Although heavyweight Greg Haladay is Penn State's only returning All-American, he has struggled against many of the wrestlers he will have to beat to be a national champion.

Haladay, No. 5 in the latest Amateur Wrestling News rankings, has compiled a 28-6-1 record this season. But the senior, who finished seventh at nationals last year, has faltered against the nation's best with a 3-5-1 mark against top 12 opponents.

"When Haladay lost at Lehigh (to unranked John Morris), he said, 'I guess I'll have to go run Mount Nittany,' " Coach Rich Lorenzo said. "I said, 'Do you think any other heavyweight works as hard as you do? You don't need to work any harder, you just have to believe in yourself.' "

His biggest nemesis this year has been Clarion's Kurt Angle (30-0-1), the No. 1 heavyweight for most of the year before falling to the runner-up position in the latest AWN poll. Angle has wrestled Haladay three times this season and come away with three wins -- by a total of four points.

The matches have been control-type, defensive bouts; two ended 2-1, including the Eastern Wrestling League final, and the other 4-2.

"(Haladay) can win the national tournament," Lorenzo said, "as long as he has the right mental attitude and not try to defend his All-American status or not lose."

Jon Llewellyn of Illinois, a NCAA bronze medallist last season, poses another challenge. Llewellyn (21-3) is the top-ranked heavyweight in the nation according to AWN and the Big 10 champion.

Other top heavyweights include Nebraska's Joe Malacek (35-2-2) and Oklahoma State's Kirk Mammen (28-9-1), who finished first and second, respectively, in the Big Eight Tournament.

In the four highest divisions, 167-pounder Jason Suter (25-8-1) is the only other wrestler with NCAA experience, qualifying as a freshman two years ago. Suter finished second in the EWL Tournament, losing 5-4 to WVU's Mark Banks. Banks downed Suter by the same score in a dual meet.

"I thought I gained a little each match and I hope it all comes together this weekend," Suter said. "I definitely want to be an All-American and my goal is to win it."

But Arizona State's Dan St. John, last year's 158-pound national champ, has been dominant at 167 this season. The senior from Cleveland, Ohio is 35-0-1 and the Pacific 10 champion. He defeated Suter, 13-3, at the Virginia Duals.

Although St. John is the favorite, Bucknell's Tom Marchetti (27-1) and Big 10 winner Brad Travolta (36-1) of Northwestern are ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Marchetti edged Suter, 7-6, at the Mat-Town USA Tournament.

At 177, freshman Adam Mariano (21-10-2) makes his first trip to nationals. Mariano lived up to his seed in the EWL Tournament, placing fourth.

"This is the fun part of the season," Mariano said. "I have nothing to lose. The EWLs were nice but we haven't proven anything yet."

The favorite is 177-pound defending national champion Chris Barnes of Oklahoma State. The senior has posted a 31-1 record this season and won the Big Eight championship last week.

Two other All-Americans also return to NCAAs. Northwestern's Mike Funk and Purdue's Mike McHenry finished fifth and seventh last year in Oklahoma City. Funk (30-4) placed second in the Big 10 Tournament and McHenry finished sixth, earning a trip to nationals with a wild card. Minnesota's Marty Morgan, sixth at 167 last year, won the Big 10 title at 177 and takes an almost unblemished 35-1 mark to nationals.

Other probable top seeds are Rob Larmore of William & Mary (34-2-1), who won the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association tournament, and EWL champ Dominic Black (31-3) of West Virginia, who defeated Mariano in a dual meet and in the EWL semifinals.

At 190, senior Jeff Ellis also will wrestle in his first NCAA Tournament. Ellis lost to West Virginia's Jeff Spinetti (19-1-2) in the EWL final. Spinetti is ranked No. 8 by AWN.

"I'm ready to go," Ellis said. "I think the last couple of years I peaked a little early. This time I peaked at the right time."

"His last chance is his only chance," Lorenzo said. "He's wrestling with confidence even though he's gone through a very tough year with injuries that have stymied his development."

Lehigh's Matt Ruppel (30-0-1) won the EIWA title and is the No. 1-ranked 190-pounder in the nation. Ruppel beat Ellis, 10-4, in a dual meet.

Big Eight champ Joe Stafford (35-2) of Oklahoma places No. 2 according to AWN and Iowa's Brooks Simpson (30-2-1) is the Big 10 winner and ranked No. 3. Simpson downed Ellis, 12-5, in a dual meet at Iowa City.