Junior Men’s Freestyle Preview: Five returning Junior champions and 42 All-Americans highlight deep field
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by Adam Engel, USA Wrestling
Braeden Davis (MI) takes down Benjamin Aranda (IL) in the 2021 Junior Freestyle Finals at 113 pounds. Photo by Austin Bernard.
USA Wrestling will post one preview each day, starting on Friday, July 8, for the six national tournaments that will be held at the USMC Junior and 16U National Championships in Fargo.
We started the previews on Friday, with a weight-by-weight review of the boys 16U Freestyle Nationals. Saturday, posted the 16U Women’s Nationals field. Sunday, we add the Junior Men’s Freestyle preview. Watch for the remaining three early this week.
100 pounds
Two returning Junior All-Americans are just the start of this weight. Montana’s Isaac Stewart and Nebraska’a Hank Kreigler are back after podium finishes but a handful of 16U All-Americans and a champion jump into the junior bracket.
Get to know Javaan Yarbrough of Ohio if you don’t already remember that name from last year. He ran through the 16U 88-pound bracket in 2021 and allowed just four points — in the final against Haakon Peterson of Wisconsin. Iowa always fields a few contenders at each weight and this time is no different. Tyler Harper finished seventh at 94 in last year’s 16U tournament. His teammate, Jayden Rinken, is a big talent from small town Iowa. He will make his first Fargo appearance after he won a folkstyle national championship in the spring.
Maryland’s Tyler Garvin finished fourth at 94 in the 2021 16U tournament. Davis Motyka, a member of prep power Wyoming Seminary, placed fourth at the U17 Nationals in late April.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Hank Kriegler (Nebraska, 6th JR FS 100), Isaac Stewart (Montana, 8th JR FS 100),
Others separated: Tyler Garvin of Maryland, Javaan Yarbrough of Ohio, Brady Byrd of Indiana, Jayden Rinken and Tyler Harper of Iowa, Davis Motyka of Pennsylvania and Ezekiel Witt of Kansas
Nationally ranked wrestlers: None
106 pounds
Idaho’s Kolter Burton and Tyson Roach of Louisiana highlight the returning All-Americans at this weight. Roach flourished in Fargo and finished fourth at 100 after he won three straight matches on the backside. Burton, a double Fargo All-American, finished fifth at 100.
But another Idaho contender, Mack Mauger, makes the jump to the junior bracket after a championship at 16U at 94 in 2021. Idaho boasts a strong history in Fargo and could put three All-Americans on the podium at this weight. Dedrick Navarro of Idaho claimed fourth at 100 at 16U freestyle. Watch out for Idaho. The Northwest is heavily represented with the addition of Oregon’s Gage Singleton who beat Navarro to grab third at Fargo.
Beyond these guys, a plethora of 16U studs leap to the Junior level. Iowa’s Dru Ayala captured seventh at 16U freestyle last year. Mauger beat him in the third-place match at U17 Nationals. Those two could be on path for a rematch in Fargo. Blake Beissel of Minnesota, another contender at this weight, beat Ayala to claim sixth at Fargo last summer. A list of regional champions such as Jason Goodin of Oklahoma, Abram Cline of California and Alabama’s Cale Tucker among others join this deep group of lightweights.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Tyson Roach (Louisiana, 4th JR FS 100), Kolter Burton (Idaho, 5th JR FS 100),
Others separated: Colyn Limbert of Ohio, Jason Goodin of Oklahoma, Dru Ayala of Iowa, Mack Mauger and Dedrick Navarro of Idaho, Gage Singleton of Oregon, Blake Beissel, Luke Koenen and Robert Sherk of Minnesota, Abram Cline of California, Cale Tucker of Alabama and Cadyn Coyle of Nebraska
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Mack Mauger (No. 6 at 106), Dru Ayala (No. 9 at 106), Colyn Limbert (No. 14 at 106) and Gage Singleton (No. 19 at 106)
113 pounds
Missouri’s Hunter Taylor seeks a championship repeat after he won at 106 last summer. He won a Missouri high school state championship in March and returns as one of the top hammers at 113. Taylor also went undefeated at the Junior National Duals in June. But a group of returning All-Americans and junior debutants will be hungry to take him out.
Brandon Morvari of Minnesota finished runner-up to Taylor last year which creates a potential finals rematch depending on the draw. Taylor teched Morvari, 10-0. Wyatt Skebba of Wisconsin finished sixth at 106 and Morvari sent him to the consolation bracket after a semifinal loss. Tucker Bowen continues the representation of Idaho’s potent lightweights after a seventh-place finish at 100 a year ago. Massachusetts’ Isiac Paulino leads his state’s delegation after he placed seventh at 106 last summer.
