Is it possible for one team to sweep all 10 weights at this year's Big Ten wrestling championships at Illinois on March 9-10?

The only team with the ability to turn this unprecedented feat into a reality is Minnesota.

The Gophers feature ranked wrestlers at every weight, and after posting an amazing 10 All-Americans at last year's NCAA tournament, anything is possible.

Also, the tournament Iowa once owned has become Minnesota's the past few seasons. The Gophers have two out of the last three including a 154.0-130.5 victory over Illinois last season.

But the rest of the conference will not roll over and die at the feet of Minnesota. Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State and just about every other team in the conference have talented wrestlers looking for NCAA qualification and conference honors.

What follows is a preview of the first five weight classes at the 2002 Big Ten wrestling championships.

125 pounds

This class belongs to two wrestlers, one a senior, one a freshman. Minnesota's three-time All-American Leroy Vega and Purdue freshman Chris Fleeger. Vega and Fleeger have been ranked second and fourth for the majority of the season and appear destined for meeting in the finals. The two met earlier this season with Vega cruising to an 8-0 win.

As of yesterday, Penn State head coach did not know who would wrestle for the Nittany Lions at 125.

A wrestle-off between freshman Adam Smith and junior Justin Kast will decide the position.

Collegian's Pick: After being stuck behind Jeremy Hunter and Jody Strittmatter for four years, Vega finally gets a Big Ten championship.

133 pounds

A Minnesota wrestler headlines this class also, as Ryan Lewis has proven dominant this entire season.Despite being in his first season as a starter, No. 1 Lewis has proven almost untouchable, going undefeated and pinning the country's second ranked 133 pounder in Johnny Thompson of Oklahoma State in December.

"His intensity is his biggest strength," Minnesota head coach J Robinson said.

Lewis' biggest challenge figures to come from Foley Dowd of Michigan, Kevin Black of Wisconsin and Cliff Moore from Iowa.

Penn State's Marat Tomaev is a darkhorse candidate for a high finish. Despite seeing limited action this year, the sophomore from the Ukraine finished sixth last year and knows what Big Ten's are all about.

"I feel positive about this tournament, I just need to get healthy. The competition is tough but I feel good," Tomaev said.

Collegian's Pick: Lewis rolls, heads to nationals undefeated.

141 pounds

This weight is up for grabs. Penn State's Scott Moore is undefeated in Big Ten matches, but has not faced Minnesota's returning All-American Chad Erickson yet this season.

"Moore should get the number one seed," Sunderland said. "It would be nice for him to get off to a good start and score a lot of points. He could give a lot of momentum to himself and our team."

Erickson has not wrestled since an early February dual with Iowa, but Robinson insists he is not injured and will wrestle.

Other top contenders for the championship are returning All-American Robert Sessley of Ohio State and Coyte Cooper of Indiana, both of whom Moore beat this season.

Collegian's Pick: Despite not facing Erickson this season, Moore continues his Big Ten run and becomes the Lions first conference champion since 1999.

149 pounds

Once again, the conference boasts the country's top wrestler in Iowa's Mike Zadick.

The Montana native burst onto the scene at last year's NCAA tournament, finishing third after entering unseeded. Zadick is 28-0 on the season and has defeated the weight's other top wrestlers, Jared Lawrence of Minnesota, the defending champion, and Michigan's Mike Kulczycki. Although they may not be the favorites for the title, Lawrence and Kulczycki, both returning All-Americans and both ranked in the top five, have the ability to pull off the upset.

"Kulczycki really impressed me in high school and during our dual meet," Sunderland said.

Penn State's Nate Wachter has wrestled in two previous Big Ten tournaments, finishing seventh twice. Although he's in a tough weight class the junior should qualify for nationals a third straight time.

"As long as he opens up, Nate Wachter has the ability to compete and do real well," Sunderland said.

Collegian's Pick: After forcing Zadick to overtime in their last meeting, Kulczycki is primed to take out the Hawkeye.

157 pounds

This class appears to be a Minnesota-Michigan battle. The Gopher's No. 3 Luke Becker and the Wolverine's No.5 Ryan Bertin have been the class of this weight throughout the season and should meet in the finals.

Becker beaten Bertin twice this season.

"I think Becker is on track for a national championship," Robinson said.

Other top wrestlers at the weight include Ohio State's Josh Janson and Iowa's Matt Anderson.

Penn State's James Woodall appears to be peaking at the right time. The freshman has won three of his last four bouts, including a 24-13 major decision over Janson.

"He might not get a great seed, but he's someone I wouldn't want to face early in the tournament," Sunderland said.

Collegian's Pick: Bertin is tough, but Becker has the experience.