Wrestling Head Coach Brian Smith and Student-­‐Athletes Dom Bradley and Alan Waters meet with the media.

Head Coach Brian Smith

On ranking 7th in the nation in the preseason 

“It isn’t as important in our room as it is for our fans, because people just get excited for the season to see a ranking out and all that. But it’s October and that’s not where we want to be, so for us 7th just means we have work to do.”  

On season expectations

“The goal is to get on the podium as a team. That’s a top four team so, where we finish we will find out. But it’s also staying healthy, doing the right things, and continuing  to get better everyday.  The neat thing with this team is the maturity  they have. The team brings  a lot of experience  and experience  is a great thing anywhere  you go. The experience  many  of them bring is going to be important for what we want to accomplish. But this team also loves to compete. The difference between the good and the great is the good ones love to compete. Whether it’s checkers or the classroom, they love to compete and that’s what separates this team. Plus the leadership they bring. Dom Bradley has been a captain for years, Nathan McCormick is a great leader, and I have kids on the team that are battling for spots. We have a good mix of the individuals coming in but the juniors and seniors bring just a wealth of experience. It makes a difference.” 

On having the talent to be the best team in Mizzou Wrestling history 

“Can it be? Yes. I can say that about a lot of teams. This team has the potential to do great things. And we’ve had great teams here but this team has the potential to do as much and even more.” 

On unfinished business from last season 

“I just think you grow from everything. You grow from success and you grow from learning how to deal with losing. If you don’t you are not getting better and that is what I teach my guys all the time. Everyday, you’re going to have bad days in the practice room, but what do you learn from that? You can sit and sulk and have a bad attitude about it, or you can get back to work, and that’s what I have seen from this team from the Monday after the NCAA (Championships).  They were back in the room and it was the best and most productive spring and summer they could have had. And now this fall, these guys have been working non-­‐stop.” 

Heavyweight Dom Bradley

On the Olympic training helping this season 

“I got to go watch the Olympic trials which is a once-­in-­a-­lifetime experience. Being at the biggest stages and wrestling people from other countries with different types of wrestling has given me an experience  that I can bring back to this team. It’s my sixth year here so being a leader, being older and wiser should bring a lot to this team and to myself as well.” 

On team aspirations for this season

“National champions. I’ve been here since I was a senior in high school. My goal and part of reason why I took the redshirt was to get some more experience and be a part of a national championship team.”

On wrestling a higher level of competition the past year

“I have been wrestling on the Olympic stage since I was a freshman in college so I have done this every year. I have been on the national team for three years which has been a huge help. But the training at Mizzou is what will make me the best I can be.”

125 Weight Class, Alan Waters

On motivation after last year’s NCAA results

“It’s definitely upsetting, and it makes us want to come back this year and get that win and redeem ourselves. At the same time, we can grow off of it and look at our mistakes, and learn from them.”

On season expectations

“Well we know that we can win the conference.  And I think we will win the conference and get on the podium at Nationals.  This year’s team is one of the best teams we have had here.”