1999 U.S. NATIONALS GRECO-ROMAN PREVIEW 
  The Greco-Roman field at the 1999 U.S. Nationals is a mix of veteran stars and new talents, all looking to peak at the right time to make the 2000 U.S. Olympic team. As the U.S. improves internationally in Greco-Roman, more world-class athletes are being developed, making the competition even fiercer on the national level. A weight-by-weight look at the Greco-Roman field follows: 
  119 LBS. - Two-time Olympian Shawn Sheldon is the No. 1 man once more, gunning for one more chance at Olympic glory. Sheldon has won nine U.S. Nationals Greco-Roman titles, more than any other active athlete, and was a 1991 World silver medalist. Ranked No. 2 is Broderick Lee, who was a 1997 national champion and World team member. Veteran Steven Mays of the Navy holds the No. 3 ranking. 
  1996 Olympic silver medalist Brandon Paulson returned to the mats this winter, and hopes to be ready to challenge for the No. 1 spot once again. Among the emerging talents are Josh Fox, Anthony Wilkes and Jeff Cervone. Cody Sanderson, a Team USA member in 1997-98, was an NCAA runner-up this year. Others to watch include Lindsay Durlacher, David Laymon and Mashiko Yanagihara. 
  127.75 LBS. - 1995 World Champion Dennis Hall continues to dominate this weight class domestically. Hall was a 1996 Olympic silver medalist and 1994 World bronze medalist, but did not place at the 1998 World Championships. He has won seven straight U.S. Nationals titles. 
  His top challenger is Jim Gruenwald, ranked No. 2, who has pushed Hall at the U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials for two straight years. Gruenwald has won a number of international events, and has continued to improve. Ranked No. 3 for two straight years has been veteran Duaine Martin. Jacob Hey has rapidly developed, moving to a No. 4 ranking. College star Joe Warren is ranked No. 5, while Dave Nieradka of the U.S. Army comes in at No. 6. James Shillow and Barrett Golyer are among the young challengers. 
  138.75 LBS. - Veteran Shon Lewis won the 1998 U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials, but was unable to compete at the World Championships. Runner-up Kevin Bracken went instead, gaining valuable international experience. Bracken was a 1997 U.S. Nationals champion and 1996 World Cup champion, and will be expected to challenge Lewis again. 
  The U.S. Army boasts two major talents, No. 3 Glenn Nieradka and No. 4 Jason Tolbert. Marco Sanchez, who was a 1996 Olympian for Puerto Rico, checks in at No. 5. USOTC resident athlete Brandon McNab is only 20 years old, but is already ranked No. 6 on the ladder. Others with potential include Matt Shirk, Charley Carbaugh, Anthony Hamlett, Paul Gagich and Curt Onstad. 
  152 LBS. - Chris Saba has been the top man for two straight years, sweeping the U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials in 1997 and 1998. He has progressed on the international level, and can compete with anybody in the world. His top challenger has been 1996 Olympian David Zuniga, who moved up from 138.75 pounds last year to place behind Saba in the rankings. Zuniga has not won a U.S. Nationals title during his career, and is atttempting to make 1999 his first. 
  Heath Sims is ranked No. 3, but a winter injury could sideline him this season. Herb House of the Army is No. 4 and Marcel Cooper of the Marines is No. 5, both with the talent to climb higher. House was second in the 1998 U.S. Nationals. Mike Ellsworth holds the No. 6 ranking, but was ranked No. 2 on the ladder after the 1997 season. Others with talent include Derek Mountsier, Steven Woods and Willy Knight. 
  167.5 LBS. - Matt Lindland placed a strong sixth in the 1998 World Championships, showing the potential to win a medal at the World level. Lindland, a 1996 World Cup champion and three-time U.S. Nationals champion, has vast international experience. Ranked No. 2 is Keith Sieracki, who was a runner-up in the 1996 Olympic Trials and is the reigning Armed Forces champion. Another top talent is Miguel Spencer, who was second to Lindland at the 1997 U.S. Nationals. 
  Kevin Vogel holds the No. 4 spot, after dropping down from 187.25 pounds last year. Vogel was actually a World Cup champion at 198 pounds in 1996. T.C. Dantzler, the 1998 U.S. Nationals runner-up, is ranked No. 5 this year. Keith Wilson, a former Team USA member, comes in at No. 6. Other wrestlers with strong skills include two-time Armed Forces champion Aaron Sieracki, plus Mike Uker, William Carr, Tom Ciezki and Ryan Henry. 
  187.25 LBS. - Quincey Clark claimed the No. 1 position last year at the World Team Trials, then placed a strong ninth in his first World Championships. Clark has yet to win a U.S. Nationals title. Ranked No. 2 is Dan Niebuhr, the 1998 U.S. Nationals champion and Outstanding Wrestler. Niebuhr has been impressive in international events over the last few seasons. Talented Ray Brinzer holds the No. 3 national ranking, and has shown the tools to be a champion if he can put together a complete tournament performance. 
  Dan Henderson, the two-time Olympian, was injured in 1998 and could not attend the World Team Trials. Henderson aims to be in top shape for 1999. Ethan Bosch, the 1998 U.S. Nationals runner-up, holds the No. 4 ranking. Bosch is a pinner who has the ability to dominate when he is hot. College star Brad Vering from the Univ. of Nebraska is ranked No. 5. Veteran Kenny Owens holds the No. 6 ranking. Former Team USA member Tod Giles may return this year. Others with high hopes include Chris Vike, Chael Sonnen and Mike Mathers.  
  213.75 LBS. - Jason Klohs reached the top ranking for the first time, winning both the U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials in 1998. He has been gaining international experience rapidly. Dan Hicks climbed to the No. 2 ranking behind Klohs in 1998, and also has much international training. Dave Surofchek had his best season to date, moving into the No. 3 rankings. 
  1996 Olympian Jason Gleasman is expected to challenge. Dan Sanchez surprised many with his jump to No. 4 in the rankings. Veteran Randy Couture, who has made four U.S. World teams, slipped to No. 5 last year. Rex Holman, a talented freestyler, was the only athlete ranked in both styles, placing sixth at the 1998 Greco-Roman Trials. 1984 Olympic silver medalist Greg Gibson is still competing nationally in his mid-40's. Others to watch are Chad Love, Adam Mariano and Neal Nutter. 
  286 LBS. - Matt Ghaffari became the winningest U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler of all time last year, after claiming his fourth career World-level medal. Ghaffari boasts an Olympic silver medal, two World silver medals and a World bronze medal. His dream is to beat superstar Alexander Karelin of Russia, who he lost to in the finals of the 1998 World Championships. 
  The U.S. is very strong at super heavyweight in Greco-Roman. Billy Pierce has held the No. 2 national ranking for two straight years, and continues to impress at international tournaments. Rulon Gardner, ranked No. 3 this year, placed fifth in the 1997 World Championships and has won numerous international events. All three could challenge for a World medal if they are able to make the U.S. team. 
  Dremiel Byers holds the No. 4 ranking, and continues to be competitive at a high level. Brian Keck and Corey Farkas are also top national challengers. Others to watch include Matt Lamb and Tim Tekautz. 
  The top eight placewinners in each weight class will qualify for the 1999 Greco-Roman World Team Trials, which are scheduled for Tampa, Fla. on June 25-27. 
  Winners at the Greco-Roman World Team Trials will qualify to represent the United States at the 1999 Greco-Roman World Championships in Athens, Greece, Sept. 23-26. In addition, these athletes will also compete for the USA at the XII Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, from July 24 - August 8.