Sara Hilliard, a former Free State High wrestler and 2005 graduate, has qualified to compete in the U.S. Olympic trials.

Hilliard was the first wrestler from Lawrence to earn a college scholarship and is currently a member of the Oklahoma City University wrestling team. Hilliard has been a leader for the OCU Stars, helping to kickstart OCU’s first-year women’s wrestling program as one of four girls from the university to qualify for the Olympic trials.

Hilliard took fourth place at the U.S. Women’s College Nationals and second at the USA Senior Men and Women Wrestling Championships on April 24 in Las Vegas to earn her chance to try for Olympic glory. The Olympic trials will take place today through Sunday in Las Vegas.

“It’s her first chance at the Olympic trials, which I think is just such a big opportunity,” said Archie Randall, men’s and women’s wrestling coach at OCU. “It’s the highest place she’s ever got to, so she’s just in a good position right now.”

With her second-place finish in Las Vegas, Hilliard earned a sixth seed for the Olympic trials. Hilliard will face third seed and nine-time world medalist Kristie Marano from Colorado Springs, Colo.

“We wish we had a better draw, but that’s just the way it worked out,” Randall said. “She’s got just as much a chance as anybody else. She’s just got to wrestle as best she can.”

Randall said Hilliard had been training steadily since August.

“The girls call it the never-ending season because we include both the college and Olympic seasons,” he said. “I think the hard work has paid off though. … She’s had major improvements, even in the last month or so.”

Despite months of physical preparation, Randall believes the key to Hilliard’s success in the Olympic trials will be her mental preparation.

“It’s all about how confident she feels,” he said. “The more confident she’s getting, the better she’s getting.”

Randall believes Hillard’s biggest challenge will be having to adjust to a new division.

“She wasn’t in an Olympic trial weight class, so she had to go down a weight class,” he said. “It’s been tough, but right now she’s within three pounds. She’ll get there.”

Randall also mentioned the external pressures of competing on a grander stage.

“She’s going to have to wrestle in front of a huge crowd,” he said. “Tons of people will be watching.”

Even with the challenges ahead, simply making the Olympic trials is an accomplishment in itself.

“It is not an easy deal,” Randall said. “And to be in the top six, that’s just so impressive.”