Garrett Lowney became one of America's greatest international wrestlers when he blasted onto the scene to win an Olympic bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. People still talk about the five-point throw he hit on five-time World Champion Gogui Koguachvili of Russia early in the Olympic event. Lowney claimed the No. 1 spot in the USA in 2001, but could not compete at the World Championships when the event was moved from September to December and conflicted with his college season.     By winning the U.S. Nationals for the second straight year, Lowney remains a step ahead of his domestic competition. Competing all year in folkstyle, as Minnesota's All-American heavyweight, has not seemed to damage Lowney's Greco-Roman abilities. Always ahead of his time, Lowney also boasts a Junior World gold medal. By winning the World Team Trials, he would get a return visit to the World level, and see if he can improve upon his amazing bronze medal.    Placing second to Lowney at the U.S. Nationals was Justin Ruiz of the Dave Schultz WC, a college star at the Univ. of Nebraska. People often forget that Ruiz actually beat Lowney on the age-group level back in the late 1990's. When Lowney made his big step forward in Greco-Roman, Ruiz was away on a Mormon mission. Not that he is back, he hopes to make up ground on Lowney at the Senior level. Lowney won the bout 5-0 in Las Vegas, which is a commanding win for a Greco-Roman finals.    Veteran Dan Hicks of the U.S. Marines has had a good season, winning the Armed Forces title and taking a strong third at the U.S. Nationals. Hicks may be the most experienced athlete in this field, but has yet to claim a U.S. World team berth. Placing fourth was Ross Thatcher of the New York AC, who has improved his performance and been a true challenger for the last two seasons. A Penn State wrestler, he seems to have found his nitch in Greco-Roman.    The next three placewinners at the U.S. Nationals are all from the tough U.S. military programs. Phil Johnston of the U.S. Air Force was fifth, Tipton Peterson of the U.S. Marines was sixth and Frank Workman from the U.S. Marines was seventh.     There will be a strong military presence in the Challenge Tournament. Ranked No. 2 on last year's Team USA was veteran Jason Loukides, who competed for the USA at the World Championships. No. 3 on the National Team ladder was Al Sankey of the Marines, who had a strong World Team Trials event. Both could cause damage in the Challenge Tournament this year.    Qualifying as the University Nationals champion is R.C. Johnson of the USOEC program. Also making the field are Regional champions Chris Moen of Colorado and Brian Kraemer of the Minnesota Storm. The only NCAA finalist who might compete at this weight is Lehigh's Jon Trenge, who is only expected to compete in the freestyle division.    Garrett Lowney has given no indication that he will give up his position at the top of this weight class. The question about whether he has improved or slipped in Greco-Roman performance since Sydney may not be answered at this event, but at the upcoming World Championships. The quick development of Justin Ruiz on the Senior Greco-Roman scene is exciting, and could offer an interesting new rivalry if he and Lowney continue to battle in the next few seasons. Dan Hicks has the ability to be a Challenge Tournament champion, and would not wish to finish his career without making a World Team. A healthy and motivated Jason Loukides may offer the toughest competition for Lowney, if he can qualify for the finals. Ross Thatcher has a legitimate chance in the Challenge Tournament based upon recent progress. Lowney has a chance to be a major international player for a long time, but he needs to keep the edge on his Greco opponents, while trying to win NCAA titles during the winter.     96 kg/211.75 lbs. qualifiers  National champion - Garrett Lowney, Freedom, Wis. (Minnesota Storm)  U.S. Nationals #2 - Justin Ruiz, Taylorsville, Utah, (Dave Schultz WC)  U.S. Nationals #3 - Dan Hicks, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps)  U.S. Nationals #4 - Ross Thatcher, State College, Pa. (New York AC)  U.S. Nationals #5 - Phil Johnston, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)  U.S. Nationals #6 - Tipton Peterson, Triangle, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps)  U.S. Nationals #7 - Frank Workman, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines)  Team USA member - Jason Loukides, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)  Team USA member - Al Sankey, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines)  University Nationals champion - R.C. Johnson, Plymouth, Minn. (USOEC)  Regional champion - Chris Moen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached)  Regional champion -Brian Kraemer, Fargo, N.D. (Minnesota Storm)  NCAA Div. I finalists - Jon Trenge, Orefield, Pa. (New York AC)    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.