The Executive Committee of USA Wrestling has approved sweeping changes to its age-group weigh-in policies and procedures on Tuesday, Dec. 12.    The changes were developed as part of USA Wrestling's commitment to improving the safety of the sport, as well as increasing the enjoyment of wrestling for its young participants.    "This is the best for wrestling, and the best for the young athletes," said Duane Morgan, Chairperson of USA Wrestling's Junior Olympic Wrestling Committee. "These rules will help take the focus away from making weight and put the concentration on just wrestling."    "This is a step in the right direction," said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling acting Executive Director. "This will help institute a much needed cultural change in our sport. The health and safety of our athletes should always be of the utmost importance."    Among the changes is the moving of weigh-ins to a maximum of two hours prior to competition on the first day of competition. The rules provide for additional weigh-ins on the mornings of competition for multiple-day events. Procedures on how to pair the competition for athletes who do not make weight are also included. Specific rules vary based upon the tournament and the age level involved.    The new rules will be used at USA Wrestling age-group National Championships, National Duals and Regional Championships. The only exception shall be if an event is a qualifier for a world level competition as recognized by USAW or is a FILA calendar event. In addition, the USAW Kids Folkstyle Championships are exempt, due to logistical issues that will be further addressed in the future.    These weigh-in policies and procedures were adopted by the appropriate USA Wrestling age-group committees prior to its submission to the Executive Committee for final approval.    USA Wrestling has been a leader in the effort to address the issues of weight management in the sport. USA Wrestling organized the Joint Committee to Address Weight Management in Wrestling in December 1997, a group of leaders from numerous wrestling organizations. Among the highlights of the group's joint resolution are the following goals:    * "Eliminate from wrestling any and all weight control practices which could potentially risk the health of the participants..."    * "Stress technique, strength, fitness, skill, experience and strategy as the most effective methods to achieve success in wrestling..."    In February 1998, USA Wrestling's Board of Directors approved a new policy on weight management, which included a prohibition of the use of saunas, steam rooms, hot boxes, vapor barrier clothing, laxatives and diuretics. This policy was in effect during the last two full USA Wrestling event seasons.    All levels of wrestling have worked hard to develop policies, rules, procedures and practices to make the sport safer. The National Collegiate Athletic Association has developed an extensive new set of rules and procedures for college wrestling concerning weight management. Most of the individual state associations within the National Federation of State High School Associations have also instituted improved weigh-in policies.     The changes approved by the USA Wrestling Executive Committee is another step forward in unifying the wrestling community's commitment to improving wrestling and making it as safe as possible.    Modifications to USAW's Age Group Weigh-in Policies & Procedures    The weigh-in policies and procedures outlined below have been adopted by the Kids/Cadet Executive Committee, the Junior Division Executive Committee, the State Chairpersons Executive Committee, the six Kids/Cadet Region Committees, the six State Chairpersons Region Committees, the USAW Sports Science Committee, the FILA Junior World Executive Committee, the Junior Olympic Wrestling Committee and USA Wrestling's Executive Committee.  The Coaches Council Executive Committee still needs to address the matter but it is anticipated they will adopt the policies with no changes.  The Chairperson of the Coaches Council has been involved on several of the completed conference calls.    The rules and policies below shall be enforce for all age group regional and national competitions (University Division and below). The only exception shall be if an event is a qualifier for a world level competition as recognized by USAW or is a FILA calendar event, in these cases the weigh-in procedures at the event shall comply, as best possible, with the weigh-in procedures for the world level event or FILA calendar event.  In addition, the USAW Kids Folkstyle Championships are exempt this year, while logistical issues are resolved.    For the policies outlined below it is to be understood that where the initial weigh-in, per style, is two hours prior to competition, the competitors shall have already registered for the weight class they intend to compete in, and that the brackets have been drawn.     1. Cadet, FILA Cadet, Junior, FILA Junior World & University Division National Championships:    a. For each style, athletes shall weigh-in a maximum of two hours prior to competition on the first day of competition.    b.Athletes shall weigh-in a maximum of one hour prior to competition each morning after the first weigh-in, per style.  (No weight allowance)    c. Athletes failing to make weight at the first weigh-in shall be eligible to move up one weight class only if the state has not already fulfilled its quota or the athlete is a regional qualifier.  (Not applicable for FILA Junior World/University).    d. Any athlete paired against another athlete that fails to make weight at the initial weigh-in, and if there are no further adjustments to the bracket, shall advance to the next round by forfeit, receiving 4 positive points.    e. Any athlete paired against another athlete that fails to make a subsequent weigh-in shall be eliminated from the competition and his/her opponent shall win the bout by forfeit, receiving 4 positive points.    f. Athletes that are able to be moved to the next weight class, due to failure to make weight, shall be incorporated into the bracket on the first available spot as determined by the Chief Pairings Official or his/her designee.  g. During weigh-ins the athlete shall only have two opportunities to make the desired weight class, the initial weigh-in and one challenge thereafter.  The athlete shall not be allowed to leave the designated weigh-in area.     2. Cadet, FILA Cadet, Junior, FILA Junior World & University Division National Duals:    a. For each style, athletes shall weigh-in a maximum of two hours prior to competition on the first day of competition.    b. Athletes shall weigh-in a maximum of one hour prior to competition each morning after the first weigh-in, per style.    c. There shall be no weight allowance.    d. During weigh-ins the athlete shall only have two opportunities to make the desired weight class, the initial weigh-in and one challenge thereafter. The athlete shall not be allowed to leave the designated weigh-in area.    3. Cadet, FILA Cadet, Junior, FILA Junior World & University Division Regional Championships:    a. Athletes shall weigh-in for each style a maximum of two hours prior to competition.  There shall be no weight allowance.    b. For multi-day events, athletes shall weigh-in a maximum of one hour prior to competition each morning, after the initial weigh-in, per style.  If the second style weigh-in is on the second day of the first style, any athlete still in the first style and who will be competing in the second style must weigh-in at the morning weigh-in, which shall qualify as the initial weigh-in for the second style. (No weight allowance).  Basically, no athlete shall be required to weigh-in twice in one day.    c. During weigh-ins the athlete shall only have two opportunities to make the desired weight class, the initial weigh-in and one challenge thereafter. The athlete shall not be allowed to leave the designated weigh-in area.    d. Other National Championships polices above regarding forfeits, bracketing, etc. shall apply.     4. Kids National FS & GR:    a. Athletes shall weigh-in for each style a max