USA Wrestling's National Freestyle Resident Coach Lincoln McIlravy of Colorado Springs, Colo. has resigned from his position, and will return to the mats as a competitor. McIlravy was one of the world's best freestyle wrestlers before retiring from competition after the 2000 Olympic Games.    McIlravy submitted his resignation letter to USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender today. His resignation is effective on February 3, 2003. He will begin training as an athlete at that time, with a goal of qualifying for the 2003 U.S. World Championships team that will compete in New York City, Sept. 12-14.    "I love to compete. I love to train," said McIlravy. "In the position that I have had as National Resident Coach, I gained enough knowledge that I know in the next 18 months I can put to better use as an athlete."    "I must really want to compete, because the National Resident Coach job is ideal for me," said McIlravy. "It is the greatest position for me right now. To give that up is a hard decision. I am following my heart. My heart says to finish what I started 23 years ago."    McIlravy, 28,  joined the USA Wrestling national staff just over one year ago. He has been 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 joined the USA Wrestling staff after a very successful international wrestling career, along with five years as a college wrestling coach at the Univ. of Iowa.    "Lincoln has done a wonderful job as our National Resident Coach," said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. "It is with mixed emotions that we accept his resignation. We are somewhat saddened that he will no longer serve the organization as our Resident Coach. On the other hand, we are excited for him as he pursues his dream of becoming a World and Olympic champion."    In his letter of resignation, McIlravy wrote: "I have a personal goal that I have not yet realized, not an impossible dream, but a very real and attainable goal of winning an Olympic Gold Medal. It has been my dream since I was five years of age... I am excited about the process, the improvements to be made, and most of all, great results in New York and Athens. Although the National Freestyle Resident Coach is an ideal coaching position for me, I do not feel that I can perform well either as coach or athlete in trying to do both. As my heart is in Athens, please accept my resignation."    McIlravy will remain in Colorado Springs, Colo. with his family, and plans to continue his freestyle training as a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.    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.    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 four children, Streeter, Sterling, Sayler and Stetson.    McIlravy expects to compete at the new 66 kg/145.5 lbs. weight class. He will need to be lighter than when he competed in the 1990's when he was at either the 68 kg/149.5 pound division or the adjusted 69 kg/152 lbs. division.     "The foundation of the decision is that I know I can do better than before," said McIlravy. "Why come back to do the same as before? I have won an Olympic medal and two World medals. I can win a gold medal."