2000 Olympian Kerry McCoy of the New York AC continues to dominate this division. McCoy placed fourth in the World Championships two times, and was fifth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. As a New York native, he has a desire to win his first World title on the home mats in New York City. He had that opportunity taken away from him in 2001, when the World meet was moved after the September 11 attacks. A World gold medal in front of his family and friends is a strong motivator. McCoy has competed in every major wrestling event in the world, beating most of the top world challengers at least once. By winning four straight U.S. Nationals titles, McCoy has separated himself from the rest of the U.S. athletes at this time. Quick, experienced, strong, smart and technical, McCoy offers his opponents a variety of challenges. A two-time NCAA champion at Penn State, McCoy was also a Junior World champion in high school. He is the only past Olympian on the men's freestyle side currently holding a No. 1 ranking.    Placing second to McCoy at the 2003 U.S. Nationals was veteran Tolly Thompson, a 1998 U.S. Nationals champion who also has vast international experience. Thompson has yet to make his first U.S. World team, and would like to be the one to end the McCoy era. Thompson has the size and technique to make an impact on the world level; he needs to find a way to beat McCoy for his shot at this level. Thompson won a NCAA title for the Univ. of Nebraska in college.    Placing second behind McCoy at the 2002 World Team Trials was Tommy Rowlands of the Dave Schultz WC, a 2002 NCAA champion for Ohio State, who has won World medals on the Junior level. Rowlands is reportedly dropping to 96 kg. He is a college heavyweight who wrestles like a middleweight, with good movement, athleticism and technique. An ankle injury haulted his run for a second NCAA title this year.     Veteran Brian Keck of the New York AC, who made his name first in Greco-Roman, has switched completely to freestyle and was third at the U.S. Nationals. Keck has been winning matches in international freestyle events, and has shown the ability to beat the younger competitors from the United States. Keck recently accepted a new coaching position in Ohio, and will be leaving the USOTC resident athlete program after many years in Colorado Springs. Keck was the only athlete to qualify for both styles at the most recent Olympic Trials.    NCAA champion Steve Mocco of Iowa, a talented age-group freestyle wrestler, has yet to test himself at this level. Many believe he has the ability to push McCoy, Thompson and the others due to his size, strength and intensity. Mocco won three straight Junior National titles and made U.S. Junior World Teams. He has not yet tested himself on the Senior level and will have something to prove in Indianapolis. He has developed his own cult following of fans who have faith that he will become America's next heavyweight hero.    Claiming fourth at the U.S. Nationals was former Illinois NCAA champion John Lockhart of the New York AC, who competed well in freestyle on the age-group levels. After taking a few lumps in the early season international tournaments, Lockhart has seemingly locked in and is showing strong progress    The last three U.S. Nationals placewinners are young athletes on the rise: Cain Velasquez of the Sunkist Kids, Mike Faust of the Dave Schultz WC and Clint Walbeck of the Sunkist Kids. All are currently in the college ranks, making their name on the NCAA level. The World Team Trials will be a learning experience for them. Velasquez was a top Junior college wrestler last season, and will be competing for Arizona State this fall. Faust wrestles for the Univ. of Pennsylvania, and has been training at the USOTC in Colorado Springs recently. Walbeck competes at Fresno State.     NCAA runner-up Kevin Hoy of U.S. Air Force has done his share of Senior-level freestyle and should be competitive. Now that he is a graduate, his first assignment for the Air Force will include pursuing his Olympic dream. Hoy should experience continued improvement now that he can concentrate on freestyle. Also earning a trip to Indianapolis are Regional champions Brad Steele of the Cowboy WC, Tony Walters of the Gator WC and George Porter of the Minnesota Storm. These individuals will look to win some bouts in the Challenge Tournament, but will have trouble staying with the top few big men.    The Challenge Tournament should be interesting, with Tolly Thompson and Brian Keck providing the experience and power to earn the favorite tags. Exactly what Steven Mocco brings to the situation will be shown should he choose to enter and compete. If Mocco is able to qualify for the Championship Series, there will be added excitement in his first showdown with veteran Kerry McCoy, who has set the standard for all U.S. freestyle heavyweights. McCoy does not overlook his fellow American heavyweights; his legendary battles with 1999 World Champion Stephen Neal shows that you must take care of home first before you get the chance to wrestle the best international stars. Now that Neal is making a career at pro football, McCoy has solidified his hold on the No. 1 spot. This year's World Team Trials is a strong indication of what the Olympic year will be like next season. McCoy wants to make this his year to win a World gold, and set up another run for an Olympic medal. There are others seeking to place a crack in McCoy's armour and make him think about retirement. Don't miss the fireworks here.    2003 U.S. Freestyle Nationals results at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.  1st - Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC) dec. Tolly Thompson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids), 5-0  3rd - Brian Keck (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec. John Lockhart (Champaign, Ill./New York AC), 4-0  5th - Cain Velsaquez (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) dec. Mike Faust (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC), 8-6  7th - Clint Walbeck (Fresno, Calif./Sunkist Kids) by fall over Joe Sahl (Behtlehem, Pa./New York AC), 5:09    2003 Freestyle World Team Trials qualifiers at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.  National champion - Kerry McCoy, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC)  National placerwinners - 2. Tolly Thompson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids); 3. Brian Keck (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC); 4. John Lockhart (Champaign, Ill./New York AC); 5. Cain Velsaquez (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids); 6. Mike Faust (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC); 7. Clint Walbeck (Fresno, Calif./Sunkist Kids)   Team USA member - Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/Dave Schultz WC); NCAA Div. I finalists - Steve Mocco (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC); Kevin Hoy (USAFA, Colo/Falcon WC); Regional champions - Brad Steele (Laramie, Wyo./Cowboy WC), Tony Walters (Amityville, N.Y./Gator WC)*, George Porter (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm)