2000 Olympian Kerry McCoy has been No. 1 here for four straight years, and comes off his best season internationally with a 2003 World silver medal. McCoy has won most of the important events in wrestling and stayed in the sport for another chance at Olympic gold. He has won the World Cup a number of times, grabbed a Pan American Games gold medal, and has competed with every single top international heavyweight on the planet.     He combines mobility and power with effective technique. Unlike some of the other big men, McCoy can turn people on the mat. He has great confidence at this time, especially since getting the monkey off his back by winning his medal in New York City at the Worlds last year. The other thing about McCoy is that his work ethic will not allow him to take things for granted, especially since he still gets beaten overseas once in awhile. This is McCoy's weight, ever since he beat World champion Stephen Neal for a few straight years, and Neal made the move to pro football. The only thing missing is an Olympic gold medal and McCoy knows it.    A strong No. 2 behind McCoy is Tolly Thompson, a 1998 U.S. Nationals champion who has tremendous experience and victories over many top foreign athletes. People tend to forget about Thompson, who has not yet competed at a World Championships or Olympic Games. He has competed everywhere else, and has been a strong freestyler going back to high school and college (where he also won a NCAA title). To get to McCoy, an athlete may have to get past Thompson, something very difficult to do.    The exciting new star in this division is 2003 NCAA champion Steven Mocco, who took the year off from college to chase his Olympic dream. He won the NCAAs for Iowa last year, then put his full focus on the Olympic Games. Mocco has been active in major international events, and has beaten some top World-level stars from other countries. Among his victimes are World Champions Kuramagomed Kuramagomedov of Russia and Melvin Douglas of the USA, and past World silver medalist Sven Thiele of Germany. He has yet to test himself against McCoy, Thompson or Keck. Mocco wrestles with emotion and brings heavy pressure onto his opponents.     Veteran Brian Keck, who switched to freestyle full-time a few years ago after being a Greco-Roman talent, has climbed to No. 3 on hard work, persistence and experience. Keck moved from the full-time training situation in Colorado Springs to take an assistant coach job in Cleveland State this year, and has competed less than he has in some previous seasons. His experience and intensity will remain a factor here, and he should be peaking for Las Vegas as in other years.    Mike Faust has established himself as a winning freestyle heavyweight, wrestling often and beating some very talented athletes. His big win this year was over World placewinner David Otiashvili of Georgia in the third-place match at the Dave Schultz Memorial. He has already locked up a spot in the Olympic Trials through the Regional Trials. He has taken time off from college to pursue his Olympic dream.    Mocco's top college rival, Tommy Rowlands, would be a factor if he stays up at this division but Rowlands is making the move down to 211.5 pounds. When he was here, Rowlands was very competitive, and his departure from the division opens up opportunity for others.    Kellen Fluckiger and Kevin Hoy have been active on the freestyle circuit, and have shown improvement and promise. Hoy made big news as a NCAA runner-up for Air Force, and is now being supported in his quest for the Olympics as an academy graduate. Fluckiger has paid his dues on at the big national and international events, and is clearly capable of rising high in the medal rounds. Max Lossen of Michigan State, a young emerging talent, has already secured a place in Indianapolis with a Regionals title.    Veteran Tony Walters and young Cain Velasquez are national contenders at this weight class. Both have been at the major events in recent seasons. College fans would like to see how NCAA All-Americans Pat Cummins and Leonce Crump can do on the freestyle circuit. Neither has spent much time on the freestyle mats, but both have skill and size and might be dangerous if they show up in Las Vegas. John Lockhart, a former NCAA champion, has done fairly well in freestyle, but has not wrestled this season so far. Andy Bowlby has competed on the Senior circuit in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Tony Davis and John Devine will also be fighting for a spot in the top eight here.    Everybody is talking about the possibility of a Kerry McCoy vs. Stephen Mocco showdown in Las Vegas. The seeding makes this a gold-medal possibility if the athletes move through the field. However, Tolly Thompson and Brian Keck have earned their spots on the ladder, and will not be easily moved out. This division may not have as much depth as some of the other freestyle weight classes, but there is talent. Big men often get thrown, and we could see some fun battles in the quarterfinals and semifinals, for sure. Until somebody beats him, McCoy is the man. The waiting is now over.    THEMAT.COM RANKINGS FOR APRIL 2004  120 KG/264.5 LBS. IN MEN'S FREESTYLE  1. Kerry McCoy, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC)  2. Steve Mocco, N. Bergen, N.J. (New York AC)  3. Tolly Thompson, Waterloo, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)  4. Brian Keck, Cleveland, Ohio (New York AC)  5. Mike Faust, Baltimore, Md. (Dave Schultz WC)   6. Kellan Fluckiger, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)  7. Kevin Hoy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)  8. Tony Walters, Amityville, N.Y. (St. Anthony's)  9. Pat Cummins, State College, Pa.  10. Leonce Crump, Norman, Okla.    ATHLETES ALREADY QUALIFIED FOR THE OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS  West Regional Trials Champion - Dominic Black, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)  North Regional Trials Champion -Max Lossen,Winona, Minn. (Michigan State)   Central Regional Trials Champion - Mike Faust, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)