UPDATED: World silver medalist Brad Vering is model of perseverance for Greco-Roman program
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by Craig Sesker
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Winning a World silver medal and leading the U.S. to its first World team title in Greco-Roman wrestling has generated its share of attention for Brad Vering.
He landed on the cover of Wrestling International Newsmagazine. He's been the subject of numerous interviews and stories by television, newspapers and magazines.
And he had lunch with a former U.S. President.
But as you might expect, the 30-year-old Vering is not about to become distracted. He already is focused on his next goal as he has resumed training while working toward the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
"Brad Vering has a great chance of being an Olympic gold medalist in 2008," said Steve Fraser, USA Wrestling's National Greco-Roman Coach. "He has worked very hard for this goal and he is in prime condition to win. His silver medal this year was proof of that."
Vering's lone loss at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, came to Olympic and World champion Aleksey Mishin of Russia, who beat Vering 4-0, 4-0 in the finals at 84 kg/185 lbs. Vering nearly escaped from Mishin late in the second period, which likely would have forced a deciding third period in the match.
It was Vering's first career meeting against Mishin.
"I can't wait to see Brad wrestle the Russian again," Fraser said. "I think you will see how much Brad will continue to improve."
Vering has been busy since returning home from the Worlds. He has been virtually all over the country in recent weeks.
He was invited to the U.S. Olympic Committee Assembly in Houston, he traveled to New York City for the New York Athletic Club Banquet, he flew to Washington, D.C., to work with wrestlers he helps coach at American University, and he found time to return home to Howells, Neb.
Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) was one of three U.S. Olympic athletes who took part in the USOC Assembly. The athletes answered questions during a session in Houston. Vering also sat at the same table during lunch with former President George Bush and his wife Barbara, along with USOEC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr.
Vering had met the former President when Bush attended one of the Greco-Roman team's practices at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Vering said he had a chance to talk with Bush on the trip to Houston.
"We both like to fish, so we talked about fly fishing and shared a couple of stories," Vering said. "And Texas A&M and Nebraska were playing each other in football that weekend, and he's an A&M fan, so were jabbing at each other about that. Jim Scherr brought up that we had won the World Championships when he introduced the athletes. He and Barbara both said they were impressed with us winning the World team title. It was pretty cool to have a chance to talk with the former President and his wife. It was a great experience."
Vering is back working out at the U.S. Olympic Training Center wrestling room in Colorado Springs. He plans to return to competition later this month.
"(Winning a medal) gives me an extra boost because I feel so confident in my style of wrestling right now," he said. "My scoring has evolved to the point where I feel like I can score from any position. In the past, I wasn't good off the reverse lift and I was struggling to score. In the last year, I have really evolved as a wrestler."
Vering won his first World-level medal in 2007. He placed fifth at the Worlds in 2002 and 2003 before failing to place at the 2004 Olympics and 2005 Worlds.
Rules changes implemented in 2005 forced a "total makeover" in Vering's style. The new rules emphasize use of a reverse lift, a position Vering was not particularly strong in.
Vering failed to make the 2006 U.S. World Team after placing third at the World Team Trials. He immediately went back to work and eventually became successful under the current Greco-Roman rules.
"I had to change everything," he said. "I felt really good with the old rules - I felt like I was right there and ready to win a medal. And then, boom, they dropped a hammer on our head and changed the rules. I had to start all over. It was almost like playing a different sport because the new rules were so different. I had never been a reverse lift guy and then they make it the main part of the sport. That was tough."
Vering's transition to the new rules took some time. He now has become effective in all three Greco-Roman positions. He's scoring points on his feet, turning guys from the top position and his par terre defense down on the mat has become excellent.
"Brad wrestled so impressively at the Worlds," Fraser said. "He probably scored more takedowns than any other wrestler in the tournament. He wrestled with a fierce intensity and was totally focused on the task at hand."
Just ask the five guys Vering beat on his way to the finals of the 2007 World Championships.
"I feel like I'm at my best - I'm at the best I've ever been," he said. "I'm putting points on the board and finding ways to score. I just have to keep working hard and keep improving."
Fraser said he is confident that trend will continue.
"Brad is one of the hardest working athletes in our program," Fraser said. "He always goes the extra mile. This is his dream and he is determined to achieve his goals.
"The key for Brad to prepare for the Olympic Games is to continue to have the same great positive attitude and work ethic that he has had all along. He needs to get the right number of international matches in and refine his areas of need."
Vering, a past NCAA champion at Nebraska, also appears to have a bright future as a coach. One of the wrestlers he helps coach, American University's Josh Glenn, won an NCAA title at 197 pounds this past March. Glenn starts his senior season ranked No. 1 at 197, Vering's old college weight class.
"Brad Vering put the icing on the cake for Josh Glenn," American University coach Mark Cody said. "He has been his workout partner, his mentor, his coach. He made it possible for Josh to win a national championship. Brad definitely has been a huge factor in Josh's success. Brad's an unbelievable motivator. Our guys love it when he steps into our room. He gets our guys fired up and gets them ready to compete."
Vering said he will continue to coach at American on a part-time basis this season, traveling to Washington, D.C., and working with the athletes there when he can fit it into his schedule.
Vering qualified the U.S. for the 2008 Olympic Games at 84 kilos by virtue of meeting the criteria of a top-eight finish at the World Championships. Vering still has to qualify himself for the U.S. team at June's Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas.
Fraser said Vering is a great model of what hard work, determination and perseverance can accomplish for an athlete in the U.S. Greco-Roman program.
