After winning gold at the 2006 World Championships, freestyle wrestler Bill Zadick of the Gator WC sat most of the following year due to injury. Zadick won a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Championships, but the months since then have been challenging as he continues to recover.

"I'm feeling real good," said Zadick. "Last year was frustrating. A lot happened, but all that's behind me now and I am looking forward to getting back on the mat."

Most of the focus over the past few months has been on training and getting back into form as he continues to get healthy. Until Zadick stepped on the mat for competition, it was hard to tell how far he has come. He has entered the 2008 Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs, Colo., with the chance to show that he has made strides in the past few months to get back to where he was.

"Having this tournament is a great tool, a great advantage," Zadick said. "The past couple years, the Dave Schultz has really developed into a top-level tournament."

Getting more competitions is critical for Zadick to be successful in the coming months and in his career.

"He didn't compete in as many other meets last year as we would like to see," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson said. "He is going to get more competition in this spring and that will help him."

The Dave Schultz, taking place where Zadick trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, will provide him a chance to compete against some of  talented international wrestlers in his weight class.

"Obviously, a goal for the weekend is to win the tournament," said Zadick. "I want to be sharp, crisp, make sure I am scoring on my offense strengths."

The overarching goal for the year is, of course, making it to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.  Zadick's past success proves he has the tools to make that goal a reality. In addition, Zadick has good memories of China, as he won his World gold medal in Guangzhou, China in 2006.

"His chances of making it to the Olympics are as good as or better than anyone else in that weight class," said Jackson.

Zadick must go through the U.S. Olympic Trials for wrestling in Las Vegas in June to reach Beijing.

"Health is the most important thing for him right now," Jackson said.

After struggling with knee problems in recent years, Zadick finally had surgery to clear up some of the problems, but Jackson said he will have to deal with pain the rest of his wrestling career.

"When you are hurt, you do everything you can physically, you focus on rehab and building strength," said Zadick. "Sometimes it feels like you come back even stronger."

Zadick knows his health is not the only thing standing between him and Beijing.  There are many other talented American wrestlers standing as obstables to his dream of reaching the Olympics.

They include No. 1 Doug Schwab of the Gator WC, who finished fifth at the World Championships, and a number of other wrestlers who have had success internationally this year.  No. 2 Jared Frayer of the Gator WC won the Hargobind International in Canada, No. 4 Zack Esposito of the Gator WC placed second at Alexander Medved International in Belarus, and No. 5 Cary Kolat and No. 6 Eric Larkin placed first and second, respectively, at the Sunkist Open.

"At any given time, any of these guys can reach the top of that weight class," said Jackson.

Zadick must wrestle well against these formidable opponents June 12-15, at the Olympic Trials to be a member of the U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team.

"I feel like the competition, because it's one of the deeper weights, sharpens you," Zadick said. "When you make the world team, whether it be for the World Championships, the Olympics, or whatever, the competition here has prepared you for that stage."

Right now, his sights on this weekend's competition at the Dave Schultz Memorial, and on February 12, when he heads to Albuquerque, N.M. a world dual meet against Belarus.  In Albuquerque, Zadick will take on 2007 European champion Albert Batyrov.

"At a dual meet, I think the crowd gets into it more and there is a great competitive atmosphere," said Zadick. "With only one opponent, you really have to prepare just like you would for the finals of a big meet."

As far his Olympic dreams are concerned, only time will tell whether Zadick's dreams will become a reality.

"If he wrestles to his potential I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the Olympic team," Jackson said. "He has the most experience and the most success in his weight class."

Zadick credits the national coaching staff that work with him daily at the U.S. Olympic Training Center to help him achieve his goals.

"The leadership here with Terry Brands and Kevin Jackson is great," said Zadick.

Ultimately, Zadick is driven to achieve by his sense of competition and the need to improve on and off the mat.

"I want to go out there, lay it on the line, and do my best everytime," Zadick said. "I want to better each time I step onto the mat, each match I want to improve."

That drive may be just what it takes for Zadick to reach his dreams and earn a trip to Beijing.