It's often tough to judge in the sport of wrestling exactly what amounts to a meaningful victory. How should we judge the myriad of tournaments, titles, and competitions that permeate the fabric of American amateur wrestling?      State pride raises into the debate as wrestling fans question the qualities of one high school federations' title over another. Whether Missouri's tournament is tougher than Minnesota's, or is Ohio's state tournament got more grit than PA's is the hypothetical fodder that many people are left to ponder.      Unfortunately, some young high school wrestlers will leave their scholastic days behind them with a state title, or even several state titles, that don't carry the respect nationally that a title from a well-known wrestling state may have.      Certainly, it doesn't seem fair. But that is the pitfall of the high school season. Some areas of the country may have tougher wrestling and often the wrestlers with lower placing-medals in the state tourney will get more respect than even state champs from some other areas.      True respect, true meaningful titles are tough to come by with the convoluted nature of amateur wrestling in the United States. The Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act that governs the Olympic sports in the U.S. doesn't forbid any organization, or person from starting an event and giving out the lofty title of National Champion, All-American or even in some case World Champion.      Will it be long before we crown six year olds with the title of "Champion of the Universe"?    Perspective is a tough thing to keep as tournament organizers battle to make ends meet and parents look to get their young wrestler recognized nationally at even younger and younger ages.      Trophies as tall as the child winning them or medals as heavy as an engine block can be pretty awe-inspiring but they don't always produce that long-lasting feeling of a meaningful victory. Eventually even young wrestlers will begin to see through the outlandish nature and the mismatch of a giant award to a mediocre event. Without a doubt, it's something that parents need to guard against as they choose to spend their wrestling dollars nationally.      Probably the best option for wrestlers to pursue is to seek the time-honored and coveted "Stop Sign". In comparison to the many extravagant, weighty, and tall awards available nationally for kids, the stop sign comes across in uninspiring simplicity.      The large oak plaque with a large gold medallion portraying the USA Wrestling logo, every year, is the most sought after prize nationally.      Simple, uninspiring, but definitely meaningful.      The stop sign is awarded only to National Champions at the Cadet and Junior Nationals, FILA Junior Nationals, University Nationals, Senior Nationals, and Veterans Nationals.  Young wrestlers can't wait to get their first crack at taking home a "stop sign" when they become Cadets.      Travis Shives, who has worked as the National Events Manager for two years at USA Wrestling since leaving the Minnesota Vikings organization, has come across his share of stories that deal with the prestigious award.      Recently, Shives went through the process to replace a stop sign for a gentleman who lost his in a move. The award was from the 1987 Espoir Nationals, and the gentleman felt that it was his greatest accomplishment in the sport of wrestling. The award has become symbolic of all of the hard work that it took to become a champion and all that the now grown man was able to take with him from the sport of wrestling.      For many people, the stop sign was different. The gentleman for years let other awards sit unseen, tucked away.  But, the stop sign held such special meaning, it had to be replaced.  It needed to go back on his wall proudly hung for others to see.    Mitch Hull, Director of National Teams, has had his opportunity to be a part of many amazing wrestling memories. The only awards that he still displays in his office at USA Wrestling are his National Championship Stop Signs.      According to Hull, "There is a feeling of a fraternity with the other athletes who have earned the National Titles that come along with the awarding of these special plaques."    More than a few wrestlers have strong feelings of the first time they were able capture a National Title. Those memories can evoke palpable emotions that last a lifetime. In its essence, when a wrestler earns the stop sign, he or she knows they have latched on to a meaningful victory.      National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson has earned his fair share of awards to remember including Olympic and World Titles.  Even as Coach Jackson moved into the highest levels of wrestling, he still has an intense pride in his early accomplishments.     "It is the ultimate award," said Coach Jackson. "When won, it is recognized as the highest level of achievement at any age. I still have all of mine from Junior Nationals to Senior Nationals hanging on my wall. To be able to tuck the stop sign under your arm and exit the gym after a national tourney is why you compete in USA Wrestling events. I have never liked a championship medal or trophy more than the stop sign."      USA Wrestling events guarantee a high level of competition. There is no way to back into winning the most prestigious award in wrestling. Mark Scott, Director of State Services, saw it this way. "This symbol of achievement motivates and inspires athletes to compete at their best, for the chance to hold that which is most sought," he said.    The stop sign has undoubtedly become a trademark of USA Wrestling. It represents a tough journey that leaves wrestlers with the feeling of meaningful victory. To set sights on anything short of a wrestling career without a stop-sign in your future, aims short of the mark. Only the best of America's wrestlers capture them by paying the price for years in advance. And, once a wrestler gets to stand atop a field of America's best wrestlers as a true National Champion, the stop sign soon adorns a meaningful place in their home.