The greatest women's wrestler in the world is in Fargo, N.D. this weekend at the ASICS-Vaughan Junior and Cadet Nationals. She's not here as a coach, or as a spectator. In fact, she will be out on the mats for the rest of the week. Toccara Montgomery is here as one of the hundreds of volunteer officials who are working the tournament. Toccara Montgomery is wearing "the whites" as a mat official. Most athletes wait until their careers are over before they get involved in wrestling as an official or a coach. Montgomery, who just completed her freshman year at Cumberland College, however, is really just getting her competitive career going. She won a silver medal at the 2001 World Championships, and has qualified to compete at the 2002 World Championships in Greece in November. Last year, Montgomery became the first U.S. wrestler named as the International Women's Wrestler of the Year by FILA. "We have an active world class athlete, who is training for the World Championships, and she is taking time of from her training to keep her officiating responsibilities and attend this tournament," said Rick Tucci, president of the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association. "It shows that she is an all-around person. She's FILA's Women's Wrestler of the Year, and is a darn good official., too." Montgomery has been an official for almost two years, working many kids tournaments in the past. However, this year, she received her national officials certification, and became eligible to work the big national events. "I enjoy being a referee," said Montgomery. "It helps my wrestling. You can look at things two ways. You know what you are looking for as an athlete, and you also know what the referees are looking for. You can see things from both sides. It's very helpful." Earlier this year, Montgomery entered the FILA Junior National Championships in Tennessee, and won her weight class uncontested. Instead of putting on a singlet, she switched to the referee's uniform, and worked the rest of the tournament. "I got one exhibition match to wrestle, then I reffed the rest of the day," she said. When Montgomery is competing at a major event, all the eyes are on her. However, the job of a referee is not to be the center of attention, just to make the right calls and make sure the bouts are fair. This is especially true at the Junior and Cadet Nationals, which features 23 mats on the floor of an indoor football stadium, with over 3,500 participants. Unless you knew in advance that she was officiating, you really wouldn't know she was here. Montgomery was with the team of officials working on Mat 14, and will help officiate literally hundreds of bouts before the week has ended. Montgomery had never been to the Cadet/Junior Nationals, and was amazed by the size of the event. "I came out and said, 'Wow! Look at all the mats," said Montgomery. "Sometimes, I get more nervous being a referee than when I wrestle my own matches." On Friday, the first Junior Nationals for girls will be held. Had the girls event been held last year, Montgomery would have been competing as a graduating high school senior. This year, she may be officiating girls matches, which could include some athletes she has competed against and trained with. "It's a huge step to help girls wrestling grow in the United States," said Montgomery. "It was a good move. " Montgomery has been training at home in Cleveland, Ohio, and at a number of summer wrestling camps where she has worked. Her focus is now on the World Championships, which will be in Greece in November. "I took a few weeks off to keep my mind from exploding," said Montgomery. "I'm getting ready. I definitely want to win the Worlds this year. That is my goal this year." Most college kids take their summer off, work a job and take a rest, getting ready for the next school year. Montgomery spent her summer winning the World Team Trials, working as a clinician at a number of summer wrestling camps, and now working in Fargo as a mat referee. "I enjoy doing this," she said. "It's not like I am not enjoying my summer. This is fun."