Mike Dowden of Indianapolis, Ind., has been named the Junior Person of the Year by USA Wrestling, the national governing body for amateur wrestling in the United States. This award goes to a nationally respected leader who works with athletes and programs on the Junior level (grades 9-12).    Dowden serves as the state chairperson for the Indiana State Wrestling Association, the USA Wrestling state association for Indiana. He has served in that position since 1991, and has helped develop one of the largest and most active state associations in the nation.    Dowden and ISWA have served as host for the Central Junior Regional Championships, which have been held in Jeffersonville, Ind. for the last six years. This tournament has grown in size and prestige in recent years.    Indiana has over 900 Junior wrestlers in its program, which has been growing in number in recent years. The ISWA keeps track of its wrestlers, and over 95% of the high school state placewinners have been active in the USA Wrestling program in the state.    He has had tremendous involvement in USA Wrestling at many levels. Based upon his leadership on the state level, Dowden was named 1999 State Chairperson of the Year by USA Wrestling. He has served as a member of the USA Wrestling Board of Directors.    Currently, the ISWA hosts the annual Schoolboy National Duals in Indianapolis, a state-level dual meet competition for athletes who are 13-14 years old. This tournament has grown from a festival to a national championships since it was created by the Indiana association.    Dowden played a leadership role in the organization of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials as well as the 2003 World Team Trials, both which were held in Indianapolis. The 2004 Olympic Team Trials were held in the RCA Dome, and was considered one of the most successful in USA Wrestling history. The World Team Trials set attendance records for the event when held at the Indianapolis Convention Center.    He has served as a member of the Junior Olympic Wrestling Committee since 2001, and has also been on the executive board of the State Chairman's Council. Also serves on the FILA Junior and University Committee for USA Wrestling.    Dowden wrestled at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, but not in college. He became involved again when two of his three sons began to wrestle.       Junior Person of the Year  1997 - Tom Lehman, Michigan  1998 - Don Murray, New York  1999 - Bob and Sue Siar, Pennsylvania  2000 - Al Billings, Iowa  2001 - Gene Krebs, North Dakota  2002 - Ed Gould, New York and Pete DiBiase, New Jersey  2003 - Sam Harnsongkram, Louisiana  2004 - Patricia Fox, New Jersey  2005 - Mike Dowden, Indiana