Quotes from Greco-Roman champions at Senior Nationals
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by Elizabeth Wiley
55 kg/121 lbs. - Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (Gator WC/USOEC)
"Actually I think my biggest improvement has been my defense. I guess a good offense is a good defense."
(On the gut in the second)
"No, I didn't (know how much was left). I didn't want to take the time to look at the clock. If there was a couple extra seconds I guess I would have had everything against me. I just tried to get my hands locked first and once I had my hands locked get enough momentum to turn him over."
(On almost getting pushed out)
"Usually I am pretty good at not getting pushed out because I am kind of low. It was really close. I am glad the call came my way."
60 kg/132 lbs.
Jim Gruenwald, Marquette, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
(On his match against Betterman at Sunkist)
"He crushed me."
"I need to get better in the reverse lift position. I've got to strengthen my weaknesses and maintain my strengths. He taught me a lesson. Whether you are an athlete or a coach you cannot stop learning in life in general. If you don't learn something everyday you become mediocre."
(On the new Greco rules)
"These rules are totally foreign to me. They switched it the year I came out and they do not suit my style. I am on your feet kind of wrestler, in your face, snap you down, move you, break you and beat you that way."
(On coming out of retirement)
"I didn't want to look back at the time ten months later and say I wish I would have. Even though I am 38, I am not by any stretch of the imagination an old man, but I am old for the sport right now."
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Mark Rial, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
(On when he got caught in the first period)
"You know what, it was kind of weird. At first I didn't think it was that tight and I could just roll through. His arm was long and it was deep there, and it caught me for a second. I wasn't really worried about it, because I could feel the leverage. I felt I could still get out of it."
(On how well he knew his opponent)
"I know who he is. I know him really well. He's come out to the training center a couple times and I kind of took him under my wing and showed him around. He's a good kid and I knew he was going to surprise a few people."
(On his year so far)
"To tell you the truth there haven't been any changes in my training, it's just the mental aspect. I've been more positive, more confident in my ability. I'm not worried about going out there and winning or losing, but going out there and having fun."
74 kg/163 lbs. - T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
(On this year)
"It hasn't been tough. I want to say it's been challenging, just in trying to get the class qualified and working on the training regiment to get ready for one of the fifty guys that aren't qualified. So it's been really challenging and I'm looking forward to it. I've got Nationals out of the way now and in the next two weeks I can do some specific preparation for my opponents that are waiting in Rome."
(On whether the younger wrestlers are bringing new moves)
"I've seen it all. I'm 37 years old and I feel like I've seen it all at this point. I know that there are younger guys knocking on the door who want to knock me off."
84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Ahearn, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
(On being confident about Vering not scoring the points)
"I was completely convinced. I knew it was going to be overturned."
(On this being his year)
"Last year I was at 96 kg. I did that to work on my technique and I heal my body. I had a few surgeries that I had. I knew I was coming back down to 84 kg for the Olympic year. I changed my training up, started doing a whole lot of extra work, just something extra everyday. I believed in my coaches and had a few overseas tournaments, which was just big experience for me. It just paid off."
(On the takedown in the first period)
"I'm not sure it surprised him but it definitely hurt his confidence. He's so confident being a World silver medalist and on the World Championship team. I'm sure from then on out it was downhill for him."
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
(On the importance of Nationals)
"This is really important. It puts me in the position that I am in the final at the Trials and that was my goal to win this tournament. That was the main benefit of competing in this tournament. I'm really excited about it, but I'm not overlooking anyone. I know in June everybody's coming to try to make that Olympic team and win that medal."
(On the other World medalists losing)
"I felt bad for those guys. They are great competitors, did a great job tonight. Both of them are tremendous athletes and I'm sure they'll be able to come back. I train with Brad (Vering) all the time. He's one of my closest friends. Having him wrestle right before me and seeing him lose, I think it might have made me focus even more to get ready for my match."
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
(On losing last year)
"I want to win every tournament. When I lose I don't just say he's better than me. I start with a mirror and pick myself apart if I made a mistake or if I didn't execute. Usually when I lose I have to blame me. I'm the one out there. I definitely wanted to win this one. Most tournaments you win, it gets addictive and contagious and you want to keep doing it. That's the goal. It sucked last year not winning.
(On the pride he takes in the Army)
"I take all the pride in the world. Someone is in Iraq or Afghanistan doing my job which allows me to be here. The least I can do is win for that guy. I appreciate him. I respect him. I value everything that he's doing. He raised his right hand just like I did, stated his name, and swore to protect the U.S. Constitution against all enemies both foreign and domestic. It's an honor to represent that guy. Our team is not just a team, it's a family."
(On whether this is his last Olympic shot)
"No, I talk about going another one. I think these guys are definitely getting a lot better. I'm having to work a lot harder and I'm going to continue to do that. Maybe one day my coach will sit me down and tell me to take them off, but other than that I am going to keep going.
