USA Wrestling is proud to announce that it has joined with the Virginia Challenge in promoting and sanctioning the "Virginia Challenge 2nd Annual Middle School National Open Wrestling Championships."  This outstanding youth level folkstyle event will be conducted May 17-19, 2002 in Norfolk, VA at the World Famous Norfolk Scope Arena in historic downtown Norfolk.    This event is being sanctioned by USA Wrestling and all competitors will be required to be USA Wrestling members.  Membership cards will be available at registration for $30.  This membership will include secondary sports accident insurance benefits, annual subscription to USA Wrestler, and the opportunity to compete in other local, regional and national USA Wrestling sanctioned events.    The Middle School National Open will attract athletes from across the country which will compete in two divisions, a 5th-6th grade and 7th  8th grade.  Athletes in the 5th and  6th grades have a maximun age of 13 years  and athletes in the 7th and 8th grades have a maximum of 15 years of age.       The weight classes are as follows for these two divisions:       5th & 6th grade  65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, Hwt   7th & 8th grade  70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, Hwt. The event is limited to the first 1000 entrants.    This National level folkstyle event will be conducted under a double elimination format with the championship rounds being 2-1-1 in length and the consolation rounds being 1-1-1 in length.    The top eight place winners in each weight class will be awarded attractive national championships plaques. In addition, there will be Outstanding Wrestlers selected in the lower and upper weight classes of each division, Fastest Pin awards and Most Falls in the Least Amount of Time awards.  Team scores will also be kept for those groups entering the team competition, with awards to be given to the top five teams in each age group category.    Mark Scott, USAW Director of State Services had this to say about this new USAW sanctioned event, "I am excited about this new folkstyle event being added to the USAW schedule of outstanding competitions. This event adds a unique opportunity for athletes in these two age groups to compete nationally in an outstanding event in a historical part of the United States,"  he said.    "I am very impressed with the organizational standards that have been established by the Virginia Challenge group.  They have conducted many outstanding competitions over the years and this event will be a tribute to their dedication to the sport and the development of youth wrestling," said Scott.    "The Virginia Challenge is looking forward to conducting this outstanding national level event in Norfolk, Virginia," said Frank Lipoli of the Virginia Challenge organization. "We believe we have found a site that will be outstanding for the event and bring many educational opportunities too.  I am personally excited about working with USA Wrestling in bringing this event to a National caliber level and the Virginia Challenge organization recognizes the importance in partnering with the National Governing Body for Wrestling."      "The Virginia Challenge has gone to the utmost to make sure this event is an outstanding competition for all the entrants.  We have taken great pride in making sure that all the participants will have an outstanding experience while competing and enjoying the area," Lipoli said.    More tournament information can be found by contacting Tournament Director Don Robertson at wrestlindon@aol.com, visiting the official event website at www.virginiachallenge.org or contacting Co-Tournament Director Frank Lipoli at 757-436-3422