For the 2002-03 season, USA Wrestling proudly introduces the new Ultimate Challenge Series of Folkstyle Wrestling and the Dominator Award.    This series of events will focus on major USA Wrestling sanctioned folkstyle events, which bring prominence to USA Wrestling's outstanding slate of regional and national events.    The events designated in the inaugural series include four nationally recognized folkstyle events and one new event to be organized in the Fall of 2002.    USA Wrestling has partnered with key volunteer leaders who over the years have established a major folkstyle event and now has brought them together to recognize those outstanding athletes that participate on the national level at these key events.     As the national governing body for wrestling in the United States, USA Wrestling is responsible for the development and promotion of the sport. To create increased interest and a focus on USA Wrestling's outstanding folkstyle programs, the concept of the Ultimate Challenge Series was developed.     The Ultimate Challenge Series will use a point system, which is currently under development, to determine Series-ending winners for the year. These Series Champions will receive attractive awards, to be designated as the "Dominator Award" that will recognize their accomplishments in this unique folkstyle series.     Athletes will score points for placing in each event, which will be totaled to determine the Series award winners. The exact number of age groups and number of awards per age group to receive the Dominator Award is still in the development stages and will be posted on TheMat.com once they are finalized.    "Each year thousands of young athletes participate in several sanctioned 'National Folkstyle' events across the country," said Mark Scott, Director of State Services. "In order to recognize the time, effort and resources these athletes and their parents and coaches put into travel and competition, USA Wrestling wants to recognize those athletes that have achieved ultimate success and have been a dominant participant."    "This new series allows USA Wrestling to bring several key folkstyle events together in order to promote the sport and give more athletes recognition for their accomplishments," said Scott. "The Ultimate Challenge Series will continue to grow and be refined as we work with USA Wrestling's key state leaders to make this program an outstanding way to recognize many outstanding young wrestling athletes."     The five events that have been included in this historic new folkstyle series are:  * The Fall Classic, November 23-24, 2002 in Danville, Ill.  * 18th Annual Cotton Bowl Classic, December 27-28, 2002 in Mesquite, Texas  * Liberty Nationals, February 8, 2003 in Liberty, Mo.  * USA Wrestling National Folkstyle Championships, April 4-6, 2003 in Topeka, Kan.  * 3rd Annual Virginia Challenge Middle School National Open, April 11-13, 2003 in Norfolk, Va.    Additional information on the Ultimate Challenge Series will be posted on TheMat.com and sent to USA Wrestling State Directors. You may also call the USA Wrestling headquarters at 719-598-8181 and ask for the Department of State Services to receive more information.    Take the Ultimate Challenge this year!    THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE SERIES EVENTS    EVENT #1 - The Fall Classic  November 23-24, 2002 in Danville, Ill., at the David S. Palmer Arena  Contact Jim Didi at 773-745-0222  www.ikwf.org/start.htm    EVENT #2 - 18th Annual Cotton Bowl Classic   December 27-28, 2002 in Mesquite, Texas at the Mesquite Rodeo Arena  Contact Al Rodger at 817-370-7379  www.cottonbowlclassic.org    EVENT #3 - Liberty Nationals  February 8, 2003 in Liberty, Mo. at William Jewel College  Contact Bill Gossett at 816-781-2111  www.libertynationalswrestling.com    EVENT #4 - USA Wrestling National Folkstyle Championships  April 4-6, 2003, Topeka, Kan. at the Topeka Expocentre  Contact Greg Grater at 785-944-3630  www.usawks.com/invites/KidsNatlFolk.htm    EVENT #5 - 3rd Annual Virginia Challenge Middle School National Open  April 11-13, 2003 at site to be determined in Norfolk, Va.  Contact Frank Lipoli at 757-546-2028  www.virginiachallenge.org