When Fritz Schierl (77 kg, TMWC/Ohio RTC) was a kid, he wanted to be like Ben Provisor (NYAC/BVRTC). They grew up in the same town, graduated from the same high school seven years apart. Schierl’s dad had even coached Provisor relative to various strength and conditioning concerns, and both athletes came of age under Dennis Hall. It should also be noted that when Provisor made his first Olympic Team in 2012, it was Provisor’s parents who allowed Schierl to tag along all the way to Iowa City.
Their history, while significant, did not affect the level of competitiveness present earlier this evening at Underground 1, which streamed live on the Wisconsin Regional Training Center’s Rokin channel. There was no holding back and, although Schierl nearly hung on until the bitter end, Provisor’s enormous edge in experience helped pave the way for what eventually became a technical fall victory for the two-time Olympian.
Provisor, 30, was a brick wall on the feet in the first period and constantly controlled with lefty underhooks and chugging legwork that backed Schierl towards the zone. Provisor was so steady that he didn’t earn just one step-out, in total he collected four in the opening period alone. And he wasn’t done.
Schierl seemed to have a better idea of how to respond in the second. Provisor still stalked in the ties, but Schierl played back with more intent and tried answering back with his own pummel business. Passivity did play a role, however, with Provisor receiving the point and a chance from top. He took advantage by quickly securing a gut and gaining one rotation for a 7-0 lead — but on the back-end of the turn, Schierl hip-heisted for a step-over that was a hair away from making a difference. Provisor was able to scramble to his feet, promptly digging back into the ties. With a minute left, the right-side underhook made its most impactful appearance of the night, as Provisor slung one in on Schierl and drove forward for the match-clinching step-out.
Underground 1
November 24 — WI
83 kg: Ben Provisor (NYAC/BVRTC, 5PM #3) def. Fritz Schierl (TMWC/Ohio RTC) 8-0, TF
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