March 19, 2008

NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
March 20-22 – Scottrade Center
Hosted by St. Louis Sports Commission and the University of Missouri

Student-Athlete Pre-Championship Press Conference

Nick Marable, 165 Pounds
On considering nationals being a home meet:
"Yes, we're definitely going to have a lot of fans here. I think it's going to help in our matches. Like a lot of big matches it comes down to a point or two and then at the end of the period your just dead from wrestling a match you get your fans just going. It just gets you going so I think definitely it's going to help a lot of our guys wrestle in the tournament."

On how last year's experience filling in prepared him for this season:
"I wrestled a lot of tough kids last year both weight classes. I would say I performed at 165 that is probably why I'm wrestling right now. I think one of the biggest things that prepared me was just wrestling with Matt (Pell) and Ben (Askren) last year in practice all the time. That was probably the toughest thing I ever had to do was wrestle them."

Head Coach Brian Smith
Opening Statement
“We look forward to wrestling in the state of Missouri all the time for the NCAA's. I just want to give a thanks out to the sports commission, I think they do a great job. I get to work with them a few times a year, and I know how hard they work and all the volunteers that help to make this tournament run right. We're bringing seven quality young men out here and they're excited. This has been their goal the whole season, to get out here to St. Louis and perform at the highest level here. They're very focused and we have a lot of confidence in them.”

on Missouri's chance to compete so close to home:
“I guess our trip was quicker than everybody else, that's about it. No matter where you're at the first two rounds you're going to have to go out there and wrestle hard. I just think being at home the guys feel more comfortable. We actually had a chance to practice at home yesterday. But you still have to show up at the mat and wrestle hard. We'll have fans, I know we've sold about 1,200 seats, so we will have a big fan base, so we'll have to go out and wrestle.”