Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Five U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers won their first pool matches at the 2003 Pan American Games in the Saturday morning session.    Olympic medalists Brandon Paulson (Anoka, Minn./Minnesota Storm) and Rulon Gardner (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) were dominant in their performances.    Paulson, a 1996 Olympic silver medalist, won by technical superiority over Jose Armando Ayala of Puerto Rico at 55 kg/121 lbs. Paulson nearly began the match with a pin, throwing Ayala with a front headlock only seven seconds after the start of the match. He used that momentum, and five takedowns, to win 10-0 in the second period.    "My game plan was to go out throwing because after about 25 seconds, everything is slippery. I went out looking for the hip toss or front headlock in the first 15 seconds and it worked," stated Paulson, who will not change his game plan for the next match. "I want to go out and do the same thing. I'm looking to score right away."    2000 Olympic gold medalist and 2001 World Champion Gardner had no problem with  Edwin Millet of Puerto Rico, earning a pin in one minute, 17 seconds at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.    "I didn't really want to pin him early, but you take the opportunities that you're given, Gardner said following his match. "The ultimate goal is Lopez and Cuba. A month ago, making the World Team and beating Byers was everything."    Also dominating his first match was 2000 Olympian Jim Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs. Gruenwald earned a 10-0 technical superiority win over Rogelio Alanes of Bolivia in only 46 seconds, using a series of tilts and throws.    "On the first front headlock, I could have stuck him, but I didn't want to get it that early. I wanted to get a tech so I could get some work in," Gruenwald said. "There are five tough guys in my weight class, so with a guy that is weaker like that, I need to be sure to get a competitive match in."    Also earning victories were 2000 Olympian Kevin Bracken (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. With a 3-2 win over Endrix Artega of Venezuela and Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), who stretched out a 3-0 overtime win against Edy Bartolozi of Venezuela.    T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dropped a heart-breaking 3-1 decision to Filiberto Ascuy of Cuba, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and six-time World medalist, at 74 kg/163 lbs. Dantzler scored first with an escape, but gave up two points when he slipped and fell to his back.    Dantzler also struggled with the officials. In the second period, the mat official called for passivity three times against Ascuy, but none were confirmed.    "I felt like I was pummeling good and got good positions, but I never got the call. I had to open the match up a lot more than I usually do," a dejected Dantzler stated. "He is a two-time Olympic champ. I can't rely on (officials) to give me calls. I am not upset with the officials. I am more upset with myself."    Also losing his first match was Justin Ruiz (Taylorsville, Utah/Dave Schultz WC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Ruiz dropped a 6-4 decision to 2001 World silver medallist Ernesto Pena of Cuba. Pena controlled the first period, but soon wore down against a relentless attack from Ruiz.    Ruiz showed signs of promise late, lifting and throwing Pena for three points to cut the lead to 6-4.    Wrestling will resume at the Pebellon de Combate in the Olympic Park at 5:00 p.m. (EST).