CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - It was a hot summer night in northeast Iowa in 1984 when a wide-eyed, 10-year-old was captivated by what was unfolding on television.

A young wrestler named Tolly Thompson immediately set a goal that night.

He wanted to win an Olympic gold medal.

"I was watching the Olympics, and I remember seeing Bobby Weaver carrying his kid around after he won the gold medal," Thompson said. "It was really exciting. I decided I wanted to do something like that someday."

Thompson will have that opportunity this year. The 34-year-old freestyle heavyweight enters what likely will be his final U.S. Olympic Team Trials as one of the contenders to make the American team.

Thompson made U.S. World Teams in 2005 and 2006, winning a bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Thompson suffered through an injury-plagued 2007 season. He injured his back and shoulder during a semifinal loss to Cole Konrad at the U.S. Nationals and was defeated by Les Sigman in his first match at the U.S. World Team Trials.

Thompson, a past NCAA champion for Nebraska, is currently ranked seventh in the U.S. at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. He recently returned to competition and earned a win over a wrestler from Belarus in a dual meet in Washington, D.C.

Thompson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) said he is back healthy again entering the U.S. Nationals on April 23-26 in Las Vegas.

"I feel good and I've been training real hard," Thompson said Saturday as he watched the action at the ASICS/USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals. "I'm ready to go. I have plenty of experience and I'm excited to see how I fare at the Open."

Thompson, an assistant coach at Northern Iowa, was among the many people helping put on the massive, three-day wrestling event this weekend. Around 2,400 wrestlers are competing on 22 mats at Folkstyle Nationals at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

"This is a great event and it's still growing," he said. "It's huge for our community and for Iowa. The goal for next year should be 3,000 wrestlers."

Tommy Rowlands, fifth in the World in 2007, will be the No. 1 seed at the U.S. Nationals with Steve Mocco seeded second.

"It's a lot easier to make the (Olympic) Team when you win the Open," Thompson said of the U.S. Nationals. "I don't really see myself as an underdog. You have to wrestle, no matter what you're seeded. We've all wrestled each other enough - there really are no secrets between us."

Thompson said he doesn't perceive his age as something that works against him.

"I think Bruce Baumgartner was 38 when he was done, and I'm 34," Thompson said. "I don't feel any different than I did three years ago."

Thompson will be competing in his third Olympic Team Trials. He placed second to World silver medalist Kerry McCoy at the 2004 Trials in Indianapolis. The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials are scheduled for June 13-15 in Las Vegas.

"Obviously, there is a lot of pressure to make the Olympic Team," Thompson said. "There are only seven spots on the team and it's a meatgrinder. I feel like I have the experience and I know I will be ready for the Trials in June."

Thompson said he hasn't decided if this will be his last season.

"All my focus is on this year and this moment," he said. "I will worry about next year down the road. Who knows? I may decide to wrestle another year."

Thompson was asked what it would mean to realize an Olympic dream he has had for nearly 24 years.

"I not only want to make the Olympic Team, I want to go win a gold medal for the United States," he said. "That's what we train for, to be the best in the World. That's what I'm working for."