"Actually I think my biggest improvement has been my defense. I guess a good offense is a good defense."
(On the gut in the second)
"No, I didn't (know how much was left). I didn't want to take the time to look at the clock. If there was a couple extra seconds I guess I would have had everything against me. I just tried to get my hands locked first and once I had my hands locked get enough momentum to turn him over."
(On almost getting pushed out)
"Usually I am pretty good at not getting pushed out because I am kind of low. It was really close. I am glad the call came my way."
60 kg/132 lbs.
Jim Gruenwald, Marquette, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
(On his match against Betterman at Sunkist)
"He crushed me."
"I need to get better in the reverse lift position. I've got to strengthen my weaknesses and maintain my strengths. He taught me a lesson. Whether you are an athlete or a coach you cannot stop learning in life in general. If you don't learn something everyday you become mediocre."
(On the new Greco rules)
"These rules are totally foreign to me. They switched it the year I came out and they do not suit my style. I am on your feet kind of wrestler, in your face, snap you down, move you, break you and beat you that way."
(On coming out of retirement)
"I didn't want to look back at the time ten months later and say I wish I would have. Even though I am 38, I am not by any stretch of the imagination an old man, but I am old for the sport right now."
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Mark Rial, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
(On when he got caught in the first period)
"You know what, it was kind of weird. At first I didn't think it was that tight and I could just roll through. His arm was long and it was deep there, and it caught me for a second. I wasn't really worried about it, because I could feel the leverage. I felt I could still get out of it."
(On how well he knew his opponent)
"I know who he is. I know him really well. He's come out to the training center a couple times and I kind of took him under my wing and showed him around. He's a good kid and I knew he was going to surprise a few people."
(On his year so far)
"To tell you the truth there haven't been any changes in my training, it's just the mental aspect. I've been more positive, more confident in my ability. I'm not worried about going out there and winning or losing, but going out there and having fun."
74 kg/163 lbs. - T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
(On this year)
"It hasn't been tough. I want to say it's been challenging, just in trying to get the class qualified and working on the training regiment to get ready for one of the fifty guys that aren't qualified. So it's been really challenging and I'm looking forward to it. I've got Nationals out of the way now and in the next two weeks I can do some specific preparation for my opponents that are waiting in Rome."
(On whether the younger wrestlers are bringing new moves)
"I've seen it all. I'm 37 years old and I feel like I've seen it all at this point. I know that there are younger guys knocking on the door who want to knock me off."
84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Ahearn, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
(On being confident about Vering not scoring the points)
"I was completely convinced. I knew it was going to be overturned."
(On this being his year)
"Last year I was at 96 kg. I did that to work on my technique and I heal my body. I had a few surgeries that I had. I knew I was coming back down to 84 kg for the Olympic year. I changed my training up, started doing a whole lot of extra work, just something extra everyday. I believed in my coaches and had a few overseas tournaments, which was just big experience for me. It just paid off."
(On the takedown in the first period)
"I'm not sure it surprised him but it definitely hurt his confidence. He's so confident being a World silver medalist and on the World Championship team. I'm sure from then on out it was downhill for him."
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
(On the importance of Nationals)
"This is really important. It puts me in the position that I am in the final at the Trials and that was my goal to win this tournament. That was the main benefit of competing in this tournament. I'm really excited about it, but I'm not overlooking anyone. I know in June everybody's coming to try to make that Olympic team and win that medal."
(On the other World medalists losing)
"I felt bad for those guys. They are great competitors, did a great job tonight. Both of them are tremendous athletes and I'm sure they'll be able to come back. I train with Brad (Vering) all the time. He's one of my closest friends. Having him wrestle right before me and seeing him lose, I think it might have made me focus even more to get ready for my match."
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
(On losing last year)
"I want to win every tournament. When I lose I don't just say he's better than me. I start with a mirror and pick myself apart if I made a mistake or if I didn't execute. Usually when I lose I have to blame me. I'm the one out there. I definitely wanted to win this one. Most tournaments you win, it gets addictive and contagious and you want to keep doing it. That's the goal. It sucked last year not winning.
(On the pride he takes in the Army)
"I take all the pride in the world. Someone is in Iraq or Afghanistan doing my job which allows me to be here. The least I can do is win for that guy. I appreciate him. I respect him. I value everything that he's doing. He raised his right hand just like I did, stated his name, and swore to protect the U.S. Constitution against all enemies both foreign and domestic. It's an honor to represent that guy. Our team is not just a team, it's a family."
(On whether this is his last Olympic shot)
"No, I talk about going another one. I think these guys are definitely getting a lot better. I'm having to work a lot harder and I'm going to continue to do that. Maybe one day my coach will sit me down and tell me to take them off, but other than that I am going to keep going.
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