IOWA CITY – Brent Metcalf doesn’t compete until Sunday.

But he already had his game face on Friday during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials press conference at the Iowa City Marriott.

The 2010 World Team member and two-time NCAA champion for Iowa is one of the favorites to land a spot on the 2012 Olympic Team in freestyle wrestling at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

Metcalf will compete in a venue – the University of Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena – he has never lost a wrestling match in.

“I’m very excited to wrestle at Carver-Hawkeye again,” Metcalf said. “Obviously, there is a lot on the line. Training’s been going very good. I’m very motivated and I’m right where I need to be. I need to build on leads and wrestle smart. It’s time to go do it and put a thumping on your opponents. You have to go take what you want, which is a spot on the Olympic Team.”

Metcalf finished second behind Teyon Ware at the 2011 World Team Trials, but he has stormed back strong this season and won the Olympic Test Event in London in December.

“I think I have gotten a lot better offensively, with my set-ups and my finishes,” Metcalf said. “I did a lot of standing around last year, and not moving as well. A lot of those periods, Teyon stole them right at the end by scoring in the last few seconds. That can’t happen. I need to be smart and aware. Those feet need to be moving. I need to score and build on my leads.”

U.S. National Coach Zeke Jones said he is impressed with Metcalf’s progress.

“Brent has been doing the right things,” Jones said. “What are the right things? Continue to be a student of the sport. Finish his leg attacks. Handle the end of the period and ensure he defends with a short-time lead. Make sure the guy he is wrestling doesn’t score when Brent is going to his offense.”

With more than 12,000 tickets sold for the event, Metcalf will have his share of support Sunday.

“This is the calm before the storm,” Metcalf said. “There is a lot of intensity and a lot of focus. I feel like I am ready to go and right where I need to be.”