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I really don't think I can make fair and unbiased predictions because I want all the
guys to bring home the gold! That's not possible because of all the politics
that goes on at this level. For example, at the 1995 World Championships,
the gold medal matches at 105.5, 125, 149.5, 180.5, and 220 were wrestled
first. We won 3 gold medals out of 5 that day (Brands, Jackson, and Angle).
The officials were apparently not going to let the United States win any
more. The following day, Zeke Jones got beat by a bad call, and so went the
rest of the tournament.
You can understand what I'm getting at. Our 2000 Olympian wrestlers are ready
to win. I attended two training camps in the past few months with them.
They trained hard and their preparation went well! Let's hope all eight
get good draws. Once the pairings are announced, I'll analyze them for you and
tell you what I think!
Predictions
Remarks from Wednesday night, 9/27
After looking at the parings, I can say that we did not get very good draws, but one of the slogans at
the training camps this summer was "Be ready to wrestle your toughest match right away."
Once again I wish all the best to the boys and I have a lot of confidence they will do well!
Every match is a gold medal match to these guys! look for Sam Henson and Slay to advance, as both are wrestling at their best!
Remarks from Friday night, 9/29
It looks like the US is wrestling well. The third day of a tournament is
when your conditioning starts to show!
Remarks from Monday, 10/2, at the Game's conclusion
Well, the Olympics are over and the freestyle wrestling team did not do as
well as we thought they would. From what I understand, a few mistakes
cost us about 3 more medals, along with some poor officiating as I
mentioned in an earlier entry.
Sam Henson is the best guy in his weight class. The Azerbaijani was
grabbing his singlet and fish-hooking him. I truly believe these tactics
were part of his plan. Note that you can't protest a medal match. Look for
Sammie to be back in 2001.
Terry Brands just fell too far behind the points early. Like Sammie, he, too
is the best guy in the weight class, but couldn't overcome the 4 point
deficit in the semi-finals. I give him a lot of credit, as I saw how hard
and intense he trained. He said he might want to wrestle next year, but that
might have been his emotions talking. He could win a gold in worlds next
year if he comes back.
Cary Kolat flat out got robbed, and will win a world title next year.
Lincoln McIlravy made one mistake against the Canadian (Igali) and lost
in the semis. With no mistakes he would have won title. I've wrestled
both and believe Lincoln is by far the better wrestler, and in fact is
the best in his class.
Brandon Slay lost in the finals because the ref gave the German (Leipold)
3 points. Leipold didn't score a point on his own and won the gold medal.
Slay was great and would have won if the refs would just have let them
wrestle. --->Update- Slay wins by drug disqualification!!!
Charles Burton lost in the quarters. He was winning 2-1 with 15 seconds
left, made a mistake, and lost the match. Had he won, he would have
gone all the way and captured a medal. Burton will be back and ready to go!
Melvin Douglas drew the Olympic champ first round and lost! Just a bad break.
Kerry McCoy lost his match in the quarters. The US tried to protest it
and the somehow the tape wound up missing. So ended another chance for
the best in the world to win a medal for America.
I've learned a lot from these games, and feel for all my buddies who
worked so hard and came so close! Good job guys, we are all proud of you!
Freestyle: September 28-October 1
54 kg/114.5 lb- US Contender- Sammie Henson 
Finals: Henson (USA) vs. Abdullayev (AZE)
Winner: Abdullayev over Henson, 4-3
Sam Henson got the best draw, as the Azerbaijani and the Iranian are on the other side,
and the Korean in his pool is a different Korean than one everyone thought would be there.
9/29- Sam Henson wrestles the guy he beat in the 98 world finals. Look for Sammie
to take him out. He has put in the time and has that certain attitude that
will push him to win the gold.
58 kg/127.75 lb- US Contender- Terry Brands 
I like Terry Brand's draw, if he wins his pool, he'll have to face world champ Dabir from Iran. The Turk is on the other side,
so look for Brands to do well.
9/29- Brands sounds like he is ready, with a fall in the first round. He said he
felt like a caged animal the last 5 days. He's on track, and no one can match
his INTENSITY!
63 kg/138.75 lb- US Contender- Cary Kolat -Eliminated Round 1
Cary Kolat has a tough draw. The guys who took 3rd and 6th at the world championships are in his pool.
In the semis he could run into the Bulgarian who Kolat had beaten before his victory was overturned
two years ago. Kolat has won over the Ukrainian, the world title holder, and is in the other pool.
Rumor has it that HE IS READY!!
69 kg/152 lb- US Contender- Lincoln McIlravy
McIlravy got an alright draw with the Armenian on the other side. The Turk in his pool is tough but Lincoln beat him 3-0 in last year's worlds. In pool 2,
the Cuban should advance. In pool 1 is the very tough Canadian world champ. The guy from Georgia was third and the Iranian is very tough in worlds.
McIlravy could face one of those guys in the semis.
9/29- McIlravy made a guy quit. He is capable of doing that to everyone in
the weight class. He trains harder than his other overseas competitors.
He'll have to pass a tough Turk (Sanali). Mc beat him last year 3-0.
I don't know who he'll meet in quarter finals. It depends on what happens
tonight with Wada (world champ at 138 from Japan) and the Bulgarian who
upset Zaza from Ukraine. He'll have tough matches from here on out.
Personaly, I think he'll face the Cuban in the semifinals. Igali from
Canada (a Nigerian native) will have to beat the Iranian to get to the
quarters to meet the Cuban.
76 kg/167.5 lb- US Contender- Brandon Slay 
Finals: Slay (USA) vs. Leipold (GER)
Winner: Leipold over Slay, 4-3, Slay later wins by Disqualification
Brandon Slay has Saitiev in his pool. If he wins, which he is capable of doing, he'll have a tough next
draw against the Iranian. Let's hope for another "Rulon Gardner" against Saitiev.
9/29- Brandon Slay is on a high. I believe he will beat Leipold, former world
runner up. Leipold is a very good counter wrester, but so was Sative.
Slay is too powerful and focused.
85 kg/187.25 lb- US Contender- Charles Burton-5th place
Burton looks to be in good shape- Senegal first then Switzerland second. He could face the Ukrainian
in the quarters.
9/29- Burton faces Martinetti from Switzerland who beat Diouf of Senegal 4-0.
Diouf beat Martinett 9-8. Burton needs to win to advance. He should, and
will meet the Ukranian. Burton is in great shape and he gets tougher as
the tourney goes longer.
97 kg/213.75 lb- US Contender- Melvin Douglas-Eliminated Round 1
Melvin Douglas also has a tough draw. The Russian is very tough, so is the Ukranian, but Melvin
is a world champ and has been training hard. If Melvin gets through his pool, he should make it
to the semis and wrestle Hedari from Iran.
130 kg/286 lb- US Contender- Kerry McCoy-5th place
McCoy has a good draw, and will have to get past the Cuban to get to the finals. The Turk in the
quarters will be tough.
9/29- McCoy has another match, but he shut out his last opponent and seems
in great shape. His match should be fun!
