Justin Ruiz of the New York AC has won the last two U.S. Nationals titles, and enters the World Team Trials as the top seed at the 96 kg division in Greco-Roman. Ruiz has paid his dues in the classical style, after deciding to end his college career at the Univ. of Nebraska a bit early to pursue his Greco-Roman dream at the Olympic Training Center. He quickly became a force on the Senior level and the top challenger to 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Garrett Lowney of the Minnesota Storm in the division.    In 2003, Lowney was injured and Ruiz competed at both the Pan American Games and World Championships for the USA. In 2004, Ruiz upset Lowney, who made a comeback, for the title at the nationals, only to lose to Lowney at the Olympic Team Trials. Lowney has not wrestled this year, and Ruiz has taken on the top position with confidence. He has had a strong winter season, winning numerous international medals. Since winning the U.S. Nationals again, Ruiz won a gold medal at the O Karaev Tournament in Belarus, then claimed the title at the U.S. University World Team Trials. He is on a roll, wrestling very well at this time.    The wrestler who is pushing Ruiz hardest right now is U.S. Nationals runner-up Adam Wheeler of the Gator WC. Wheeler left the Navy and has jumpstarted his career with the USOEC program in Northern Michigan, making great progress this season. He lost a 1-0, 1-0 battle to Ruiz in Las Vegas, then dropped a competitive three period match to Ruiz in the University World Team Trials. Wheeler is gaining confidence every time he has a close battle with Ruiz.    Philip Johnston of the U.S. Air Force placed third at the U.S. Nationals and is a former U.S. Nationals runner-up. He won the Armed Forces title this year, and has captured a few medals in international events this season.     College star J.D. Bergman of the Ohio International WC has great potential, and his fourth place at the U.S. Nationals is encouraging. He is a star on the Ohio State wrestling team, but is making the effort to train and compete in Greco-Roman while in college. Bergman was the University Nationals champion this year, and lost to Ruiz in the finals of the University World Team Trials.    Veteran Frank Workman of the U.S. Marines is always tough, and his fifth-place finish at the U.S. Nationals indicates that he remains a factor at this division. Workman occasionally competes at 120 kg, but has had his best performances when he drops to this weight class.    R.C. Johnson of the New York AC placed sixth at the U.S. Nationals, and is continuing his improvement on the Senior level. He made his first impact as a member of the USOEC program in Northern Michigan, but  now trains as a resident athlete in Colorado Springs.    The final qualifier from Las Vegas was seventh place finisher Mark Knauer of the Sunkist Kids. Others who have qualified to compete in Ames are  Regional champions are David Walker of Toro and Dustin Swansonof North Dakota. These athletes will not be expected to go very far in the Challenge Tournament, but have the ability to win matches at this level.    Possibly dropping down to this weight class after qualifying up at 120 kg are veterans Dan Hicks of the U.S. Marines and Al Sankey, now with the U.S. Army.  Hicks is now the coach of the Marine Corps team, so his involvement in the World Team Trials is in question. Sankey has put together his best performances at 96 kg, so it would not be a surprise if he dropped in weight to compete in Ames.  Past World Team member Jason Loukides of the U.S. Army would be a force if he chooses to enter competition again this season.    Right now, Justin Ruiz is the man to beat at the 96 kg division, with experience and recent success giving him tremendous confidence. Adam Wheeler is very close behind, pushing hard for the chance to beat Ruiz. Wrestlers like J.D. Bergman, Philip Johnston and Frank Workman have paid their dues and are looking to have breakthrough performances.     2005 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS AT 96 KG/211.5 LBS.  1st- Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. Adam Wheeler, San Diego, Calif. (Gator WC), 1-0, 1-0  3rd - Philip Johnston, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) dec. J.D. Bergman, Oak Harbor, Ohio (Ohio International WC), 5-0, 8-0  5th - Frank Workman, Spotsylvania, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps) dec. R.C. Johnson, Plymouth, Minn. (New York AC), 2-2, 0-2, 3-1  7th -  Mark Knauer, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Brandon Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 2-0, 2-0    QUALIFIERS FOR 2005 WORLD TEAM TRIALS AT 96 KG/211.5 LBS.  U.S. Nationals Champion - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  U.S. Nationals, second place - Adam Wheeler, San Diego, Calif. (Gator WC)  U.S. Nationals, third place - Philip Johnston, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)  U.S. Nationals, fourth place - J.D. Bergman, Oak Harbor, Ohio (Ohio Intl. WC)  U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Frank Workman, Spotsylvania, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps)  U.S. Nationals, sixth place - R.C. Johnson, Plymouth, Minn. (New York AC)  U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Mark Knauer, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)  Rocky Mountain Regional Champion - David Walker, Tacoma, Wash. (Toro)  Northern Plains Regional Champion  - Dustin Swanson (unattached)  Olympic Team member - Garrett Lowney, Kaukauna, Wis. (Minn. Storm)  Past World Team member - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  Past World Team member - Jason Loukides, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)  '04 Sunkist Kids International champion - Adam Wheeler, San Diego, Calif. (USOEC/Gator WC)  '04 NYAC Christmas Open champion - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  '05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion - None, foreign champion  International Tour medalist (within 2 yrs) -   *'03 World Cup silver medalist - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  *'04 Pytlasinski Tournament silver medalist - Garrett Lowney, Kaukauna, Wisc. (Minnesota Storm)  *'04 Vaanta Cup bronze medalist - Philip Johnston, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)  *'04 Henri Deglane Challenge silver medalist - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  *'05 Granma Cup gold medalist - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)