USA Wrestling Team USA, the best men and women freestyle wrestlers in the nation, met the city of New York, and many of its media members, during a press conference at Greeley Square in the heart of downtown Manhattan on Tuesday, Sept. 9    The public event was held in a small park at Broadway and 32nd Street, nestled between some of the busiest streets in the city. With a wrestling mat on a small stage, and a podum set up for speakers, the passerbys as well as the New York media were able to meet the U.S. athletes.    The formal presentation began with Ken Podziba, who runs the New York Sports Commission, reading an official proclamation by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. This will be World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling week in New York City, an important opportunity for  the citizens of the Big Apple to learn more about the sport.    Also introduced were Set Agonian of the Metropolitan Wrestling Association and Mark Scott of USA Wrestling, key leaders in the organization of the championships.    John Korff of New York 2012 served as moderator of the activity, introducing each and every member of both the men's and women's team, and asking them questions.    The presentation was in the spirit of fun, with Korff and the wrestlers joking a bit and having some fun with the introductions. Each team lined up on the small raised mat and posed for pictures.    Perhaps the boldest statement was made by Sally Roberts, the 59 kg wrestler for the women's team, who predicted that she would win the gold medal this weekend and raised the energy level of the presentation.    Kerry McCoy, the local star from Long Island, and the last athlete introduced, was a bit more serious, calling it a "great honor" to compete at the World Championships in his home city.    "It is a great privilege to compete at home," said McCoy. "I am really excited about the competition. I want to say thank you to the City of New York and to all of our fans here. Watch out for Team USA."    Then came a bit of tomfoolery, as members of Team USA staged mock matches with young wrestlers from Brooklyn. It started with McCoy, the largest athlete on the team, battling with kindergarten wrestler Lenny, all 40 pounds of him. Lenny got up on a ladder so he could look eye-to-eye with McCoy on the center of the mat.    "I can't handle his level change," said McCoy, as young Lenny, donning a bright singlet, took him down and pinned him.    A number of other wrestlers rolled around with some young kids, each time losing to the youngster. Cael Sanderson, Sally Roberts, Daniel Cormier and Patricia Miranda all grappled with the kids, giving all the photographers something fun to record for their publications.    The U.S. World Team coaches were then asked to talk about their teams and their chances in the tournament.    "America has one of the greatest teams ever put together," said head coach Bobby Douglas of his freestyle troops.    "We have a good shot to win," said head coach Townsend Saunders of his women's team. We won the World title three years ago. This time, we have a strong team."    When the formal part of the presentation ended, reporters conducted interviews with many of the team members in an informal format.    Soon Team USA was on the bus, some heading back to their hotel. Others chose to visit Ground Zero to learn something new about what it means to represent the United States.    Team USA members have been conducting interviews with local and national media for many days, all assisting the effort to promote the championships. With just two more days until weigh-ins, the athletes are lean, mean and ready to wrestle.    The competition runs from Friday, Sept. 12 through Sunday, Sept. 14. After listening to Team USA and its coaches talk about this opportunity, New York sports fans will have a new group of talented athletes to cheer for. (Even if they all were beaten to a pulp by a bunch of Kid wrestlers in public!!!)