Walking into the wrestling room at the U.S. Olympic Training Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo., visitors watch in awe at what the women wrestlers are working towards accomplishing. One can sense there is no fear among these women, and hard work and determination are the keys to their success. With only four weight classes used in Women's freestyle wrestling at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, rather than seven at the World Championships, many women face a delimma. The four weight classes are separated by 20lbs. Some women must step on to the scale and decide whether or not to move up or down a weight class to fulfill their Olympic pursuit. Five prominent women stars have decided to either to move up or down a weight class; Jenny Wong of the Sunkist Kids, Sally Roberts of the Gator Wrestling Club, Kristie Marano of the NYAC, Katie Kunimoto of the Gator Wrestling Club, and Katie Downing of the Sunkist Kids. Women who are moving up are Wong, moving up from 51 to 55 kg, and Downing is moving up from 67 to 72 kg. Those who are dropping include Marano, from 67 to 63 kg, and Kunimoto from 51 to 48 kg. Roberts has yet to decide whether or not to move up or drop a weight class. "I could go either way," said Roberts. "With good work and diet I am just going to see how my body feels and when the time comes, I will decide." Whether or not they choose to move up or down a weight class, all the women are staying healthy and have made sure that before the decision was reached it was a realistic goal that could be accomplished. The decision making process was based on how each individual's body felt and being able to stay healthy. Their one goal in mind is to be the best they can be. For example, Marano has dropped a weight class from the Worlds, but has wrestled at it for two years. She is very comfortable remaining at 63 kg. Wong is moving up a weight class but is finding it hard to gain weight. "My body wants to maintain its current weight so instead of doing a lot of cardio, I lift four days a week instead of two to gain more muscle mass," said Wong. "Thus, I am focusing on increasing my strength instead of weight. I am sure with the lifting I am doing I will be at my desired weight." Kunimoto, who is moving down a weight class, knew it was a realistic goal for her. "It was never a decision to move up or down. I always knew I would go down. I feel really good," said Kunimoto. "I have been working with Patrick, our strength coach, to gain strength while staying trim. Also I work with the nutritionist to make sure my diet is appropriate and I am getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals." With only four weight classes to wrestle, it should be an amazing test of America's finest women wrestlers. All four weight classes will be very deep in competition. It should be an intense battle at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling in Indianapolis, Ind., May 21-23. "The competition, as a result of the four weight classes, is good for the sport. It pushes all of us to work that much harder in practice and to compete with each other," said Kunimoto. Wong, who is ranked currently No. 1 at 51 kg expressed her excitement of how competitive things will be, "There is so much talent at 55 kg. From top to bottom, the weight class is stacked with World medalists," expressed Wong. Potentially there are four world medalists at this weight class including Wong, who is a World Bronze medalist at 51 kg, Tina George, who is the World Silver medalist at 55 kg, and Stephanie Murata also won a World Silver medal at 51 kg. If Sally Roberts decides to drop to 55 kg she is also a World Bronze medalist at 59 kg. Also, Tela O'Donnell, the 2003 U.S. Nationals champion, is a contender at this weight class. Many of the worlds top women are dropping or moving up a weight class as well, so therefore there will be new competition internationally all around. Kristie Marano is familiar with the international competition at 63 kg and feels good about it because she has been wrestling at it for two years now. On the other hand, Kunimoto has been to few international competitions but remains positive about wrestling new opponents. "It can only make me a better wrestler," said Kunimoto. "The competition in the States is always good, but it will be good for me to go overseas to get the international experience necessary." Wong also looks at the new international competition coming with moving up a weight class optimistically. "I look at it in a positive light. There is a whole new set of competitors out there that I can learn from, gain experience, and figure out," said Wong. Confidence with changing weight classes is not an issue for many of these girls. They are the first women wrestlers with a chance to qualify for the OIympic Games, thus they are setting the benchmark for success. If anything, the pressure will be more intense come the next Olympics in 2008. By working daily with top competition, their own U.S. training partners, each athlete is confident they can compete with any opponent they come across. "Confidence is not going to matter," said Roberts. "Everything on the mat stays on the mat the moment you step on and the moment you step off." Being able to leave everything on the mat is why all the women are good friends off the mat. They go hard in practice for themselves, to get better. Each one knows that when it comes to competition, the friendship is taken out of the mix in order to stay competitive and win. Fans can witness the intense competition and rivalries between these fearless women and watch the race for the four spots on the Olympic team unfold. No one is sure who the four women will be on the first ever U.S. Women's freestyle wrestling team. However, when it is all said and done, the U.S. will have a strong and talented Women's freestyle team representing this country. ________________________________________________________________________________ The U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling are May 21-23 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Tickets and hotel accommodations are available. Visit www.trials2004.com for more information.