USA Wrestling Cadet wrestlers (ages 15-16) are now eligible for the coveted USA Wrestling Triple Crown Award, beginning in 2003.    The award is given to athletes who win USA Wrestling national titles in folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling in the same year. In the past, this award was available only in three USA Wrestling Kids divisions (Midget, Novice, Schoolboy/girl).    This became possible for Cadets when USA Wrestling's grassroots leaders voted to add a Cadet division to its annual Folkstyle National Championships. This year, Cadets will be eligible to compete in the USA Wrestling National Folkstyle Championships, April 4-6, 2003 in Topeka, Kansas.     The second and third leg of the Cadet Triple Crown will be at the Cadet National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships in Fargo, N.D. in July. This event, combined with the ASICS Junior National Championships, is the largest wrestling tournament in the world. The quality and size of the Cadet Nationals has grown considerably over the years.    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.     All Cadet wrestlers who were planning to test themselves this summer in Fargo, N.D. should also plan on competing in Topeka for a chance to claim the Triple Crown. With the early April date, athletes should still be sharp from their high school and junior high folkstyle seasons.    Weight classes to be contested in the Cadet division in all three styles are:  84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215, 275.     The Triple Crown has become one of USA Wrestling's most popular award programs. Only a handful of talented young wrestlers are able to win this award each year, truly the ultimate honor in youth wrestling.    Those athletes who compete at the Cadet Folkstyle National Championships in Topeka are also able to participate in other popular awards programs.    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.    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.