66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Harry Lester, Akron, Ohio (USOEC/Gator WC)

"I don't think it should have been that close. I made stupid mistakes that probably cost me the match. I let myself down in that respect."

"In the clinch, usuall a lot of referees will let yo go right on the lock. He reffed it his way. It made it difficult for me to lift. I am used to lifting right off the lock. It took me out of my element. It is no excuse though for me not scoring on the mat."

"The second period, from the bottom, I stopped him easily. My mistake was I stopped wrestling on the bottom. It cost me points, it cost me the match. I should have won in two periods. My mistakes on the bottom is why I lost."

"I am disgusted with my performance. People say it will be a learning experience for me. That is bull. This is just a tournament with a big name. I worked my butt off to get here. I didn't come here to learn. I came to win. I learn by matches at home and at practice. What I took from this is I have to wrestle all six minutes. I have to wrestle not just on my feet, and I need to get better in par terre. After this, I will work my tail off, get better, in order to get here next year and be the World champion." 

74 kg/163 lbs. - T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)

"I never got my lock. I couldn't get my offense going on top. I never had the chance on top and that neutralized the match. I felt like once I got on top I could turn him. I got him tired. I neutralized him on the feet. On the mat it makes all the difference. It was my fault. Coming in, you know you have to beat the Olympic champion. I didn't do it. I did not beat him."

USA Wrestling National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser

"Obviously it is not going well. Harry wrestled offensively enough to beat anybody. He scored like eight points on his feet. He had a pinning situation for a point. He has to get better defense on the gut wrench. The guy locked his hands too easily. Harry gave up a two-point reversal from his offensive par terre. The third period, Harry has to stop the guy from the top and he gave up points. The good news is that he is young, hungry and talented. We can fix the technical issues. With experience and practice, we can clean it up."

"Brad's match was baffling. It looked like his rhythm was off and he was a little tired. He sprained his LCL in training and this was the first time on the mat for him. The Greek hit two nice reverse lifts. The second one may have broken his rib. It wasn't Brad's day. This was tough to understand."

"With TC, it was a combination. The opponent had a good jump on the whistle, a good defense. He did a good getting right up, so TC couldn't relock again. TC did well on his feet. He almost scored near the end of the first period. The Olympic champion was big and strong and a good fighter. In the past, that is where TC needed improvement and he has improved. The guy was just better than him, an Olympic champion. TC still has to continue to put the entire package together. He is one of the best lifters in the USA. He needs to be a better fighter on his feet, and he would be unstoppable. He is not done yet. The Uzbekistan wrestler could pull him through. I don't know if the German or Greek will make the finals. Maybe."

"It is a sad day. A bad start. What do you do? Tomorrow has to be a better day. We have three more chances. We have our World champion and two hungry guys. It never gets easier in this sport."