Brandon Paulson of the Minnesota Storm continues to wrestle with a passion, after claiming a World silver medal last year for the United States. Paulson reached success quickly in his career, winning an Olympic silver medal in 1996 as a college student. After a number of years falling short of his goals, Paulson returned to the top last year, competing on his first World Championships team and having a memorable run. In April, he won his second career U.S. Nationals title with a 6-1 win over Lindsay Durlacher of the Wildcat WC. Although a seasoned veteran, Paulson is still in his wrestling prime at 28 years old.     Durlacher had his best U.S. Nationals to date, and may be perfect suited for this new weight division. A former NCAA runner-up at Illinois, Durlacher has shown improvement on recent international tours and has made a full commitment to Greco-Roman. He should have new confidence after his strong effort in Las Vegas.    The 2001 U.S. Nationals champion, Jeff Cervone of the U.S. Air Force, was unable to compete at this year's nationals due to injury. Cervone, a talented veteran, should be healthy in time for the Trials. He has a legitimate chance to take the Challenge Tournament and earn another shot at Paulson, the man who beat him in the 2001 World Team Trials finals.    Placing third at the U.S. Nationals was veteran Duaine Martin of the U.S. Marines. Martin has competed most of his career at 125.5 pounds, and dropped down to the new 121 pound class this season. He was the Armed Forces Champion this year at the new weight division. Michel Santos of the U.S. Army claimed fourth at the U.S. Nationals, and has been a consistent challenger in recent years. The military programs have provided a number of talented athletes at this division.    High school senation Sam Hazewinkel of the Gator WC, a phenom from Florida, placed an impressive fifth at the U.S. Nationals. His father and uncle were the famous Hazewinkel twins of U.S. Greco-Roman fame. Young Sam has already made a name for himself, and could carry the family name to success in a new generation. Those who saw him dominate at the 2001 Junior Nationals understand his tremendous potential.    Placing sixth at the U.S. Nationals was Neal Rodak of the U.S. Navy. Joe Espinoza of the Gator WC, a member of the USOEC resident team, placed seventh. Last year, Espinoza earned a No. 4 national ranking at the World Team Trials, and Espinoza was also the 2002 University Nationals champion.    Two other qualifiers are unheralded young athletes, University Nationals 50 kg champion Tim Morris of the Down East Stomers and Regional champion Chris Connor of the U.S. Marines. A new qualifying rule makes 2002 NCAA finalists eligible for the Challenge Tournament in both styles, but it is not expected that either Stephen Abas of Fresno State or Luke Eustice of Iowa will try Greco-Roman.    Brandon Paulson's personal quest for a World gold medal continues, but he must win the World Team Trials for another shot at his dream. The only other time Paulson entered the Trials as the No. 1 seed was in 2000, and he was beaten in the Olympic Trials finals series by Steven Mays. Paulson has a distinct edge in experience and performance over his competitors, but it would not be unexpected if he has a truly tough battle in the finals series.     55 kg/121 lbs. qualifiers  National champion - Brandon Paulson, Anoka, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)  U.S. Nationals #2. Lindsay Durlacher, Evanston, Ill. (Wildcat WC)  U.S. Nationals #3. Duaine Martin, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps)  U.S. Nationals #4. Michel Santos, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army)  U.S. Nationals #5. Sam Hazewinkel, Pensacola, Fla. (Gator)  U.S. Nationals #6. Neal Rodak, San Diego, Calif. (U.S. Navy)  U.S. Nationals #7. Joe Espinoza, Marquette, Mich. (Gator WC)   Team USA member - Jeff Cervone, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)  University National champion - Tim Morris, Pittsfield, Mass. (Down East Stormers)  Regional champion - Chris Connor, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines)  NCAA Div. I finalist - Luke Eustice, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)  NCAA Div. I finalist - Stephen Abas, Fresno, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)    Men's Greco-Roman: criteria: 1. Top seven at 2002 Senior National Championships; 2. Current National Team Member - Top three; 3. Top three Finisher in a FILA A Championship in the past two years, including the Pan Ams, but not Sunkist; 4. 2002 University National Champion; 5. Past World or Olympic Team member; 6. Medalist at Junior World Championships in the past two years; 7. 2002 NCAA Div. I Finalist; 8. 2002 Regional Tournament Champion from the Northeast, Northern Plains and Rocky Mountain Regionals    Note 1: Some athletes qualified in more than one way, although just one is noted in this list.  Note 2: Other wrestlers who meet qualifying criterion may identify themselves, and will be added to this list leading up to the event. Some of the anticipated qualifiers may choose not to attend.    Starting on May 30, TheMat.com will feature a daily interview with one of the 2002 U.S. Nationals champions, as well as a preview of that weight class for the upcoming World Team Trials, set for Saint Paul, Minn., June 21-23. Visit TheMat.com daily to read about America's best international athletes and learn about the exciting action expected at this year's World Team Trials.