0 decision over Holm.

Ben Provisor, top, reacts as he defeats Jordan Holm in their 85-kilogram Greco Roman match Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa.

There was no way he was going to be denied in the final against Clark.

"I think once he beat Holm some of the pressure was off," Hall said. "He wrestled smart matches and never got upset over anything, which was awesome. It was great and nice to see him back on top again."

After taking a 10-day break to let his body and mind heal, Provisor plans to return to Colorado Springs to spend some time with his daughter before heading to Stevens Point in late April or early May.

He and Hall will look to bring some training partners up to work out with Provisor on and off to avoid getting burnt out or risk injury.

Then it's off to Rio de Janeiro around Aug. 10. The Summer Games will open Aug. 5 and run through Aug. 21.

"I would say this time is definitely more satisfying," Provisor said. "(The injuries) definitely got me down because I was not able to compete at the best of my abilities. Honestly, I knew the whole time I was going to go for the same goal and the goal was clear."

Rio de Janiero, here he comes.

Ben Provisor, left, pins Jacob Clark in their 85-kilogram Greco Roman finals match Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa.

Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282, or on email at ssswilliam@stevenspoint.gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill