1998 U.S. NATIONAL WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO DISNEY¹S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS COMPLEX, APRIL 25-26 
  
  
 For the second straight year, the United States National Wrestling Championships are going to Disney World!!!  
  
   
 The best amateur wrestlers in the United States, competing in freestyle, Greco-Roman and women¹s freestyle wrestling, will descend upon this world-famous resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the 1998 United States National Wrestling Championships, April 25-26.  
  
   
 Held alongside the United States National Championships will be the Southeast Junior Olympic Regional Championships, which is expected to feature many of the best high school wrestlers from around the nation, April 23-25. 
  
   
 The competition at the United States National Wrestling Championships is expected to be fierce. Many of the stars from the 1997 U.S. World Championships teams are expected to attend, as well as numerous young challengers training for the chance to make the U.S. team at the 2000 Olympics. The women¹s field is also expected to be talented. 
  
   
 In freestyle, 1997 World Champion Les Gutches (Corvallis, Ore./Sunkist Kids) is expected to participate at 187.25 pounds. Cary Kolat (Lock Haven, Pa./Dave Schultz WC), a 1997 World silver medalist at 137.75 pounds, should also be in the field. Tom Erikson (W. Lafayette, Ind./Sunkist Kids), who was fourth in the 1997 World Championships at 286 pounds, is also expected to defend his national title. 
  
   
 The Greco-Roman field should include Rulon Gardner (Mesa, Ariz./Sunkist Kids), who placed fifth in the 1997 World Championships, the top U.S. performance. 1996 Olympic silver medalist Dennis Hall (Plover, Wis./Sunkist Kids) will attempt to defend his national title at 127.75 pounds. Two-time Olympian Dan Henderson (Huntington Beach, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) is expected at 187.25 pounds. 
  
  
 The 1998 women¹s competition should feature all three 1997 World silver medalists from the United States: Shannon Williams (Simi Valley, Calif./Sunkist Kids) at 112.25 pounds, Sandra Bacher (San Jose, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) at 149.75 pounds and Kristie Stenglein (Albany, N.Y./ATWA) at 165.25 pounds. 
  
   
 Spread over some 200 acres, Disney¹s Wide World of Sports complex is one of the world¹s top sports destinations. At the heart of the complex is the 5,000 seat Fieldhouse that will host the United States National Wrestling Championships.  
  
   
 Kicking off the week will be the Second Annual Dave Schultz Wrestling Foundation Golf Classic, Friday, April 24 at the Oaks Golf Club in Kissimmee, Fla., starting at 11:00 a.m.  
  
  
 Defending U.S. Nationals champions 
  
   
 Freestyle: 119 - Zeke Jones (Sunkist Kids); 127.75 - Terry Brands (unattached-IA); 137.75 - Cary Kolat (Dave Schultz WC); 152 - Lincoln McIlravy (Gateway 2000 WC); 167.5 - Dan St. John (Sunkist Kids); 187.25 - Les Gutches (Sunkist Kids); 213.75 - Melvin Douglas (Sunkist Kids); 286 - Tom Erikson (Sunkist Kids) 
  
   
 Greco-Roman: 119 - Broderick Lee (Peninsula); 127.25 - Dennis Hall (Sunkist Kids); 137.75 - Kevin Bracken (NYAC); 152 - Chris Saba (NYAC); 167.5 - Miguel Spencer (Armed Forces); 187.25 - Dan Henderson (Dave Schultz WC); 213.75 - Randy Couture (Sunkist Kids); 286 - Rulon Gardner (Sunkist Kids) 
  
   
 Women: 101.25 - Rosemarie Unpingco (Peninsula Grapplers); 112.25 - Vickie Zummo (New York AC); 123.25 - Stephanie Murata (Sunkist Kids); 136.5 - Lauren Wolfe (Michigan WC); 149.75 - Sandra Bacher (Dave Schultz WC); 165.25 - Kristie Stenglein (ATWA)