The dominant athlete in recent years has been two-time World silver medalist Patricia Miranda, who was defeated in the World finals in New York City by three-time World champion Irini Melnik of Ukraine. Miranda has beaten most of the top women at this division across the world, and has won major events such as the World Cup and the Pan American Games. She has also been gaining a ton of national attention heading into the Olympic Trials process. Among her wins have been over 2002 World champion Brigitte Wagner of Germany and Canada's top star Lindsay Belisle, both at the Dave Schultz Memorial. She has also dominated her American opponents recently, usually by pin or technical fall.     Nobody wrestles as many matches as Miranda, who has been travelling the world for major tournaments all year long. Some question whether this heavy competition schedule might tire her or take away her edge. She has lost a few bouts overseas recently. However, Miranda, who plans to go to law school once the Olympic year is over, is on a personal quest and has a limited time schedule. She is trying to make the most of the time she has.     No. 2 Clarissa Chun has been right behind Miranda in most of the major U.S. events. Chun has a strong background on the age-group levels, and represented the USA at the 2000 World Championships. Like Miranda, she trains full time at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. She is beating all of the other Americans at this division regularly. Her challenge is to keep that edge, and then figure out how to stop Miranda. Chun will have to be at her absolute best if she expects to move into the top spot here.    Perhaps dropping down from 51 kg are 2003 U.S. Nationals champion Malinda Ripley, as well as past Team USA member Katie Kunimoto. At the lower division, these two athletes could do some serious damage, with hopes of challenging Miranda. Kunimoto has already been down at this weight class for three events. She has lost to Miranda and Chun already this season. Ripley has not been to this division yet, and actually moved up to 55 kg to win the University Nationals. Until Ripley takes the weight off, it is unclear how well she will do at this division.    Reportedly coming out of retirement is 1995 World bronze medalist Vickie Zummo, a tremendous talent when she was in high school. Zummo did some training time at the Olympic Training Center. If she does return, she will bring experience and skill to this division. However, after many years off the mat, it will be hard to expect too much in her first tournament if she enters in Las Vegas.    No. 3 Mary Kelly has won World medals on the Cadet and Junior levels, and has been consistently ahead of many of the other younger challengers. For Kelly to earn a shot at the title, she will have to learn to beat Chun, something she has not been able to do. Kelly is in her second year in college, and has dominated the competition at that level. She moved up to 112.25 pounds to capture the University Nationals title and an automatic spot at the Olympic Trials. People are wondering if Kelly is ready to make a move for the top yet, or if she will remain in the bronze-medal round at U.S. Nationals.    College freshman Sara Fulp-Allen has been competing on the national level since high school, and has had a strong season this year. She lost in the finals at the University Nationals to Chun by a 7-2 margin, meaning she still has a way to go there. She has a height advantage over many opponents, and a style that makes her hard to wrestle.     Katrina Betts is a veteran with experience and some dangerous throws. She has not had any strong performances lately, missing a medal at the Sunkist Kids International and the University Nationals. An athlete who has shown good performances lately is Laura Felix, who beat Betts at the University Nationals. She is still young and learning, so her performance under the pressure in Las Vegas is hard to predict.    Liz Short has done well in the age-group programs, competing on U.S. teams in international competition. She has not been active this year in comparison to other seasons, so it will be interesting to see how sharp she is for U.S. Nationals. Julie Gonzalez has been on the national scene many years and remains a serious threat. Although she is losing to some of the younger athletes at times, Gonzalez has the skill and experience to win against good wrestlers. She has also been known to wrestle well in Las Vegas in previous seasons.    Collegians Kristin Fujioka and Amantha Hordagoda are also contenders. Both have the capability to place at this division and earn a spot at the Olympic Team Trials. Hoever, both also have trouble beating the top name wrestlers higher in the rankings. Gina Heinzelmann and Hana Askren have shown promise. Heinzelmann has not wrestled yet this year, so it is tough to expect much from her if she shows up in Las Vegas. Askren has attended college in Canada, and wrestled on the Canadian circuit, but still seeks a win against one of the big name Americans.     This is a division where high school athletes often crack through for All-American status. One expected to be capable of that is Caitlyn Chase of Illinois, who has been outstanding on the age-group level and has trained some in Colorado Springs. Chase is already in the Olympic Team Trials field through one of the Regional events.     This is Miranda's division right now. Nobody in the U.S. has yet given her a very close match, or given her any doubt in her mind. Her work ethic gives a pretty strong guarantee that she will be in shape and ready for Las Vegas. Chun is talented and the best hope to stop the Miranda train, but will need a big step up. What could make this year interesting is if any of the 51 kg wrestlers move down and make an impact or if Vickie Zummo is truly back in the race. It is always fun to see the young talent in this division, and this year should be no exception.    THEMAT.COM RANKINGS FOR APRIL 2004  48 kg (105.5 lbs.)  in women's wrestling  1. Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)  2. Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)  3. Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (New York AC)  4. Katie Kunimoto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)  5. Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)  6. Katrina Betts, Milan, Mich. (unattached)  7. Hana Askren, Los Angeles, Calif. (Santa Monica WC)  8. Liz Short, Lombard, Ill. (unattached)  9. Julie Gonzalez, Vallejo, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC)  10. Caitlyn Chase, Hanover Park, Ill. (unattached)    ATHLETES ALREADY QUALIFIED FOR THE OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS AT 48 KG  University Nationals Champion  - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)  West Regional Trials Champion - Caitlyn Chase, Hanover Park, Ill.    ATHLETES ALREADY QUALIFIED FOR THE OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS  AT 51 KG (NON-OLYMPIC WEIGHT)  University Nationals Champion  - Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (New York AC)