Quotes from U.S. champions Fulp-Allen, Roberts, Berube, Herbert, Stender and Mocco at Dave Schultz Memorial

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Elizabeth Wiley and Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
02/10/2008


48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Women's freestyle

Sara Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

"It was definitely an exciting day. I took a peek at the brackets, and I felt I had a good draw. I had to wrestle the Polish girl. I had wrestled her in practice a few times. I felt confident. I knew I had to be patient. When I won that, and after Stephanie (Murata) lost, I felt I could win it all. 

"Clarissa (Chun) is someone I have had trouble with. She likes to scramble. Instead of letting her dance around, I started wrestling. It was wide open. I was excited during the match. I wasn't tired and I wasn't mentally stressed. There was so much scoring going on. I knew at any moment in the match, I could get more points."

55 kg/121 lbs. - Women's freestyle
Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)

"I feel it went well. You know, I'm not much about watching video and scouting my opponents. The way I wrestle, I just want to do my style. I probably should have done some scouting in the semifinals when I was thrown for three. But it made me wrestle and made me adjust. 

(about her new weight class)

"It is a lot of fun down here. It's new. There is no pressure. I am having fun. I can give it my all out there. I felt really good. I was so excited to be wrestling and not injured anymore. Even if I am not feeling too well, I don't care. As long as it isn't surgery, I am going to be out there wrestling. After this, I am going to meet with my coaches and set a game plan for this year."

(about the Olympic year ahead)
"It is not on my mind at all. I am out there, having fun. That is a reason that an athlete can be so lethal. I am just out there wrestling."

63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Women's freestyle
Alaina Berube, River Falls, Wis. (New York AC)

"I had a couple of good weeks of training here after I came back from Russia. I felt prepared and ready to put in a good performance. I felt like all the hard work is paying off and I am starting to see the results. I have been concentrating on few things and making adjustments."

(about the pin in the finals)
"I wasn't looking for it. I fell into it. I was looking to get a point and to end that period. The half nelson was right there."

(about her new training situation in Wisconsin)
"It is going well so far. I like it there. (Coach) Kevin Black is working with me and is slowly, surely changing my style and getting me to where I need to be."

(about the Olympic year ahead)
"I'll take it one tournament at a time. I'll keep taking small steps. The ultimate goal is making the Olympic team."

84 kg/185 lbs. - Men's freestyle
Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC)

(On how important this win was)
"It was a big win.  Davyd Bichinashvili of Germany beat a lot of tough guys.  There were a lot of good Americans in this weight and I was glad to come out on top.  Really, it's more training for the Olymipcs.  That's more important than just getting this win."

(On the disputed calls)
"The German coaches thought the points were more his than they were mine.  They thought he initiated a move that I initiated, and that's where you get a lot of the disputes."

(On adjusting after losing the second period)
"I stepped it up mentally after I kind of let down in the second.  I was getting a little tired but so was he.  I just tried to stay aggressive."

96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Men's freestyle
Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)

(On getting this win)
"It feels good to get some international competition in.  It has been while for me.  I haven't wrestled since the World Team Trials last year and it's great to get this win headed towards the Olympic Trials."

(On his strategy going in)
"I didn't really have a plan.  I didn't know a lot about the guy.  I had heard that he threw a lot, and he tried to.  I just stayed solid on my feet and stayed aggressive."

(On what this win means headed towards the Olympics)
"It's nice to win at the Schultz.  It's on of the biggest meets in the U.S. in terms of foreign wrestlers.  There is some really tough competition.  The win feels good now and hopefully it turns out the same way in June."

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Men's freestyle
Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

"I looked at this tournament as preparation for the World Cup first, and the U.S. Nationals and the Olympic Trials. I knew we were leaving Tuesday for the World Cup and I wanted to get matches in. There is nothing like the competition feel. I got a good blow, my lungs and my heart are working well. I'll be ready for next week."