2023 NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP

March 17, 2023

Pat Glory

Princeton Athletics

BOK Center

Semifinals Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, Pat Glory, semifinalist, what's it feel like?

PAT GLORY: Doesn't feel lake anything yet, Kobe Bryant said "job not finished" and I know that feeling from last year. And I got one goal in mind, and that's to dominate in this final.

Q. (Indiscernible)

PAT GLORY: It was back and forth, but I made a commitment to myself, my family, those closest around me, my coaches, my teammates. At the end of last season, to stay down, and this is my weight class. And this is the weight class that I can compete best at. I have a two-time NCAA champion at 125 in the room working with me every single day. He did it. Why can't I?

It would be hard at to make 33 too, but it's a matter of doing things the right way and do it the hard way, frankly, because that's what leads to performances like that in the semifinals, and a dominating performance I'm going to get tomorrow and it's because I think I put myself through that adversity.

Q. What did you learn last year that you will do differently in the next 24 hours?

PAT GLORY: Yeah. The finals start I think 8:00, maybe, 7:00 or 8:00. You have the whole ceremony beforehand. There is a lot of commotion and energy. It is very different than a typical match, where you don't have your normal routine and everything. I think having that experience last year is huge, hugely important for me.

We know what to expect, know how to prepare going into that environment, and just the atmosphere. And that's not necessarily in all matches. So just knowing that, how it is, is going to be a huge asset for me.

Q. (No microphone.)

PAT GLORY: I get to watch Quincy.

Q. Looking at your performance this weekend, what helped you to lead up to preparing for the finals match and what are you most excited about for tomorrow?

PAT GLORY: Not every match is going to be perfect. I beat myself up in certain situations, giving up points in that quarter final, gave up two takedowns, and especially inside tournament. It's never going to be perfect and just finding a way in the third period to get your hand raised.

Inevitably it's going to come down to the end of the match. It's how you finish, not how you start or what happens in the middle of it. I was proud of the way I battled through adversity, through this tournament. I think, yeah, I've been working hard for this opportunity, 365 days for this opportunity bleeding blood, sweat and tears. And it may sound generic, but it's the truth, and I'm so excited for an opportunity.

Q. In the first 10 seconds, you put up 15 minutes of riding time. How have those things developed for you throughout these days?

PAT GLORY: Yeah, you know, you're never going to think about your opponent before the match. If you don't have any nerves, you are probably at a disadvantage or you could use those butterflies to help propel you get you energized and ready to go.

When I'm nervous about the matches, I always think, hey, I can ride the guy out. If I get a takedown, I can do that, and it might sound crazy, but at the end of the day, it gives me solace and contempt, maybe. Even if I wrestle the worst match possible, I'm going to be able to get ride time on anybody in the entire country.

So that's something that I base my wrestling off of. And when I'm coaching clinics and camps, and teaching little kids, my little brother, I tell them that, that's what separates these guys. You can be great on your feet, but if you can't do that, you can't make it to the NCAAs and just finding ways to control a match. I think that's huge, controlling the matches on top.

Q. Spencer Lee lost to Ramos, just your thoughts on that because I don't think that was predicted?

PAT GLORY: Doesn't really matter to be honest. If it's Spencer Lee, great. If it's Matt Ramos, that's okay. There is one guy standing in my way of me accomplishing my goal, and it doesn't matter who it is.

THE MODERATOR: Thanks, Patrick.