Nathan Desmond of Pennsylvania, Minnesota’s Michael Olson and Layne Kleimann found the podium last year at 16U freestyle. Several guys such as Marco Tocci of Pennsylvania and Tyler Washburn of Florida placed in Greco-Roman but look to improve their freestyle results from last summer.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Hunter Taylor (Missouri, 1st JR FS 106), Brandon Morvari (Minnesota, 2nd JR FS 106), Wyatt Skebba (Wisconsin, 6th JR FS 106), Tucker Bowen (Idaho, 7th JR FS 100), Isiac Paulino (Massachusetts, 7th JR FS 106)
Others separated: Tanner Tishner, Jackson Heaston and Charlie LaRocca of Indiana, Carter Nogle of Maryland, Blade Walden of Oklahoma, Jacob Chapa of Washington, Tyler Washburn of Florida, Michael Olson of Minnesota, Carson Wagner, Nathan Desmond and Marco Tocci of Pennsylvania, Anthony Ruzic and Dominic Ducato of Illinois, Damian Moreno of Arizona, Layne Kleimann of Utah, Ryan Nuno of Idaho, Sloan Johannsen of South Dakota and Isaiah Quintero and Jeremy Oani of California
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Hunter Taylor (No. 14 at 113), Brandon Morvari (No. 19 at 113), Nathan Desmond (No. 19 at 120)
120 pounds:
A returning champion, three returning All-Americans and a Cadet World bronze medalist headline the field at 120. This firepower and depth in this weight is similar to 120 in the 16U men’s freestyle bracket. So many contenders but only one will win.
Michigan’s Braeden Davis, a 2023 Penn State commit, emerged onto the scene last year after a championship at 113. A scoring machine, Davis tallied 70 points in six matches last summer. But the defending champion will be tested in a bracket with Iowa’s Nate Jesuroga who won a Cadet World bronze medal last summer in Hungary. Similar to Davis, he will be a future Big Ten wrestler (Iowa). These two headline a loaded field. Minnesota’s Alan Koehler finished third last summer in Fargo at 113. Caden Horwath, another Michigan hammer, placed eighth. Koehler beat Horwath 9-8 in the quarterfinals last summer. Horwath is committed to wrestle for the Michigan Wolverines. Koehler, however, is set to rep the Nebraska Cornhuskers in college. This weight is a sampling of future Big Ten stars.
Arizona’s Daniel Guanajuato returns to Fargo after he snatched third at 106 last summer.
Several 16U All-Americans debut at junior. Look out for Vincent Kilkeary of Pennsylvania who is a future Ohio State Buckeye. He finished third last year at 113 in the 16U freestyle division. Kael Lauridsen of Nebraska placed fourth last summer at 120 in 16U but found plenty more success this summer. Last month, he won a Cadet Pan American championships gold medal.
This is certainly a weight to watch in Fargo.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Braeden Davis (MI, 1st JR FS 113), Alan Koehler (MN, 3rd JR FS 113), Daniel Guanajuato (AZ, 3rd JR FS 106), Caden Horwath (MI, 8th JR FS 113)
Others separated: Noah Nininger of Virginia, Garret Rinken, Nate Jesuroga and Trever Anderson of Iowa, Marcello Milani of Michigan, Vincent Kilkeary of Pennsylvania, Sergio Vega of Arizona, Benjamin Bast of Wisconsin, Israel Gonzalez of Utah, Treygen Morin of Idaho, Victor Ramirez Jr. of California, Kenneth Hendriksen and Bentley Ellison of Tennessee and Kael Lauridsen of Nebraska
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Nate Jesuroga (No. 1 at 120, No. 18 pound-for-pound), Braeden Davis (No. 3 at 120), Alan Koehler (No. 14 at 120), Vincent Kilkeary (No. 15 at 120) and Caden Horwath (No. 5 at 126)
126 pounds:
Just two returning All-Americans do not dilute the number of hammers at this weight. Ohio’s Dillon Campbell and Michigan’s Drew Heethuis placed in the junior division last year but a crew of 16U All-Americans that include high-end college prospects join this bracket. Heethuis who placed seventh at 113 last summer is a two-time Michigan state champion and a Princeton commit. Campbell, a back-to-back Ohio state champion, placed sixth at 120.
