1. The Titan Games are coming up in February. This will pit the top wrestlers in the U.S. against the top wrestlers in Russia. Are you excited about this event?  Jackson: I'm very excited about the Titan Games. It will give our top athletes a great opportunity to test their skills.    2. What freestyle wrestlers are lined up so far to compete at the Titan Games?  Jackson: Every member of this year's World Team, with the exception 74 kg, where Casey Cunningham will compete instead of Joe Williams.    3. The freestyle Winter Tour is coming up. What do you most hope to accomplish at the events you will be competing at?  Jackson: To gain valuable international experience and to learn where we are at in par-terre and the clinch.    4. Is there still some hang over from some of the World Team members after not being able to compete in the World Championships?  Jackson: There is a lot of hangover from the 2002 World Championships, but in a positive way. It just added fuel to our fire.    5. After watching the Kurt Angle Classic and some of the U.S. performances there, how do you feel the freestyle World Team would have done if they had competed at the World Championships?  Jackson: I believe we would have done very well at the World Championships, top three for sure. Iran would have been hard to beat in Iran, but I believe we were very capable of being the World Champions. The Kurt Angle Classic proved that.    6. You recently had Stephen Abas and Kerry McCoy at the Olympic Training Center working out for a few days. What is the purpose of those workouts?  Jackson: Having athletes come to the OTC to train is very important. It gives them a chance to train freestyle specifically. It also gives the National Coaching staff the opportunity to work with the athletes in their area of concentration, video review and scouting.    7. How important is it for the World Team and National Team members to come out to the training center at off-peak times?  Jackson: It is very important, for the reasons I just mentioned.    8. Would you like to see more of the World Team and National Team members become USOTC residents?  Jackson: I believe if our National Team Athletes were Resident Athletes we would be unbeatable. Just look at the results the Greco-Roman Resident program has had.    9. What are the goals for the U.S. Team heading into the 2003 season?  Jackson: Team champions at the World Championships, Pan Ams, World Cup and Titan Games.    10. With the Kurt Angle Classic and the Titan Games along with other events like the Dave Schultz International Tournament in Colorado Springs, do you feel that the U.S. Team will be better prepared for the World Championships and Olympic Games after seeing such great competition on a regular basis?  Jackson: I believe we will be at our best based on our 2003 competition schedule.    11. Seeing so many of the top wrestlers make more money at these events as well as the RealPro Wrestling event must be exciting for you.  Jackson: It's great to see our athletes make good money competing.    12. Does it make you want to make a comeback?  Jackson: No. I accomplished my goals in the sport of wrestling, and I don't want to train that hard anymore. When I became a national team member, my goal was to be World and Olympic champ. I walked away from competition with no regrets. I was the #1-ranked athlete in the world in 1996. I was upset by Gutches in the World Team Trials. It hurt bad. No one in sports goes without their heart being broken. Already having accomplished my goal made leaving competition much easier. My boys do my bidding now. And they will show the world that we are the BEST.     13. Do you see any big names popping their head back into the picture as the Olympic cycle jumps into its second half?  Jackson: I see many big names. I think probably three to four athletes from the 2000 Olympic Team will make come backs.    14. Who is the wrestler not on the national team that is going to be the most dangerous going into next year's U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials?  Jackson: Sam Henson, Cary Kolat, Lincoln McIlravy, Melvin Douglas.    15. Are you seeing signs of improvement heading into the second half of the Olympic cycle?  Jackson: We continue to improve in all areas of concentration. I expect a great Olympic Year.    16. Is this the time of year that you begin to see a renewed excitement in the wrestlers?  Jackson: Yes, as winter tours approach and Nationals come closer, you always see a stronger commitment from the athletes. Athletes need down time in November and December.    17. Do you feel that not competing in the World Championships last year will have an affect on how you compete at the World Championships next year?  Jackson: Yes, we will be more hungry for success.    18. Why?  Jackson: It will definitely affect them. It adds fuel to their fire for success. In the last two years, with the 2001 postponement and the 2002 cancellation, we've come full circle. We recognize we will achieve our goals for 2001 in 2003. It made them realize nothing is promised to them and makes them take advantage of all their opportunities now.    19. Internationally, can we expect to see some top names like Igali coming out of the woodwork again?  Jackson: I'm not worried about any big names coming out of the woodwork internationally. If we continue to improve, we will win.    20. Do you get as excited for the Olympics as a coach as you did when you were an athlete?  Jackson: As an athlete, it is always more exciting knowing you will have the opportunity to be a gold medalist. Being the coach that helps the gold medalist is the next best thing. I am very excited.