Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann and two-time World bronze medalist Katie Downing headline a strong U.S. women's freestyle team that will compete at the World Cup on Jan. 19-20 in Taiyuan, China.

The American squad is one of six teams who will take aim at winning the team title in the dual-meet event. The U.S. placed fifth in the 2007 World Cup. The Americans are shooting for their first World Cup title since 2003.

Returning champion Japan is the favorite to win the World Cup. The powerful Japanese team rolled to the team title at the 2007 World Championships. Kazakhstan, China, Canada and Ukraine also will compete in the event.

The American squad also features past World silver medalist Stephanie Murata at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and past World bronze medalist Jenny Wong at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. McMann and Downing both won World bronze medals at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. McMann competes at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Downing at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.

The U.S. women's freestyle team is comprised of members of the 2007 World Team. The American women are preparing for the event during a training camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center over the next two weeks.

"This is a very important competition for us to reestablish ourselves going into the Olympic year," USA Wrestling Women's National Coach Terry Steiner said. "This can definitely help our psyche as we move forward. It also will give us an idea of where we're at right now. It will be a good challenge for us and good preparation for us."

The American squad will be without two-time World champion Kristie Marano, who is recovering from an injury. Marano, a nine-time World medalist, captured a silver medal at the 2007 World Championships. Stephany Lee, who placed second at the 2007 World Team Trials, will replace Marano in the U.S. lineup at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

"This is a great opportunity for Stephany to compete against some high level competition," Steiner said.

The U.S. also will be without Olympic and World medalist Patricia Miranda, who also is recovering from an injury. Miranda made the U.S. World Team at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. in 2007, but was unable to compete at the World Championships after suffering an injury shortly before the competition.

Wong, who replaced Miranda at the World Championships, will compete at 51 kilos at the World Cup.

The American team also includes 2007 World Team members Marcie Van Dusen at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Leigh Jaynes at 59 kg/130 lbs.

The U.S. women also will spend time in Beijing, China on the trip. They are scheduled to tour the venue, athlete village and workout facilities that will be used for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

U.S. WOMEN'S FREESTYLE WORLD CUP ROSTER

48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong, Gaffney, S.C. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sara McMann, Gaffney, S.C. (Sunkist Kids)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stephany Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Coaches - Terry Steiner (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Tadaaki Hatta (Elyria, Ohio)