Stephen Abas has been the No. 1 man for three straight years in this division, winning the last three World Team Trials. His fifth place at the 2003 World Championships was his best finish to date. In 2001, he lost to the eventual World champion early in the tournament. In 2002, the U.S. did not go to the World meet in Iran. Abas is talented and experienced enough to be a World-level medalist, and is training hard to reach that goal.     Abas owns gold medals in many major events, such as the World Cup, Pan American Games and Junior World Championships. He has had an edge over the rest of the U.S. field since he seized control of this weight class in 2001. For any wrestler to win this weight class, he would probably have to beat Abas to get there. He has been training in Colorado Springs for most of this year, hoping to make this his best season yet.     His top challenge could come from 2000 Olympic silver medalist Sammie Henson, who also boasts a 1998 World gold medal. Henson returned to competition this winter after a year off the mats and is seeking another chance to be an Olympic champion. He competed in a tournament in Iran, where he was defeated in a controversial match and fell short of a medal. He also wrestled at an Olympic Trials Regional, where he lost in the finals competing up a division. Henson has been at the Olympic Training Center during his final preparations for the U.S. Nationals. It will be a true test in Las Vegas to see if the Sammie of old has returned and if his Olympic quest is a reality, or just a dream.    Ranked No. 2 on Team USA is veteran Mike Mena who is a consistent challenger but has yet to make a U.S. team. Mena won a silver medal at the Acropolis Tournament in Greece, but was fifth at the Dave Schultz International, with a loss to young Matt Azevedo. Based on past years, you can expect Mena to be peaking for this event, and to be a true force in this division.    At No. 3 is former U.S. Nationals champion Teague Moore, a veteran who has considerable freestyle skills. Moore has been a U.S. Nationals champion in the past, and has done everything needed to prepare to be the top man here. Moore has had a solid international season, winning a silver medal at a tournament in Siberia, Russia, and a gold medal at the FILA Manitoba Open in Canada. The question for Moore is whether he has solved the puzzle on how to beat Abas, and how he might stack up if Henson shows up with the skills of days past.    Eric Akin, second in the Olympic Trials twice, is a big threat when he is at this weight class. He has made a U.S. World Team, but is not yet satisfied because he has never been to the Olympics. Akin was second behind Abas at last year's nationals. The big question is whether Akin stays up at 132 pounds or makes the drop to 121 pounds. We will know when he steps on the scales in Las Vegas.     Jeremy Hunter has proven to be a true talent in this division. His silver medal at the Dave Schultz International featured a 4-0 loss to Abas in the finals, and a few impressive wins along the way. Hunter also snagged the gold medal at the Sunkist Kids International, beating a few of the top competitors expected in Las Vegas. Hunter has a big future in freestyle; is he ready now is the main question.    Tim Dernlan is a veteran who should be in the race. He reached the Sunkist Kids finals this year, where he lost to Hunter. Dernlan did a stint as a resident athlete, where he improved his skills, and he is now a college coach. Anytime you draw Dernlan at the U.S. Nationals, you know it will be a tough match with someone capable of winning.    Young Leroy Vega and college star Nick Simmons are seeking to make an impact here. Initially, Vega tried his hand at Greco-Roman, but has switched fulltime to freestyle. Simmons is a college star at Michigan State, seeking an Olympic redshirt year, and competing on the Senior circuit. He has already qualified for the Olympic Trials through a Regional, but needs a big performance in Las Vegas to show that he belongs at this level. Watch out for Simmons' front headlock, his most dangerous weapon.    Matt Azevedo, Eric Albarracin, T.J. Hill and others cannot be overlooked. Azevedo's win over Mena shows that he is a threat. Albarracin has been near the top for almost a decade, one of those crafty veterans who can disrupt a weight division. Hill is a sparkplug who keeps coming at you, but may still be a little small at this weight class. If FILA adds that 50 kg division as has been reported, Hill suddenly becomes a true international star again. A Junior World title shows his ability in freestyle is tremendous. NCAA champion Jason Powell has a strong freestyle background, but he might also be competing up at 132 pounds. We will see if the wear and tear of the college season is a factor in his performance. Another worth watching in the draw is Mike Silengo, who has been strong on the FILA Junior level.There could be a few collegians in the mix as well.    This is an Olympic year, so there could be some other names you haven't thought about before in the draw. However, it will be very difficult for an unknown to find a spot in the top eight here. The big question revolves around World champion Sammie Henson and his status. Right now, this is Stephen Abas' weight class, and somebody is going to have to be at their best to take it away from him.    THEMAT.COM RANKINGS FOR APRIL 2004  FREESTYLE 55 KG/121 LBS.  1. Stephen Abas, Fresno, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)  2. Sammie Henson, Highland Mills, N.Y. (Sunkist Kids)  3. Teague Moore, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)  4. Mike Mena, Bloomington, Ind. (New York AC)  5. Jeremy Hunter, Champaign, Ill. (New York AC)  6. LeRoy Vega, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)  7. Matt Azevedo, San Luis Obispo, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)  8. Nick Simmons, Williamston, Mich. (Michigan WC)  9. Tim Dernlan, State College, Pa. (Dave Schultz WC)  10. Eric Albarracin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)    ATHLETES ALREADY QUALIFIED FOR THE OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS  West Regional Trials Champion - Angel Alegre (California)  North Regional Trials Champion - Nick Simmons, Williamston, Mich. (Mich. WC)  Central Regional Trials Champion -Eric Albarracin, Colorado Springs, Colo.