Over the last two years, no U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler has been as consistent as Brad Vering. He placed fifth at the last two World Championships, but those events are minor compared to the Olympic Games.    Vering has now won his second consecutive U.S. Nationals title and is looking for his first Olympic birth, something his close friend Matt Lindland achieved in 2000.    TheMat.com spoke with Vering about his preparation for the Olympic Trials, and what has gotten him to the level he is at now.    TheMat.com: Did winning the U.S. Nationals title this year seem tougher than the one you captured last year?  Vering: Each year the Nationals presents a new and different challenge.  Guys normally get better each year and you have to stay ahead of the game.  This year it may have been deeper than last, but having Matt Lindland in the finals last year was a huge challenge both mentally and physically.    TheMat.com: For one year, you and Justin Ruiz were teammates at Nebraska when he redshirted. You two have become very good friends in Colorado Springs. How special is it to have two Nebraska wrestling stars win the U.S. Nationals?  Vering: Justin is a great guy and an unbelievable athlete.  He learns very quickly, and I believe we share the same work ethic.  We challenge each other every day whether it's wrestling or in the weight room.  As a person, he is a great inspiration, not only for me, but everyone in the Greco program.    TheMat.com: With competitors such as Jake Clark and Ethan Bosch, along with Keith Sieracki and Ken Cook moving into your weight, how deep is your weight class?   Vering: This weight class is very deep.  Not only the guys you mentioned but Aaron Sieracki and Quincy Clark have also had great years.  The Challenge Tournament is going to be extremely competitive.    TheMat.com: What kind of preparation have you and will you put into this year's Olympic Trials, and will it be any different than you have prepared for past Trials events?  Vering: I feel my preparation has gone very well.  Training with guys like Justin and the German team that was just here has been tough.  Mentally, it is just staying fresh and staying focused when the time comes.    TheMat.com: Are you feeling any more added pressure because there is so much more at stake in this year's Trials?  Vering: This is a huge year and it has been a dream for a long time.  But when you set a goal no matter how long ago, you start preparing for it.  Now that it is here you must perform and make sure all that hard work and preparation isn't wasted.  And have fun!    TheMat.com: Do you feel it was an added benefit for you to be the U.S. Nationals champion last year, and experience a training regimen while sitting out the Challenge Tournament?  Vering: Yes.  It was great practice for this year and now I can follow an even better routine.      TheMat.com: Matt Lindland is one of your really good friends. He has been through the Olympic Trials process. Have you consulted with him about this event?  Vering: Of course.  We have consulted about situations like this ever since we have known each other.  Matt always gives me great advice and wants me to do well.  He is very unselfish and would help me with anything I needed.    TheMat.com: Over the last two years, you have been the most consistent U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler, placing fifth at the World Championships both years. What needs to change this year for you to get into the top four?  Vering:Last year I had an injury that I thought really hindered my performance.  But that tournament is definitely the toughest tournament I have ever partaken in.  Right now I am more focused on the Trials, but this last year I have worked on some new stuff that I can throw at the rest of the world.  I feel I am getting better every day.     TheMat.com: How much do you feel you have improved since last year's fifth-place finish?  Vering: I feel I have gotten better but it is hard to put a number or try to measure this progress.  My goal for each day is to do something that will make me a better wrestler and give myself a better chance to make the team and achieve my goals.    TheMat.com: Should we a expect a big caravan, including the entire Vering clan, from Howells, Nebraska this year at the Olympic Trials?  Vering: Oh yeah.  This is the first time they will all be back together at a wrestling tournament since I was in college. Voices rested and hungry to see some great wrestling.  If you are sitting next to them at the RCA Dome you might want earplugs.  They will be ready.