University of Minnesota Athletics
Big Ten Champion Quotes
3/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
2008 Big Ten Wrestling Championships
Champion Quotes
Iowa Head Coach Tom Brands
On his team’s ability to bounce back:
“We fell off the horse and got back on it. We were able to win the championship, but we still need to perform well for nationals. The way these guys were able to come back was exciting. Metcalf’s victory was due to his heart and how his daddy raised him. The way we won is a great testament to the guys. We have been able to bounce back before, and we did a great job of it today.”
On what he told his team coming into the last session:
“I told them to make things fun. Also, that if they felt wronged, it would be up to them to right the wrong.”
Angel Escobedo, 125-pound champion, Indiana
On the championship win vs. Jayson Ness:
“We were trading shoots early. Then in the second period, it went to the mat, where he is strong; however, I was very physical and was able to get on top. This win is huge, and it’s a great momentum builder for nationals. It really boosts my confidence.”
On his game-plan going into the match:
“My game-plan coming in was to take Ness down early. I wanted to be physical and ride him.”
Franklin Gomez, 133-pound champion, Michigan State
On his game-plan coming into the championship match:
“I wanted to wrestle tough and not give up any points. I wanted to attack from all positions and wait to find an opening. I knew that I had to be on the offensive.”
On his confidence coming into the championship match:
“I know I have the skills, but sometimes things happen. Last year at the Big Ten Championships, I just didn’t feel comfortable, but moving up a weight class this year helped me.”
On looking forward to competing at Nationals:
“I want to focus one match at a time. I’ll rest a lot and train hard for nationals, and I will really focus at school so I am prepared to compete.”
Kellen Russell, 141-pound champion, Michigan
On his championship victory:
“I’m really excited about the win, but I’m mostly thinking about nations in two weeks. I think it says a lot to win a Big Ten Championship. It’s a tough conference, and I compete against some of the best athletes in the nation.”
On his preparations for nationals
“We want to have a good work out this week. It’s exciting that there are some many guys from our team going. It will be my first time going, and I will get to experience what I have only heard about, competing on the national stage.”
On his championship win :
“I did a good job defending and hand fighting. I wrestled hard, and I was able to scramble around the mat. I tried to keep the crowd out of the match as much as possible, and I think I did a good job of that. I tried not to let Rivera get close, and I felt I had the match in hand.”
Brent Metcalf, 149-pound champion, Iowa
On his thoughts on nationals in two weeks:
“We have another chance to perform. We are headed in the right direction. This wasn’t a big step for us, but it was a step in the right direction. We take our all positives from this weekend.”
On the importance of his championship match on the team standings:
“Stepping on the mat, I said to myself this is win or lose. It was Iowa vs. Minnesota, and I knew I had to take the match for our team.”
On his championship match against Schlatter:
“I got to him many times but out of bounds. I knew if I kept going at him I would be able to get him inside the mat. I am here to score points, and I am here to finish. You can’t give a free pass if someone goes out of bounds. I snapped him to the mat, and I kept pressure on him. I was getting my shoots down, and I know it was only a matter of time before I got the victory; however, I wasn’t able to get his legs, so I learned I had to get to my offense faster.”
Mike Poeta, 157-pound champion, Illinois
On his championship win:
“It’s a great feeling, and it’s a stepping stone for nationals. (Vallimont) was coming at my legs a lot and a tough competitor. He was the best wrestler I have faced all year.”
On his thoughts heading into nationals:
“Going there, no one is better than anyone else. Everyone is equal, and no one has a win or a loss until competition starts.
On his improvements from last season’s Big Ten Championships:
“Last year was disappointing. I lost to C.P. in the semis and Henning in the third place match. I learned a lot because I wanted to succeed. My coaches pushed me to improve my wrestling and mentality heading into Big Tens this season.”
Eric Tannenbaum, 165-pound champion, Michigan
On his championship match:
“I thought I wrestled a very smart match. I know Perry has a very defensive style. In the past, I wasn’t that aggressive against him, but today I knew I had to be. It’s the little things that help you succeed. I am going to learn a lot from this match by looking at the tapes. There’s a lot of pressure from a Big Ten Victory, but you have to shrug it off and battle.”
On his thoughts heading into nationals:
“The national title is what I want. This victory is a nice step towards achieving that goal. Russell has really stepped up his game, and I think he will be a great asset for our team.”
Steve Luke, 174-pound champion, Michigan
On his championship match:
“I feel really good and healthy right now. A lot of times I hesitate, and I go on the defensive. I need to work on staying aggressive and taking my shoots.”
On Tannenbaum’s victory:
“I thought Tennenbaum had a good match and had some nice shoots. I know he feels good every time he gets a victory over Perry.”
On his thoughts heading into nationals:
“I have been wrestling for a long time, but I still get nervous for nationals. I have to make sure I keep shooting and get a lead. Each match we will focus and try to earn bonus points. Russell is tough, and he has three more years. He is a bright spot for Michigan wrestling.”
Mike Pucillo, 184-pound champion, Ohio State
On his championship match:
“I think this is the third time facing Todd this season. It’s never easy winning against the same guy. It’s been going back and forth, and today I was able to get the victory.”
Phil Davis, 197-pound champion, Penn State
On how it feels to be back as a Big Ten champion:
“It feels pretty good. Last time I won Big Tens I went on to take second in the nation. I feel I’m building up for a great end of the year.”
On the last ten seconds of the championship match:
“It will get you going. It was not the last ten seconds I thought I would have, and it was not the last ten seconds I wanted to have. However, I stayed strong and fought for position. It was good hard wrestling.”
On what he has to fine tune before nationals:
“I think in my mind, I can’t let guys get to my legs. You can’t give guys opportunities, and I need to get more riding time.”
On if the level of competition in the Big Ten gives him an advantage heading into nationals:
“I am able to just fine tune all of the weaknesses of my game by wrestling guys in the Big Ten. When you are wrestling people who aren’t in you skill level, you aren’t able to iron out the kinks in your game.”
Players Mentioned
