April 25, 2003 - Over 350 wrestlers stepped onto the mats on Friday at the 2003 University Freestyle National Championships in Palatine, Ill., but only a handful of wrestlers will have the opportunity to win a gold medal and earn a spot on the 2003 U.S. University World Team.    Perhaps the deepest weight class of the tournament is 55 kg/121 lbs., where former Junior National champions T.J. Hill (Eastern Elite), Nick Simmons (Michigan State) and Ben Kjar (Oklahoma Olympic Club) are all still in the thick of the battle.    Kjar defeated Mike Silengo (Dave Schultz WC) 6-5 in the first round to advance to the quarterfinals where he will face returning University national champion Sal Gonzalez (Fresno State).    Gonzalez won his title at 50 kg/110 lbs. last season.    Chris Fleeger, the only other returning champion in this event, has moved up in weight to 66 kg/145.5 lbs. for this tournament. During the college season, Fleeger competes at 125 lbs.    However, Fleeger showed no signs of a weight disadvantage in outscoring his opponents 31-2 in three matches to advance to the quarterfinals.    Also in the quarterfinals at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. are Junior National champion Ron Tarquinio (Pittsburgh WC) and NCAA All-Americans Jerrod Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Jason Mester (Central Michigan).    2003 NCAA champion Matt Lackey (New York AC) and 2001 NCAA champion John Lockhart (New York AC), both of whom competed at the Univ. of Illinois, also stayed alive for their quests in earning a spot on the University World Team.    Lackey has outscored his opponents 37-3 in four matches at 74 kg/163 lbs. and will face talented youngster Brian Stith (Unattached) in the quarterfinals.    Also advancing at 74 kg/163 lbs. were former Junior National champion Johnny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) and NCAA All-American Tyrone Lewis (Gator WC).    Lockhart won his first two matches at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. He is joined in the quarterfinals by Junior National champion Cole Konrad (Minnesota Storm) and NCAA All-American Kellan Fluckiger (Sunkist Kids).    Perhaps the biggest upset of the Saturday session was 5-4 win by Jeremy Hart (Penn State) over Junior National finalist Matt Pell (MO Elite).    Quarterfinal action will begin at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. Continue to log in to TheMat.com for complete coverage of the 2003 University National Championships and FILA Cadet National Championships.