Nobody in women's wrestling has been as busy competing this season as Patricia Miranda of the Dave Schultz WC, the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 105.5 pounds.

Ever since she graduated from Stanford Univ. last spring, then joined the U.S. Olympic Training Center resident program, Miranda has been competing as much as she can, all over the world. She is looking to put the lessons learned from this very active year of competition into her wrestling this weekend at the U.S. National Championships.

She has been very successful, beating the reigning World Champion from Germany twice, stopping a three-time World Champion from Japan, and defeating a number of other top international stars. Now she must battle to retain her No. 1 position within the United States.

"I feel like I've had a lot of opportunities," said Miranda. "It's like, Wow, I get to wrestle this much! I consider it a gift."

Miranda does not mind putting her reputation on the line, and letting other opponents get a chance to compete with her often. She believes that this will ultimately make her a better wrestler, and help her reach her goal of winning an Olympic medal.

"This is my chance to put myself out there,"said Miranda. "I'm not protecting anything. I realize that I haven't yet reached what I need, so I put it out there whenever it can. I trust my coach Terry Steiner. I have jumped in full bore."

This competition give Miranda a chance to see how far she has progressed since last year, when she fell short of her goals and did not win a medal at the World Championships.

"I am excited to use the new things I have learned in competition," said Miranda. "It has showed me the kinks in my armor. I have developed a new game plan. There is a lot in there for me to use."

Miranda likes to put herself in the position as an underdog, which is hard for her to do now that she has been No. 1 for a full season and has done so well overseas.

"I like to feel like I am an underdog," said Miranda. "I am working to inspire myself. That is not based upon outcome. You can measure how much heart you have in a match. I know when I watch a match if it's inspirational to me. You have to have the right balance - not protecting things but not being too assertive. You have to put your heart into every match. Until you do that all of the time, you really have nothing to protect."

She is trying not to be overconfident coming into this tournament.

"I feel I have to be at the top of my game here," she said. "I never underestimate my opponents. If anything, I overestimate things. I want it to be a challenge. It's a chance to explore the outer limits of my potential."