Quotes from U.S. Freestyle World Team wrestlers Henson, Lightner, Bono and coaches Seay and Jackson
<< Back to Articles
Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
09/25/2005
55 kg - Sammie Henson, Flintstone, Ga. (Sunkist Kids)
"I feel great now that I made weight. I am ready. I can't be any more ready than I am now. I feel strong. One day at a time, one match at a time, one gold at a time."
60 kg - Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
"I love to compete. I am here to win. The preparation was good. I'm more prepared than I have ever been. This is the best training I have ever had. I am optimistic. I will go out and pour my heart out on the mat."
66 kg - Chris Bono, Gilbert, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
"I am excited to get started. It has been a long time. I am real prepared, as prepared as I will be. I just have to wrestle, do everything we practiced all summer. If I do that, I'll be OK. I am excited. I am just ready to go. We are well prepared."
Joe Seay, Chattanooga, Tenn., U.S. Freestyle World Team Coach
"The first three guys are ready. Everybody is doing well. We've had great practices. Everybody is training well. We have divided them up into sections. We are ready; we have staged everything. Now we are just getting ready to go. The kids are feeling good for the most part."
"We have a good combination the first day. This style of wrestling is perfect for Bono. The rules couldn't be better for him. He is confident. Sammie Henson is on a mission. He came here to win. He hasn't won in awhile. He is capable and he had a great training camp. His preparation is excellent. Everything we asked him to do he has stepped up for. Lightner also has a good shot. His quickness is great. His confidence is up because he beat Olympic silver medalist Abas on the way to make the team. He believes he can win and he trained well."
"For us, the positive things are the style, and the one-day tournament. The further we go in the tournament, the tougher we are. However, we have to be ready to go hard right from the start. We have prepared properly. Every guy on this team is going for the gold medal."
Kevin Jackson, Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach
"I feel good about where our guys are. It is always nice to have an easy draw. To be the best, you have to beat everybody. We are ready to win. It's a blind draw, so we will wrestle it accordingly."