The United States will have a strong squad as it looks to defend its team title at the Northern Quest World Cup of Wrestling, set for April 6-7 at the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Wash.     The organizers have announced that Northern Quest Casino is the new title sponsor of the Northern Quest 2002 World Cup of Wrestling.    "I'm honored that Spokane was chosen by USA Wrestling to host this prestigious event," said Spokane Mayor John Powers. "Events like this help fill hotel rooms and restaurant tables and boost sales at local merchants. Ultimately, they shine a national and international spotlight on our City, helping build our image as a destination for those who live in our Region and beyond."    This will be the first World Cup competed under the new international wrestling weight classes, and the U.S. will have experience and talent at each weight class.    Leading the effort will be 2001 World silver medalist Brandon Eggum (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) competing at 187.25 pounds. Eggum surprised the international wrestling world by winning a silver medal in his first major international event. It was the highest finish of all U.S. freestyle wrestlers last year. Eggum is originally from Sidney, Montana, and is expected to have many fans at the event.    2001 World bronze medalist Joe Williams (Iowa City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) will be competing at 163 pounds at the World Cup. Williams has won two straight World Cup gold medals. A three-time NCAA champion for the Univ. of Iowa, Williams was also fourth in the 1999 World Championships.    Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC), competing at 264.5 pounds, is a winner of three straight World Cup titles and will seek his fourth in a row. McCoy was fifth in the 2000 Olympic Games, and placed fourth in the 1998 and 2001 World Championships. McCoy was a two-time NCAA champion for Penn State.    Four other U.S. World Cup team members have competed for the United States at the World Championships.     Eric Guerrero (Stillwater, Okla./Sunkist Kids), a member of the 1999 and 2001 U.S. World Teams, will battle at 132 pounds. Guerrero was a three-time NCAA champion for Oklahoma State Univ.    Eric Akin (Lincoln, Neb./Dave Schultz WC) who wrestled in the 1999 World Championships, will compete at 121 pounds. Akin was a NCAA runner-up at Iowa State.    Two members of the 2001 U.S. World Team will be on the World Cup team at the new 145.5-pound weight class, Bill Zadick (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) and Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids)    Zadick placed seventh in the 2001 World Championships at 138.75 pounds. He was a NCAA champion at the Univ. of Iowa. Zadick grew up in Great Falls, Mont., and is expected to have a large crowd following.    Bono competed at the World Championships at 152 pounds. He won a silver medal at the 2001 World Cup. Bono was a NCAA champion and two-time runner-up at Iowa State.    The final U.S. weight class will feature a pair of emerging young talents, Chad Lamer (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) and Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla,/Gator WC) at 211.5 pounds.     Lamer was a University World Champion in 2000. He won three NCAA Div. II titles for South Dakota State.    Cormier has been impressive during the past year, winning a number of gold medals at international events. He was a NCAA runner-up last year for Oklahoma State Univ.    The United States won the event when it was held in Spokane in 1999 and has won four of the past five team titles. The other international wrestling powers expected are Russia, Korea, Germany and Canada.     The Quad State Cup, a USA Wrestling event for athletes from Kids through Open, will be held alongside the World Cup. Young wrestlers can do both - wrestle and watch! For information, contact Craig Hanson at (509)226-0765 or Dale Imes at (509)226-3715.    Fanfest will be the activity and hospitality gathering area just for fans at the Northern Quest 2002 World Cup of Wrestling. Meet with your friends before and between sessions. This will be a place to gather autographs, get souvenirs and see the latest in equipment and innovations in wrestling. It will be free and tons of fun!! Join the festivities at the SeasonTicket directly north of the Arena.    Single session tickets are now on sale and range in price from $13-26. Call 1-800-325-SEAT or go to the web site at www.ticketswest.com. An all session adult pass is $69 while an all-session youth pass is $59. Groups of 10 or more receive a $4 discount per ticket. USA Wrestling members, Military Personnel and Seniors 55 and older receive a $2 discount per ticket. No multiple combination of discounts will be accepted.     The headquarters hotel is the Doubletree Spokane City Center. Call 509-455-9600 and ask for the World Cup rate.    For additional information, contact Star USA at 509-448-6829.    U.S. lineup for Northern Quest 2002 World Cup of Wrestling  55 kg/121 lbs. - Eric Akin, Lincoln, Neb. (Dave Schultz WC)  60 kg/132 lbs. - Eric Guerrero, Stillwater, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Bill Zadick, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Chris Bono, Gilbert, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)  74 kg/163 lbs. - Joe Williams, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)  84 kg/185 lbs. - Brandon Eggum, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)  97 kg/211.5 lbs. - Chad Lamer, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)  97 kg/211.5 lbs. - Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Kerry McCoy, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC)