Champions quotes from Day 1 of U.S. Senior Nationals
John Fuller/USA Wrestling
Women’s Freestyle: Stephanie Murata (Sunkist Kids), 51 kg/112.25 lbs.
On not competing in the Olympic Games last year:
“I would have wished that 51 kg was in (the Olympic programme), simply because that’s the weight I am most comfortable at. That just wasn’t meant to be, so you have to make due with what is and my choice was to go up.”
On wanting to win a World-level gold medal:
“I don’t think it really would make a difference to anyone but me. It’s just a goal that I really wanted to achieve.”
Greco-Roman: Joe Warren, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 60 kg/121 lbs.
On winning his first U.S. Nationals title:
“I’ve been third the last four years. It’s been a battle man. This feels so good. I tore my MCL in the first match today. So it’s been a struggle. If you keep believing in yourself, it’s going to happen.”
On his future:
“I hope I’m the new face of USA Wrestling. I’ll stay around until I start losing. I would like to finish with a gold medal in four years and then hang up my shoes, personally. The sport’s been good to me.”
Men’s Freestyle: Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids), 60 kg/132 lbs.
On come from behind in the finals, winning the last two periods:
“I’ve been through some things the last couple of years, and that’s how I am in my matches. If I five up a period, then that’s fine. I feel like I can overcome adversity. If I’m down, I just stay positive and keep trying to take steps forward and move forward.”
On his opponent, Nate Gallick:
“He came out and wrestled hard. He’s tough to score on. It could be to his advantage to give up the leg, because he’s tough there. It was a good match, I take nothing away from him. He’s tough and he’s young.”
On overcoming numerous knee injuries to win a national title:
“It really makes it special. I want to thank my family and the OU guys who work out with me. It’s all worth it. I’ve been down, but I got back up and kept moving forward, doing the best I can.”
Women’s Freestyle: Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 59 kg/130 lbs.
On competing in a non-Olympic weight:
“I was one of those people that fit right in the middle and didn’t fit in either place.”
Was it hard for you to miss the Olympics?
“It wasn’t until after the fact, after I saw it on TV, after I really saw the magnitude of everything that I really decided that I’m going to be there in 2008 because I really deserve that.”
Greco-Roman: Darryl Christian, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 74 kg/163 lbs.
On the difference in his ability from one year ago:
“The main difference from a year ago is the maturity I’ve gained. I’ve put in over 40 matches this year and over 20-some foreign opponents.”
On the team atmosphere at the U.S. Olympic Training Center:
“We need to win medals. It’s not about the number one guy in the country. It’s about we’ve got to win medals together.”
Men’s Freestyle: Joe Williams, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 74 kg/163 lbs.
On pondering retirement after the 2004 Olympic Games:
“Any time you don’t reach or accomplish your goals, you’re always going to consider the possibility of doing something else.”
On the new rules:
“With the new rules, a one-day tournament, that puts a lot of concentration on your training and making everything is in order. Wrestling is changing a great deal. I thought the rule changes fit well with my style. That was one of the considerations to keep going. It’s going to benefit the guy who’s out there hustling that’s wrestling.”
Women’s Freestyle: Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 67 kg/147.5 lbs.
On continuing to compete:
“Actually, I just spent six months off the mat with a knee injury, so I was ready to come back.”
On her daughter’s support:
“She just accepts it. She’s been around it since she’s been a baby. She understands it really well and she knows that when we go on vacation that she gets to see grandma and she gets to see me wrestle.”
Greco-Roman: Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
On what has changed with his wrestling in the past year:
“I think I’ve changed a lot. Just living out at the (Olympic) training center and being able to go to more international tournaments. That’s helped out quite a bit as far as getting that experience and just getting the matches that I needed to get.”
Men’s Freestyle: Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
On battling through stiffness in his leg throughout the finals:
“I was going to wrestle regardless. I wasn’t sure how well I was going to wrestle or if I was going to be as offensive as I like to be and wrestle the way I want to, but I knew I was going to wrestle.”
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