GOLD MEDALIST TOM BRANDS TO CO-COACH TEAM USA WITH GABLE     SIOUX CITY, IA, March 31, 2002 - Olympic bronze medallist Lincoln McIlravy will begin his return to international wrestling competition at the Two Worlds, One Mat international freestyle dual in Sioux City on Wednesday, April 9. McIlravy is originally from Philip, SD, where he was a five-time state high school champion before winning three NCAA titles at the University of Iowa.    At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, McIlravy earned a bronze medal in 152-pound freestyle competition. He also won silver and bronze medals at the World Championships in 1999 and 1998 respectively. McIlravy will compete at 145.5 pounds in the upcoming event.    "I'm looking forward to starting my push for the 2004 Olympics back in the Midwest," said McIlravy, who recently announced he is coming out of retirement to continue his quest for Olympic gold. "I have loved my job as Resident Freestyle Coach for USA Wrestling and I'm looking forward to getting a big dual meet win as coach before my competitive schedule resumes."    HAWKEYE HEAVYWEIGHTS    McIlravy should feel right at home at the Newman Flanagan Center on the campus of Briar Cliff University. His former coach, the legendary Dan Gable, will be one of the coaches for Team USA. Another Hawkeye hero will assist Gable: Olympic, World and NCAA champion Tom Brands.     "This will be a top flight international event," said Brands, a native of nearby Sheldon, IA. "Cuba will have three World champions on their roster and each of their athletes has participated in the World championships. That is as good as it gets in Olympic-level competition."    World champions for the Cubans include Rene Montero at 121 pounds (2002), Yoel Romero at 185.5 pounds (1999) and Alexis Rodriguez at 264.5 pounds (1998).     TEAM USA ROSTER FILLING UP    Joining McIlravy on Team USA will be 2000 Olympian Charles Burton, former NCAA and US National freestyle champion Tolly Thompson and two-time NCAA All-American Zach Thompson of Iowa State.     Burton placed fifth in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He also finished third at last year's Dave Schultz and fourth at the US Nationals. In 2001, Burton was champion of the Kiev Grand Prix and finished third at the World Cup. He was an All-American at Boise State University, finishing third at the NCAA tournament in 1996. Burton hails from Meridian, ID and is currently an assistant coach at Nebraska.    1995 NCAA and US Nationals Champion Tolly Thompson will take the mat for the USA at heavyweight. Thompson won the 2002 Dave Schultz International, Sunkist Open, NYAC Open and Pan Am titles. He finished second at both the 2001 and 2002 Nationals and placed third at the World Team Trials in 2001. He is a native of Janesville, IA, and was a three-time NCAA All-American for Nebraska and is currently serves as an assistant coach at Northern Iowa.    At 211.5 pounds, Zach Thompson replaces the injured Ryan Tobin for Team USA. A former NCAA runner-up for Iowa State, Thompson finished third at the New York Athletic Club tournament and the World Team Trials in 2002. He just completed his first year as an assistant coach at his alma mater.    ALREADY ANNOUNCED    Four-time NCAA All-American Eric Akin has already announced his intention to compete. He will fill the 121-pound slot for Team USA. Akin placed second at the US Nationals, fourth at the Dave Schultz and eighth at the Kiev Grand Prix in 2002. Originally from Kansas City, MO, Akin was a four-time All-American for Iowa State University. He currently serves as volunteer assistant coach at Nebraska    CLINIC SET    Gable and Brands will also present a clinic prior to the dual, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the clinic is free with a paid admission to the event. Tickets for the event are $10 and will be available only at the door. All seats are general admission.