It seems that the more things change, the more they same the same. And that saying couldn't hold more true than it does for the 60 kg/132 lbs. weight class in Greco-Roman wrestling. Two-time Olympian Jim Gruenwald of the Sunkist Kids appeared to be ready to retire - even before the 2004 Games. He had moved up the world ladder every year, including a fourth-place finish at the 2004 World Championships, which could have been higher had he not separated his shoulder in the semifinals that year. But after a disappointing showing in Athens and some time off, Gruenwald has once again found his drive for a gold medal, at least for another year. Over the last five years, Gruenwald has controlled this weight class in the United States. His dominance even helped to force Dennis Hall to move down to 55 kg last year. But over the next four years, a new star is expecting to get his turn to represent the U.S. in World competitions - Joe Warren of the New York AC. Warren has continued to thrive under the resident program at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, and his development began to come full circle last year when he broke through and placed second to Gruenwald at the Olympic Team Trials. To continue to improve, Warren has been very active this season, competing in six international tournaments, winning gold medals at three of them. He has placed in the top five in all of them. Jacob Hey of the U.S. Air Force is another young wrestler who has started to come into his own. Due to military duties, he has been unable to compete in any international tournaments this year, which could hurt him as the U.S. Nationals roll around. Hey recently won a gold medal at the Armed Forces Championships, including a victory over Duaine Martin of the U.S. Army, who is expected to move up stay at 60 kg for the U.S. Nationals. This was a big event for Hey, to attempt to shake off some rustiness, as he will be playing against a crowded table in Vegas. If Martin does stay up at this weight class, he should get a high seed. He placed fifth at last year's U.S. Nationals at 60 kg, and he has proven in the past that he is capable of staying close with any of the top three wrestlers at this weight class. James Shillow of the U.S. Marine Corps has been on the National Team twice - both times at 66 kg. But last year at the Olympic Team Trials, he dropped down to 60 kg and placed third, including a win over Hey in the consolation round. This is a crafty veteran, yet he has not competed under the new rules so far this year, begging the question as to whether or not he is done. Josh Habeck, also of the U.S. Army, has also been out of competition so far this year, but his coaches will expect him to be able to come in and win some big matches right away. Three young wrestlers training at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan Univ. are also expected to have an impact on this weight class - Willie Madison, also of the Gator WC, Kerry Regner and Marco Lara, also of the New York AC. Madison has had a very solid year, losing only in the U.S. to Gruenwald and Warren. All three of the USOEC wrestlers are young, but continue to improve. And with their youth and energy going up against veterans who are used to draining their bodies only over a two-day period for competition, this trio could pull off some major upsets. 2004 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS 1st - Jim Gruenwald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Glenn Nieradka, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 3-0, ot 3rd - Joe Warren, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. Jacob Hey, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force), 5-0 5th - Duaine Martin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) inj. dft. over Jason Tolbert, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 7th - Marco Lara, Tanstaa, Fla. (New York AC) by tech. fall over Willie Madison, Metairie, La. (USOEC/Gator WC), 10-0, 4:03 THEMAT.COM RANKINGS FOR APRIL 1, 2005 1. Jim Gruenwald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 2. Joe Warren, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 3. Jacob Hey, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) 4. James Shillow, Woodbridge, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps) 5. Willie Madison, Metairie, La. (USOEC/Gator WC) 6. Josh Habeck, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 7. Kerry Regner, Marquette, Mich. (USOEC) 8. Marco Lara, Tanstaa, Fla. (New York AC) 9. Jason Chao, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) 10. Jason Tolbert, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)