U.S. Greco-Roman team outlines lofty goals during Olympics press conference

In the photo: Adam Wheeler (right) enjoys a laugh as Dremiel Byers addresses the media during Monday's Olympics Greco-Roman press conference at the Main Press Center. Photo by Bill Hancock.

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BEIJING, China - Steve Fraser knows what it takes to excel on wrestling's biggest stage.

He became the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

He coached the U.S. to its first-ever Greco-Roman World team title at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.

So when Fraser tells you he thinks all six members of his team can contend for top honors at the 2008 Olympic Games you take him seriously.

"I truly believe each one of these guys can win a medal, if not a gold medal," Fraser said. "Up and down our lineup, we have the potential to have a great tournament. We have a great mix of veterans and young guys. I really like this team."

Fraser was one of nine members of the U.S. Greco-Roman contingent to appear at a U.S. Olympic Committee press conference on Monday afternoon at the Olympics Main Press Center. Joining Fraser were Olympians Spenser Mango, Jake Deitchler, T.C. Dantzler, Brad Vering, Adam Wheeler and Dremiel Byers. Olympic coaches Jay Antonelli and Rich Estrella also took part.

The U.S. Greco-Roman team will compete in the Olympics on Aug. 12-14 at the China Agricultural University Gymnasium.

Mango, a past World University champion and Junior World bronze medalist, is wrestling in his first Olympics and on his first World-level team on the Senior level. He competes at 55 kg/121 lbs. Mango competes for the U.S. Olympic Education Center program at Northern Michigan University.

"I feel like I have the best workout partners in the country, plus I have two great coaches in Ivan Ivanov and Jim Gruenwald," Mango said. "We're in there working hard every day. Going to Northern Michigan turned me from being a guy who didn't really know much to making the Olympic Team four years later."

The 18-year-old Deitchler was the biggest story of the Olympic Trials in June. He became the youngest U.S. Olympian in wrestling in 32 years. He beat two-time World bronze medalist Harry Lester en route to making the Olympic squad at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. He will be a freshman at the University of Minnesota in the fall.

"I just have to use the same approach I had before the Trials," Deitchler said. "I need to wrestle hard and outwork my opponents. My confidence is really high after winning the Trials."

Dantzler, who is 37, made his first Olympic Team after making the last five U.S. World Teams at 74 kg/163 lbs. Among the wrestlers Dantzler has beaten this year is 2007 World champion Yavor Yanakiev of Bulgaria.

"The dream isn't over yet," Dantzler said. "Once I get that gold medal, then the dream will be complete."

Like Dantzler, Vering is another wrestler on top of his game. Vering, who turns 31 later this month, won a silver medal at the 2007 World Championships. Vering is competing in his second straight Olympics at 84 kg/185 lbs. He lost his first match in Athens and did not place.

"The thing that's the most different isn't that it's China, it's not being in Greece. It's this team," Vering said. "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."

Wheeler was another surprise at the Olympic Trials. He knocked off World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz to make his first World-level team at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

"Moving to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs has really helped me," Wheeler said. "The top five guys in my weight class are there, in addition to Dremiel and some of the heavyweights. Being around the best guys in the country brought me up to a new level. I'm really confident coming here because the guy I beat to make our team was a World medalist. I know if I can beat him I can beat anybody in the World."

Byers is another of the leaders on this squad. He won a World title in 2002 and won the bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. to help the U.S. wrap up the team title.

Byers was a training partner for 2000 Olympic champion Rulon Gardner at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Gardner won a bronze medal in 2004 before retiring.

"I benefited from battling Rulon for so many years," Byers said. "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."

Byers was asked about his answer to a question in the media guide about the person he would most like to meet. The person he picked was Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

"I think I wanted to meet Castro so I could talk him into getting me one of those hats from him," Byers said, as the press conference room erupted in laughter.

"I think he's a strong-willed person. I heard a story when I was in Cuba that one of their athletes got a medal and he got to have dinner with Castro. They were sitting at the table and Castro says, 'Champion huh?' Then he pulls out a dollar and hands it to the guy. I was like 'What did you do?' And he said, 'I acted like it was the best dollar I ever got.' I thought it was a great story."