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Champions quotes from the 2003 U.S. National Championships

5/10/2003
John Fuller/USA Wrestling

Patricia Miranda - Women’s Freestyle 48 kg
On her improvement since last year’s World Championships
“I owe a lot to Terry Steiner, the national women’s coach. Losing is a wrestler’s responsibility, but he made it his responsibility too. He has started working with me on the mental aspect of the sport.”

On her goals
“My long-term goal is the gold in Athens. My process goal is to be proud of myself every time I wrestle. Just knowing that I have left everything on the mat.”

Malinda Ripley - Women’s Freestyle 51 kg
On being so young and winning a national title
“It’s pretty good knowing that I was injured two weeks ago and can still perform like this. I was seeded second, so I knew I had to perform, but I just took it one match at a time.”

About defending Wong’s gut wrench
“I was thinking ‘why did I get cautioned again’. I have done scouting and I knew what side she was going to gut to. The last time I wrestled her was at Sunkist and she beat me on top, so I was worried about it before the match.”

Tela O’Donnell - Women’s Freestyle 55 kg
On the biggest win of her career
“I was trying to get nervous before the match, but it was hard to not be.”

On finishing her tilt for the final three points of the match
“When I had the half-nelson, I just knew I had to keep working to get her turned. It took a while for me to turn her.”

Katie Downing - Women’s Freestyle 67 kg
On finally winning a national title
“I guess the sixth time is the charm. I’m really thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to train at the OTC. The women’s resident program has helped me make major strides in my wrestling.”

On whether or not she expects other top wrestlers to move back into her weight for the Trials
“If I had to bet on it, I would say it would be the same at the Trials, but I would also plan on some more challenges afterwards. I definitely have more than Kaci Lyle on my mind for the Trials, though.”

Toccara Montgomery - Women’s Freestyle 72 kg
On winning her first national title at 72 kg
“At first, I was feeling a little slow. Now, I’m starting to move more. My style has changed. Before, I was so aggressive. Now, I am learning to relax and wear the bigger girls down.”

On beating Lang for just the second time in four meetings this season
“It generally takes me a while to get used to different people. She is a talented wrestler and is definitely a force. She is forcing me to get better.”