Sara McMann is ready to make the next step. She has been on the last two World Teams, but is yet to win a World medal.

McMann has nearly dominated her U.S. competition over the past three years, winning a national title every year since 2000. She has also captured three University Nationals titles in that time period.

TheMat.com spoke with McMann about her training and what she has done to take that next step.

TheMat.com:  You have competed in two World Championships and not yet won a medal.  What have you done to improve and take the next step at that level?

McMann:  The past two years I have kind of gone out there really excited and worked up.  I just had so much adrenaline that I did too much.  Like I was stuck in quicksand, it seemed the more I fought, the more I tried, the harder I went, the worse it got for me.  In talking with different sports psychologists, I have learned to find different things to focus on that are in my zone - where I wrestle best.  I have been working everyday at practice on trying to get to that zone so that I will be able to recreate that state of mind when I am at the World Team Trials and hopefully the World Championships.

TheMat.com:  How has training with the Lock Haven's men's team helped you in your development as a wrestler?

McMann:  I think it has been one of the most significant changes I have ever gone through.  Along with the rise in expectations I am surrounded by people everyday who are completely focused on technique and winning.  All of the guys and coaches are completely dedicated and have pushed me to become a better wrestler. Not only that but the wrestling community at Lock Haven is like a family.  The president of the University, the alumni, and the boosters are really supportive.  All of it has really helped boost my confidence.

TheMat.com:  You are competing at an Olympic weight class, and a number of athletes have moved into your class to challenge you.  How tough is your division now, and what are you doing to keep the edge on the opponents?

McMann:  I think my division has gotten a lot tougher.  There are some girls that are coming up in my weight class, working harder and really coming after me.  Kristie Stenglein has dropped down from 149 and is a really tough wrestler.  Everyday I try to prepare for my best opponent.  I am not only training to beat the best in the World, or even the best in the U.S., but the female wrestlers of the future.   Rather than completely focusing on my opponents, most of the time I think about just competing within myself.  Getting that shot a little bit quicker, getting my gut wrench a little tighter, driving a little harder so that I can be my personal best.

TheMat.com:  Who have been the biggest influences in your career?

McMann:  I think the biggest influence in my life has been God.  Since I have become a Christian, a lot of things in wrestling and in my life have really opened up.  Also, my family and network of friends who supported and cared for me even before I became successful in wrestling.

TheMat.com:  What do you consider are some of your wrestling strengths and weaknesses?

McMann:  I think one of my strengths is my attention for detail.  When I learn a move, I learn it thoroughly so that I can hit it in a match exactly the way it is supposed to be hit.  One of the hardest things for me that I am working to overcome, though, is the fact that I have a lot of energy.  International competition is actually a lot more laid back.  I need to work more off of my opponents' mistakes because most of the time my defense can score a lot more than my offense.

TheMat.com:  As the World Team Trials are drawing near, what is your daily training schedule like?

McMann:  Usually we have a morning practice where we go over technique and do individual drilling.  We can utilize all of the coaches that are there  and they help us work on various things that we want to improve.  Twice a week we also have morning lifting sessions.  In the afternoons we come in and do some live drills and hard conditioning.  As we get closer to the Trials, the practices have been shorter but more intense.

TheMat.com:  What do you believe has been the most satisfying or significant win in your wrestling career?

McMann:  Earlier this year I won the Klippan Lady's Open by pinning an opponent who had beaten me in a previous year.  But I think it was even more gratifying in the semi-final round when I was down 7-1 and ended up pinning my opponent with very little time left.  It wasn't my prettiest match by far, but to come back from such a large deficit against a girl who was third in the World was a significant gain for me.