USA Wrestling's 2002 Junior Regional Event Series began with the Northwest Junior Freestyle Championships held in Battle Ground, Washington, March 23rd. More than 200 competitors competed in 15 weight classes in the spacious confines of Battle Ground High School. Athletes from five Western states including Hawaii wrestled for honors in the season's first Junior Regional Championships. This championship event was the first to include the newly adopted weight classes for the Junior Division, which are the National High School weight classes with the addition of 98lbs and the use of 105lbs. in replace of 103lbs. Athletes also earned spots on their State Junior National Teams as the top three placers automatically qualify for these national state teams. Washington and Oregon lead all states with five champions each. California was third with four champions and Idaho claimed the remaining championship spot. The Outstanding Wrestler of the event was 119lb. Champion Eric Stevenson of Washington. The Most Falls Award in the Least Time went to 275lb. Third place finisher Arturo Basulto of California with four falls in 7minutes 44 seconds. Prior to the Championships beginning, former US Olympic and World Team member Anthony Amado conducted a technique clinic for coaches and athletes. Results: 98lbs 1st Kevin Mitchell, WA Fall 1:28 2nd Austin Tempelton, WA 105lbs 1st Brett Land, CA 20-10 2nd Trdy Brugger, OR 3rd Trevor Lofstedt, OR 3rd in RR 112lbs 1st Mike Rodriguez, WA Fall 3:56 2nd Mat Gardner, OR 3rd Travis Featherstone, CA 15-9 4th Tony Uchytil, CA 119lbs 1st Eric Stevenson, WA Fall 0:59 2nd Tyler Sherfey, WA 3rd Billy Excline, CA 12-0 4th Kyle Cruickshanks, OR 125lbs 1st Taylor Graham, OR Fall 2:05 2nd Franciso Mannquez, CA 3rd Chad Mendes, CA Fall 4:01 4th David Jagoda, CA 130lbs 1st James Holt, CA 12-0 2nd Matt Port, WA 3rd Brett Wagner, WA 8-4 4th Travis Williams, CA 135lbs 1st Bryan Medelez, OR 8-4 2nd Bryan Cantrell, OR 3rd Roberto Gonzalez, CA 11-0 4th James Shrader, Wa 140lbs 1st Ricky Turk, CA 12-2 2nd Kyle Larson, OR 3rd Robert Steven Brown, CA 11-1 4th Adam Morrison, WA 145lbs 1st Scott Loesher, OR 10-0 2nd Jesse Fernandez, CA 3rd Daniel Murphree, CA 11-0 4th Derek Jorgensen, OR 152lbs 1st Pat Pitsch, WA Fall 1:09 2nd Hans Gray, WA 3rd Lucas Anderson, CA 11-1 4th Paul Austin, CA 160lbs 1st Stephen Gee, CA 11-1 2nd Devin Mair, OR 3rd Kyle Walker, CA Fall 1:43 4th Neal Beaudry, OR 171lbs 1st Luke Hogle, OR Fall 2:50 2nd Kyle Frawlwy, WA 3rd Cory Vansteenwyk, ID 6-5 4th Nicholas Walden, CA 189lbs 1st Eric Smith, ID Fall 3:55 2nd Steven Williams, CA 3rd Evan Mattingly, WA 14-3 4th Matt Currie, OR 215lbs 1st Ty Watterson, WA Fall 3:21 2nd Bridger Sacher, OR 3rd Cody Parker, OR 11-0 4th Kyle Simmons, WA 275lbs 1st Jamie Rakervich, WA 11-0 2nd Matt Densley, ID 3rd Arturo Basulto, CA Fall 1:10 4th Justin Troxel, OR