She is watching the U.S. national karate team practice at her Okaigan Dojo school in Saratoga before they head to the Titan Games, a U.S. Olympics Committee­sponsored mixed martial arts competition featuring seven countries' top combat athletes.

San Jose was the site selected for the Titan Games this year, providing the perfect opportunity for Crawford to host the team, given her proximity to the event site.

"I am thrilled to have them here," she says of the 10-person team. "It's really neat. They are the best of the best. Just watching them train is exciting."

In addition to hosting the team, Crawford was selected to be a scorekeeper at the games. Although a regular USA National Karate-do Federation referee, Crawford says she is still "just a baby in the referee world." Thus, for an international competition such as the Titan Games, she keeps score.

The U.S. team is comprised of a select group of seven men and three women, with members hailing from Sacramento to Hawaii. Ranging in age from 18 to 27, they practice several styles of karate, namely goju-ryu, shito-ryu, shotokan and wado-ryu.

U.S. head coach Hidharu Igaki, who has been with the national team since 1996, believes this team is one of the best America has ever had. In addition to several top-ranked competitors, the team hosts world karate champions Elisa Au and George Kotaka.

"This is the first time in 22 years that the U.S. has brought home the gold medal," Igaki says. "This is definitely one of the best teams ever." The two team members won their international title at the November 2002 championships in Spain.

To prepare for the Titan Games, the team had two training sessions and two two-hour practices every day.

Crawford says this caliber of fighter generally has a great deal of natural ability and "internal want," but just as important is continual, intensive practice.

"It takes a lot of timing, control and distance practice to get this technique" down, she says.

Crawford, who has been teaching karate for nearly 15 years, many of which were spent at her Saratoga dojo, says she enjoys teaching because of her great appreciation for children. "I love to see them learn new things, to see them grow and change," she says. "It's important to teach them that karate is not just about punching and kicking."

Crawford particularly enjoys the team visit, as she says she is extremely competitive and used to compete regularly until 10 years ago, when she became pregnant. Her alternative to being in the ring is being next to it, refereeing, which she has been pursuing for several years. After much rigorous training and testing, she regularly referees for the USA National Karate-do Federation. "It's pretty intensive," she says. "It's a neverending process of growth and challenge—like in karate, you are always learning."

The Titan Games will be aired on ESPN March 29 from 3 to 4 p.m. and March 30 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.