Junior and Bantam divisions added to USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals in Cedar Falls, Iowa, March 30 – April 1

Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
11/15/2006

USA Wrestling has announced the addition of two new age groups to its 2007 USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Championships, which will be held at the UNI-Dome on the campus of the Univ. of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, March 30-April 1.

The two new age divisions are the Junior division and the Bantam division.

Juniors are athletes born 9/1/1987 and after, plus are enrolled in grades 9-12. The weight classes in the Junior division are (in pounds): 98, 105, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215, 285.

Bantams are athletes who are seven and eight years old (Born in 1999 or 2000). The weight classes in the Bantam division are (in pounds): 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 75+ (15 lbs. maximum difference).

This will bring the total number of age divisions in this annual national championships event to seven. The other divisions which have previously been included in the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals are Midget, Novice, Schoolboy/girl, Cadet and Veterans.

Folkstyle is the American-style of wrestling, which is contested in our nation’s scholastic and collegiate programs.

With the addition of the Junior division to the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals, there will now be a coveted USA Wrestling Triple Crown awarded at this age division, given to any wrestler who has won USA Wrestling national titles in all three styles during the same year: folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman.

The other two legs of the USA Wrestling Junior Triple Crown will be contested at the ASICS/Vaughan Junior National Championships in Fargo, N.D., July 20-26.

Other age levels that have existing Triple Crowns are the Kids, Cadet and Veterans divisions.

“We are very excited to add the Junior and Bantam divisions to the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals,” said Pete Isais, USA Wrestling National Events Director. “This will provide more athletes with an opportunity to compete for national titles and All-American honors in folkstyle wrestling. We expect the quality of the competition to be outstanding as well as the size and prestige of this event to continue to grow.”