Adrian Meza of Arizona debuts in the junior division after he won a16U Fargo championship last year at 120. He beat Aden Valencia of California, a fellow competitor in this field, 3-0, in the final. Valencia, a top 2024 prospect, committed to Stanford earlier this week. Speaking of 2024 blue chip prospects, Mason Gibson of Pennsylvania, a Cornell commit, returns after he placed third last year in 16U freestyle at 126.
Several others earned All-American status last year at 16U freestyle such as Coleman Nogle of Maryland, Drew Gorman of Georgia, Christopher Coates of Missouri, Mitchell Neiner of Washington and Jaden Pepe of Pennsylvania.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Dillon Campbell (Ohio, 6th JR FS 120) and Drew Heethuis (Michigan, 7th JR FS 113)
Others separated: Tyler Ferrara of New York, Logan Frazier of Indiana, Coleman Nogle of Maryland, Drew Gorman of Georgia, Eli Kirk of Oklahoma, Kale Petersen, Gable Porter and Jayce Luna of Iowa, Kolby Warren and Christopher Coates of Missouri, Mitchell Neiner of Washington, Teegan Vasquez of Montana, Mason Gibson and Jaden Pepe of Pennsylvania, Gylon Sims of Illinois, Adrian Meza and Derek Guanajuato of Arizona, Jacob Myers of Colorado, Shane Corrigan of Wisconsin, Kyison Garcia of Utah, Tanner Frothinger of Idaho, Ray Ray Harris and Aden Valencia of California, Anthony Aniciente of Nevada and Hudson Waldrop of Alabama
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Kale Petersen (No. 5 at 120), Mason Gibson (No. 7 at 120), Aden Valencia (No. 6 at 126), Drew Gorman (No. 7 at 126), Gable Porter (No. 10 at 126) and Adrian Meza (No. 19 at 126)
132 pounds:
Kannon Webster of Illinois, the defending champion at 120, headlines this deep group filled with All-Americans and 16U champions. An Illinois commit, surges into Fargo after a third place finish at the U20 World Team Trials and a 6-1 performance at Junior National Duals. He will be joined by teammate Vincent Robinson who placed fifth at 126 last year. In fact, Webster and Robinson represent the No. 3 and No. 4 sports on FloWrestling’s 132-pound rankings. Cael Hughes of Oklahoma, a 2019 U16 Fargo champion, is ranked No. 2. Hughes, an Oklahoma State commit, was the only guy to beat Webster at the Junior National Duals.
Wisconsin’s Greyson Clark returns to this weight class after snagging the last spot on the podium last summer. Also look for Grigor Cholakyan of California who placed fifth at 120 last year. He finished fifth at U20 Nationals in late April.
Ohio’s Omar Ayoub is also a solid contender at this weight. He claimed seventh at U17 Nationals in late April. Alabama’s Cory Land, who recently won the prestigious Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, joins the bracket as the No. 3 ranked wrestler at 126.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Kannon Webster (Illinois, 1st JR FS 120), Vincent Robinson (Illinois, 5th JR FS 126), Grigor Cholakyan (California, 5th JR FS 120), Greyson Clark (Wisconsin, 8th JR FS 132)
Others separated: Omar Ayoub of Ohio, Cael Hughes of Oklahoma, Nate Bierma and Matthew Beem of Iowa, Aaron Lucio of Michigan, Matthew Lopes of New Jersey, Jameson Garcia of Illinois, Rhett Koenig of Wisconsin, Tristan Bremer and Kyle Rice of Idaho, Ayson Rice of South Dakota, Paul Kelly of California, Nash Singleton of Oregon and Isaiah Powe and Cory Land of Alabama
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Cory Land (No. 3 at 126), Cael Hughes (No. 2 at 132), Kannon Webster (No. 3 at 132), Vincent Robinson (No. 4 at 132), Grigor Cholakyan (No. 15 at 132), Omar Ayoub (No. 18 at 132), Greyson Clark (No. 19 at 132) and Nash Singleton (No. 18 at 138)
138 pounds:
Nasir Bailey, a returning champion from Illinois at 132 highlights this field that includes four other returning All-Americans. Bailey, one of the top talents in this tournament finished third at the U20 World Team Trials in early June and compiled a 5-1 performance at the Junior Duals.
He only lost to Iowa’s Ryder Block, who is hungry to find the podium after being two wins away from All-American status in 2021 and 2019.
This weight could see a rematch of the 132 final with Bailey and last year’s runner up, Emilio Ysaguirre of Arizona. Zeke Seltzer of Indiana is another All-American at 132. He finished fifth in 2021. Ysaguirre also finished as runner-up at the U20 World Team Trials and placed fourth at U20 Nationals. Seltzer is a three-time Fargo All-American. He finished as runner-up in 2019 in the 16U division and fifth in 2018.
