Lee Fullhart (Chattanooga, Tenn./Gator WC) has done it.    With an outstanding effort at the 2004 U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas, Nev., the odds were against him beating Cael Sanderson, (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist), reigning U.S. Nationals Champion at 84 kg/185 lbs. and three-time World Team member. On April 10, Fullhart won the gold and put an end to Sanderson's tenure as the U.S. Nationals Champion.      Fullhart proved many people wrong and achieved one of the biggest wins at the U.S. Nationals. In the finals, he beat Sanderson 5-2, claiming his first U.S. Nationals title.     That win against Sanderson was the icing on the cake. He beat two World medalists during the weekend. In the semifinals, Fullhart recorded a 3-1 win over 2001 World Silver Medalist Brandon Eggum.     "I feel good with my performance, but this isn't the gold medal from Athens," said Fullhart. "I still have things to work on."     Sanderson beat Fullhart in the finals of the U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials for the last two years. It was not Fullhart's first win over Sanderson, however. At the 2002 World Team Trials, Fullhart won one of three matches in the Championship Series.  Also at the 2000 U.S. Nationals Fullhart beat Sanderson 7-0 in consolations.     "I fight (the crowd) every match because he is the guy everyone wants to win, but I've done everything right to prepare for this," said Fullhart.    Fullhart says he feels people judge him for what happens on the mat. But it is not an accurate showing for what he does during training.     "No one trains harder than Lee," explained Kevin Jackson, National Freestyle Coach. "He has put himself in the environment to train fulltime, and he is focused on what he needs to do."    Now Fullhart has his sights set on the Championship Series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis, Ind., May 23, where he could possibly meet Sanderson or Eggum again.     Sanderson is hoping for a rematch, and he may get his chance by winning the Challenge Tournament at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Fullhart is almost certain his opponent in the championship series will be Sanderson, because he believes they have both distanced themselves from the rest of the pack.     Fullhart can now watch the Challenge Tournament and scout his potential opponent for the championship round, an advantage he gained by becoming the National Champion. However, he has some nervousness about not wrestling for two days during the Challenge Tournament.     "I will not be able to get that 'first match' out of the way. But I will probably bring a training partner with me to help me warm up," said Fullhart. "When the Championship Series matches come, my body will be warm and ready. There will be no surprises, nobody new will be at Trials."    Fullhart moved to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. to focus solely on his Olympic dream. Other U.S. Nationals freestyle champions who are also Olympic Training Center Resident Athletes include: Stephen Abas (55 kg/121 lbs.), Joe Williams (74 kg/163 lbs.), and Kerry McCoy (120 kg/264.5 lbs.).     "I left my coaching job at University of Tennesseee-Chatanooga, my house, my dogs, and basically all the comforts of home to come out here to train. There are no distractions here. All I do is train," explained Fullhart.     Coming to the Olympic Training Center has turned out to be a good decision. He believes that concentrating on freestyle everyday gives him an advantage over his opponents who are non-residents.     "He has an advantage because he is out here and totally committed to freestyle with better training partners," said Jackson.     Fullhart often works out with resident wrestlers at 96 kg and anyone who may come in for a short period of time. Fullhart says he likes this, because he is always working with new training partners and their differing styles.     On a daily basis, he is consistently working with Olympic and World champions Kevin Jackson and Sergei Beloglazov. Jackson is the National Freestyle Coach and Beloglazov is the Resident Freestyle Coach.      "I spend a lot of time working with Kevin Jackson," said Fullhart. "He responds to each individual uniquely. He will go hard if you want to go hard but he will also slow down if you need to as well. There is no mental strain because he has it mapped out for them. We work hard, but I know he will not let us be overtrained."    "I respect Kevin Jackson immensely. He gives us 100% and he wants us to succeed as bad as we do," said Fullhart. "I want to win for him because it will validate my training and the time and dedication I have put in."    Some believe that Fullhart beat Sanderson by focusing his training solely to beat Cael. However, Fullhart begs to differ.    "I didn't focus on it," expressed Fullhart. "I want to be the best in the country and I put the time in to get the job done. This is just another win. It doesn't mean anything to me unless it is gold in Athens. My style has always been the same. I wrestle hard and get after them."    Jackson agrees.    "Fullhart trains to be the best in the world. He trains for everyone, the Russian, the Cuban, and Cael, being these are the best in the world."    Fullhart's training is far from over. In order for him to remain successful at the Trials, and perhaps in Athens, Greece, he says he has to improve regardless of whether he is labeled the favorite or the underdog.     "I want to be able to do the same hold no matter who my opponent is and be able to score. I have to improve in a couple of positions and my underhook offense as well as more leg attacks need to be fine-tuned. I also need to solidify the top position constantly."    "If he is able to take down guys consistently, he will be hard to beat," said Jackson.    It has been a long time coming since Lee Fullhart. As a five year old, he stepped onto the mat with dreams of Olympic glory. These next three matches are for all the marbles. His dreams are either being lived out or shattered.     "I am going to do as I am told and work hard. If I work hard, I can accomplish anything," said Fullhart.    At the Olympic Trials in May 21-23, fans will be interested to see how the 84 kg freestyle weight class plays out and who will represent the U.S.A. in Athens, Greece at the 2004 Olympic Games. Fullhart fully intends to make himself the answer to that question.     ________________________________________________________________________________  The U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling are May 21-23 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Tickets and hotel accommodations are available. Visit www.trials2004.com for more information.