Brad Vering has been a consistent winner here, holding down No. 1 for two years in the USA and placing fifth in the World Championships the last two seasons. He has kept his edge over a division with a ton of depth. Vering has competed in one major domestic international event this year, the Dave Schultz Memorial, and won the gold medal. One of his strengths is his ability to stay consistent, not allowing many points to anybody and learning to open up his offense more and more.    Vering got much of his early training and guidance from Olympic and World silver medalist Matt Lindland, who trained with him when they were both in Nebraska. Vering was a college star and Lindland was his coach and training partner. Last year in Las Vegas, Lindland made a comeback and made the U.S. Nationals finals against Vering, where he was defeated. Lindland, who has made a career in the mixed martial arts, chose not to go to the World Team Trials last year, nor has he wrestled this season. The Vering and Lindland story is a good one, but there may never be a rematch. Vering has taken over the spotlight completely, and looks to start winning world medals, just like Lindland did.    This division has taken a new look, ever since the USA did not qualify to compete in the Olympics at 74 kg. A number of wrestlers are expected to move up in weight, if not in Las Vegas, certainly for the Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis. That will jam up an already talented and balanced division. Vering has had a tough road to win the title the last few years, and it will be even tougher this season.     Ranked at No. 2 is Jacob Clark, who moved to this division last year and make the World Team Trials finals. A Marine, he is one of the top military hopefuls for the Olympic Team. Clark has already qualified for the Olympic Trials twice, winning the Armed Forces title and an Olympic Trials regional. Clark has been very active, competing in many major events in the USA and across the world. He is doing everything necessary to make an Olympic team, and has developed the skill to make that a reality.    At No. 3 is past U.S. Nationals champion Ethan Bosch, a veteran who was second in the 2000 Olympic Trials. Bosch can compete with anybody and is a skilled pinner. Bosch beat Vering in the U.S. Nationals finals a few years ago, but was defeated in the finals of the World Team Trials that season by him. Bosch has been nationally ranked since moving to the U.S. Olympic Training Center more than a decade ago. This should be his last run for the Olympics, and he has the maturity and ability to handle the pressure. He lost in the finals of the 2000 Olympic Trials after leading the finals series by winning bout one, and still has that experience to motivate him for another shot at things.    Perhaps getting the No. 2 seed in Las Vegas this year will be Keith Sieracki, who is actually No. 2 on the ladder down at 74 kg. Sieracki often competes at this division, and seems to beat almost all of the ranked athletes at 84 kg. So far this year, he already has wins over Clark and Bosch, and lost a close overtime match to Vering. The disappointment of not qualifying his weight class in the final Olympic Qualifier in March is still burning in his heart. Sieracki is a veteran, and will still have his Olympic dream, even at a new weight class.     Also expected to move up from 74 kg is No. 1 T.C. Dantzler, who has not wrestled very much at this division, but has certainly trained with most of the top dogs during his years at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Dantzler may choose to qualify for the trials down a weight, or perhaps will see how he does with the 85 kg athletes in Vegas. He is an explosive and emotional athlete, and without having to worry about making a difficult weight, perhaps even more of his skills will be on display at the new division. Not to be overlooked is No. 4 at 74 kg, young Kenneth Cook, who moved up to 84 kg for the Dave Schultz Memorial and placed an impressive fourth in a loaded division.    Aaron Sieracki and Kenny Owens are also veteran athletes who have the ability to beat opponents higher in the rankings. Aaron is Keith's brother, competes for the U.S. Air Force, and has also beaten many of the ranked stars here. Keith and Aaron have tried to avoid wrestling each other, but may not have a choice in the matter now that Keith has moved up. Owens has had an interesting professional career, moving from the Army to the Marines then back to the Army. He is also a very talented Greco-Roman specialist, having made the U.S. Nationals finals in the past.     2000 Olympian Quincey Clark remains a contender, but has not reached the top of the heap since the Sydney Games. Clark is seeking a comeback to glory by training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. He is already in the Olympic Trials, after winning a Regional title by moving up to 96 kg and beating some talents there. He has a pair of losses to Owens this year, but also beat Bosch once this fall. Clark was No. 1 in the USA for two straight seasons, and Clark is working hard to erase any doubts that he can get there again.    Tom Ciezki and Justin Millard are among the others who are expected to challenge for a place finish at the U.S. Nationals. Ciezki has been paying his dues for many years, placing high at many events and gaining more and more Greco-Roman savvy. Millard is also becoming a Greco-Roman specialist, taking advantage of the U.S. Greco-Roman programs for college athletes. Chael Sonnen, if he enters at this division, is always in the hunt. He is also a great story, choosing to run for political office back in Oregon as he pursues his Olympic dream. Many times, Sonnen competes at 96 kg, but his best chance to make an impact is right here.    John Wechter has locked up his place in the Indianapolis Trials with a win at an Olympic Regional. He is a bit of an unknown quantity at the weight class, and would further his standing with a good performance at the U.S. Nationals. James Meyer has also had some good performances at the division, and has had the persistence and patience to improve. Aaron Boone has been getting better and better at the USOEC program at Northern Michigan, and earned a spot in the World Team Trials a year ago. Rob McKenney and Jacob Plamann add depth to the division.    Brad Vering has been the man for two seasons, and wishes to secure his chance at Olympic glory by winning the U.S. Nationals again this year. A full field of challengers await him, some who are regular opponents, plus a bunch of new athletes moving up from 74 kg. This weight class will be difficult to seed, and will have some very good early round matches. The semifinals could be true classics. If Matt Lindland shows up, things get even more spicy.    THEMAT.COM RANKINGS FOR APRIL 2004  84 KG/185 LBS. IN MEN'S GRECO-ROMAN  1. Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  2. Keith Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)  3. Jake Clark, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Marine Corps)  4. Ethan Bosch, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  5. Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)  6. Kenny Owens, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)  7. Tom Ciezki, Evergreen Park, Ill. (Wildcat WC)  8. Quincey Clark, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm)  9. Matt Lindland, Oregon City, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)  10. James Meyer, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm)    ATHLETES ALREADY QUALIFIED FOR THE OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS  Armed Forces Champion  - Jacob Clark, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Marine Corps)  West Regional Trials Champion - Jeff Funicello, Gilbert, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)  North Regional Trials Champion -John Wechter, Saginaw, Mich (Michigan WC)   Central Regional Trials Champion - Jacob Clark, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Marine Corps)