By Kelly Finn

According to USA Wrestling’s record book, the name Kristie Marano is the most decorated women’s wrestling name of all time. With nine World Championship medals — two gold, five silver and two bronze — the native of Albany, N.Y., is tied with Bruce Baumgartner for the most World medals won by an American wrestler.

            But who was the Kristie Davis fans saw wrestle at the 2010 World Team Trials, June 11, in Council Bluffs, Iowa?

            “I think of it as a secret identity,” said Davis. “That’s what people are saying.”

            Yes, this 31-year-old wrestler named Davis, is the same woman who once went by her maiden surname of Stenglein and later Marano at a time she also raised a daughter, Kayla, as a single mother while winning World championships in 2000 and 2003.

            But most thought she had retired after failing to earn a spot on the 2008 Olympic Team at 158 pounds.

            That was until the 2010 World Team Trials where she pinned all three foes in the Challenge Tournament before defeating U.S. Open champ Erin Clodgo in two straight matches of the Championship Series at 147.5 pounds.

            And like Cher — another legendary entertainer who is known more by her first name — the show goes on for Kristie.

            In winning her tenth World Team Trials, Davis was able to explain her recent history that saw her marry again (to Link Davis) in 2008, have another child — Lilly was born last June to go along with Kayla who is now 12 years old — and take a stab at coaching as an assistant Oklahoma City University.

             “I tried to go and coach and I felt like it wasn’t my time to coach yet,” said Davis, who also learned that she was too small to compete at 158 pounds.

            “I honestly felt smaller and not as comfortable as I used to be,” said Davis. “I’ve been working real hard since January. I’m down at Oklahoma City University and going to school where I work out with guys and girls. As far as my conditioning, it’s starting to come back.”

            When Davis made the decision to return to competing, the road back to the top was rocky. Her coaches chose to send her over to Europe to get back into the mindset of top-level wrestling.

            “I didn’t want this (World Team Trials) to be her first competition because when she steps on the mat in the U.S. she is expected to win,” said Davis’ coach Terry Steiner. “She had to get ready for the speed of the mat so we sent her overseas over the winter. We told her don’t let winning or losing over there make your decision. Just go wrestle and let it all come out.”

            The one thing Davis has yet to attain in the sport she has controlled for so long is a trip to the Olympics. In 2004, the first-ever Olympics for women’s wrestling, she failed to make weight at 138.75 pounds and lost in the 158.5 finals to Toccara Montgomery. In 2008, Kristie lost in the championship match of the Challenge Tournament.

            “Dreaming of the Olympics is something I started thinking about as a kid, when I competed in judo,” said Davis.

            Davis dominated Clodgo during the recent Trials, giving up only a reversal and push out during the entire Championship Series.

            “I keep wanting to be more active rather than just standing around,” said Davis about her wrestling domination. “I guarantee you that I get just as nervous as the first day I stepped on the mat. From my experiences, I know I don’t have to panic as much and wrestling is just six minutes.”

            Women’s wrestling is a sport that has changed dramatically since Davis earned her first World Team spot in 1996. There is a whole new generation of wrestlers coming into the spotlight, hoping to make half the mark Davis has made during her tenure. Davis is easily the oldest wrestler at 31 years old. But with age comes wisdom and leadership that only she can show her younger teammates.

            “She will be a real leader, which is something we haven’t had on this team. The medals speak for themselves,” said Steiner. “Any time you have a nine-time World medalist saying they’re not done with competing, you’ve got to be happy, especially someone like Kristie who has such a passion for it. She’s a team player.”

            With so many strong young wrestlers moving up the ranks, does Davis feel the time has come to leave her shoes in the center of the mat and continue her life with her ever-growing family?

            “I just need to go out when I feel like it’s time for me to go out. In that two-year break, I decided that I can’t wrestle my whole life,” said Davis. “I love competing and don’t think that ever left my system.”