August 2004 should be a historic month for sports with the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece taking center stage. It will be a highly anticipated and publicized for women's wrestling and its athletes. Women's freestyle wrestling is the only new addition to the Games and its athletes will be making history.

One woman who wants to be making history is Sara McMann of the Sunkist Kids. She has been the Women's U.S. National Team for five years and has been ranked No. 1 in her weight class of 63 kg/138.75 lbs. for four of those years. In international competition, she has beaten most of the top world athletes, and most recently won a World silver medal.

On Saturday, January 24, Sara McMann claimed the individual gold medal at 63 kg at the Olympic Testing Event in Athens, Greece. Her competition was tough, but McMann was totally in command winning four matches by technical fall and one by fall. In the semifinals, she defeated Aurora Fajardo of Spain by a 12-2 margin. In the gold-medal finals, McMann dominated Alena Kartashova of Russia, 12-1.

Her dominance of many of her opponents in her weight class comes from them being unable handle McMann's strength. Her gut wrench is her most valuable move and has been proven unstoppable.

"European girls are afraid of her, afraid of her physical strength," said Terry Steiner, USA Wrestling's National Women's Coach. "Once she grabs them, they feel her strength and tend to clam up."

This physical strength paired with her mental toughness has enabled McMann to control her opponents on the mat. She is analytical with her preparation.

"What sets me apart is my focus on the technical aspect rather than the physical aspect. I analyze everything and always find ways to improve," said McMann.

"She focuses on every moment of the match and knows what she wants," said Stenier.

McMann, however, is still young and knows she can still improve. She has learned a lot since she started wrestling at age 15, but understands the key to success is to never stop learning.

"Things are coming together and I am maturing as an athlete. Training is the same as always, I am doing the same shots and turns. Terry is really helping me improve on the little things with in my moves," said McMann.

Between watching hours of tape, practicing, and tweaking moves,  McMann is preparing herself for a very challenging test right here on U.S. soil.

"Some of my toughest competition is right here in the States. I train with them everyday, but it makes me a better wrestler. I know if I can win the trials, I will be ready to take on anyone in the world," said McMann.

In the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis, May 21-23, McMann must beat some tough U.S. competitors on her road to Olympic glory. In particular, Kristie Marano the No. 2 ranked U.S. National Team member at 63 kg/138.75 lbs., who is also a two-time World Champion and seven-time World medalist. Marano may just be McMann's toughest competition.

"Kristie is tough, you can never count her out because she will find a way to win," said McMann.

However, both realize that who ever wins the Olympic Trials, will be best suited for the competition and to make a run at the medal stand.

Even though McMann has her work cut out for her, she is very confident in her pursuit. This confidence has always played a role in how she displays herself on the mat.

"Sara is a very confident person," said Steiner."She believes in herself and knows when she steps onto the mat that she should win."

From the time she was young, confidence has always come naturally for McMann. She has her parents to thank for much of this.

"My parents taught me since I was young to believe in myself," said McMann.

When she first started wrestling competitively in high school McMann was the first female wrestler in the state of North Carolina. She always believed she was just as good as the boys.

"I had heart, determination, and pure love for the sport. I think if I would not be wrestling today if it weren't for that," said McMann.

Looking back on that experience she realizes that it has only made her a stronger competitor and a stronger person. Thus, because of her past accomplishments, McMann knows that excellence should be expected of her.

"I can only do the best I can with what I have," said McMann. "I don't aknowledge pressure because it will only hurt me. In day to day activities, I don't focus on the long term goal of winning an Olympic gold, rather I focus on the little things that I can tweak and improve on."

Sara McMann is on a path that could lead her to be the first Olympic Champion of all time in women's freestyle wrestling at the 63 kg/138.5 lbs. weight class. She is ready to step onto the mat and take on any opponent she may face. This woman is dangerous and determined to win.

"If she is on top and gets a girl in a gut wrench," says Coach Steiner, "she is unstoppable."

When McMann is unstoppable, history can be made.