The Univ. of Minnesota has officially established itself as the top Division I wrestling program in the nation. The Golden Gophers, one year removed from their record-setting 10 All-American performance in 2001, came back strong in 2002.  Seven wrestlers earned All-American status, two of whom were champions: Jared Lawrence (149) and Luke Becker (157).    This year, the Gophers still have the team to beat. Although the team loses LeRoy Vega, Chad Erikson and Owen Elzen, the depth of Minnesota should shine through.    All-Americans Ryan Lewis (133), Damion Hahn (184) and Garrett Lowney (285) join Lawrence and Becker back in the lineup this year again. Add in returning starter Jacob Volkmann (174) and Jacob Lininger (197), who started at Pittsburgh last year, and this Gopher squad is very experienced as well.    Though the experience and depth of this lineup will be critical in providing both dual wins and points at the NCAA Tournament, it is the youth that is expected to step in at the open weights that will be the key as to whether or not this team can win their third NCAA team title in a row.    Bobby Lowe (125) transferred from Iowa Central CC this year and is expected to have an immediate impact. Redshirt freshman Tommy Owen (141) was a blue-chip recruit two years ago and this will be his chance to shine. Sophomores Josh McLay and Nate Baker will battle for the 174 pound starting spot. Baker was the starter last year and placed fifth at the Big 10 Championships.    "Obviously the hill we have to climb this year is greater than the one we have had to climb the past two years, but we enjoy challenges," said head coach J Robinson. "Last year's title was great. We were able to enjoy some individual titles as well. This year, those two are going to be the hunted, so they will have to be more prepared than they were last year. It should be an exciting year for our fans and our boosters."    Many are favoring Oklahoma State to win their first team title since 1994 this year. The Cowboys return a powerful lineup, including 2002 NCAA Champion Johnny Thompson (133), whose physical style will make him the favorite to capture an individual title again this year. Also back is third-place finisher Tyrone Lewis (165), who is ready to break through and make the finals himself this year.    Also returning to the Cowboy lineup is Skyler Holman (125), who placed sixth in the nation last year and Shane Roller (157), who placed fourth in the NCAA Tournament last year. Both wrestlers are experienced enough in postseason competition to know how to get the job done.    Bolstering the lineup will be the addition of Division II national champion Muhammed Lawal (197), who becomes an immediate threat to win a Division I national title.  Lawal has defeated top Division I competitors in the past and should continue to do so this year as well, even as he recovers from an off-season knee injury.    Fresh faces Jake Rosholt (184) and Mike Christian (285) will also step into the lineup for the first time. Both are highly skilled, but Christian may lack the size needed to compete with the top heavyweights in the nation.    "We have all the tools here to win a national title, and I think all of our wrestlers believe that as well," stated Oklahoma State head coach John Smith. "We have a lot of talent in this room and a lot of guys that we expect to perform. Obviously, our goal every season is to capture a team title, but a lot of us feel that this is as good of a chance as we have been able to get."    The Iowa Hawkeyes are back on the right track. After a subpar year, especially by Iowa standards, the Hawkeyes will once again be competing for the Division I team title this year. This squad returns eight starters from last year, including two NCAA finalists.    Luke Eustice (125) and Steve Mocco (285) nearly accomplished their goals of winning NCAA titles last year, but both fell short. Eustice surprised many by his runner-up finish, but he will not sneak up on anyone this year. Throughout last season, he gained consistency on the mat and flourished in the end because of it. Mocco is possibly the most highly-touted heabyweight recruit ever, and the true freshman finished his season in the NCAA finals last year. This year should be just as challenging, with most of the top heavyweights returning again, but his work ethic and untapped potential could help push him to the top this year.    Cliff Moore (133), sixth in the country last year and Jessman Smith (184), third in the nation last year will also be back in the lineup. Both should be much improved over last year and could compete for NCAA titles.    NCAA qualifiers Luke Moffitt (141), Matt Anderson (157) and Tyler Nixt (174) also are back. Moffitt, who is tough on his feet, has improved immensely. Nixt was one match away from being an All-American last year and with a weight class that nearly emptied out, he will be a favorite to bring home high honors. Anderson may bump up to 165 if Joe Johnston (157) is good enough to crack the lineup. Otherwise, the Hawkeyes may be weak at 165 this year.    Eustice's brother Ty (149) is expected to step in this year and take over. He is talented, but needs mat experience before any expectations can be laid upon him.    "The experience is going to help us out a lot," said Jim Zalesky, Iowa head coach. "A lot of them have been in the tournament before and lost some close matches. A lot of guys are looking forward to this season.  A lot of guys work habits are a lot better."    Oklahoma stepped into the light last year, nearly hanging with Minnesota through five sessions at the NCAA Tournament, but injuries and the Gophers power were too much last year. It may not be this year.    The Sooners have not lost much from their lineup. Josh Lambrecht (184) will return to lead the charge. Lambrecht lost a heartbreaking match in the NCAA finals. Nonetheless, he still has the confidence to come back and win the title this year. Joining him in the lineup will be All-Americans Witt Durden (133), third in 2002, Nate Parker (141), fifth in 2002, and Robbie Waller (174), sixth in 2002 at 165. If anyone in the nation can win at 133 other than last year's finalists, Durden may be the man to do it. He has great experience and has proven he can win big matches. After a horrendous start last year, Parker came through at the NCAA Tournament, much the way Lambrecht did the year before. Is it Sooner de ja vu? Waller battled through two torn MCL's last year to wrestleback and place sixth in the nation. He is moving up in weight this year, which should help him tremendously with his health.    Also returning will be Leonce Crump (285), who tore his ACL in last year's NCAA Tournament. Crump placed fourth in the nation two years ago, and was the only heavyweight to defeat both NCAA finalists last year. Look for him to make a major rebound this season.    "We have worked very hard to get this program to this level. I am very proud of our team and the way they have begun to perform over the last couple of years. I think this year, we have just as good of a chance to win the team title as anybody else. We are talented and experienced," head coach Jack Spates said.    West Virginia opened some eyes last season, but this year, the school will be looking to get into the top five in the nation, which would be their best NCAA finish ever.    The Mountaineers return sophomore Greg Jones (174), who won an NCAA title last year as a freshman. The captivating Jones dominated in the NCAA Tournament, and barring injury, there is no reason to believe that he won't do the same thing again this year. Jones may have been the team's only All-American last year, but Tom McMath (165) and Brent Miller (197) were both one match away from that status. McMath defeated some of the top wrestlers in the nation last year, but an early upset in the NCAA Tournament put him in the wrestlebacks, where mistakes cannot be made up. Miller came into his own and has established himself as a threat at this weight.    Shane Cunanan (141) and Billy Smith (149) also qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year, but ne