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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on August 5, 2008
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Andy Hrovat leaves today for Beijing.
I know because he told me on Saturday.
My wife, kids and I were in Ann Arbor to meet some friends and spend a day exploring my old college campus. We'd arrived early so I'd parked on East University and was looking for a spot to grab a bite to eat when I spied Hrovat walking to his truck. I whispered to my wife: "I think that's Andy Hrovat." I quickly reminded her that he was the wrestler from Cleveland that had made the Olympics.
"Go talk to him, " she urged.
For someone that's such an internet loudmouth, you'd think I'd have done that on my own. But I suddenly felt a bit awestruck. Still, she was right and I knew I'd have kicked myself all day if I didn't say something. So, as he was pulling out of his parking spot, I walked over and knocked on his window. He looked at me like one might at a would-be stalker so I quickly explained that I was a former high school coach from the Cleveland area and just wanted to congratulate him for making the Olympics. He motioned for me to step back and returned to his parking spot. Then he got out, shook my hand and said he had an idea who I was as he'd been competing for Eds when I was coaching at Shaker.
Long story short: We spoke for several minutes. He'd just returned from Colorado Springs and was tending to a few last minute details before heading to Beijing. He was interested to know I'd seen his trials finals match on the internet and that we'd be able to watch him wrestle on the internet during the Olympics. I found out his primary workout partner, Ryan Churella, had been accidentally injured in Colorado Springs and that Keith Gavin was accompanying him instead.
We also talked about how it was a shame the other Ohio guys wouldn't be heading to Beijing. He told me that he wasn't sure Harry Lester was healthy for the trials. I opined that Lester, by his own admission, was cutting down from nearly 180 pounds and had outgrown the weight class. He told me how he'd cut down to 74 Kilos a few years ago and had lacked energy. We both agreed that with only seven weight classes, some very good wrestlers get caught in between weights.
My wife talked to him as much as I did. Truthfully, I just kept thinking that I'd only been in Ann Arbor for five minutes and had already run into an Olympic wrestler from my hometown. Short of winning the Mega Millions, I couldn't imagine anything better happening on this trip.
Hrovat had just received his Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Squad posters featuring him as well as the rest of the squad. Would I like a few autographed posters? Needless to say, I took three--one for each of my kids and one for me. Senselessly, I left my wife out although she was a good sport about it. I also forgot to take a picture which could easily have been done with my cel phone. Hindsight is always on the mark.
I thanked Hrovat for his time and he assured me it was a pleasure to speak to wrestling fans from Cleveland. Then he continued on his way in preparation for the Olympics.
My next stop was at a nearby sporting good store. They didn't have any "Silent H" t-shirts. But they did have one that simply said--Michigan Wrestling. I bought it. And you better believe I'm going to wear it every time Hrovat takes the mat.
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on August 5, 2008
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Good story Hank. From watching some clips of him from FloWrestling, he seems like he'd make good conversation.
Glad you took your wife's advice. You should take her out for a nice dinner to thank her for urging you to do so (and for you shorting her on the poster deal <thumbsdown> tsk tsk). <smile>
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
John Ice added to this discussion on August 5, 2008
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Nice! It doesn't get much better than that for a wrestling fan.
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on August 5, 2008
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Brady: My wife will appreciate your post. What can I say? I married well.
John: It was a huge thrill especially when you consider the Olympics start later this week.
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Steve Lester added to this discussion on August 5, 2008
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Great read. Big thanks for sharing it.
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Maggie Lamantia added to this discussion on August 9, 2008
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woo hoo!
Tuesday at 9:30!! <strong>
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
DJ Vondruska added to this discussion on August 12, 2008
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I ran into Mr. Hrovat (Andy's dad) yesterday in the grocery store. I was very surprised to see him and asked him what he was doing there. He replied, "I live down the street." Of course I added that I thought he would be in China but he said they don't leave until Saturday.
I explained to him how excited everyone was and that we're so proud to have one of our own out there. He must get this all the time but he still took the time to talk a little about Andy's task ahead.
GO ANDY!
P.S. - He was wearing a Silent 'H' shirt. I bet he wears one every day.
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on August 12, 2008
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DJ: I believe you now have to purchase and wear a Michigan Wrestling t-shirt.
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
DJ Vondruska added to this discussion on August 13, 2008
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I'll proudly be wearing my Silent 'H' shirt for the next few weeks but don't count on me owning anything with Wolverine colors.
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Roe Fox added to this discussion on August 13, 2008
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Good boy. We may have converted Justin Boren to be a football Buckeye but it doesn't go the other way!
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Gary Sommers added to this discussion on August 13, 2008
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Quote from Roe Fox's post:
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"Good boy. We may have converted Justin Boren to be a football Buckeye but it doesn't go the other way!"
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Sure it does. Look at Gary Grant, Charles Woodson, Ricky Powers, Andy Hrovat, Joe McFarland, Elvis Grbac, Desmond Howard, and on and on.
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Dan Cosimi added to this discussion on August 13, 2008
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Yeah, but look who Desmond Howard plays second-fiddle to on ESPN... Kirk Herbstreit, former Buckeye quarterback.
War Brutus.
<sign_oh>
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Gary Sommers added to this discussion on August 13, 2008
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Quote from Dan Cosimi's post:
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"Yeah, but look who Desmond Howard plays second-fiddle to on ESPN... Kirk Herbstreit, former Buckeye quarterback.
War Brutus.
<sign_oh>"
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Herbstreit was a hack, at best. Certainly NOT a Heisman trophy winner. <smile>
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on August 13, 2008
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Roe: You can have Boren. He was a malcontent with Michigan and he'll be one with the Buckeyes.
By the way, that swimmer who keeps winning gold...where'd he go to school?
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Discussion Topic: A chance encounter with Silent H
Roe Fox added to this discussion on August 13, 2008
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Quote from Gary Sommers's post:
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"
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Quote from Roe Fox's post:
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"Good boy. We may have converted Justin Boren to be a football Buckeye but it doesn't go the other way!"
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Sure it does. Look at Gary Grant, Charles Woodson, Ricky Powers, Andy Hrovat, Joe McFarland, Elvis Grbac, Desmond Howard, and on and on."
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All misguided youths who. I'm sure, have learned the error of their ways. Except maybe McFarland.
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