Sandwiched around that is the Cornell junior's quest to remain unbeaten for a second straight year in a higher weight class, winning another national title, and the 2004 Olympic Trials.

"My break is not even a quarter of what most kids get because of wrestling," Lee said. "But I'm the type of person who doesn't like to sit around."

Lee, a 2001 Saint Louis graduate from Liliha, became the first wrestler from Hawai'i to win an NCAA Championship when he beat then-No. 1 Chris Fleeger of Purdue, 6-4, in the 125-pound weight class last March.

He went 34-0 and was named the Ivy League Wrestler of the Year.

This season, he moved up to 133 pounds, where he is the top-ranked wrestler.

"I actually don't pay attention to rankings," Lee said. "I've seen the top-ranked people lose in the first round of nationals. It helps to a certain extent, but when it comes to the end of the year, the level of college wrestling is so high among the top 15 it doesn't really matter."

Lee, whose non-training weight is 148 pounds, decided to move up a weight class "primarily because I was starting to get hurt and my body was breaking down because I was losing too much weight.

"I still have to lose weight, but it isn't nearly as bad. It is a lower percentage of your body weight to lose. I feel better, I don't feel as tired or drained from losing the weight."

TRAVIS LEE

Koll said that it was a combination of Lee's work ethic and physical gifts that factors into his success.

"Some kids want to work hard, but their bodies won't let them do it. Travis will be absolutely past the point of being exhausted and five minutes later he'll be ready to go again."

Lee earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors at the Mat Town Invitational on Nov. 29 when he defeated then-No. 2 Josh Moore of Penn State, 11-9.

He is 4-0 this year, winning all four matches at the Mat Town.

"I haven't wrestled at 133 for that long, and I didn't have an idea what the competition was like against the top wrestlers.

"It lets me gauge what I will be going up against, and it gives me confidence."

At his now-vacated 125-pound weight class, two of the better wrestlers, Fleeger and Michigan State's Nick Simmons, are redshirting to train for the Olympics.

Cornell's Travis Lee, top, went 34-0 last season, including this victory over a wrestler from Ohio State. Cornell University photo

"I didn't want to take a year off from school. It helps that I'll be in good condition and good shape, but Olympic style is completely different," Lee said.

Lee is majoring in biological engineering, which he says is studying "microorganisms to grow stuff."

Koll looks at Lee's major differently.

"It is one of the most demanding majors at one of the most demanding universities," Koll said, noting that Lee also manages work studies and time for extra training.

Lee's normal daily schedule includes morning workouts, class for 3› hours, almost three hours of practice, weightlifting and studying, which goes past midnight on occasion. He also puts in eight hours of work study a week.

If there is one challenge to maintaining his top-ranked status, it is his weakness for local foods.

"I miss home cooking and all the local food at home," Lee said, "but I kind of have to stay away from that because of my weight."

Lee's name and reputation have helped put Cornell in the spotlight. W.I.N. Magazine featured Lee in its Oct. 31 issue.

"He gets more press than George Bush," Koll said. "It's pretty neat. He's done more for Cornell wrestling than any one person in the history of the program."