Feb. 27, 2007
Big 12 Wrestling Championship Media Day Missouri Tigers
Head Coach Brain Smith:
On the Tournament:
"It's the Big 12's. It's five teams and with these five teams there is a heightened intensity level. Usually every match is decided by one point or overtime. There are a lot of close battles and everything is for national seeding at the National tournament."
On Team Preparation:
"The great thing going into this tournament is that we have a real focused team. We're healthy, focused and prepared to go in and win the title. That's the fun part about it. This team is prepared for it all."
"At this time of the year a little rest doesn't hurt you. It's helped a lot of guys. The nice part is that we haven't had to travel the whole month of February, and now we are staying here for Big 12's."
"This is a great team, and that is what we have been preaching to them all season. We just need to go out and keep doing what we have been doing to get us to this point."
On What a Big 12 title would mean to the Team and Community:
"It would be big for the community and the state and for our program it would be another stepping stone. We are focusing on the individuals and going out there and performing and doing great things, and if everyone does that a great thing will happen."
On Hosting the Event in Columbia:
"Hosting the Big 12's at home allows people to come see an event they might not usually travel to. Our fan base has grown, and people are going to watch the tournament and we are one of the favorites. There is that hope in the community right now, and even if they are not 100-percent wrestling fans they are Tiger fans."
174 Pound Wrestler Ben Askren:
Advice to Teammates on Becoming a Champion:
"We put in so much hard work, not only over the last year, but over our entire lifetime. We only have seven minutes in each match and you have to take every moment you can and go out and seize it. You just need to go out there and wrestle the best you can. You don't ever want to ever look back and say, `I have a regret.'"
165 Pound Wrestler No. 7 Matt Pell
On Feeling Fresh for Big 12 Championships:
"I've never felt better actually. I did sit out a few matches this year and I think in the long run it was a good idea because my body isn't broken down. I'm fresh and ready to go to Big 12's."
On Competition at 165 Pounds
"The competition is going to be steep, and it always is in the Big 12. There's only five teams, but those five teams are some of the best in the nation. You always expect great competition. It's exciting for me just to be in a position to have an opportunity to do something great."
184 Pound Wrestler Raymond Jordan:
On Teammates:
"I think we have the best upper weights in the nation. It's great to wrestle against those guys. They all have different styles and (practicing with them) prepares you for anything. My toughest competition is in the room everyday."
On the Opportunity to Win at Home:
"I think we are in a great position to win the Big 12, and I think it is going to be an awesome feeling for us to win the Big 12 title at home."
On Individual Chances:
"I don't dwell on last year. I'm a different wrestler than last year. I'm more confident and I believe in myself a lot more now. I'm wrestling real well and I'm peaking right now. Last year was tough, and I know how that feels, and I don't want to feel it again."
133 Pound Wrestler Tyler McCormick
On Strength and Depth of Team:
"That's what I think makes our team so good. We've got a lot of No 1 seeds, but we also have a lot of No. 2 and No. 3 seeds. It's going to be those guys matching up and winning those first round match-ups that matter."