Sam Hazewinkel takes control in the U.S. Open finals. Larry Slater photo.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Sam Hazewinkel has been close before.

Twice the U.S. Open champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, in 2005 and 2007, Hazewinkel came up just short of making the U.S. World Team.

He placed second at the U.S. World Team Trials in 2005 and 2006, and second in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Now wrestling freestyle, Hazewinkel has another golden opportunity in front of him after winning April’s U.S. Open in freestyle wrestling. That win clinches a berth for him in the best-of-3 finals at 55 kg/121 lbs. for June’s U.S. World Team Trials in Oklahoma City.

Hazewinkel will meet the winner of the Challenge Tournament in the final-round series. The winner of the World Team Trials advances to September’s World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

Hazewinkel, 27, is at the U.S. Olympic Training Center this week for a National Team Camp. He is preparing to compete in the Pan American Championships, set for May 6-8 in Rionegro, Colombia.

Hazewinkel has put together a strong season. He placed second in the Alexander Medved International and third in Cerro Pelado International this year.

The World Team Trials will be a homecoming of sorts for Hazewinkel, who was a four-time All-American for the University of Oklahoma. Hazewinkel trains in Norman and competes for the Sunkist Kids.

Hazewinkel grew up around the sport. His father, David, and uncle, Jim, both competed in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Hazewinkel sat down with USA Wrestling communications manager Craig Sesker for an interview following Thursday morning’s practice at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

How excited are you to compete in the World Team Trials?

I’m very excited. It’s always an advantage being able to wrestle close to home. I will be able to train and cut weight at home. I can sleep in my own bed. Having my own fans there, I think I have a lot of good karma going into it.

You have been the No. 1 guy going into the World Team Trials before. What did you learn from those experiences?

You have to be ready for everything and you have to be ready to go. I know nothing is guaranteed.

How important was it to win the U.S. Open to position yourself for the World Team Trials?

Very important. Being in the finals is huge. It takes a lot of pressure off. I don’t have to wrestle at 8 a.m. this year and I don’t have to go through the mini-tournament. Plus, I knew I was going to be wrestling at home, so it was real important to win the Open. I had a bad year last year, so I have something to prove this year.

You started off strong last season, but struggled late in the year. What do you think happened?

I started wrestling bad. When you’re doing well your confidence goes up. When you’re doing bad your confidence drops. I think that was a part of it. It woke me up a little bit. It got me thinking more. I started thinking more about strategy and wrestling smarter.

You have more freestyle matches under your belt now after wrestling Greco-Roman in previous years. Do you think that is a big part of your success this year?

Absolutely. It is a lot different style from Greco and there was an adjustment period for me. Having two years of experience under my belt in freestyle and wrestling overseas, it has helped my wrestling immensely. 

How much does your Greco experience help you wrestling in freestyle?

I would like to think it gives me an advantage. I can throw guys, but in freestyle they can hook your legs and do things to stop you that you can’t do in Greco. But I think my experience in Greco definitely helps me in certain positions where I can score big points.

How much tougher will it be at the World Team Trials with 2010 World Team Trials runner-up Angel Escobedo coming back to wrestle and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo possibly competing?

I have to prepare to face those guys just like I have to prepare for everybody else. I only have to wrestle one guy, which is great. I’m preparing for all of them.

What would it mean to make your first World Team?

It would be huge. I really thought I would make it a long time ago. I’m not getting any younger, so it would mean a lot to make it. It would mean a lot to my dad and my family. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a little kid. I was born into it. It would be the answer to a lot of prayers.

How much thought have you given to next year, with the Olympics coming up?

I’m trying to focus just on this year, but you can’t help but think about it. It’s right around the corner. I’m trying to remember the things I’m doing right and fix the things I’m doing wrong. Hopefully, that will help me make it to the Olympics.

Do you have a favorite moment from watching the Olympics?

I remember the guys grabbing the flag and running around the mat when they win. That’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I don’t know if any one moment sticks out, but every time I see one of our guys win it’s just awesome to see. I’ve looked up to all those guys, so having that opportunity would be great.

How often do you and your dad talk about your wrestling?

I talk to him quite a bit about it. We talk a lot. He gives me a lot of encouragement and support.

Your college teammate and close friend, Teyon Ware, also won a U.S. Open title. How exciting is that to see him doing well?

It’s awesome. It’s exciting to see him wrestling well. He deserves it. He can beat the best guys. Teyon is wrestling really well and he is an athlete like no athlete I’ve ever seen. I think Teyon has a real good shot at making the World Team. It would be great to see him do it.