The major question at this division is who will stay and who will go to another division. This is a non-Olympic weight class, but the top four here will qualify for the Olympic Trials anyway. There are some real talents at this division who may decide it makes sense to change weights later in the game and still wrestle here in Las Vegas. Sally Roberts was a World bronze medalist and U.S. Nationals champion here last season, and has not decided where she will compete in the Olympic Trials. There was talk that she might move down to 51 kg, but then she went to a Regional event and qualified for the Olympic Trials at 63 kg. She was a World Cup champion at 59 kg this fall and is a fierce competitor at all times. Erin Tomeo, twice a U.S. Nationals runner-up and the winner of the 2003 World Team Trials, is expected to drop in weight. The question is whether she has gotten down in weight yet, or if she will make the change in May. Tomeo comes off a great winter season, where she captured five gold medals. She won the New York AC Tournament, the Kiev Grand Prix, the Manitoba Open, the Dave Schultz Memorial and the University Nationals. What about Lauren Lamb, the six-time U.S. World Team member who has decided to make a run at the Olympic team. She may be considering 55 kg, but has not been down at that weight. Most of her success recently has been at 59 kg. If she is at this division this year in Las Vegas, her experience and strength should be a factor in her ability to win tough bouts. Taking No. 3 on the National Team last year was Lindsay Owens, who could be one of those staying at the division to make a run for the national title. Owens won the silver medal at the Sunkist Kids International, one of her best performances to date. She did not fare well in the Dave Schultz International this February, making her current status a bit questionable. College star Alaina Berube has been impressive this year, including a title at the Sunkist Kids International and a silver medal behind Tomeo at the University Nationals. Berube has been beating all of the top college athletes and most of the best Senior athletes at this division, both in the USA and Canada. Her freestyle skills continue to improve, and she has shown she has the spirit of a champion. Along with Berube, there are a bunch of good college wrestlers at this division who could place high at the U.S. Nationals if they stay at this weight. Her teammate at Cumberland College, Othella Lucas, has had a great freshman year and is already nationally ranked on the Senior level. Brooke Bogren, who transferred to Missouri Valley, has been wrestling well this season and was placing at the U.S. Nationals when she was in high school. Leigh Jaynes, who completed her college career last year, is also very competitive here, and has placed on the national level a few times in the past. Grace Magnussen has been on Team USA, ranked as high as No. 2, and is also one of the possible challengers at this division. She has not competed well so far this season, but has the experience to turn that around at the U.S. Nationals. Tonya Evinger, who has been on Women's Freestyle Team USA a number of times, is making a comeback and competed at the Dave Schultz International. Sharon Jacobson has had success on the age group levels and is an improving athlete. High school star Chelynne Pringle was third at the FILA Junior Nationals this year. Among the others to watch here are Michelle Ludwig, Cathy Lee Albert and Julie Duarte. Once again, there are choices to be made by the top stars in this division. Move up, move down or stay put. If many of the veteran stars make the switch now, this will be a wide open division. If not, athletes like Sally Roberts, Erin Tomeo, Lauren Lamb and Alaina Berube are expected to battle for top position. See you at weigh ins. THEMAT.COM RANKINGS FOR APRIL 2004 59 kg (130 lbs.) in women's freestyle 1. Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) 2. Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 3. Lauren Lamb, Farmington, N.Y. (Michigan WC) 4. Alaina Berube, Escanaba,Mich. (Cumberland College) 5. Lindsey Owens, Ripon, Calif. (Menlo College) 6. Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (Cumberland College) 7. Leigh Jaynes, Burlington, N.J. (New York AC) 8. Tonya Evinger, Bates City, Mo. (Stars and Stripes) 9. Brooke Bogren, Carbondale, Kan. (Missouri Valley) 10. Sharon Jacobsen, El Cajon, Calif. (San Diego Hot Beaches)