GINW coach shares Olympic hope for wrestlers

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by Ed Littler

Story Created: Jul 12, 2012 at 5:28 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 12, 2012 at 7:00 PM CDT

So many people will be rooting hard for USA wrestlers Jordan Burroughs and Tervel Dlagnev when they compete in the games of the 30th Olympiad here on NBC.

One area high school coach has a special interest in seening both of these Nebaska wrestlers go for the gold.

Grand Island Northwest wrestling doach Brian Sybrandts, like Tervel Dlagnev, is a former UNK Wrestler. Coach Sybrandts wasn't at UNK when Tervel was, but he's had Tervel work his Viking wrestling camps and there's a reason why.

"A lot of times big guys are just big and strong but Tervel, he has a lot technique and knows a lot about wrestling," said Sybrandts.

During his time at Nebraska, Jordan Burroughs wrestled with former Viking heavyweight Hadley Cooksley who was forced off the team with injuries. For that reason, coach Sybrandts payed particular attention.

"Nebraska has a chance for two gold medals. Jordan's got that double leg takedown that he has and it's hard to stop and you know he's undefeated in international wrestling right now and I do think the United States has a good chance for those two to bring home gold medals," Sybrandts said.

Coach Sybrandts was at the Olympic Trials in Iowa two months ago when both Tervel Dlagnev and Jordan Burroughs earned their way onto the Olympic team.

"It was great. It was awesome just to see Jordan out there competing and, unfortunately, his opponent got hit after his first round match but we go to see Jordan wrestle once up there and he's just so quick and strong and has great technique and Tervel just being an alumni going and supporting him, it was something I'll never forget," said Sybrandts.

And when these Nebraska wrestlers take the mat, Coach Sybrandts won't miss a minute of the action.

"Just seeing Tervel out there and knowing that I know that guy, it's just going to be awesome to see him on TV and Jordan being a Husker, and a chance to watch him, too, will be great it's going to make us more motivated to watch I think," said Sybrandts.

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