Time is ticking down for Tina George to make her Olympic dream a reality. Tina is preparing to fight a battle she never has before, not even as a solider in the U.S. Army. She will be fighting for a spot on the first ever women's wrestling Olympic team for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Tina George, above all, is a solider in the U.S. Army and a part of the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). Along with being an accomplished wrestler, Tina has won the World Team Trials at her weight class for six straight years, she serves her country, and is ready to defend it should it become necessary.

It is fitting that the motto of the World Class Athlete Program is "soldier first." Once the Olympics are over, there is a chance Tina could be sent overseas.

Tina has been involved with the WCAP for three years. According to Shon Lewis, head coach of the U.S. Army team, Tina has been one of the most consistent wrestlers in the program.

Tina is a two-time World silver medalist (2002-03), and a two-time U.S. Nationals champion (2002, 2004). Also in 2002, she was named the U.S. Army's Female Athlete of the Year. Lewis attributes much of Tina's consistency and success to that of the Army's individualized attention on their soldier/athletes and their excellent training partners.

"Training at Ft. Carson allows me to have my own coaches and training partners that have a vested interest in me doing well, making sure I have the best possible training situation to put me on the Olympic team and win an Olympic gold medal," explained Tina.

Lewis, who is also a 2004 U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman Coach, enjoys coaching Tina and encourages her to develop her own style.

"Lots of previous coaches have tried to change her style before she came the Army, but I let Tina wrestle like Tina," said Lewis.

Tina's life revolves around her training, leaving her little free time for other things. Her training regime includes up to six hours per day in three different training sessions in two different environments. She has one more training session, at least twice a week, than most of her opponents at her weight class.

A typical day for Tina starts out at 5:00 a.m. and ends around 10:00 p.m. All of her training sessions include time at both Ft. Carson and the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Monday and Friday are her three-session training days. Tuesday thru Thursday and Saturday are usually two-session training days.

When she is working out at Ft. Carson her training partner is often Jason Loukides, another member of the WCAP, who is a Greco-Roman wrestler at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Primarily they work on technique, due to Loukides out-weighing her by 80 lbs.

"It is better to work with him even though he is bigger because he knows what positions I need to be in and has good control over his body," explained Tina. "He is a good partner because he understood I don't wrestle like most females and he was able to put together a technique that fits with my natural abilities."

Tina is also a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs with many of her other opponents at 55 kg. She gets the best of both worlds, while training both at Ft. Carson and at the U.S. Olympic Training Center working with both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers.

While working out at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Tina is able to train with women at or near her weight.

With only four of the seven FILA weight classes being used in the Olympic games, it has caused many women to move to an Olympic weight class. Many women are moving to the 55 kg weight class to try to beat her. At first, Tina said she took it as an insult, but now sees it as merely motivation to prove to them they made a wrong decision.

"I plan to completely separate myself from the other women by taking my wrestling to another level with constant improvement and intense training," said Tina.

"People see opportunities when they watch her wrestle," explained Lewis. "But when they are on the mat wrestling her, it is a different story."

There is a lot of talent at the 55 kg weight class. From top to bottom, it is stacked with World medalists. Including George, there is potential to have three world medalists in this weight class that will give Tina some stiff competition.

Those who moved to this weight class this season are 2001 World silver medalist Stephanie Murata and 2003 World bronze medalist Jenny Wong. Wong won her medal at 51 kg. This does not count out Tela O'Donnell, a 2003 U.S. Nationals champion, and Marcie Van Dusen who are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively at 55 kg.

"I think whomever makes it out of the Challenge Tournament will be a legit competitor," said Tina. "The weight class has so many good girls with such completely different techniques that I have to remain ready for all of them."

With all the talent in this weight class, Tina, the 2004 U.S. Nationals champion, will have her work cut out for her come the Championship Series, May 23.

"Tina does not fear nor duck any of her opponents," said Lewis. "She must bring her 'A-game' at Olympic Trials and stay focused from start to finish in order to win the Championship Series. When she wrestles like Tina George, she can't be beat."

Tina George is a fearless competitor and is up to any challenge she may face. After all she got her start in wrestling at 17 years old when another student in school told her it the toughest sport in school. Naturally, she had to see for herself.    _______________________________________________________________________________  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.