Six of the top freestyle wrestling nations in the world will compete in the 1998 World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling in Gallagher Iba Arena on the campus of Oklahoma State Univ. in Stillwater, Okla., April 4-5. Participating nations include the United States, Russia, Iran, Cuba, Germany and Japan. 
 The USA defeated Russia in the championship finals of the 1997 World Cup, also held in Stillwater, Okla., winning every single match of the dual meet. This was the first time that the USA had ever shut out the mighty Russians in any wrestling competition. 
 Many Olympic and World medalists are expected to participate this year. 
 The U.S. World Cup team will be made up of six of the eight members of the 1997 U.S. World Team, which placed sixth in the World Championships. Leading the American squad will be 1997 World Champion Les Gutches (Corvallis, Ore./Sunkist Kids) at 187.25 pounds and 1997 World silver medalist Cary Kolat (Lock Haven, Pa./Dave Schultz WC) at 138.75 pounds. 
 Three wrestlers who competed for the host Oklahoma State program in college will be on the U.S. team: Tony Purler (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) at 127.75 pounds, J.J. McGrew (Stillwater, Okla./Sunkist Kids) at 213.75 pounds and Tom Erikson (West Lafayette, Ind./Sunkist Kids) at 286 pounds. Erikson placed fourth in the 1997 World Championships and Purler placed tenth. 
 Rounding out the U.S. lineup will be Sam Henson (Weston, Mo./Sunkist Kids) at 119 pounds, Lincoln McIlravy (Iowa City, Iowa/Gateway 2000 WC) at 152 pounds and Dan St. John (Tulsa, Okla./Sunkist Kids) at 167.5 pounds. 
 The U.S. team will be coached by head coach Mike McArthur of Colorado Springs, Colo., assistant coach Joe Seay of Perry, Okla. and National Freestyle Coach Bruce Burnett of Colorado Springs, Colo. 
 Among the Russian stars expected to compete are 1997 World Champions Buvaisa Saitiev at 167.5 pounds and Kouramagomed Kouramagomedov at 213.75 pounds. 
 Iran last competed in a World Cup in the United States in 1995, when it was hosted in Chattanooga, Tenn. Iran always has a strong fan following at major events. Among the stars of the Iranian team are 1997 World Champions Mohammad Talaie  at 127.75 pounds and Abbas Haji Kenari at 138.75 pounds. The United States sent a tour team to Iran in February, the first U.S. team of any sport to compete in Iran in almost 20 years. 
 Cuba will again provide strong opposition, with outstanding individuals in many weights. Top Cuban stars include 1997 World Champion Wilfredo Garcia at 119 pounds and 1997 World silver medalist Alexis Rodriguez at 286 pounds. 
 Germany has a very competitive team, led by former World Champion Alexander Leipold at 167.5 pounds and former World silver medalist Sven Thiele at 286 pounds. 
 Japan features many talented athletes including 1995 World silver medalist Takahiro Wada at 138.75 pounds and NCAA champion Sanshiro Abe, who competed for Penn State University.  
 All-Session Tickets for the two days of competition cost just $36. Reservations can be made through the Oklahoma State University Ticket Office in person or by calling 800-522-6858.