SYDNEY – Two U.S. wrestlers won their bronze medal matches yesterday, the only two medals the U.S. team won here.

Terry Brands, the 128-pounder from Omaha, defeated Damir Zakhartdinov, of Uzbekistan, 3-2.

“That’s not how I like to finish off,” Brands said. “I came here for the gold medal. I guess I just have to go home and get better.”

Lincoln McIlravy, from Rapid City, N.D., defeated Sergei Demchenko, of Belarus, 3-1.

“Coming back out to wrestle for the bronze after losing earlier in the day my chance to wrestle for the gold medal was the hardest thing I have ever done in sports,” McIlravy said. “I dreamed of winning the Olympic gold medal in wrestling since I was 5. It’s very sad today that that dream is now gone.”