Alyssa Lampe of the USA battles Olympic champion Carol Huynh of Canada in the Dave Schultz Memorial International semifinals. Larry Slater photo

One of the most talented and successful wrestlers on Women's Team USA has been making waves around the world in her own quiet way. Although you may not know much about Alyssa Lampe, you can be certain that her competitors do.

Lampe is currently ranked No. 2 in the United States at 48 kg/105 lbs. and has been collecting a number of medals from international competitions. She is in her first year as a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

"I didn't expect to do this well so soon after moving here," said Lampe. "I thought it would take some time to adapt to the new environment and competition schedule. I am very excited about where I am, and where I am going."

She has had a strong winter season, most recently placing second at the Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers Memorial International in Kiev, Ukraine, where she was defeated by 2009 World silver medalist Lorisa Oorzhak of Russia in the finals. She won a bronze medal at the Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs, Colo., with her only loss coming to 2008 Olympic champion Carol Huynh of Canada.

Also earlier this season, she won a bronze medal at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix in Russia, a gold medal at the New York AC International in New York City and a bronze medal at the Sunkist Kids International Open in Arizona.

For certain, the U.S. National Women's Coaches have noticed Lampe's progress, not only with her results but also with her approach to the sport.

"She's got great penetration skills. She not afraid to mix it up and go for it. Being consistent is her biggest thing. It is about believing in herself. She is starting to believe that she has the skills and tools to win," said National Women's Coach Terry Steiner. 

Her self-confidence has been a big factor in her recent success, according to Women's National Resident Coach Izzy Izboinikov.

"For her, it is about personal growth. She is technically very good. She has had that. She has a personal maturity now. It is transitioning into a confidence on the mat. It is highlighting her technique. The wins come from that. The more she wins, the more confidence she gets. Confidence creates opportunities. Opportunities create possibilities. Possibilities create wins. And wins create success," said Izboinikov.

Lampe comes from a good wrestling pedigree, competing at a high level in USA Wrestling's age-group programs. She won Junior World bronze medals in both 2007 and 2008.

She became a legend in Wisconsin high school wrestling, when she qualified for the boys state high school finals in 2006. Competing for Tomahawk High School, Lampe was the state runner-up during her senior year. She was the first girl to reach the state finals, in Wisconsin which is a state respected for its quality wrestling programs. 

"I think it helped me deal with the pressure from a big tournament, a big crowd and all of the media pressure," said Lampe of her high school achievement.

The next step in her development came at the U.S. Olympic Education Program at Northern Michigan Univ., training with coaches Shannyn Gillespie and Tony DeAnda. Lampe's improvement was rapid there, which led to the next step in her career, the decision to move to Colorado and join the USOTC resident program there.

"I think I am more focused here," said Lampe of her USOTC experience. "A lot of it has to do with how it is set up. At Northern, it was more of a college setting. The workout partners are great here. Coaches Terry (Steiner) and Izzy (Izboinikov) have helped me a lot here."

Coach Steiner can see a difference in Lampe's approach so far this season.

"She doesn't say much. She goes in and works hard. There are no issues, and if there are, you don't hear about it. She is a product of her environment. The training center is helping her tremendously. There are talented athletes for her to train with," said Steiner.

Lampe has high goals for herself, but understands the hard work and improvement that she will need to become her best on the mat.

"I'd like to think I have good technique, with good doubles and singles I can hit on anybody in the world. My work ethic is really good. I can always work on my technique more, especially my par terre defense and par terre offense," said Lampe.

Beating the best wrestlers, not only in the United States but around the world, is a focus for both Lampe and her coaches.

"She is close. She needs more experience at a high level. She can beat people who are as good as she is, or even a little bit better. However, she needs to be able to beat people who are two or three steps ahead of her. She is transitioning from being a good wrestler to being someone who can beat the best international wrestlers," said Izboinikov.

Lampe points at her losses in recent international events against top stars like Oorzhak and Huynh as an example of how much she is learning.

"I wrestled the girl from Russia (Oorzhak) who was second in the world. The first time I wrestled her, it wasn't a close match. This time, I almost won a period. They are closer and closer matches," said Lampe.

Canada's Huynh, who competes and trains in the United States often, is another key opponent who has been a good measuring stick for Lampe.

"She teched me last year. I also wrestled her in Ukraine last year, and lost 1-0, 1-0. This year at the Schultz, we went to the clinch in the first period. I scored on her in the second period before she beat me late in the period. I keep getting better and better, improving against my opponents. Hopefully, the next time I will beat her," said Lampe.

Lampe has been very close to making a U.S. Senior World Team, placing second in both the 2008 and 2009 World Team Trials, where she lost to Clarissa Chun in two straight matches. Chun was a 2008 World champion and 2008 Olympian, and is also one of the most respected wrestlers in the world.

"It is good for me," said Lampe of her battles with Chun. "I know if I can beat her, I can medal at the Worlds. Competing against Chun is like competing against the best in the world."

Lampe says that her goal for this year is to win the World Team Trials, which might mean that she will have to defeat Chun in a pressure situation.

Coach Steiner thinks that if Lampe continues to improve that she has the potential to achieve her high goals.

"She is every bit as good as Chun if she believes in herself. If she could get past that, she could be on our World Team," said Steiner.