Les Gutches, World Champion freestyle wrestlers, defines Commitment this way, "There is a difference between interest and commitment; when you are interested in something you do it only when it is convenient.  When you are committed to something you refuse to accept excuses, only results.      In the United States interest in high school wrestling is high and shows growth year after year.  Each winter, wrestlers take to the mats and battle in conference duals, Saturday tournaments, sectional, district and finally state championships.  The competition is always fierce to stand at the top of the podium.  And, few people who are exposed to high school wrestling can resist the intensity and innate thrill of the sport.      High school wrestlers and coaches from across the country recognize this time of year, instead of pitch-black darkness as wrestlers leave school at the end of practice, many wrestlers are getting to catch the last bit of sunshine after practice as the days grow longer.  The anticipation is building, sectionals, districts and state are just around the corner.  Coaches are pouring over opposing schools lineups, records, head to head match-ups, looking for a valid argument to get their wrestler the seed needed to advance them to state.  The wrestling season is growing short, or is it?      If high school coaches, and wrestlers would heed the advice of some of the most successful coaches, and wrestlers nationally, the high school season wouldn't mark the end of the season but just another step in a growing commitment to the world's oldest and greatest sport.  Once the state titles and individual medals, the team banquets and varsity letters are set aside the committed coach and wrestler's season is just beginning.      USA Wrestling, the National Governing Body for the sport of wrestling in the United States offers its' members a complete and enticing chance to develop and build the skills for wrestlers and coaches that will help them achieve their goals in the next year.      Remember a committed wrestler isn't searching for convenience; they're focused on the results.      After each high school season the best high school wrestlers and coaches check to make sure that their USA Wrestling membership card is current and valid.  This membership card, available for a nominal fee of $10-25 opens the door to a committed wrestling community.  Memberships are available through local state organizations.   USA Wrestling offers competition, and education to all ages and abilities interested in the sport of wrestling in three distinct styles of wrestling: Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling.      USA Wrestling has nine age-group divisions with the youngest being the Bantam division with birth-dates of 1993 and 1994 through the Senior division with birth-dates prior to 1984.  These age-group divisions offer wrestlers the chance to compete with athletes paired more closely to their age instead of the 4, 5, or 6 year separation that some high school wrestling offers.  The closeness in the age range gives participants a fair chance to excel in the sport of wrestling.  View 2001 Age Divisions and Weight Classes (Boys).  View 2001 Age Divisions and Weight Classes for girls.      Coaches who participate in USA Wrestling are extended the opportunity to participate in the National Coaches Education Program.  The goal of NCEP is to expand coach's knowledge of sports specific education in wrestling.  Coaches are certified at the Copper, Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.  In today's society, often media attention falls unfairly on the digression of errant coaches involved in a local sport.  USA Wrestling's commitment to education serves a useful purpose in developing excellence in coaching at all age levels from Bantam matches to Olympic glory.  More information on the National Coaches Education Program.      Once wrestlers have made the commitment to be involved with wrestling in the Spring and Summer.  There is a thick field of tournaments from local USA Wrestling events, to State Championships, Regional Qualifiers, and National Championships that can be used to hone the techniques and test the skill of that grappler.      Kids Division    The Kids Division, which is actually made up of three age groups: Midget, Novice, Schoolboy/girl, has six exciting regionals for its wrestlers to participate in.  In addition, there are literally hundreds of state and local meets that also offer the Kids Division chances to wrestle.  The Regional Championships are contested in the two Olympic styles: freestyle and Greco-Roman.      The Northeast Regional Championships will be in Allentown, Pennsylvania, May 18-20th.  Contact Bill Crum at 973-751-7915 for further information.      The Southeast Regional Championships will be in Jacksonville, Florida, May 26-28th.  Contact Gary Townsend at 813-392-3600 for further information.    The Central Regional Championships will be in Dayton, Ohio, June 1-3rd.  Contact Tom Knupp at 330-867-6474 for further information.    The Southern Plains Regional Championships will be in Dallas, Texas June 7-9th.  Contact Al Rodger at 800-276-6344 for further information.      The Northern Plains Regional Championships will be in Omaha, Nebraska, June 13-16th.  Contact James Schnell at 308-235-3416 for further information.      The Western Regional Championships will be in Pocatello, Idaho, June 18-23rd.  Contact Ned Zollinger at 208-356-9309 for further information.      For the Kids Division there are also two outstanding National Championship meets to compete against wrestlers from all 50 states.  The National Championships give the youth in these the prestige of placing in a highly regarded and well-respected tournament.      The Kids Folk-style National Championships in the center of the country in Topeka, Kansas is slated for March 29th-April 1st.  This Championship in the scholastic style wrestled at high school tournaments nationally is a thrilling spectacle.  Champions at this tournament are well regarded and are already on their way to proving themselves as the greatest wrestlers in the country.  To participate in the Kids Folk-style National Folk-style Championships wrestlers are not required to participate in their Regional Championships.      The Freestyle and Greco-Roman National Championships for the Kids Division will be settled in Fresno, California July 4th-7th.  Contact Duane Morgan at 408-636-1569 for further information.  For a Midget, Novice, Schoolboy or Schoolgirl to compete at the National Championships in Fresno, they must have competed in a Regional Championship.  Placement at the Regional is not a prerequisite for wrestling in the National Championship held in Fresno.      Cadet Division    The Cadet Division for wrestlers born in 1985 and 1986 is most often comprised of eighth, ninth, and tenth grade wrestlers.  Be sure to check the age requirements. Cadets are offered a wider range of activities and tournaments, which promote wrestlers a greater opportunity to compete.  Along with the many local tournaments and state championships, Cadets can also compete in the following Regional Championships in Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.      The Northeast Regional Championships will be in Allentown, Pennsylvania, May 18-20th.  Contact Bill Crum at 973-751-7915 for further information.    The Southeast Regional Championships will be in Jacksonville, Florida, May 26-28th.  Contact Gary Townsend at 813-392-3600 for further information.    The Central Regional Championships will be in Dayton, Ohio, June 1-3rd.  Contact Tom Knupp at 330-867-6474 for further information.    The Southern Plains Regional Championships will be in Dallas, Texas June 7-9th.  Contact Al Rodger at 800-276-6344 for further information.    The Northern Plains Regional Cha