USA Wrestling has added a Cadet division (ages 15-16) to its annual Folkstyle National Championships, providing a new opportunity for talented young athletes to test themselves and battle for national honors.    USA Wrestling's Junior Olympic Wrestling Committee approved a recommendation by the Kids/Cadet Council Executive Committee to add the Cadet division to the National Folkstyle Nationals, to be held April 4-6, 2003 in Topeka, Kansas.      This year, the Cadet division is for athletes born in 1987-88, and is one of the largest age groups in terms of membership and participation.     The addition of the Cadet division raises the number of age groups to four that will compete for All-American honors at the Folkstyle Nationals, joining Midget (9-10 yrs), Novice (11-12 yrs) and Schoolboy/girl (13-14 yrs). Weight classes to be contested in the Cadet division are:  84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215, 275.     "The addition of the Cadet division to the 2003 National Folkstyle Championships allows the organization to bring increasing opportunities to its membership," said Mark Scott, USA Wrestling's Director of State Services. "The Folkstyle National Championships is one of the most outstanding events conducted each year in the United States. The USA Wrestling/Kansas state association does an fantastic job of organizing this prestigious event and is prepared to initiate this new age division this coming year."    With the addition of a Cadet Folkstyle Nationals event, there will now be an opportunity for Cadet wrestlers to win the coveted USA Wrestling Triple Crown award. Any athlete who wins gold medals at the Cadet Folkstyle Nationals, as well as the freestyle and Greco-Roman titles at the Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D. will now be recognized as a Triple Crown winner.    Placewinners at the Cadet Folkstyle Nationals will score points towards the annual Cadet Championship Belt Series award.    Those athletes that are 15 years of age and compete at the Cadet Folkstyle Nationals will also have a chance to score valuable points in the new Ultimate Challenge Series.    The proposal to add the Cadet division to the 2003 Folkstyle Nationals was presented during the 2002 National Convention and passed by the National Council of Kids Directors. After further review by the Kids/Cadet Council Executive Committee and Junior Olympic Wrestling Committee, it was determined that the addition of this age group would enhance this exciting event.    "Adding the Cadet division to the Folkstyle Nationals has made this tremendous event even more outstanding," said Pete Isais, Director of National Events. "The decision by our youth wrestling leaders to add this championship is an indication of their research and commitment to increase opportunities for thousands of USA Wrestling members."    Information on the new event can be obtained by going to www.usawks.com or by contacting the USA Wrestling National Events Department  at 719-598-8181.