2023 NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP

March 17, 2023

Andrew Alirez

BOK Center

UNC

Semifinals Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: Vito Arujau from Cornell in the finals, what's it feel like?

VITO ARUJAU: Pretty good.

Q. Vito, take me through how you were motivated for tonight?

VITO ARUJAU: Thanks. Roman and Daton did not ignore me. They were fully aware I was a threat, and the public may not have been super aware because, you know, I have been shaky in folkstyle. I have never made the finals before. I'm very happy for myself and my program that I'm able to represent us in the finals now. But, no, I think they're fully aware of what I'm capable of, and, yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

Q. Talk about what was the key for you, especially there in the third period?

VITO ARUJAU: You know, I think he was a strong top wrestler. He was a tough ride. And if I didn't score any takedowns in the first, I would have been in real trouble. So at that point I knew I had to generate some action because I was going to be at a disadvantaged. (Away from mic.) I needed to just get the ball rolling. His neutral just kind of fell into where it was a bad match-up for him. He loves his control ties, and he loves being able to change levels and just guard get in there. Yeah, about that.

Q. (No microphone.)

VITO ARUJAU: It's reality of the NCAA Tournament. We have to come in here and just do what you can. It's a 50-50 shot, but, yeah, that's just the luck of the draw, the harsh reality of our sport that there are winner and there are losers, and we can't always win.

Q. The two top world-class athletes, you are able to get scoring points quite a few times in that match. Talk about what was able to work for you to be able to pick up those points and stretch the lead there?

VITO ARUJAU: Um, you know, just really staying in an artist's mindset and getting out there and kind of putting things together. You know, I looked for my offense. I saw it, and I capitalized on it. This is by no means discrediting Daton. He is a strong opponent, especially on the freestyle stage. I look forward to competing against him in the future. He is a friend, and he is a good person. I can say he is a good person. Out on the mat, I was able to get into my attacks and criticize him.

Q. (No microphone.) -- tomorrow as a finalist for Cornell.

VITO ARUJAU: I would say it's satisfying, for sure, and (Away from mic.) Everyone in this crowd is rooting against you, and you showed them. For a moment, I was like, yeah, this feels good, and then I was able to -- I returned back to what I needed to do. It was a satisfying victory and the feeling when your hand gets raised is euphoric, but now I need to look to the future and prepare for my match tomorrow.

Q. Congratulations, Vito.

VITO ARUJAU: Thank you.

Q. Looking ahead, what do you see for Roman and what do you think your biggest advantage is heading into tomorrow night?

VITO ARUJAU: I think my biggest advantage compared to other people would definitely be that we match I would say in styles pretty similarly, but we're explosive, very fast reacting. It's going to be a dog fight out there. It's probably going to be a lot of -- and the drop of a pin, it's going to come down who is sharper, who is willing to, you know, continue (Away from mic.) It's going to be -- I don't think it's going to be a tight match-up. I think we do the same thing, and we're going to see who does it better.

THE MODERATOR: Vito, congratulations. Good luck tomorrow.