So often athletes speak of giving that "little extra" to be the best. In the case of Stephanie Murata of the Sunkist Kids, it's about giving a lot extra and reaping the rewards of hard work and dedication.

As a seven-time national champion, this mild-mannered individual is a warrior at heart and looking to capture another title at the U.S. National Championships in Las Vegas, May 9-10 and then begin her journey to Athens in 2004.

As 2004 marks the first year for women's wrestling to be included in the Olympics, Murata bubbled with excitement as she spoke of the possibility of competing in Athens.

"It's very exciting," said Murata speaking of the inclusion of women's wrestling in the Olympics. "It has increased the intensity of our sport ten-fold. It has brought a lot more girls to wrestling who otherwise may not have considered it. The possibility of going to the Olympics has allowed us to set higher goals and, as a result, everyone is more dedicated," she added.

Murata is proud to be a pioneer for women's wrestling in the Olympic movement. She is one of the few current athletes that were a part of building today's national women's wrestling program. The benefits from her involvement will be enjoyed by the young athletes coming on the scene now and in the future.

"There's always only one first," she said. "A lot of what we're doing now is setting precedence for girls in the future. Hopefully we're setting the bar high because we want to make an impression on the world," she added.

The sport rose to another level in August of 2000 when the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colo. made its facilities available to women wrestlers through the U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete program. National Women's Coach Terry Steiner provides direction for these young athletes as they pursue Olympic dreams.

"Being at the training center, you see Olympians every day. They are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I have to believe I can be there. It's hard to not be excited to have that opportunity," said Murata.

There are a few steps Murata must take before she can realize her dream of being an Olympian. This weekend, for instance, she will be competing for her eighth straight national title at the U.S. Wrestling National Championships.

"My long term goal is to make it to the Olympics and do well. Every competition is a stepping stone leading up to that. I have to focus on one competition at a time and hope I can make everything fall into place," Murata said. "The bottom line is I have to wrestle the best I can and hope I come out on top," she added.

With U.S. Nationals swiftly approaching, Murata has really focused on this specific competition for the last month. She doesn't look at this tournament as being easy, even though she has won it seven times before.

"Another win won't be any less sweet than the first seven. Any time you put so much of yourself into something, it feels good to win. And it doesn't hurt any less to lose," she said.

Murata will have to be at her best to win another U.S. Nationals title at 121 pounds. World silver medalist Tina George of the U.S. Army is expected to be there, and it was George who beat Murata in last year's World Team Trials. Fellow USOTC resident athletes Marcie Van Dusen and Tela O'Donnell are also expected to be strong opponents.

As she physically prepares for Nationals and the big competitions leading up to World Championships, Murata must also stay on top of her mental game.

"The actual wrestling is physically taxing, but you have to get over being tired and sore and wrestle anyway," she said.

Murata must also weigh the benefits of wrestling against the sacrifices she makes to get where she is going.

"I am at a point in my life where typically I should have a career, a home, maybe a family. And I've postponed those because I really feel going to the Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have to believe I'll have time later for everything else," she said.

It is the challenge that keeps Murata doing what she does. She thrives on setting goals and turning them into success. She has made a personal commitment to the sport of wrestling and refuses to give up on it, or herself.

"A friend of mine once told me it's an opportunity to explore the outer limits of your potential on a daily basis," she said.

As Murata explores these outer limits, the world will be watching to see if she can discover an Olympian.