"Brad is a great leader," Fraser said. "He sets a great example for others to follow.
He landed on the cover of Wrestling International Newsmagazine. He's been the subject of numerous interviews and stories by television, newspapers and magazines.
And he had lunch with a former U.S. President.
But as you might expect, the 30-year-old Vering is not about to become distracted. He already is focused on his next goal as he has resumed training while working toward the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
"Brad Vering has a great chance of being an Olympic gold medalist in 2008," said Steve Fraser, USA Wrestling's National Greco-Roman Coach. "He has worked very hard for this goal and he is in prime condition to win. His silver medal this year was proof of that."
Vering's lone loss at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, came to Olympic and World champion Aleksey Mishin of Russia, who beat Vering 4-0, 4-0 in the finals at 84 kg/185 lbs. Vering nearly escaped from Mishin late in the second period, which likely would have forced a deciding third period in the match.
It was Vering's first career meeting against Mishin.
"I can't wait to see Brad wrestle the Russian again," Fraser said. "I think you will see how much Brad will continue to improve."
Vering has been busy since returning home from the Worlds. He has been virtually all over the country in recent weeks.
He was invited to the U.S. Olympic Committee Assembly in Houston, he traveled to New York City for the New York Athletic Club Banquet, he flew to Washington, D.C., to work with wrestlers he helps coach at American University, and he found time to return home to Howells, Neb.
Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) was one of three U.S. Olympic athletes who took part in the USOC Assembly. The athletes answered questions during a session in Houston. Vering also sat at the same table during lunch with former President George Bush and his wife Barbara, along with USOEC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr.
Vering had met the former President when Bush attended one of the Greco-Roman team's practices at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Vering said he had a chance to talk with Bush on the trip to Houston.
"We both like to fish, so we talked about fly fishing and shared a couple of stories," Vering said. "And Texas A&M and Nebraska were playing each other in football that weekend, and he's an A&M fan, so were jabbing at each other about that. Jim Scherr brought up that we had won the World Championships when he introduced the athletes. He and Barbara both said they were impressed with us winning the World team title. It was pretty cool to have a chance to talk with the former President and his wife. It was a great experience."
Vering is back working out at the U.S. Olympic Training Center wrestling room in Colorado Springs. He plans to return to competition later this month.
"(Winning a medal) gives me an extra boost because I feel so confident in my style of wrestling right now," he said. "My scoring has evolved to the point where I feel like I can score from any position. In the past, I wasn't good off the reverse lift and I was struggling to score. In the last year, I have really evolved as a wrestler."
Vering won his first World-level medal in 2007. He placed fifth at the Worlds in 2002 and 2003 before failing to place at the 2004 Olympics and 2005 Worlds.
Rules changes implemented in 2005 forced a "total makeover" in Vering's style. The new rules emphasize use of a reverse lift, a position Vering was not particularly strong in.
Vering failed to make the 2006 U.S. World Team after placing third at the World Team Trials. He immediately went back to work and eventually became successful under the current Greco-Roman rules.
"I had to change everything," he said. "I felt really good with the old rules - I felt like I was right there and ready to win a medal. And then, boom, they dropped a hammer on our head and changed the rules. I had to start all over. It was almost like playing a different sport because the new rules were so different. I had never been a reverse lift guy and then they make it the main part of the sport. That was tough."
Vering's transition to the new rules took some time. He now has become effective in all three Greco-Roman positions. He's scoring points on his feet, turning guys from the top position and his par terre defense down on the mat has become excellent.
"Brad wrestled so impressively at the Worlds," Fraser said. "He probably scored more takedowns than any other wrestler in the tournament. He wrestled with a fierce intensity and was totally focused on the task at hand."
Just ask the five guys Vering beat on his way to the finals of the 2007 World Championships.
"I feel like I'm at my best - I'm at the best I've ever been," he said. "I'm putting points on the board and finding ways to score. I just have to keep working hard and keep improving."
Fraser said he is confident that trend will continue.
"Brad is one of the hardest working athletes in our program," Fraser said. "He always goes the extra mile. This is his dream and he is determined to achieve his goals.
"The key for Brad to prepare for the Olympic Games is to continue to have the same great positive attitude and work ethic that he has had all along. He needs to get the right number of international matches in and refine his areas of need."
Vering, a past NCAA champion at Nebraska, also appears to have a bright future as a coach. One of the wrestlers he helps coach, American University's Josh Glenn, won an NCAA title at 197 pounds this past March. Glenn starts his senior season ranked No. 1 at 197, Vering's old college weight class.
"Brad Vering put the icing on the cake for Josh Glenn," American University coach Mark Cody said. "He has been his workout partner, his mentor, his coach. He made it possible for Josh to win a national championship. Brad definitely has been a huge factor in Josh's success. Brad's an unbelievable motivator. Our guys love it when he steps into our room. He gets our guys fired up and gets them ready to compete."
Vering said he will continue to coach at American on a part-time basis this season, traveling to Washington, D.C., and working with the athletes there when he can fit it into his schedule.
Vering qualified the U.S. for the 2008 Olympic Games at 84 kilos by virtue of meeting the criteria of a top-eight finish at the World Championships. Vering still has to qualify himself for the U.S. team at June's Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas.
Fraser said Vering is a great model of what hard work, determination and perseverance can accomplish for an athlete in the U.S. Greco-Roman program.
"Brad is a great leader," Fraser said. "He sets a great example for others to follow.
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