NCAA National Championships - Pre-session quotes from coaches
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Ted Witulski (TheMat.com)
03/21/2002
Bruce Burnett, Navy head coach "We are not exactly sure the last time Navy had a no. 1 seeded wrestler. It is still an opinion though, and Mark (Conley) still has to get through some tough guys. His second match, if he wins, would be to Grant Hoerr of Wisconsin, who beat him last year at the NCAA Tournament." Greg Strobel, Lehigh University head coach "Mario (Stewart's) first round match is important. We don't know much about him. He has to go out and wrestle. He will have to win one for the team." Pat Smith, Oklahoma State assistant coach (about Cael Sanderson trying to join him as a 4-time champion) "First and foremost, I'd like to see him take second and our guy win it. (laugh). Well, sure I want to see him get four. He's a good guy and he deserves it. He's a great person for the sport." Kerry McCoy, assistant coach at Lehigh and U.S. Olympic athlete (on who's the best athlete) "Tommy (Rowlands) and Leonce (Crump) are the most active athletes that take risks. I'd like to see those two in the finals." Bill Zadick, Iowa assistant coach "I expect all of our athletes to perform well. They are prepared and capable to get the job done." (on which Hawkeye will step up this weekend) "I expect all of them to perform well." Mark Munoz, Oklahoma State assistant and 197 titlists last year (on sitting in the stands this year) "It's depressing. I'd rather be out competing, but it does give you the fans perspective." (on Cael Sanderson) "He beat me 4-1 when he was a freshman. It was 1-1 in the third period when he cradled me for back points. I want to see him win it. He's great for wrestling. It's history. It will be great for the sport." Tim Hartung, Univ. of Minnesota assistant coach "We think we have five finalists. This year we are focused on individual success." Jack Spates, Univ. of Oklahoma coach (on why Jared Frayer will succeed this weekend) "He's the pinningest wrestler in the nation." Tom Brands, Iowa assistant coach (on how the Hawks are approaching the tournament) "Tough-minded wrestling."