U.S. freestyle wrestlers name Cormier as captain

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Daniel Cormier has been elected captain of the 2008 Olympic freestyle wrestling team. Cormier, who competes in the 96-kilogram weight category, competed at the 2004 Athens Games, and has represented the U.S. in his weight category at every World Championship since 2003.

‘Any time you are chosen by your teammates, who are your peers, it is a big honor,’ Cormier said during a recent interview with USA Wrestling. ‘I consider this an honor and a privilege to be the captain of an Olympic team. It means so much to me. I respect what they think. It will stay with me for the rest of my life. This is so special.’

Cormier won his first world-level medal when he captured a bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.

‘For him, this is truly an honor,’ said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. ‘Because [of] his teammates putting the responsibility on his shoulders, it has forced him to lead by example. He is doing the extra work.’

Cormier will compete on Aug. 21, the final day of wrestling at the Beijing Games. ‘Whatever happens, I know I gave myself the best chance to win,’ Cormier said. ‘Regardless of the outcome, I know I gave my all.’

Cormier is a native of Lafayette, La., and competed for Colby Community College in Kansas and for Oklahoma State, where he was an NCAA runner-up.

-- Greg Johnson