Lincoln McIlravy of Coralville, Iowa has been hired as USA Wrestling's National Freestyle Resident Coach, announced USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. USA Wrestling is the national governing body for amateur wrestling in the United States, with headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo.    McIlravy, a 2000 Olympic bronze medalist in freestyle wrestling and a two-time World Championships medalist, is currently working as an assistant coach at the Univ. of Iowa. He is expected to join USA Wrestling full-time by Jan. 15, 2002.    "We are very excited to add Lincoln McIlravy to our team at USA Wrestling," said Bender. "Lincoln has proven to be a true leader on and off the mat. He displays a character that is inspiring. We expect Lincoln to take our resident program to new heights."    "I am fired up about this opportunity," said McIlravy. "The United States has the best resources in the world. In my mind, we need to be on top in freestyle wrestling. I come on board with the goal of being the World Champions."    McIlravy will be responsible for training the U.S. Olympic Training Center freestyle resident athletes, and working with the elite freestyle athletes who come to Colorado Springs for specialized training. He will assist National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson in preparing U.S. athletes for international success in freestyle wrestling.    "The resident program is unique," McIlravy said. "It's a year round freestyle environment. The program is relatively new, and I believe it can take off. My goal is to improve the skills of our athletes and help them to win World and Olympic medals. I want the resident program to be 'the place' for those training to become Olympic Champions."    "I am excited to see Lincoln take the National Resident Coach job," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. "He has shown he is a quality individual off the mat. His international experience will serve him well. I think he will do a great job as the National Resident Coach and will provide direction for the resident athletes and national team athletes leading into the next Olympic Games. He's a great addition to the program."    McIlravy claimed a bronze medal at 69 kg/152 lbs. at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. He was a silver medalist at the 1999 World Championships and a bronze medalist at the 1998 World Championships. McIlravy also competed for the U.S. team at the 1997 World Championships.    He won four straight U.S. Freestyle Nationals gold medals (1997-2000) and was second in the 1996 U.S. Nationals. McIlravy also was third in the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Among his major international titles were three World Cup gold medals (1998-2000), the 1999 Pan American Games, the 1998 Yarygin Tournament in Russia and the 1996 Sunkist Kids International Open.    McIlravy was one of the greatest U.S. college wrestlers in history, competing for the Univ. of Iowa. He won three NCAA Div. I national titles (1993, 1994, 1997) and was second in the 1995 NCAA Championships, with a 96-3 career record. Originally from Philip, S.D., McIlravy won five state high school titles, registering a  200-25 record,  and also won a  Junior Nationals freestyle title.    At the Univ. of Iowa, McIlravy served two seasons as an assistant coach for the Hawkeyes, and three seasons as a volunteer assistant coach. During his years on the coaching staff, Iowa won three NCAA Div. I titles and placed second once.    McIlravy earned a B.S. in sport, health, leisure and physical studies from the University of Iowa in 1998. He and his wife, Lisa, have three children, Streeter, Sterling and Sayler.