Daniel Cormier of the Gator WC has been the top wrestler in this div ision for the last two years. Both seasons, Cormier fell just short of winning a medal for the U.S. on the world level, placing fifth at the 2003 World Championships and fourth at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. In both events, Cormier lost a match to Iran's star at this division, Ali Reza Heidari, including a close battle in which Cormier was ahead in the bronze-medal match in Athens.    Cormier has a variety of skills that he brings to each match, including an amazing ability to throw his opponents for big points from his feet. So far this year, Cormier continues to show the ability to beat top international opponents, winning the Ivan Yarygin Tournament in Russia, and winning four of his five matches at the Freestyle World Cup. He continues to be ahead of his American rivals, even though the division has some great depth.    Placing second to Cormier at the Olympic Trials was Tim Hartung of the Minnesota Storm, who also has tremendous experience and ability. Hartung qualified for the 2002 U.S. World Team that did not get a chance to compete in Iran because of the threat of violence to the team. The following year. Cormier emerged at the division. Hartung has not yet wrestled this season, something that could be a factor if he enters the field in Las Vegas. Placing third at the Olympic Trials was Dean Morrison of the New York AC, also a strong, talented competitor who has not wrestled since the Olympic Trials. Either of these athletes could be title contenders if they have not retired.    The most successful challenger for Cormier so far this year has been Tommy Rowlands of the Sunkist Kids, a young star with talent who continues to improve. Rowland was fourth at the U.S. Nationals and the Olympic Team Trials last year, and has been impressive in top events so far this season. Rowlands won gold medals at the Sunkist Kids International and the New York AC Christmas Open, and placed second behind Cormier at the Yarygin International in Russia.  Rowlands won Junior World medals earlier in his career. He was a heavyweight in college who has dropped to a more natural weight, which compliments his speed and technical skills.    An emerging talent in the division is Dawid Rechul of the New York AC, who has emerged on the freestyle scene as a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete. Rechul has both U.S. and Polish citizenship, and could potentially develop into a starter for Poland if he doesn't emerge on Team USA. Rechul wona gold medal at the Dave Schultz Memorial International, beating Mo Lawal of the Gator WC in the finals. Lawal is expected to compete at 84 kg, but would be an instate medal hopeful if he moves up to 96 kg.    Nik Fekete of the Sunkist Kids has been an active wrestler this season, winning medals at four international tournaments so far this season, while beating some talented opponents. Fekete is proving that he can win under the new rules, something that will help him against opponents who have not wrestled much with them. One of those strong challengers who has not wrestled this year yet is Damion Hahn of the Minnesota Storm, who was third at the 2004 U.S. Nationals but has not entered an event yet this year. Hahn is coaching on the college level now, and has been training.    Two athletes who placed in the top six at the Olympic Trials are considered retired, Jon Trenge of the New York AC and Dominic Black of the U.S. Army. Trenge took an Olympic redshirt last year and placed fifth in the Olympic Trials. He had detached retinas in his eyes and had to wrestle with goggles in college. After he finished his college career by taking third at the NCAA Championships this year, Trenge left his shoes out on the mat in a retirement gesture. Black, a former World Team member and 2000 Olympic Trials runner-up, left his shoes out on the mat at the Olympic Trials, signaling that his career had also ended. Black had been one of the top wrestlers at this division for many years. Veteran Chad Lamer of the Hawkeye WC, who was once as high as No. 2 on Freestyle Team USA in the past, competed at the Olympic Trials but has not been on the mats so far this season.    With some veterans no longer competing, there is room at this division for some new talent, as well as for some athletes who paid their dues in recent seasons. One of the athletes who has been in the hunt in recent season has been Zach Thompson of the Sunkist Kids, who was a Junior World silver medals back when he was a collegian at Iowa State. Another veteran who would be a challenger if he continues to wrestle is Ryan Tobin of the Dave Schultz WC, who has extensive experience at this division.    Matt Greenberg of the New York AC has been active at this division, and is showing some improved results. Greenberg just missed out on a  medal at the Sunkist Kids International and the New York AC Christmas Open. New to this weight class this season is Nick Preston of Ohio International, who had a nice run last season down at 84 kg. Preston has shown he can win matches at this division, and will attempt to be a medal contender in Las Vegas this year.     Mark Munoz of the Gator WC has been an All-American on the Senior level in the past, and, like Thompson, won a Junior World silver medal back in 1998. Munoz has not wrestled yet this season. Wes Hand placed seventh at the U.S. Nationals last year, and has also been inactive this season. Josh Pearce is making an impact at this division, training out in Colorado Springs and expanding his skills and experience.    Athletes who competed at the Olympic Team Trials last season included Raphael Davis of the Dave Schultz WC and Carlos Eason of Virginia Challenge. Both would be challengers for a placement in the All-American rounds at the U.S. Nationals if they wrestle in Las Vegas.    An athlete who has been in the national spotlight for two decades decided to retire at the age of 40 during the Olympic Team Trials last year, leaving his shoes on the mat to thunderous applause. World champion and two time Olympian Melvin Douglas of the Sunkist Kids is not expected back, but his accomplishments will be remembered and his joy for wrestling saluted.    Right now, it is Daniel Cormier who is the dominant force at this division, a motivated athlete looking for another Olympic experience and dedicated to winning World-level medals for his nation. The top young challenger is Tommy Rowlands, who knows how to win in freestyle and plans to make Cormier earn his place in this division. A field that includes some emerging talents will try to separate themselves from the pack.    2004 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS  1st -Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) dec. Dean Morrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  4-3, ot, 6:44  3rd - Damion Hahn, Lakewood, N.J. (Minn. Storm) dec. Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Dave Schultz WC), 3-2, ot, 6:20  5th (tie)- Melvin Douglas, Mesa, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) and Tim Hartung, St. Paul, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), no match  7th -Wes Hand, Blacksburg, Va. (Sunkist Kids) inj. dft. over Mark Munoz, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)    THEMAT.COM RANKINGS FOR APRIL 1, 2005  1. Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)  2. Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)  3. Dawid Rechul, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  4. Nik Fekete, Blacksburg, Va. (Sunkist Kids)  5. Damion Hahn, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)  6. Zach Thompson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)  7. Matt Greenberg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)  8. Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)  9. Mark Munoz, Davis, Calif. (Gator WC)  10. Josh Pearce, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Unattached)