Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Four U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Brandon Paulson (Anoka, Minn./Minnesota Storm) and Rulon Gardner (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) remained undefeated in pool competition following the first day of the Pan American Games.    Paulson shut out Eduardo Freites of Venezuela by a 4-0 score at 55 kg/121 lbs. Paulson, a 1996 Olympic silver medalist and 2001 World silver medalist, will have to defeat Erick Cabello of Panama tomorrow to win his pool and advance to the gold-medal match.    Gardner continued his domination in pool competition, earning his second pin of the tournament in the first period against Rafael Bareno of Venezuela at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.    The 2000 Olympic champion will need to defeat Gamalier Coats of the host country Dominican Republic in order to advance to the gold medal match.    "I am slowly reaching my goals. My thinking process ever since my accident last year has been to take everything one step at a time," Gardner said after raising his record to 18-4 since his return. "I am not looking past my next match, but I am reaching for a rematch with Lopez. That is one of my goals."    Vering won a hotly-contested match at 84 kg/185 lbs., defeating Olguin Sabua of the Dominican Republic by disqualification.    The two combatants came out fighting, battling for position in front of a raucous home crowd cheering for Sabua. Vering took control in the first period, scoring on a two-point gut wrench and again on a three-point lift and throw.    At the conclusion of the first period, Sabua dug his head into Vering's chest and drove him into the corner before slapping him in the face. Sabua was immediately disqualified and Vering was declared the winner.    "That was fun. There was a lesson right there. (National Team Coach) Steve Fraser wrote an article about losing your composure in practice about a year ago. In a match, if you get a guy frustrated or get frustrated yourself, you have to keep your composure and focus on the task at hand," Vering said.    "Matt Lindland would have loved a match like that," Vering added, referring to his mentor and 2000 Olympic silver medalist.    Also competing and winning were T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Justin Ruiz (Taylorsville, Utah/Dave Schultz WC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.    Dantzler defeated Matias Alejandro Baez of Mexico by technical superiority with a 12-0 score. Dantzler demonstrated his usual electrifying lifts and throws in the victory, bringing the crowd to its feet.    Ruiz earned his first win of the tournament with an 11-0 technical superiority win over Luis Fernandes of Barbados.    Both Dantzler and Ruiz will need to win their final pool matches tomorrow and hope for a loss from the wrestlers that beat them in session one.    Kevin Bracken (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) lost a close 4-2 decision to two-time Olympic gold medalist Juan Luis Maren of Cuba.    Maren raced out to a 4-0 lead in the first period, but Bracken battled back, chasing Maren around the mat and pummeling him until the end of the match. Bracken closed the gap to 4-2, but was unable to get in par terre position late in the match for the opportunity to tie or win.    "I did my best," Bracken said following the loss. "That was a tough match. I am not sure if I went too hard at the end there, but I did my best."    Jim Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) received a bye in the second session. He will wrestle on Sunday against two-time World bronze medalist Roberto Monzon of Cuba at 60 kg/132 lbs. The winner will advance to the semifinals.    The U.S. is currently 0-3 in individual matches against Cuba. The two countries are expected to battle for the team title, which Cuba has won in the last six Pan American Games.    Final pool competition will begin at 10:00 a.m. (EST) on Sunday at the Pebellon de Combate in the Olympic Park. The medal matches have been moved from Monday, August 4 to Sunday at 5:00 p.m.