2023 NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP

March 17, 2023

Real Woods

BOK Center

Iowa

Semifinals Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: Real, congratulations. Real Woods, ladies and gentlemen at 141.

Real, what you are your initial thoughts and feelings?

REAL WOODS: This is a little tall for me.

THE MODERATOR: Adjust it however you need.

REAL WOODS: It's another step in accomplishing a dream that I set out to since I was a little kid.

Q. Real, the Spencer Lee loss, people in Iowa were shocked. Did it have any impact on you going into the match?

REAL WOODS: Somebody asked me this question, and the coaches reiterate throughout the tournament to focus on your match. When you are warming up, they tell you over and over, and it really made an impact in that moment because, you know, it's a huge deal and a great disappointment to me personally as -- the friendship that we have developed. I just was telling myself in my head focus on my match. That's where I tried to keep my head.

Q. Real, you were able to come out and score right away. How important was it for you to get those early points and set a tone?

REAL WOODS: I've said this over and over, I like to score points and getting that done immediately is right on theme with what I like to do in my ideal match. So I just go out there and get right to it, you know, that's that.

Q. At Iowa you guys are very disciplined. You got your specific type of training you guys do. It a special culture, a special family there. Tell me how that's helped you get to where you are right now?

REAL WOODS: It's helped me a lot. It's definitely a big difference, and you really notice the differences in culture when you step into that room compared to anything that you've ever been around before. Tom and Terry Brands and the coaching staff do an incredible job of setting that culture in stone and not letting it waiver. That culture simply is a group of good, well-rounded young men, and that's on and off the mat. When we are on that mat, it's about business.

We go into that wrestle room, and it's business. That culture is definitely where I thrive, and just keeping my focus on the single thing that I want most right now, and that's an NCAA title. Every day, day in, day out, in that wrestling room has made a huge impact.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Real Woods. Congratulations.