Fraser, Lewis and Seras named by USA Wrestling to coach 2004 U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman wrestl

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
12/09/2003


USA Wrestling has made its choice for the Olympic Coaches for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman wrestling that will participate in the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.    Selected to join USA Wrestling National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser of Colorado Springs, Colo. as Olympic Coaches in Greco-Roman wrestling are Shon Lewis of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Andy Seras of Sandy Hook, Conn. This selection has been forwarded for final approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee.    Lewis served as head coach of the 2003 U.S. Greco-Roman World team that competed in Cretiel, France. The U.S. team placed 13th in the standings. He served as the assistant coach of the 2002 U.S. Greco-Roman World Team, which placed fifth in the World Championships held in Moscow, Russia. Lewis has also served as a coach for the U.S. World Military team, which competes at the annual CISM World Military Championships. Lewis works as the coach of the U.S. Army team, stationed in Fort Carson, Colo.    Seras was head coach of the 2002 U.S. World Team, which competed in Moscow, Russia. The team placed fifth in the standings. Seras was the assistant coach for the 2001 U.S. World Team. When the head coach could not attend the World Championships, Seras assumed additional responsibility, serving as the head coach. The United States won the third-place trophy, led by three medallists. As an athlete, he competed in the 1988 Olympic Games. Seras works as the head wrestling coach at Sacred Heart Univ.    Fraser joined USA Wrestling as the National Greco-Roman Coach in October, 1995, serving as the full-time professional coach working with the national Greco-Roman program. Fraser led the U.S. to its best team performance ever at the 2001 World Championships with the United States taking home the third place trophy. He also led the U.S. to strong performances at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the U.S. won one gold, one silver and one bronze medal. In the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the U.S. won three silver medals. As an athlete, Fraser won a gold medal at 90 kg (198 lbs.) at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, becoming the first U.S. wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling.    Complete biographies of each Olympic Coach selection follows, as well as quotes from each of the coaches.    The two volunteer coaches selected as Olympic Coaches came from a group of five finalists. Lewis and Seras were selected by the USA Wrestling Greco-Roman Coach Selection Committee, then approved by the USA Wrestling Executive Committee. All of the finalists were interviewed by the Greco-Roman Coach Selection Committee.    The other volunteer coaches who were finalists for the positions were Jay Antonelli of Quantico, Va., Joe DeMeo of Niskayuna, N.Y. and Rich Estrella of Colorado Springs, Colo.    USA Wrestling will add one more official volunteer coach to the Greco-Roman coaching staff at a later date.    QUOTES FROM THE OLYMPIC COACH SELECTIONS    MEN'S GRECO-ROMAN    Shon Lewis of Colorado Springs, Colo.    "It is a great honor to be recommended to be on the staff to take our nation's best athletes to the Athens Games to compete in Greco-Roman wrestling. It is with pride that we work to help develop young athletes to win medals and pursue their goals. It is an honor to be selected to take on this task."    "For our team, mental toughness and mat awareness are important. We have to learn to mentally will ourselves to victory. We have to win the last two minutes of every match. That will be a big focus for us, whether it is scoring points or getting the passivity calls. Picking it up a knotch, and closing out the match is important. As long as we stay focused, we are on the right track. We don't have to change anything - we just have to get better."    Andy Seras of Sandy Hook, Conn.    "I'm excited. I've worked hard to get this opportunity. I think we have a great chance to make history. My wife makes it possible for me to volunteer as a coach. Joe DeMeo, my coach, mentor and friend has shaped my entire wrestling career. Without him, it would not have happened."    "We need to shore up some weaknesses, No. 1 being par terre defense. We need to get them to believe in the depth of their minds that they can be Olympic champions."    (on the difference between being an Olympic athlete and an Olympic coach)  "Part of being a wrestling is being selfish and putting yourself and your training first. It is totally opposite as a coach. You have to put yourself second always. You have to make sure the athletes are happy, comfortable and have everything provided for them in a professional manner."    National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser of Colorado Springs, Colo.    (about Lewis and Seras)  "Both add a freshness to our staff. They are young coaches, who are very well respected by the top athletes. They are hungry to win and do well. They are committed to the Greco-Roman program and the plan. They care about all of the Greco-Roman athletes, not just the wrestlers from their clubs. I'm real happy with them, and all of the Greco-Roman coaches who volunteer their time on the Senior level. We get along well, are on the same page, and have the same commitment to the quest."    "The priority at hand is to get all seven weight classes qualified at the two Olympic qualifiers remaining. It will be a great challenge. There are about eight World medallists at every weight class not qualified. These are serious and competitive. We treat these events like the World Championships. We are preparing every day for the Olympics. Our goal for the Olympics is four medals, with two golds. Our goal is for all seven to place in the top eight, and a first-place team finish. It is an aggressive goal for our Greco-Roman program, but one I am confident we can achieve if everyone prepares properly and everyone wrestles to their potential."    Click here for biographies of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Coaches in Greco-Roman wrestling