A World Team member for two years, Chris Bono of the Sunkist Kids may be the hottest American freestyle wrestler this year. He won the World Cup gold medal this year without allowing a point, looked strong going unbeaten at the Titan Games and captured a gold medal against tough former Soviet competition in Uzbekistan. Bono defeated 2001 World Team member Bill Zadick in a Special Wrestle-off for the U.S. team last year, rebounding from a disappointing third at the 2002 U.S. Nationals. Bono has thrived in this new weight class, which forced him to lose weight and to open up his offense a bit.    Zadick won the U.S. Nationals title in 2002, his second straight nationals title. He beat developing talent Jamill Kelly of the Gator WC in the finals in Las Vegas. At the World Team Trials in Minnesota, Zadick did not enter due to an injury prior to weigh-ins. Bono beat Zadick in the wrestle-off for the team in Fargo, N.D., held during the Junior/Cadet Nationals. Zadick looked good in capturing a silver at this year's World Cup competing for the World Select Team (he and Bono did not wrestle). Intensity is one of his trademarks.    Kelly defeated Bono in the U.S. Nationals semifinals last year. Although he wrestled for Oklahoma State as a collegian, Kelly has blossomed in freestyle, quickly climbing the ladder in the international styles. He is now gaining the international experience needed to become a true threat on the World level.    The new challenger at this weight is 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Lincoln McIlravy, who gave up his job as USA Wrestling's Resident Freestyle Coach to return to the mat. McIlravy will need to drop weight from earlier in his international career, when he won World silver and bronze medals. He has wrestled once this spring, an exhibition dual meet win, so there is no way to know if McIlravy will display some mat rust, or will continue where he left off at the Sydney Olympics. His loss in the Olympics still burns in his soul, and McIlravy says he would not have returned unless he was certain he could return for another shot at Olympic gold.    Cary Kolat of the Dave Schultz WC, an Olympic teammate of McIlravy's, has competed at this division recently, but is reportedly looking to drop to 60 kg. Like McIlravy, both would have to reach weights they have not seen in many years. Veteran John Fisher of the Sunkist Kids, a past U.S. Nationals champion, can be counted on to be in the race every year. He is approaching legendary status, one of those special athletes who seem to keep his skills in spite of climbing in age.    This division has at least a dozen talented athletes, including some tremendous stars from the college scene. Among those who have graduated and are now climbing the freestyle ladder are Doug Schwab of the Minnesota Storm, Jared Frayer of the Sunkist Kids, Reggie Wright of the Gator WC, T.J. Williams of the Hawkeye WC, Celso DeAnda of Team Excel and Adam Tirapelle of the Dave Schultz WC. There may be more NCAA champions and finalists in this weight class than any other in recent U.S. history. Some of the athletes are carving off pounds, while others are bulking up. meeting somewhere in the middle. Frayer has been on a roll, beating Kolat and winning the gold at the Dave Schultz Memorial.     This logjam will also include 2002 NCAA champion Eric Larkin of the Sunkist Kids, as well as talented All-American Jesse Jantzen of the Dave Schultz WC, both who have considerable success in freestyle on the national level. Larkin was third in the 2000 Olympic Trials, as a college sophomore.     Wright, Schwab and Jantzen are currently ranked in the top six on Team USA. Tirapelle and DeAnda were national placewinners last season. Williams, who took a little time off after college, has shown good progress in recent competitions.     Other possible threats include Jared Lawrence of the Minnesota Storm, Mike Eierman of Team Excel, Dustin DeNunzio of the Dave Schultz WC, Jeremy Ensrud of the Dave Schultz WC, Mike Mendoza of the Dave Schultz WC and many others. Lawrence, a NCAA champion and runner-up the last two seasons, was a Junior World team member and has shown strong freestyle skills. The University Nationals champion this season was Jason Mester of Central Michigan. Some other talents could also come out of the woodwork, making seeding of this division a true chore.    This weight will have some unbelievable early matchups, and could have some really interesting upsets. Fans will want to pay attention in the early rounds, and the consolation wrestle-backs should feature a few classic barnburners.    2002 U.S. Freestyle Nationals results at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.  1st - Bill Zadick, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye) dec. Jamill Kelly, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 4-0, ot, 6:43  3rd - Chris Bono, Gilbert, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC), 3-2  5th - Jesse Jantzen, Cambridge, Mass. (Dave Schultz WC) won by inj. dft. over John Fisher, Flint, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)  7th - Adam Tirapelle, Champaign, Ill. (Dave Schultz WC) won by inj. dft. over Celso DeAnda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Excel)