June 21, 2008

LAS VEGAS - Northern Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame wrestler T.C. Dantzler qualified for the 2008 Olympics by winning the 163-pound division of the Greco-Roman U.S. Olympic Trials, last Saturday.

"I was excited, overwhelmed," Dantzler said of the moment he punched his ticket to Beijing.

The Harvey, Ill. native defeating Cheney Haight 2-0 to earn his place with the team in Beijing. The 37-year-old Danztler was a four-time NCAA Championships qualifier while wearing the Cardinal and Black.

"I always knew I'd be an Olympian, I always knew I'd win a gold medal," Dantzler said. "I just didn't know when."

Dantzler, who also lettered on the NIU football team as a tailback in 1991, had qualified for the last five Greco-Roman World Championships, but failed to make the Olympic team in 2004 due to injury.

Dantzler feels ready for the world's biggest stage because the field of competition is smaller than at the World Championships.

"I only have (to defeat) 20 guys, as opposed to sixty-something," he said. "I've started breaking them down. I already have a gameplan for the top eight."

Also a member of the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Assocation Hall of Fame, Dantzler compiled an 81-34-1 record from 1990-93 under head coaches Ed Vatch and Phil Rembert.

Dantzler currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his wife Tanya and two children.