USA Wrestling is excited to announce the 2006-07 ASICS Ultimate Challenge Series schedule. The popular youth folkstyle series, now in its 5th season, includes ten quality events, culminating with USA Wrestling's Folkstyle National Championships in Cedar Falls, Iowa. USA Wrestling looks to build on the past success of the Series, which has seen many of the premier youth folkstyle wrestlers in the country compete for the title of Ultimate Dominator. For the fourth consecutive season, last year's Series events' drew several thousand youth wrestlers from throughout the country. However, the belt series wasn't decided until USA Wrestling's Folkstyle National Champions were crowned in the season's final event. For 2006-07 season, USA Wrestling has made some significant changes to the Series, including: - The introduction of the Utah Amateur Wrestling Foundation Folkstyle Nationals - The addition of a division for 7-8 year olds - A change in the oldest age division. Division IV now includes wrestlers 13-14 years old; up to 8th grade - Participants now must register for the points series and record results at www.themat.com - The Champion of USA Wrestling's Folkstyle National Championships will earn 4000 Series points As in years past, the 2006-07 Ultimate Challenge Series will culminate with USA Wrestling's Folkstyle National Championships. However, a new emphasis will be placed on the event, as the champion will receive 4000 points for winning USA Wrestling's premier youth folkstyle tournament. For the 2006-07 Series, athlete divisions for the purpose of Scoring Ultimate Challenge Points, will be determined by the age the participant was on September 1, 2006. The four age divisions that earn points are Division I (7 & 8 year olds), Division II (9 & 10 year olds), Division III (11-12 year olds) and Division IV (13-14 year olds; up to 8th grade). It should be noted that although several events in the Series include other age-group categories, only these four age-group divisions will score points towards the Dominator belts. Please note the points scoring criteria is different than the age group determination for participation in each event. Again, the Series points are determined based on the age the athlete is on September 1, 2006, because the season spans two years. Participation age groups are determined by the respective rules for that particular event. A point system based on individual event placing will track, online, the results of each athlete, and at the end of the ten-event series, twelve Dominator belts will be awarded to the top point scorers in four age divisions. If there is a tie in points for any of the top three places, the tie shall be determined by the following criteria in order: most 1st place finishes, most 2nd place finishes, most 3rd place finishes, most overall wins, highest number of pins. The athlete scoring the most Dominator points will be recognized as the "Ultimate Dominator" and receive a special award. In order to sign up and track the point series, athletes must visit www.themat.com. Under the "USA Wrestling Events" box on the right side of the page, click "Ultimate Challenge Series." Participants can follow the links to sign up or track results. USA Wrestling will monitor the Series points throughout the season to ensure accuracy in reporting. Don't miss your chance to be the Ultimate Dominator; the quest for the belt begins in California. As stated, participants interested in competing for the Ultimate Challenge Series belts The 2006-07 Ultimate Challenge Series Schedule: * The California World Challenge in Fresno, Cal., Oct. 13-15. www.californiaworldchallenge.4t.com * The Winter Classic in Danville, Ill., Nov. 24-25. www.ikwf.org *The Dixie ASICS Nationals in Duluth, Georgia, Dec. 27-28. www.dixienationalswrestling.com * The U.S. Junior Open Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla., Jan. 4-6. www.usjoc.com *Utah Amateur Wrestling Foundation Folkstyle Nationals in Richfield, Utah, Jan. 19-20. www.folkstylenationals.com * Indy Nationals in Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 17-18. www.redcobrawrestling.com * The ASICS Liberty Nationals in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 23-24. www.libertynationalswrestling.com * The Arnold Wrestling Challenge in Columbus, Ohio, March 3-4. www.arnoldsportsfestival.com * VAC/USAW Wrestle-FEST 2007 in Virginia Beach, Va., March 9-11. www.virginiachallenge.org * USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Championships in Cedar Falls, Iowa, March 30-April 1. www.uni.edu/unidome/2007USAWrestling.htm Website available soon!!! For Series news and information, including event websites and contact numbers, click on the Ultimate Challenge Series link at www.TheMat.com. 2006-07 Scoring System: (For all events except USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Championships) 1st Place = 1600 points 2nd Place = 1200 points 3rd Place = 1000 points 4th Place = 900 points 5th Place = 700 points 6th Place = 600 points 7th Place = 400 points 8th Place = 300 points 2006-07 Scoring System: (For USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Championships) 1st Place = 4000 points 2nd Place = 2400 points 3rd Place = 2000 points 4th Place = 1800 points 5th Place = 1400 points 6th Place = 1200 points 7th Place = 800 points 8th Place = 600 points