Photo By Sgt. Makayla Elizalde | U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. John Stefanowicz, with the All-Marine Wrestling Team,...... read more read more
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It has been almost three decades since the last Marine, Sgt. Anthony “Buddy” Lee, wrestled in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. John Stefanowicz, 29, of York County, Pa., will be representing the United States and the Marine Corps in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic competition starting July 2021.
“I have to always consider that I have a great deal of people that are looking for me to succeed, more so than before,” Stefanowicz said. “I am excited and anxious to compete while not only representing the Corps and the country on a world-level stage like before, but at the pinnacle of any sports competition in the universe while knowing how much support is anchored back home.”
On June 17, 2021 Stefanowicz was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps commendation medal for serving on the All-Marine Wrestling team and qualifying for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, as well as being able to exceed expectations as a Marine.
Stefanowicz has more responsibilities on top of being an Olympic qualifier. Marines who participate in team sports must also maintain the overall Marine Corps standards and ensure that they are still meeting the expectations of always being a Marine first.
“We have a job to do outside of being a Marine athlete. Every member of the team has an MOS (Marine Occupational Specialty), and they are required to meet all of the calendar and fiscal year trainings, their medical readiness and their PME (Professional Military Education) requirements,” said Capt. Branden McDaniel, Bravo company commander with Headquarters and Support Battalion. “It is those individual things that define our unique ability to be able to lead Marines and accomplish a mission and that mentality is what we need to foster in our Marines.”
Stefanowicz, as well as the rest of the members on the AMWT, have the full support from all the marines from their home bases.
“The command at all levels of Marine Corps Installations East has been superb and exactly what any Marine would wish to expect when looking to have senior leaders support the mission even when feasibility is not optimal,” Stefanowicz said.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 07.19.2021 16:06 |
| Story ID: | 400744 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 633 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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