One of the big surprises at the 2002 U.S. Nationals, that really should not have been unexpected, was the gold-medal triumph of Lauren Lamb of the Michigan WC. Lamb, who won her first U.S. Nationals as a teenager, has competed on five U.S. World Teams, placing as high as fifth in the World. She has not been able to claim a No. 1 spot the last two years, but has seemed to revive her career this season. She won the Dave Schultz Memorial this winter, and came into the U.S. Nationals looking to make a statement.    Falling behind early in the championship match, Lamb battled back to win by one point in overtime against 2001 U.S. Nationals runner-up Erin Tomeo, who competed at last year's World Championships. Tomeo won a Special Wrestle-off to make the 2001 U.S. World team when Tina George could not attend a delayed World Championships due to military commitments. Tomeo, a freshman at Lock Haven this year, has been second at the U.S. Nationals for two straight years. Both Lamb and Tomeo may be too big to drop down to 121 pounds to compete at the Olympic weight, but Lamb might consider moving up.    Tonya Evinger of Stars and Stripes placed third at the U.S. Nationals, and is a talented veteran who has been on Women's Team USA in the past. Evinger captured the Missouri Valley and Dave Schultz Internationals earlier this season. An explosive athlete, Evinger is capable of winning the Challenge Tournament and battling for top honors.    Placing fourth in Las Vegas is high school sensation Brandy Rosenbrock of Shamrock, who was competing in her first Senior-level U.S. Nationals. Rosenbrock has won FILA Cadet and FILA Junior National titles and has been a dominating folkstyle wrestler out of Michigan. With another year left in high school, this young talent could be on the national scene for many more years to come.    A pair of wrestlers from Missouri Valley College, Kiersten Hyatt and Leigh Jaynes, placed fifth and sixth respectively. Both had strong college seasons heading into the U.S. Nationals, and both are expected to continue to improve in upcoming seasons. No seventh or eighth place were awarded at U.S. Nationals when both opponents failed to appear for the seventh-place match, losing the opportunity to participate in the World Team Trials.    Unattached Carrie Birge, who was a Team USA member with a No. 3 ranking last year, did not participate in Las Vegas but is eligible for the World Team Trials. Birge's last event was the Women's World Cup last fall in France. Another national placewinner from 2001 who is eligible for the Challenge Tournament is University Nationals champion Cathilee Albert of the Black Knight club. Both have proven talent, but it will be hard to predict their performance based upon their activity this season.    As a non-Olympic weight class, this division could see some defection for the World Team Trials. It would not be unexpected, however, if the athletes who placed in Las Vegas remain at this weight and battle once again. Lamb will have the advantage of skipping the Challenge Tournament, and with years of international success, will not be underestimated again. Should Tomeo get into the finals against Lamb this time, it will be a best-of-three series, rather than an overtime score like in Las Vegas, that would determine the champion    59 kg (130 lbs.) qualifiers  National champion - Lauren Lamb, Farmington, N.Y. (Michigan WC)  U.S. Nationals #2 - Erin Tomeo, Volant, Pa. (Sunkist Kids)  U.S. Nationals #3 - Tonya Evinger, Bates City, Mo. (Stars and Stripes)  U.S. Nationals #4 - Brandy Rosenbrock, Warren, Mich. (Shamrock)  U.S. Nationals #5 - Kiersten Hyatt, Carmichael, Calif. (Missouri Valley)  U.S. Nationals #6 - Leigh Jaynes, Burlington, N.J. (Missouri Valley)  Team USA member - Carrie Birge, Marshall, Mo. (unattached)  University Nationals champion - Cathilee Albert, Boulder, Colo. (Black Knight)    Women's Freestyle criteria: 1. Top eight at the 2002 Senior National Championships; 2. Current National Team Member - Top three; 3. Top three Finisher in a FILA A Championship in the past three years, including the Pan Ams, but not Sunkist; 4. 2002 University National Champion; 5. Past World Team Member; 6. 2002 Regional Tournament Champion from the Northeast and Northern Plains Regionals; 7. Medalist at Junior World Championships in the past two years    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.