1. When did you begin to make the decision to leave coaching and make a comeback as an athlete?  McIlravy: In our U.S. World Team training camp in August, 2002. Things were clicking on the mat and it renewed my passion for competition.    2. Was it an option that you found on your own or were some of the guys in the wrestling room telling you to make a comeback?  McIlravy: Really it was a decision I needed to make on my own. Many of the athletes in our resident program encouraged me from day one on the job a year ago.    3. What would you say was the main factor in your decision to compete again?  McIlravy: The passion to do it better than I did before. I have a renewed excitement for improving my skills and overall effectiveness on the mat.    4. Why the decision to move down to 66 kg instead of stepping in at 74 kg?  McIlravy: I don't feel I have the length and leverage to compete at 74 kg. My natural weight is just not high enough to wrestle at that weight either.    5. What is your weight at right now and what is your plan to get down to 66 kg?  McIlravy: My natural weight is 165 pounds, but my training weight is 160 pounds. I feel great at 160, so making the final descent to 145 pounds will be a challenge but also a positive for me.    6. Since you have been coaching instead of training to compete, do you feel that you have learned a lot   more technique-wise and can benefit from that?  McIlravy: I truly believe that my technique and tactical knowledge in the sport has jumped dramatically. I have learned enough in the last year that it will take the next 18 months to become proficient.    7. When do you plan to compete in your first event?  McIlravy: I will compete in Laramie, Wyoming at the Rocky Mountain Regional. Then I plan to wrestle in our World Duals competitions after the World Cup in April.    8. Was it hard to give up your coaching position to go after your dream of being an Olympic champion?  McIlravy: Yes. I really enjoyed my position as Resident Coach here. Finally, the decision was made that I have two years to compete and a lifetime to coach.    9. Your wife recently gave birth to another child. How big of a factor was your family in your final decision?  McIlravy: Now I have even more family to cheer for me. They are all in full support and are excited to see me compete again.    10. Did you consider going back to the Univ. of Iowa to begin training again?  McIlravy: No. I have great memories and tremendous respect for the Iowa program, but at this stage of my career, the Olympic Training Center is ideal. Full focus on freestyle is so important for my future success.    11. What do you feel will be different this time around as opposed to the last Olympic cycle?  McIlravy: I have stepped back and taken a breath of fresh air. Up to 2000, I had not taken any real breaks from the competitive side. The 2004 cycle will be short and sweet. My focus is on developing and improving every week.    12. In 2000, there were eight Olympic weight classes for men's freestyle. Now there are only seven. Do the new weight classes mean that we will be leaving some great wrestlers at home in 2004?  McIlravy: Yes. And I feel that we at least have to get that weight class back. I loved the Olympic Games in 1996 when we had 10 weights and some of the best wrestlers ever to compete have come from weights that no longer exist.    13. Is there a young wrestler in your weight class that you feel could be a threat in 2004 and dangerous when 2008 comes around?  McIlravy: I hope there are several of them. The better our country is, the better I have to be. We need to be the dominant force in international wrestling. We have all of the resources to be the best.    14. If you were able to wrestle one more international match in your career, who would you want to wrestle and why?  McIlravy: My Olympic semifinal match with Daniel Igali of Canada. I was capable of winning but made a couple of costly errors. I have learned a lot and would like to be in those positions again.    15. Now that you have coached at a high level in both college and international wrestling, which do you prefer?  McIlravy: Wrestling is wrestling. I can get excited about collegiate and international styles. Currently my focus is on freestyle and I am very excited and feel up to speed with the techniques, tactics and rules of freestyle right now.    16. Assuming that you decide to retire after the 2004 Olympic Games, whether you are on the team or not, have you thought about your career plans at that point?  McIlravy: Not really. God has always taken care of my family and has provided opportunities at just the right time. I have some interest, but no knowledge, in my business. My talents and interests lie heaviest in the sport of wrestling. Hopefully there will continue to be some great opportunities for me in this sport.    17. Both North Dakota State and South Dakota State have decided to move to NCAA Division I status. Being a South Dakota native, would coaching at one of those two schools interest you at all?  McIlravy: Yes. Me and my family like the way of life in the Midwest. Those are both strong wrestling schools in great wrestling states. I like the level of commitment they are showing in this move to Division I.    18. Growing up, what wrestlers did you look up to?  McIlravy: The 1988 U.S. Olympic team. I was in 8th grade and got the opportunity to go see and videotape the trials process. I memorized those videos and tried to learn from all of the athletes on that team.    19. There has been talk recently about who is the best college team ever. How do you think the 1997 Iowa team that you were a part of ranks overall?  McIlravy: The 1997 Iowa team has to rank as one of the top teams ever. Point totals can be misleading because they change the system occasionally. The performance of the 97' team stands out because every athlete contributed.    20. Looking back on your entire career, what would you say is your proudest moment and your most disappointing moment?  McIlravy: Maybe when I am 50 years old I will take time to find some proud moments. For now I am on a mission to define my proudest moment. My most disappointing moment was my loss in the 2000 Olympic semifinals.