Quotes from U.S. Pan American Greco-Roman athletes and National Coach

55 kg/121 lbs. - Josh Habeck, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), bronze medalist
"Today was a tough day for me. I didn't wrestle well all day. I thought I could capitalize more and score more points. It was tough for me. I had to gut it out and take what I could. When I found out I would be on this team and in this tournament, it was a great feeling to represent my country and the U.S. Army at a tournament of this level."

60 kg/132 lbs. - Joe Betterman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), bronze medalist
"I had some rehab to do. I will get to take a little break now. It is unfortunate that I was hurt before this tournament. I wanted to qualify here. Now I'll have to go to Italy to qualify. I felt losing that match was frustrating. I wanted to make sure I came out here and got a medal."

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (Gator WC/USOEC), bronze medalist
(On the tournament)
"I was disappointed in the first match. I was really hoping to wrestle the Cuban in the finals. But I was glad I was able to bounce back and win the bronze medal."

(On his strategy for the final match)
"I just wanted to make sure I got a good warm up in. I wanted to keep in up and warm up well. I felt like I was too tired earlier and it affected my performance."

74 kg/163 lbs. - T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), silver medalist
"It was a tough match. He did his homework on me, like I did on my opponents. The last period, I tried eight attempts. I just didn't score. I can't explain how bad I feel. I feel at the bottom of the earth. I let myself down, my country down, everybody down. I have never been so low."

(about what he might have done differently in the final period)
"Just from thinking, I emptied my gun. I threw my empty gun out there. I didn't look past him. It was a hard fought match. I just didn't get it done.

(about what is next)
"There are two more qualifiers. I hadn't planned on wrestling in them. I will have to look at the schedule and prepare my training. I can get it done. I will get it done."

84 kg/185 lbs. - Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (Minnesota Storm/USOEC), silver medalist

(On the final match)
"He had funky counters, stuff that I hadn't seen before. I stuck with my game plan but he had really good counters."

(On the tournament overall)
"This was my first Pan Ams. I am not satisfied with the silver medal, but I am happy with it."

96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), gold medalist
(On getting the win)
"It feels great. Coming in here, I knew I had to get it done. I didn't want to travel overseas to qualify."

(On the key to the match)
"He got a little tired, was a little hurt. He broke. He didn't have a good period. I was able to take advantage of that."

(On the second period confusion)
"There are a lot of countries that want to see anyone but the U.S. win. My coaches told me not to worry because I already had one point. My coaches fought for the point and I got the win."

National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser

"Justin wrestled well we are very proud of him. We are very happy that we got that weight qualified. The Cuban is young but tough. We are glad Justin did what he had to do. He took the match in his own hands, and finished with a strong third period."

"We are disappointed for T.C. Nobody wanted it more than T.C. wanted it. He didn't take him lightly. He beat the Cuban Herrero, who we thought was the toughest opponent. This is sport. This happens in sport. He attempted to lift him seven or eight times. He went at it 100%. We are proud of him. We are not done yet. We have two more qualification tournaments. We will get it qualified and we will win our Olympic medal."

"Betterman wrestled with a lot of heart. He is still young. He wrestled Monzon, who is very experienced and very strong. Considering he entered this tournament hurt with his collarbone, I felt he did the best he could."