Flash Quotes from the Greco-Roman press conference in Beijing, Aug. 4

National Greco Roman coach Steve Fraser (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Question: How will the first team title won by the United States in the World Championships last year help this team in the Beijing Olympics?
Fraser: "Needless to say that winning the World Championships was a great accomplishment USA wrestling. I think it gives us the confidence we need to go into this Olympics to do it again. We have a nice mix of veterans and so-called rookies and that gives us more energy and excitement."

Question: This team ranges in experience level and what makes this team the kind of team that could put on a great performance?
Fraser: "Each one of our six athletes competing has the potential to win a medal if not the gold medal."

Greco Roman coach Rich Estrella (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Question: What are your observations about the readiness of this team?
Estrella: "We won the worlds last year with a good plan in place. So the plan we've had in place has been working for us very well. We're making sure we're still heading in the right direction to help or guys live their dreams."

Greco Roman coach Jay Antonelli (Chesapeake, Va.)
Question: Tell us a little bit about the mood of this group coming into the Olympic Games
Estrella: "They're making a lot of fun out of it and part of being an Olympian is having fun while you're out here and doing something you love to do. When it comes down to doing business, they know when to put that stuff aside. They know what their job is and that's to win a medal."

55 kg - Spencer Mango (St. Louis, Mo.)
Question: How has the USOEC program at the University of Northern Michigan helped you?
Mango: "When I first started going there, I never had trained Greco Roman wrestling full time. They have the best workout plan in the country. That turned me around from being a wrestler who didn't know much to making the Olympic team."

Question: How has your family supported your wrestling?
Mango: "My little brother is right behind me. He tells me he'll be my size in the next school year. I guess I better watch out."

66 kg - Jake Deitchler (Ramsey, Minn.)
Question: Tell us how your life changed when you became an Olympian?
Deitchler: "It wasn't until about two months before the Olympic Trials that I knew I had a legitimate shot at making the team. Sure enough, I put a good day together. Since then, the focus has turned to the Olympics."

74 kg - T. C. Dantzler (South Holland, Ill.)
Question: Has the Olympic experience been all that you've dreamed about?
Dantzler: "The dream isn't over yet. Once I get the gold medal, the dream will be complete. We dream about representing the United States and winning a gold medal."

Question: Being an Olympic athlete, how do you find time to excel in every part of your life?
Dantzler: "That's an easy answer, I'm a smart guy. I do it with ease because I surround myself with smart people and with people interested in me succeeding."

84 kg - Brad Vering (Howells, Neb.)
Question: As a past Olympian, what lessons did you learn from Athens?
Vering: "The thing that's the most different isn't that it's China, it's not being in Greece. It's this team. When we went to Athens we had a veteran team. Every time we step out on the mat we're a team. Wrestling is an individual sport and people can get selfish. But this group is a team. Sometimes that mat can be a real lonely place. With these guys, you don't feel like you're going out there alone."

96 kg - Adam Wheeler (Lancaster, Calif.)
Question: What has been different about your wrestling this year that got you to a place on your first U. S. team?
Wheeler: "I moved up to the Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs and got around with the best wrestlers in the country. Being around the best in the country brought me up to a new level."

Question: Do you have an advantage because the wrestlers you'll be facing haven't seen you at this tournament before?
Wheeler: "I don't know if it's an advantage because I've wrestled some of them before. I'm really confident coming in here because of who I had to go through to get here. I have the confidence that if I can do that, I can beat anyone in the world."

120 kg - Dremiel Byers (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
Question: You've had great success internationally and how does your wrestling now compare to that success?
Byers: "I don't want to call myself an old vet, but I've done a lot of things and I'm not surprised at things that happen in the matches. I only do what I'm good at and that's been paying off. I'm good at winning. Get my hand raised and our song played and that's the focus."

Question: What about those hard years of battling Rulon Gardner
Byers: "I benefited from battling Rulon for so many years. When I went with him to Athens to be his training partner, all the pressure was off of me. All I had to do was help him. I was watching and still learning. I saw how badly he wanted it and how badly I wanted it for him. He didn't win a gold medal, but a bronze. He touched the podium and I saw that. Now it's my time. I'm going to use that as fuel to accomplish my goal."