Quotes from the winners of the Championship Series from the World Team Trials in Cincinnati
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
06/24/2001
119 GR - Brandon Paulson "I made a few changes, escaped, got him down and felt confident with my reverse lift. I felt good the whole tournament. I peaked at the right time. I relaxed more this year. I was more prepared mentally. I want to thank the Minnesota Storm and JR Wrestling Products for help and support." 127.75 GR - Jim Gruenwald "That's what I prayed for, two in a row. I kept my game plan. In the past, I lost because I gave up points in the first two minutes. I tried to exercise excellence. I watched tapes of him a lot to get ready." 138.75 - Kevin Bracken "I just wanted to be conservative on my feet. I wanted to get him in par terre and take advantage. I have been working in practice on my par terre. When I walked off the mat, my coach said to win the worlds in New York. I've beaten a lot of top guys in the world. Now I want hardware." 152 GR - Marcel Cooper "All these years, I've been wrestling since I was five years old. Now I get to compete at the Worlds. It was all mental in the finals. It's the second time I've gone three times. I used more focus. Thank God." 167.5 GR Keith Sieracki "I've been waiting for so long. I'm going to go out and prove to everybody that I should have been in the Olympics in 2000 by going out and winning a medal." 187.25 GR - Matt Lindland "I'm feeling good. It was less stressful that last year's Trials. I'm in a new weight class with different opponents. It's a whole new deal. Dan is very intimidating. I knew I could wrestle with him. I've looked past things in the past. I had to focus on the Trials here." 213.75 GR - Garrett Lowney "Last year was an amazing feeling. I wasn't expected to be on the team. This year, we will see about New York City. I know I can accomplish my goal and win it in New York City." 286 GR - Rulon Gardner "It's just the beginning. I feel pretty good now. I picked myself up, to challenge myself. I had good movement out there. I have a loss this year, I was beaten by a Hungarian. I want to claim the title again and win it in New York City." 101.25 W - Tricia Saunders "It was a tough match for me. I tore my ribs in the first match today. The doctors helped me so I didn't have to forfeit. I did not have my best preparation, but she's a tough wrestler. I'm looking forward to New York." 112.25 W - Stephanie Murata "I tried coaching and training at the same time. I need to change strategies, because we wrestle each other so many times. I hope to stay ahead of her." 123.75 W - Tina George "I just wanted to get it over quick and go home. I'm very excited. It's about time to have the worlds here. I have to keep refocusing and staying calm." 136.5 W - Sara McMann "She's a real lanky wrestler, so I hit everything solid and fast. I had to make sure to hit everything solid. It's in New York. My family can come and so can my friends. I love to have my family there to watch me." 149. 75 W - Tocarra Montgomery "I'm 18 years old. I'm disappointed in my last match, but I won. I've been training hard and I deserve this." 165.25 W - Iris Smith "I'm excited, it's right here in our back yard. I try not to look ahead. There were some new girls in the class; I just got ready and waited. 119 FS - Stephen Abas "I can't describe my excitement. Finally!! I've waited my whole life for this. I'm ready to move up to a new level. Akin is a great competitor. I only beat him twice, today is a first for me. Now I want to have some fun in New York." 127.25 - Eric Guerrero "Train, train, train before New York City! I looked at myself in the mirror after the 1st match. I really learned something about myself." 138.75 FS - Bill Zadick "It's great (making my first team). Having it in New York will be great. It was a good win. I am never really satisfied. I'm going to start working for the Worlds." 152 FS - Chris Bono "Making my first time feels good. I'll put it behind me and go out and try to win a meda. That was my approach for the weekend. I was prepared for Ramico. I wasn't scoring. I worked to get him tired and pull him down. I've taken second a lot. I have trained for McIlravy. I'm ready for anybody in the world." 167.5 FS - Joe Williams "It feels good to be back on the World Team. I go out to wrestle to give my best and have fun. I'm feeling really good going into the Worlds. I hit more action on my feet." 187.25 FS - Cael Sanderson "I'm pretty happy right now. It was tough. Eggum is very tough. I'm happy with the way things turned out. I have weaknesses. I need to get better on the mat. I'll focus on that before New York City." 213.75 FS - Dominic Black "It does feel good to come back again. I came back out and won two in a row. It took a lot of confidence. I'm going to New York City. I put off my class for the Army to be able to compete there." 286 FS - Kerry McCoy "I didn't wrestle in the second match. The clinch call made that match. I realized I didn't wrestle the way I always do. I came out and took advantage in the third match. My mom sent me a note between matches, which helped me realize that things are in God's hands and it came through for me."