Five Questions: Tyrel Todd
6/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling, Features, Olympics
University of Michigan senior/junior captain Tyrel Todd, a two-time wrestling All-American at U-M, has developed himself into one of the nation's top freestyle competitors at 84 kg./185 pounds over the last several years. After placing eighth at the U.S. Senior Nationals in April and just missing an automatic trip to this weekend's Olympic Team trials, Todd qualified via the Rocky Mountain regional qualifier, where he claimed outstanding wrestler of the tournament honors. Todd will carry the No. 11 seed into trials and will need to win four matches to reach the best-of-three championship series, where 2008 U.S. Senior National champion Mo Lawal is waiting for his challenger.
Q: What is the difference between freestyle and college's folkstyle wrestling and which do you prefer?
A: We're the only country in the world that wrestles folkstyle. Wrestling is huge all over the world, and every other country wrestles freestyle, which is similar to the college style with slightly different scoring, and Greco-Roman, which only allows attacks to the upper torso, nothing below the hips. Scoring in freestyle is based on more explosive technique, so it tends to be more dangerous with high-amplitude throws. Takedowns can earn a varying number of points. As soon as you expose your opponent's back past 90 degrees is a two-point turn. Anything that's feet-to-back or high arching is five points. In collegiate wrestling, you're looking to hold your opponents; it's more control based. That's the biggest difference -- control vs. explosive technique -- and that's why freestyle, to me, is more fun to wrestle and more fun to watch.
I enjoy freestyle more, and I've found some success in it over the past few years. My first collegiate match was in seventh grade, but I wrestled freestyle from the time I was five years old. Some of the new freestyle rules can be frustrating at times, because I tend to use my conditioning to wear people out. But it's hard to do that when you only have a four-minute match -- periods are only two minutes. That works against me, but on the other hand I'm pretty explosive and good at controlling the center of the mat. I think some people make too much of a stink about the change in rules, but it's just wrestling; that hasn't changed.
Q: How will freestyle training over the summer prepare you for your senior year at Michigan?
A: It's a huge confidence builder. Not only am I training with some of the best wrestlers in the country but some of the best wrestlers in the world. I consider myself in that category. Wrestling freestyle is reaffirming. I'm doing things over the summer that not many other guys in the country are doing, and that's a confidence booster. As long as I'm enjoying the process, it's a big positive. It can get a little long after a while, so it's important that I have some time off before next season to reset. But then I'll be ready to put the pedal to the floor for the last go-round.
I can bring a lot of the things I've learned this summer into my folkstyle wrestling -- tactical things, technical things, mental things. I've worked with some of the top Greco guys -- Brad Vering and Joe Warren -- on a number of things. Those things fit really well into my style. I find myself in a lot of upper-body situations where, with a little more knowledge, I can score points. It allows me to grow and make my arsenal bigger.
Q: What has your training environment been like this summer?
A: It's been great. I've learn so much more about the sport. The first time I went into a technique session with [USA Wrestling head freestyle coach] Kevin Jackson, I walked out thinking, "Man, I'm not very good." It's been eye-opening. Working on those little things can make the difference in these matches. I think it's really going to help me separate myself next year. Last year I separated myself some and dominated most of my matches. But I feel that there is a whole new tier that I can achieve, and it's my goal to reach it and really separate myself from my opposition at every level.
Q: What is your favorite Olympic moment?
A: I guess there are a few of them. I remember watching Michael Johnson when he won all of his medals. That was pretty exciting, because he was such a phenomenal athlete. I was really inspired by Brandon Slay's gold-medal match. He lost in the finals but found out right after the match that the other guy failed his drug test. I was a big fan of Alexander Karelin. We had his "Train like a madman" poster growing up. He has always been inspirational to me.
Q: I know you are focused on this year's Olympic trials, but do you also look ahead to the 2012 Olympics?
A: I really feel like I have the ability to win this tournament this weekend and go to the Olympics this year. I've competed with all of these guys and strength-wise I'm right there with them all. It's all a matter of putting together a good tournament and having a good day. I think all of the guys at my weight class will tell you that. It's really that close. I really just enjoy the sport of wrestling so much, and I feel like I'm just on the cusp of breaking into my own and really separating myself against international competition. I'm always chasing after that perfect match. In high school, I had some matches that were pretty close to perfect, but they were against lesser competition. That's something I've always aspired to. That goes beyond just beating people. It's within me. I enjoy learning. It's really rewarding. I have other personal goals in terms of starting a family and what not down the road, but right now in the immediate future, I'd like to pursue wrestling."
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