The United States boasts the reigning Olympic champion at 84 kg, the amazing Cael Sanderson of the Sunkist Kids. Sanderson put together the best tournament of his international career at the 2004 Athens Olympics to capture the only U.S. gold medal of the wrestling competition. He needed all of his skills to win, coming from behind against a tough Iranian opponent, then beating past World champion Yoel Romero of Cuba, who had defeated Sanderson twice previously. In the finals, he took over the match in the second period to beat two-time Olympic silver medalist Moon Eui Jae of Korea for wrestling's ultimate prize.     Sanderson became a legend by going undefeated in college, but winning the Olympics cemented his place in U.S. wrestling history.Now the question remains if Sanderson will ever compete again. He has not wrestled this year, but always leaves the opportunity open to return in the future.     Without Sanderson in the field, the top favorite is Lee Fullhart of the Gator WC, who gave Sanderson fits the last few years. Fullhart won matches over Sanderson in 2000, 2002 and twice in 2004.  Last season, Fullhart dominated Sanderson in the U.S. Nationals finals. At the Olympic Team Trials, Fullhart captured the second bout of the best-of-three series, only to lose a dogfight in the third match. Fullhart is tough, in great condition, technically skilled and aggressive.     The top athlete in Fullhart's path at this time is Muhammed Lawal of the Gator WC, who was third at the Olympic Team Trials last year. Lawal lost to Sanderson in both the U.S. Nationals and Olympic Trials a season ago, and seeks a chance to test Fullhart this year. Fullhart beat Lawal at the 2004 Dave Schultz Memorial and the 2003 Sunkist Kids International, but they have not met recently. Lawal has wrestled up at 96 kg a few times this season, but says he plans to stay down until he reaches his goals at 84 kg. He has power and speed and explosive technique, but is still learning the freestyle game.    An impressive athlete in recent seasons has been Clint Wattenburg of the New York AC, who was fourth in the Olympic Trials and has continued to wrestle well this season. Wattenburg lost a close match in the finals of the Sunkist Kids International to Fullhart, then won a title at the New York AC Christmas International. Wattenburg has shown continued improvement in his freestyle skills, and has to be considered capable of earning a spot in the U.S. Nationals finals.    Aaron Simpson of the Sunkist Kids has been a top challenger at this division for a number of years, and placed fifth at the Olympic Team Trials. He has been ranked as high at No. 3 on Team USA in the past, and will continue to be a challenger if he competes in Las Vegas.     College sensation Ben Askren of the Sunkist Kids is a talented young star who really enjoys freestyle wrestling and has a wide-open funky style. As a college freshman last year, he placed sixth at the Olympic Team Trials and seventh at the U.S. Nationals. He has placed second at the NCAA Championships the last two years to Chris Pendleton of Oklahoma State, who has also indicated an interest in competing on the freestyle scene. Askren has already proven that he is a winner at this style.     The college star who might have the best chance of making a big impact quickly is three-time NCAA champion Greg Jones of West Virginia, who wrestles for the Sunkist Kids. Jones has wrestled some freestyle, placing third at the 2004 Sunkist Kids International with only a loss to Fullhart. He is expected to be part of the new Sunkist Kids Training Center at WVU and train fulltime for a shot at the next Olympics. His takedown skills are outstanding, and could translate well to the new international wrestling rules.    2001 World silver medalist Brandon Eggum of the Minnesota Storm has not wrestled since the Olympic Team Trials, where he was defeated twice and did not place. Eggum went to the World Championships in 2001 when Sanderson could not attend after the attack on the World Trade Center made FILA move the World Championships out of New York. If his career is over, he certainly helped make this weight class have so much depth.    Andy Hrovat of the New York AC has shown some good finishes at freestyle events the last few years, including silver medals at the New York AC Christmas event and the Dave Schultz Memorial this season.Athletes who have had good showings so far this year and hope to earn All-American status at the U.S. Nationals include Tyler Nixt of the Hawkeye WC and Austen Palmer of the Dave Schultz WC.    The early rounds at the U.S. Nationals could have some very impressive matches, since this division has developed some depth. Wrestlers such as Nate Patrick of the New York AC, Randy Pugh of the Gator WC and Greg Parker of the New York AC all have been entering the major events and winning matches. There are other athletes capable of making a run at the national level, including Tony Gansen of the Gator WC and Sean Salmon of Ohio International.     The "man" at this division for the last four years became an Olympic champion, Mr. Cael Sanderson. With him on the sidelines, Lee Fullhart has a chance to show just how good he can be on the national and international levels. Muhammed Lawal , Clint Wattenburg and others aim to knock off Fullhart and take over this division on the first year of the new Olympic four-year cycle. Expect some heated action and close matches in this weight class, especially in the later rounds.    2004 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS  1st - Lee Fullhart, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Cael Sanderson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 5-2  3rd - Muhammed Lawal, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) dec. Nick Preston, Charlottesville, Va. (Sunkist Kids), 4-0  5th - Brandon Eggum, New Brighton, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Clint Wattenburg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC), 4-0  7th - Ben Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Mo. Elite) dec. Nate Patrick, Chicago, Ill. (New York AC), 3-2    THEMAT.COM RANKINGS FOR APRIL 1, 2005  1. Lee Fullhart, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)  2. Muhammed Lawal, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)  3. Clint Wattenburg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)  4. Aaron Simpson, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)  5. Ben Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Sunkist Kids)  6. Greg Jones, Slickville, Pa. (Sunkist Kids)  7. Andry Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)   8. Nate Patrick, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  9. Tyler Nixt, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)  10. Austen Palmer, Norman, Okla. (Dave Schultz WC)