One. More. Win.

That’s the best way to sum up what the United States needed to do at the 2003 Women’s Freestyle World Championships held in New York City on September 12-14. 

On paper, the United States and Japan were tied with 62 points apiece. The powerful U.S. squad earned seven medals out of seven contested weights. However, Japan held a 4-1 edge in gold medals, which was enough for the criteria win. 

An additional win by the United States or an additional loss by Japan would have been enough to tip the scales in favor of the home country. 

“It was a bit of a disappointment for sure,” Jenny Wong, a bronze medalist at 51 kg, said. “On one hand, we medaled in seven of seven weight classes, which had never been done. But on the other hand, having been so close to winning the team title in front of our fans in New York City was tough. 

“But we really didn’t have time to sit and dote on ‘what if this, what if that?’ We had a very short turnaround before it was time to go over to their country for the World Cup. There was still work to do.” 

This was the second World Championships for rookie head coach Terry Steiner who was hired to lead the women's national team in 2002. The World Championships were scheduled for New York City in 2001 but were postponed because of 9/11. 

Steiner predicted that the team could medal at every weight during a “New York Times” article that ran during the event. His prophetic words came true. All seven members of the U.S. team placed in the top three when United World Wrestling (formerly FILA) awarded one bronze medal.

Patricia Miranda (silver at 48 kg), Jenny Wong (bronze at 51 kg), Tina George (silver at 55 kg), Sally Roberts (bronze at 59 kg), Sara McMann (silver at 63 kg), Kristie Davis (gold at 67 kg), and Toccara Montgomery (silver at 73 kg) were part of a historic squad. 

The ‘Magnificent Seven’ remains the only U.S. World team — in any style — to medal at every weight. 

“I saw that team come together,” Steiner said. “That group really valued each other and they pushed each other forward. You could have left the coach out of it. You put them in a room by themselves and they would have figured that out. They came together and they had a lot of power and strength from each other. 

“You don’t know how they’re going to do or how they’re going to perform but I knew we were ready to have a great performance. It sure gelled in Madison Square Garden in 2003 and they had an outstanding performance.”

Team USA didn’t have to wait long to exact revenge. Japan hosted the World Cup on October 11 when the United States met the host country in the finals. Each team notched three wins before Montgomery scored a dramatic win in the final match over the same opponent who defeated her at the World Championships a month prior. 

“They took the World title away from us while we were at home,” Montgomery said. “It was only fair we returned the favor on their home turf a couple of weeks later.”

Toccara Montgomery clinched the dramatic win for the United States at the 2003 World Cup

The United States defeated Japan at the 2003 World Cup

"This is the happiest I've ever seen Terry Steiner," Jenny Wong said.

Victory for the United States at the 2003 World Cup