United States Pan American Games Wrestling Team Press Conferences 
 U.S. Freestyle Wrestling Team Press Conference 
 Saturday, July 24, 1999 at 1:00 p.m. 
 Main Press Center, Winnipeg Convention Centre  
 John Smith - Head Coach   "This event is held every four years, and that makes it special. It is considered a major event. It is also important individually for the athletes. To win, they have to have their best tournament. It is a great competition. For our team, we have to be prepared for the Cubans. This is not just in preparation for the World Championships, but it does give us an indication of where we are as a team for the World Championships." 
 "There is still much knowledge and experience that needs to be gained before the World Championships. We have five new faces from last year's World team. The fact that only one athlete on this team has ever competed in the Pan American Games before shows that we have a lot of depth. Each of the athletes will be contenders for medals." 
 Greg Strobel - Assistant Coach 
 "We take this event very seriously. For the athlete, the atmosphere of a multi-sport event is a great experience, just like the Olympic Games. They have to live in the athlete village, go through all the security, deal with all of the distractions. We had a great training camp in Grand Forks (N.D.) and should be ready." 
 Cary Kolat - 63 kg 
 "My goals for every competition are the same - shooting for the top and wearing the gold medal. My training has been very good, and we had a good training camp in Grand Forks. My job is to wrestle to my potential here." 
 "Since 1997, I have improved and gained more confidence. Part of it is knowing what to expect. At this event, my main competition will the be Cuban and the Canadian. The Cuban was fourth in the Olympics, and the Canadian has been around for a long time. I need to compete against these guys before the World Championships." 
 Stephen Neal - 130 kg 
 "After the NCAA Championships, I took some time off, and I toned my training down. Now, I'm ready to really pick it up. I'm working hard and am ready to go." 
 "I have a style that is unique to my weight class (super heavyweight) and it gives me an advantage. I like to move around a lot, which means I have to be in great shape." 
 Dominic Black - 97 kg 
 "It has been an exciting year for me, and this is another event that is exciting to me. It is very good to represent the United States at the Pan American Games." 
 "I have been making small steps along the way. I am preparing the same for this event, making the sacrifices necessary to be a champion." 
 Lincoln McIlravy, 69 kg 
 "This is almost too nice here for me. I am used to Iowa. I like it hot, but I hear the venue is air conditioned here." 
 "My philosophy is to put pressure on my opponent. If the opponent is fast and strong, I want to make him tired, and he will not be fast or strong anymore. I also want to put a lot of points on the scoreboard. If I score 20 points, it will be very hard for any wrestler to ever beat me." 
 "I have had a burr under my saddle for about 12 months (since the 1998 World Championships). I plan to make a serious run for a World Championship this year, and I am very well prepared."