2004 NCAA Wrestling Championship Press Conference Quotes

Opening Statement
"We are excited we have eight guys competing this year, and we are looking forward to get going and start wrestling. We feel good about our team’s chances this year. It’s been a work in progress for the last couple of years to get to this point. We have some guys who have been here in previous years, and we have some first-time wrestlers."

On Team’s Top Wrestler
"We are led by our 125-pounder, Jason Powell, he jumps starts our team. He is our only returning All-American, and he’s the healthiest he’s be entering the tournament"

On an Inexperience Tournament Team
"We have a lot of guys that haven’t placed and haven’t really accomplished much on a national level but they’re looking forward to competition and seeing where we end of on Saturday."

On Momentum after Big 12 Championships
"It was disappointing not winning an individual championship at Big 12’s but that’s what has kept us motivated and hungry entering the NCAA Championships. Jason Powell had a match that didn’t go his way, but he is determined to capture a National Championship."

On the New Overtime Criteria
"We have to look at what’s best for the casual fans who are watching wrestling for the first time. The die-hard fans already know the rule changes, but the new fan might be confused and find it difficult to figure it out. It’s even difficult for some of the coaches so how can an average fan or someone just watching wrestling for the first time figure it out?"