Bruce Burnett Quotations

Kane and Pogue picked up the pace and really turned it around. That's the game for us. We're workhorses, not thoroughbreds. When the work gets tough at the end of the match, that's when our conditioning and preparation show through.

Joe Baker really set the stage. For Joe to open up the match that way was tremendous.

John has really stepped up. We always knew he was capable, it's all about confidence.

Our guys came out strong, worked hard and controlled the pace. I want to win them all, and I'm always disappointed with the ones we lose. But overall, I was pleased with the way we wrestled tonight.

We pride ourselves on being in shape. There's not a team in the country that can out-condition us.

Boy, the kids really got the job done. I'm really proud of the way we competed. Our preparation the last two weeks has been outstanding. The guys really put their heart and soul into (practice) and it paid off.

This is the beginning of a new season and it doesn't matter where you are seeded or what others' expectations of you are. Everyone is 0-0 with an equal chance to become a national champion. It's all about winning and advancing at this point.

It was really a great win. We were prepared physically, we were prepared mentally and we were prepared strategically.

Tanner is a tenacious competitor with a strong will. He learned early on that conditioning can put you on a level playing field and he has always been in fantastic shape. Tanner has a remarkable set of lungs, he can just go and go. That enables him to control the tempo of the bout, to take the fight to the other individual.

Tanner is a coach's dream. He works hard, is always striving to improve, and leads by example. Tanner is a rock-steady performer. You know exactly what you're going to get every time he steps on the mat. He will give his very best effort from start to finish.

Tanner has a really good opportunity because he's so consistent. He shows up and competes hard every time he steps on the mat.

Tanner had to step up to fill a hole and he rose to the occasion.

He's a natural leader. He leads by example first, so all the hard work and commitment that he's made to the sport of wrestling, he's put right back into the team.