Ex-Husker confident heading into Games
digg it!
Facebook
del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit
BY KARL VOGEL / Lincoln Journal Star
Even though he’s competed in the Olympic before, Brad Vering wasn’t sure about one aspect of his preparations this time around.
“You never know how much to pack,” Vering said. “We’ll be gone almost a month and you don’t want to take too much or not enough and you never know how much stuff you’re going to get before you come back.”
Even with the luggage conundrum, Vering said he’s totally focused on continuing his streak of dominance on the international stage of Greco-Roman wrestling.
The former Husker national champion and three-time state champion from Howells was USA Wrestling’s 2007 Wrestler of the Year after leading the U.S. to its first Greco team title at the World Championships.
Losing to Brad Ahearn in the 84-kilogram (185-pound) finals at the U.S. Nationals in May was a setback, but Vering dominated each of his matches at the Olympic Trials in late June to earn a spot for Beijing.
He credits that performance to intense training, which he said he’s continued since.
“The five weeks between nationals and the trials were phenomenal, the best training I had ever done, and I think I showed it at the trials,” Vering said.
“Now, I just build off of that going to the Olympics. Solid training on top of all I’ve done out here the last seven years — I can’t afford to rest now.”
The U.S. wrestling team arrived in China last Friday to begin final preparations for competition. Vering’s only day on the mat will be Aug. 14, and he hopes it will be a long one.
“International competitions are just one day, four or five matches, but that’s a good thing. Good for the Americans,” Vering said.
“We’ve got to get through the first couple of rounds, that’s when the foreign guys wear down and our shape and conditioning come through.
“That’s when the competitor in you comes out, that’s when you grit your teeth and say you want it more. We showed that in the Worlds last year.”
The only possible drawback to the single-elimination competition is that it’s not seeded, meaning Vering could be paired against one of the top wrestlers in his weight class in the first round. But Vering said “that doesn’t matter.
“Nobody wants to draw me. Trust me,” Vering said. “I might have to face the five best guys in the world at the Olympics, maybe I won’t. I’ve been training with the toughest guys in the world every day for the last seven years and if I’m not confident that I’m going to win, I shouldn’t be going.”
If Vering were to win a medal of any kind, he’d be only the second Nebraskan to do so in wrestling, joining 1964 freestyle bronze medalist Daniel Brand, a former Husker and Omaha native.
It might also mean a big reception will await him when he finally gets a chance to return to Howells.
“I haven’t had a chance to get back home to see the family. There just wasn’t enough time with the Olympics only a few weeks after the trials,” Vering said. “But I’m sure a lot of my family will be there and the rest will be watching the TV.
“I have a ton of motivation, being from a small town and being from Nebraska. Those people have been supporting me in everything I do for a long time. They’re phenomenal. I hope I can give them something to celebrate.”
Briefly
When he’s not on the mat or sightseeing in China, Vering will keep busy by blogging about his experiences at www.bradvering2008.com.
Reach Karl Vogel at 473-7432 or kvogel@journalstar.com.
Post Your Comment
Standards and RulesYour posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
Mike wrote on August 6, 2008 11:05 am:
Schuyler Fan wrote on August 6, 2008 11:27 am: