At the 2000 Olympics, when 21-year-old phenom Garrett Lowney captured a bronze medal, the future looked very bright for this exceptional talent. The last two years, with college wrestling and injuries cutting into his international development, have been a true challenge for him. He skipped the rescheduled 2001 World Championships in Greece to compete for his college team. He was unable to place at the 2002 World Championships. Now, his college career is complete, because he will not return for a sixth season (even though he has another year of eligibility). Lowney will return full-time to his Greco-Roman training, looking to rediscover the magic from Sydney. In spite of the challenges, he has retained his edge over the U.S. opponents at this division.    Another young college star,Justin Ruiz of the Dave Schultz WC, placed second to Lowney at the U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials last year. Lowney beat him 5-1 in Las Vegas last year. Ruiz captured the Challenge Tournament at the World Team Trials last year, but would not compete in the finals against Lowney because it was held on his sabbath, a Sunday. Ruiz was out of the wrestling picture during a two-year Mormon mission, but upon his return quickly climbed the Greco-Roman ranks. Ruiz is competing for the Univ. of Nebraska, seeking NCAA success in addition to his Greco-Roman pursuits.    Standing at No. 3 is Greco-Roman veteran Dan Hicks of the U.S. Marines, who has been among the top athletes here for almost a decade. Hicks moved up a spot when Tipton Peterson of the U.S. Marines, third in the World Team Trials, was suspended for two years for a doping violation. What Hicks has yet to achieve is a U.S. Nationals title or a World Team spot, something that may become more difficult as he continues to get older. Ross Thatcher of the New York AC has been among the most successful at this division, placing fourth at the U.S. Nationals last year.    Jason Loukides of the U.S. Army, who competed at the 2001 World Championships when Lowney chose not to enter, is returning to his winning ways. Loukides was second at the 2003 Pan American Championships. Phil Johnston of the U.S. Air Force has improved in recent seasons, with additional international experience and some wins over tough competitors.     Chael Sonnen of the Dave Schultz WC has shown promise at this division. R.C. Johnson of the USOEC continues his development, including. Brian Kraemer of the Minnesota Storm was the 2003 University Nationals champion. Former Team USA member Al Sankey of the U.S. Marines can be dangerous. Chris Moen of the Minnesota Storm, Frank Workman of the U.S. Marines, Deon Hicks of the U.S. Air Force, Adam Wheeler of the U.S. Navy and Sean Hageof Georgia are other contenders at this weight division.     2002 U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals results at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.  1st - Garrett Lowney, Freedom, Wis. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Justin Ruiz, Taylorsville, Utah, (Dave Schultz WC), 5-0  3rd - Dan Hicks, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps) dec. Ross Thatcher, State College, Pa. (New York AC), 5-1  5th - Phil Johnston, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) dec. Tipton Peterson, Triangle, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps), 6-3  7th -Frank Workman, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines) won by inj. dft. over Sean Hage, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached)