Dremiel Byers enters the World Team Trials as the U.S. Nationals champion and the top seed at 120 kg/264.5 pounds. Byers has been in this position before; in 1999 he was America's top Greco-Roman heavyweight and placed sixth at the World Championships.

Byers competes for the U.S. Army as a member of its World Class Athlete Program. When he entered the Army, he didn't enlist to be an Olympic athlete. He went in to serve his nation.

TheMat.com spoke with Byers at the USA Wrestling national headquarters, where Byers talked about wrestling, Rulon Gardner, September 11 and other issues.

TheMat.com: You won the U.S. Nationals in April. How do you feel you are wrestling right now?

Byers: I am more focused and more aware of the things I can do. I still have a lot to work on. I am blessed to have coach Shon Lewis to polish the skills he says I have. I don't know about those track workouts, though. His track workouts are pretty tough.

TheMat.com: In the nationals finals, from the clinch, were you trying to throw and pin Billy Pierce?

Byers: Lately, in the clinch, I feel I'm more confident. In the past, I needed to relearn the position. Once the clinch rule was in effect, everybody picked up on my technique. I worked hard on it. Now, my strength is in the clinch. I am focused and strong there. Sure, I wanted to throw him. But in the beginning, his position was better than mine. I 'off-balanced' him and took him to his back. It worked out.

TheMat.com: Compare this year with 1999, the year you were No. 1 in the nation, placed in the World Championships and was named Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year.

Byers: Now I am more experienced. I know that the World Championships is what you make of it. It's nothing to get too hyped about. Sure, it is an honor to compete at the World Championships. I've been there before. I know my place there. I know the other wrestlers and what they have. I'm just a better wrestler now.

TheMat.com: You can't talk about Greco-Roman heavyweights with talking about Rulon Gardner. He has reached the top. However, this year, he was hurt in the snowmobile incident and has not competed. What are your thoughts about that?

Byers: I'm sad about it. If anybody needs him back, it's me. He pushes me and all of us. He makes us become better. He makes the room better whenever he is in it. His accomplishments and his character speak for themselves. From a selfish side, I need him to come back and beat him. If he doesn't, I could win at the Worlds or Olympics, and people would say, 'Byers did good but what if he were here?' I don't need to be in someone's shadow. I definitely need him to come back.

TheMat.com: You are a member of the Army World Class Athlete Program. What has this program done for you as a wrestler and a person?

Byers: From high school, I never heard of Greco-Roman wrestling. I went in as a soldier. At my first duty station, I won the wrestling tournament, and they sent me to Fort Benning, Ga. Tony Thomas was the wrestling coach then. From there, my Olympic quest, turned obsession, has happened for me. I have nobody but the World Class Athlete Program to thank for all of this. I've had the opportunity to serve our country and to compete in wrestling at this level.

TheMat.com: You enter the World Team Trials as the top seed. Do you consider that an advantage, or would you prefer to come through the Challenge Tournament?

Byers: I know that the mini-tournament is just hell. My hat's off to anybody who makes it out of the mini-tournament and wins it. I never have. It's better to be where I am at now, and take advantage of the position I am in.

TheMat.com: If you make the World Championships, how do you feel you will do this year? What are your goals if you go?

Byers: I feel that this year is my year. As long as I play the matches smart, I should do well. I feel that this is my year to get it done. I've wrestled everybody at least once, and I know what they have. I have a few new things in my arsenal. I see it all paying off this year.

TheMat.com: What is your military job?

Byers: I'm a 92 W1O, a supply specialist. I make sure that the unit has everything it needs to function properly. That ranges from weapons, food, transport, everything that makes it work. I'm responsible for acquiring it, inventorying it and maintaining it.

TheMat.com: That's an important responsibility. What have you learned through the Army job?

Byers: Through wrestling, you learn to count on yourself. Through the Army, you see the importance of counting on the person beside you. It is very good when you can count on him, and he can count on you.

TheMat.com: How did 9/11 change your life?

Byers: Well, 9/11 is my birthday...  Security is tighter, we pay more attention to detail and we are more focused. We all know and accept that we must meet the needs of the Army. Our motto says it all; We are soldiers first. If we are called to duty, we are all prepared to do what our nation needs us to do. When I came into the Army, I had never heard about the World Class Athlete Program. I came in to be a soldier. I am proud to be with this unit. There are people doing great things for our nation all over the world. The least I can do as a wrestler is to win. These guys are out there, in the foxhole, taking risks for us all. I am going to win, take a medal in the Olympics, or whatever, because that's my job. They will all do what they need to do, because that is their task to do.

TheMat.com: With the Trials coming next week, are you confident in your chances?

Byers: I feel good. I am relaxed. I know what I've got to do. Listening to the other heavyweights talk, you really don't know who will come out of the mini-tournament. I'll do whatever it takes to win and listen to my coaches.