Steve Mocco, widely considered the next great American Olympic heavyweight hopeful, doesn't sound like he wants to wait his turn.

The burly, bruising sophomore NCAA champion from the University of Iowa is taking an Olympic redshirt to make a run for the 2004 Athens Games. Standing in his way, among other opponents, is 2003 World Silver Medalist and Sydney Olympian Kerry McCoy.

"He's got some forces to deal with to make the team," Iowa assistant coach Tom Brands said. "McCoy is one of those forces."

Mocco, seated on a bench outside the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) weight room in Colorado Springs last Tuesday, didn't appear the least bit intimidated. And, according to others, nor should he.

"He matches up pretty well with everyone," U.S. World Team member Joe Williams said. "He's unlike any other heavyweight I've seen, other than Kerry (McCoy)."

The decision ignited a buzz in the wrestling community, catching some in college wrestling by surprise. It was not made on a whim, but rather, part of a master plan.

"When I signed (with Iowa), it was planned out" Mocco said. "Obviously the coaches and I went back over it."

When pressed for what his goals are for this year, he paused, for several awkward seconds, turned to the questioner and made a face that said: What do you think?

"To make the team," he firmly stated.

This is not an apprenticeship, an extended break from college to refine his skills; he's chasing the Olympic berth like a dog after a bone.

"Mocco never expects things to be handed to him, and when he steps on the mat he expects to win," Brands said. "Everything else is a disappointment."

While training as a resident athlete at the USOTC, Mocco spends the early morning hours weightlifting, running and drilling. During the intense afternoon practices, he mixes it up with Kevin Hoy of the U.S. Air Force, last years NCAA finals opponent, Dominic Black of the U.S. Army, and former collegiate stars Tim Hartung and Lee Fullhart.

"Without the full attention on the next level he would be doing himself an injustice." Brands said. "That's why he's in the Springs."

At a recent afternoon practice at the USOTC, Mocco and 2002 U.S. Nationals champ Hartung drilled on the far end of the wrestling room. Despite being an athletic, well-built, 211-pounder, Hartung, viewed from the side, is dwarfed by the thickly-chested Mocco. Dark sweat patches have seeped through Mocco's plain white t-shirt, dotting his grey sweater like blotches of paint thrown on a wall. His navy blue shorts are pulled high above his waist giving him the appearance of a prizefighter who elevated the low-blow area half way up his abdomen.

During a live six-minute match with Hartung, Mocco controls the mat, switching from one move to the next as smoothly as turning pages in a book, eventually wearing the former University of Minnesota star down with a considerable weight advantage.

"He's got that killer instinct, something that takes a long time to develop," Brands said.

Yet, he shows swift bursts of quickness and technique that is rare for a big man, hitting an array of duck-unders, shuck-bys and leg attacks.

In one instance, Mocco attempts a quick foot sweep, clearing Hartung's right leg high off the mat, quickly snaps him down to the same side, and spins around for the takedown in under two seconds.

"He doesn't wrestle like a heavyweight and he doesn't run like one," Williams said. "I think that will put him ahead of a lot of guys in his class."

With a wide base and large feet providing ample balance, Mocco, a shade over six feet tall and weighing roughly 285 pounds, cuts an intimidating figure. His buzz cut, thick goatee and scowl belies his cool, steady off-mat demeanor. As a by-product of his muscular lats, his thick arms perpetually protrude out from his sides, palm open, fingers apart like a brooding outlaw in constant search for a gunfight.

But all he seems to be searching for is ways to get better. After practice, while other athletes were headed to the showers, Mocco received instruction from 1992 Olympic Champion Kevin Jackson, knodding his head, soaking up his coach's words.

He's focusing on the par terre position, controlling the mat zones and, "like everybody on a whole, working on the clinch," Mocco said.

"You have to prepare for a high standard when you're training so it carries over into the competition arena. Mocco has done that," Brands said, bluntly.

The New Jersey native will compete at the Sunkist International Open on October 23-25, as well as the New York Athletic Club Open, the Dave Schultz Memorial Invitational in Colorado Springs, and an undecided major international tournament overseas.