Cormier named captain of the U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team
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by Gary Abbott
BEIJING, CHINA - Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC), who competes at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., has been voted by his teammates as the captain of the 2008 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team.
Cormier is competing in his second Olympic Games, after placing fourth at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He is the only member of the freestyle team who has previously competed in an Olympic Games.
"Any time you are chosen by your teammates, who are your peers, it is a big honor," said Cormier. "I consider this an honor and a privilege to be the captain of an Olympic team. It means so much to me. I respect what they think. It will stay with me for the rest of my life. This is so special."
Cormier has represented the United States at 96 kg at every World Championships and Olympic Games since 2003. Last year, Cormier won his first World-level medal when he captured a bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The honor bestowed upon Cormier by his peers has helped give him an extra edge in his training, according to his coaches.
"For him, this is truly an honor," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. "Because his teammates putting the responsibility on his shoulders, it has forced him to lead by example. He is doing the extra work. We have talked about leadership and he has truly taken that role."
"He is doing a good job," said Olympic Coach Kerry McCoy. "He has met all the guys on the team at their different levels. He gets along with them all. He has a unique connection to the entire team. It is good that he can facilitate the role of leader and confidante. He has put in a higher volume and intensity in his work load. I have been around him on all of his World teams. It far outweighs anything he has done before. The coaches recognize it, he recognizes it and the guys on the team recognize it."
Cormier will compete at the Olympics on August 21, the final day of wrestling at the Beijing Games. He is hoping his hard work and effort will pay off with a gold medal on that day.
"I hope it does. I would hate for all the hard work to be for nothing. Whatever happens, I know I gave myself the best chance to win. Regardless of the outcome, I know I gave my all."
Cormier is a native of Lafayette, La., and competed for Colby CC in Kansas and for Oklahoma State Univ., where he was an NCAA runner-up.
Cormier is competing in his second Olympic Games, after placing fourth at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He is the only member of the freestyle team who has previously competed in an Olympic Games.
"Any time you are chosen by your teammates, who are your peers, it is a big honor," said Cormier. "I consider this an honor and a privilege to be the captain of an Olympic team. It means so much to me. I respect what they think. It will stay with me for the rest of my life. This is so special."
Cormier has represented the United States at 96 kg at every World Championships and Olympic Games since 2003. Last year, Cormier won his first World-level medal when he captured a bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The honor bestowed upon Cormier by his peers has helped give him an extra edge in his training, according to his coaches.
"For him, this is truly an honor," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. "Because his teammates putting the responsibility on his shoulders, it has forced him to lead by example. He is doing the extra work. We have talked about leadership and he has truly taken that role."
"He is doing a good job," said Olympic Coach Kerry McCoy. "He has met all the guys on the team at their different levels. He gets along with them all. He has a unique connection to the entire team. It is good that he can facilitate the role of leader and confidante. He has put in a higher volume and intensity in his work load. I have been around him on all of his World teams. It far outweighs anything he has done before. The coaches recognize it, he recognizes it and the guys on the team recognize it."
Cormier will compete at the Olympics on August 21, the final day of wrestling at the Beijing Games. He is hoping his hard work and effort will pay off with a gold medal on that day.
"I hope it does. I would hate for all the hard work to be for nothing. Whatever happens, I know I gave myself the best chance to win. Regardless of the outcome, I know I gave my all."
Cormier is a native of Lafayette, La., and competed for Colby CC in Kansas and for Oklahoma State Univ., where he was an NCAA runner-up.
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