The college wrestling world had never witnessed anything quite like it.    The Minnesota Gophers' run to their first NCAA Championship last March was as unique as it was memorable.    Minnesota not only set an NCAA record by becoming the first team with an All-American at all 10 weight classes at the 2001 meet at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. The Gophers did it without one competitor reaching the finals.    With eight of the 10 All-Americans back this year, Minnesota is the clear favorite to repeat its feat of 2000-01. And the Gophers are again the class of the talent-laden Big Ten.    Minnesota coach J Robinson is looking for more this year - specifically more finalists and more individual champions.    "The guys are excited about this year," Robinson said. "Last year it was OK to win the team title without an individual finalist. It was being part of the winning team. The thing that drives the ship this year are the individual desires - more finalists, more champions. It's the reverse of last year."    The Gophers' best bets for individual champions are their trio of returning third-place finishers - Leroy Vega (125), Owen Elzen (197) and Garrett Lowney (heavyweight). Lowney was third as a freshman after winning an Olympic bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2000 Sydney Games.    Minnesota also returns fourth-place finishers in Luke Becker (157) and Jacob Volkmann (174) along with fellow All-Americans Damion Hahn (fifth at 184), Jared Lawrence (sixth at 149) and Chad Erikson (eighth at 141).    For Iowa, its impressive six-year run of consecutive NCAA championships finally came to an end last year in its home arena. This season may be even tougher for the Hawkeyes with the departure of four senior finalists.    With the loss of national champions Eric Juergens and T.J. Williams, along with NCAA runner-ups Jody Strittmatter and Doug Schwab, Iowa will have an abundance of new faces in the lineup this year.    Don't expect Iowa to contend for a national title this year, but it won't exactly be a struggle for the Hawkeyes either. The Hawkeyes do return All-Americans Mike Zadick, who was third at 149, and Ben Shirk, eighth at 165. National qualifier Jessman Smith (184) also is back.    "We have high goals," Iowa coach Jim Zalesky said. "I have a lot of guys who have been behind very tough wrestlers. This team has a lot of room to grow throughout the season and will need to show improvement throughout the year."    Iowa also brings in the nation's top recruit in heavyweight Steven Mocco. The biggest problem for Mocco will be the fact that he joins a league deep in heavyweight talent.    National champion John Lockhart of Illinois is back along with runner-up Tommy Rowlands of Ohio State and Lowney.    Michigan, with five All-Americans back from last year's seventh-place NCAA finish, may be the Big Ten's second-strongest squad.    The Wolverines return All-Americans A.J. Grant (fourth at 125), Mike Kulczycki (seventh at 149), Otto Olson (third at 174), Andy Hrovat (fourth at 184) and Matt Brink (seventh at heavyweight).    "We are expecting to have a good year," Michigan coach Joe McFarland said. "We have a good blend of experience and youth."    In addition to Lockhart, third-place finisher Matt Lackey (165) returns to the Fighting Illini lineup this season.    Ohio State, 16th in the nation last year, not only has Rowlands, but a returning All-American in Robert Sessley (seventh at 141). Nick Preston (197) was an All-American two years ago.    Michigan State, 15th at last year's NCAA meet, brings back three national placewinners in Chris Williams (seventh at 125), Gray Maynard (eighth) at 157) and Nik Fekete (eighth at 197).    Wisconsin tied for 10th at nationals, but lost most of its point production with the departure of two-time NCAA champion Donny Prizlaff (165). Coach Barry Davis' Badgers return just one All-American in Grant Hoerr (fourth at 141).    The Indiana Hoosiers, 17th at the 2001 NCAA tournament, are led by All American Viktor Sveda at 184. Sveda was third in the nation last season. National qualifiers Greg Schaefer (125) and Coyte Cooper (141) also return for Indiana.    Purdue was ninth in the Big Ten in 2001. Senior Jake Vercelli was eighth in the nation for the Boilermakers at heavyweight last March.    Penn State was just 10th in the Big Ten meet last year and 25th at nationals. Josh Moore (125) and his brother, Scott Moore (133), are All-American candidates for the Nittany Lions.    Northwestern was 11th at last year's league tournament and failed to send anybody to the national tournament. Tom Ciezki (184) may be the Wildcats' best All-American hope this season.