USA Wrestling is proud to announce the expansion of its popular Ultimate Challenge Series of Folkstyle Wrestling for the 2003-04 season. Last year, a slate of outstanding USA Wrestling sanctioned folkstyle events were organized and promoted, offering top young wrestlers a chance to test themselves against the nation's best. The Series saw over 3,200 wrestlers entered in five National-caliber events. A point system tracked the results of each athlete, and at the end of the five-event series, nine Dominator belts were awarded to the top point scorers in three age divisions. Two athletes received the highest reward from the series, the "Ultimate Dominator" for outscoring the rest of the country in this series. The Ultimate Challenge Series of Folkstyle Wrestling is bigger and better this year. All five of the inaugural Ultimate Challenge Series events return, and two new exciting tournaments have been added. More youth wrestlers will have a chance to participate in this popular series The site of the USA Wrestling National Kids Folkstyle Championships has moved and will be held in the spacious and famous UNI Dome on the campus of the Univ. of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, April 2-4. This expansive venue, an indoor football stadium, will allow the tournament to continue its growth. Last year, a Cadet division (ages 15-16) was added to the event, and organizers expect all four age-divisions to continue to grow in size and quality. The Virginia Challenge in Norfolk, Va. has been expanded into Wrestlefest 2004. The new National Youth Open, featuring athletes in grades 3-4, has been added to the event. It has moved to earlier in the season, scheduled for March 12-14. This is the last preliminary event of the Ultimate Challenge Series, and is the only event on the East Coast. The National Kids Folkstyle Champion-ships in Cedar Falls, Iowa now become the final and deciding event for the Ultimate Challenge Series on all three age levels. The other popular events that continue to be showcased as part of the Ultimate Challenge Series are: * The Winter Classic at the David S. Palmer Arena in Danville, Ill., Nov. 29-30. * The 19th annual Cotton Bowl Classic at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, Dec. 27-28. * The Liberty Nationals at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 14. All these five returning events were very successful last season, and with the growth and expansion of the Ultimate Challenge Series should offer tremendous experiences to each wrestler and their family. USA Wrestling is excited to announce two new major national-level events that will also be included in this year's Ultimate Challenge Series. Both are scheduled for the heart of the U.S. folkstyle wrestling season, and are held in true wrestling hotbed communities. The Brock Lesnar/Gopher Kids Classic will be hosted at the University Center of the Rochester Regional Sports Center in Rochester, Minn., December 21. Wrestling leaders from Minnesota have teamed with NCAA champion and WWE star Brock Lesnar to provide a tremendous competition for youth wrestlers from across the nation. Also joining the series is the 28th annual U.S. Junior Open Championships, set for the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., January 9-10. A state known for top youth wrestling programs, wrestling leaders in Oklahoma are proud to invite the nation to this quality national competition. The three age divisions that can earn points in the Ultimate Challenge Series are Division I (9-10 year olds), Division II (11-12 year olds) and Division III (13-15 year olds). For the 2003 Series, age will be determined by the age the athlete was on September 1, 2003, and no athlete may turn 16 years old in 2004 and remain eligible. Three Dominator awards will be given in each division. If there is a tie in points for any of the top three places, the tie shall be determined by these criteria in order: most 1st place finishes, most 2nd place finishes, most 3rd place finishes, most overall wins, highest number of pins. The first Dominator award winners, announced in 2003, were: * Division 1 (9 & 10 year olds) - John Sims of Indiana, Connor Mullins of Indiana and Jacob Brawner of Missouri. * Division 2 (11 & 12 year olds) - Nick Lester of Missouri, Anthony Ramos of Illinois and Matt Lester of Missouri. * Division 3 (13-15 year olds) - Vince Ramos of Illinois, Eric McGill of Indiana and Dak Adamson of New Mexico. The Ultimate Dominators, the high-point scorers among all youth wrestlers, were Nick Lester of Missouri (10,100 points) and Anthony Ramos of Illinois (10,100 points). Both were in the 11-12 year-old division. It should be a tremendous year for youth folkstyle wrestling in the United States. The expanded Ultimate Challenge Series offers all wrestlers a chance for great competition, while improving their wrestling skills. USA WRESTLING ULTIMATE CHALLENGE SERIES The Winter Classic Contact: Jim Didi at 630/669-8043 or e-mail at rockersb1@aol.com Date: Saturday, November 29 - Sunday, November 30, 2003 Location: David S. Palmer Arena in Danville, IL Website: www.ikwf.org Brock Lesnar/Gopher Kids Classic Contact: Gordy Morgan at 612/719-1109 or email at hhomorgan@yahoo.com Date: Sunday, December 21, 2003 Location: University Center/Rochester Regional Sports Center at Rochester, MN Website: www.brocklesnarkidsclassic.com 19th Annual Cotton Bowl Classic Contact: Kenny Monday at 972/564-2601 or e-mail kmonday@ssilver.com Date: Saturday, December 27 - Sunday, December 28, 2003 Location: Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, TX Website: www.cottonbowlclassic.org 28th annual U.S. Junior Open Championships Contact: Terry Davis at 405/210-4209 or e-mail at usjoc@aol.com Date: Friday, January 9 - Saturday, January 10, 2004 Location: Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Arena in Oklahoma City, OK Website: www.okwrestle.com/youth/co Liberty Nationals Contact: Bill Gossett at 816/781-2111 or e-mail at bill@libertynationalswrestling.com Date: Saturday, February 14, 2004 Location: Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO Website: www.libertynationalswrestling.com Wrestlefest 2004 (4th annual Virginia Challenge/1st annual National Youth Open) Contact: Frank Lipoli at 757-652-7861 Date: Friday, March 12 - Sunday, March 14, 2004 Location: Norfolk, VA Website: www.virginiachallenge.org USA Wrestling National Folkstyle Championships Contact: Steve Wachal at 319/822-7748 Date: Friday, April 2 - Sunday, April 4, 2004 Location: UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, IA