Sara McMann (U.S. Olympic Team) pins Katie Couric (Today Show), 0:03 on national television

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
06/23/2004


View Photos from The Today Show    The U.S. Olympic Team in women's wrestling made an appearance on the NBC Today Show, demonstrating wrestling moves and answering questions from hosts Katie Couric and Matt Lauer.    The segment was shown at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning outside of the studio in Rockefeller Center in front of a live audience.    Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) was interviewed by Katie Couric and Matt Lauer, while her three teammates Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC), Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) and Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/New York AC) demonstrated wrestling techniques.    Miranda explained some of the history of women's wrestling and details about the team and the goals ahead. While Miranda was talking, the athletes executed some nice technique, including a few nice takedowns and arm spins.    In the crowd were the other members of Women's Team USA who are in New York with the Olympians, serving as training partners at training camp, which is being held at the di Silvestri Wrestling Center on the campus of Staten Island's Monsignor Farrell High School. Many people were carrying USA Wrestling banners and signs supporting the team.    At the end of the segment, Couric decided to give wrestling a try, and in her spiked heels, stood on the center of the mat facing Sara McMann. Quickly, McMann executed a deep double leg takedown, lifting Couric off the mat, and placing her down for a fall in three seconds.    Couric lay flat on the mat, laughing, as the crowd howled.