Jude Swisher of Pennsylvania and Kole Brower of Illinois return after podium finishes at 138 a year ago. Swisher is a Penn signee.
Plenty of 16U All-Americans make the transition into the junior bracket. Ohio’s Isamel Ayoub, Missouri’s Carter McCallister and Eli Rocha, Washington’s Smokey McClure, Florida’s Brennan Van Hoecke and Pennsylvania’s Pierson Manville are among that group.
Manville and Van Hoecke are ranked by FloWrestling. Manville sits at No. 14 while Van Hoecke is No. 19 at 145.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Nasir Bailey (Illinois, 1st JR FS 132), Emilio Ysaguirre Jr. (Arizona, 2nd JR FS 132), Zeke Seltzer (Indiana, 5th JR FS 132), Jude Swisher (Pennsylvania, 5th JR FS 138), Kole Brower (Illinois, 8th JR FS 138)
Others separated: Casper Stewart and Jordan Soriano of New York, Brac Hooper of Indiana, Ismael Ayoub of Ohio, Jacob Frost, Ryder Block and Chase Fiser, Carter McCallister and Eli Rocha of Missouri, Smokey McClure of Washington, Brennan Van Hoecke of Florida, Walker Bents and Elijah Paulson of Minnesota, Dylan Gilcher of Michigan, Pierson Manville of Pennsylvania, Dominic Hargrove of Colorado, Christopher Martino of Idaho, DJ Gillett of Oregon, Jeremiah Price of North Carolina and Keith Smith of Nebraska
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Nasir Bailey (No. 3 at 138), Dylan Gilcher (No. 5 at 138), Ryder Block (No. 10 at 138), Jacob Frost (No. 19 at 138), Pierson Manville (No. 14 at 145), Brennan Van Hoecke (No. 19 at 145)
145 pounds:
Two returning All-Americans and a bunch of 16U All-Americans compose this bracket at 145.
Maryland’s Richard Fedalen is one of two returning junior All-Americans in this field. He finished sixth last summer at this weight and placed fifth at 16U in 2018. He brings international experience to Fargo as well. On Friday, the Columbia commit won a Pan American championships gold medal in Greco-Roman. California’s Kimo Leia is other returning junior All-American. He finished fourth last year at 138. Leia is headed east as he will join the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in the fall.
A pair of Minnesota hammers will debut in the Junior division. Zach Hanson won a 16U championship last summer at 132 and brings a loaded resume to Fargo. He finished fourth at U20 Nationals in late April and went undefeated at the Junior National Duals. His teammate, Koy Buesgens finished a win away from All-American status last year. In 2019, he finished eighth in the 16U division.
New Jersey’s August Hibler finished fifth last year in the 16U division at 138. Jaydon Robinson of Illinois finished fourth in 2021 in Hibler’s bracket.
Also watch out for Cole Brooks of Oklahoma. The Wyoming commit barely missed the podium last year. He was just a win away. He had a terrific Junior National Duals in which he went undefeated with a 100% bonus point.
Beau Mantanona of California and Kaleb Larkin of Arizona are two more key guys to watch. Both are ranked by FloWrestling — Larkin at No. 4 at 145 and Mantanona at No. 11 at 152. Larkin finished a win away from All-American status in Fargo last year. In late April, he finished as runner-up at U20 Nationals. Last month, he placed fourth at the U20 World Team Trials. Larkin will stay in-state for college and attend Arizona State. Mantanona, a Michigan commit, finished fifth in Fargo in 2019 in the 16U division. He did not compete in Fargo last year as he was training for the Cadet World Championships but did not place in Hungary.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Kimo Leia (California, 4th JR FS 138), Richard Fedalen (Maryland, 6th JR FS 145)
Others separated: Cole Brooks of Oklahoma, Gavynn Carpenter of Missorui, Q’veli Quintanilla of Washington, Maxwell Petersen, Koy Buesgens and Zach Hanson of Minnesota, August Hibler of New Jersey, Jayden Colon, Kiefer Duncan, Jaydon Robinson, Noah Manuel Tapia and David Mayora of Illinois, Kaleb Larkin of Arizona, Brady Collins and Weston Dalton of Colorado, Gavin Drexler of Wisconsin, Kayd Craig and Jason Mara of Idaho, Kaden Keiser of South Dakota, Beau Mantanona of California
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Koy Buesgens (No. 8 at 138), Q’Veli Quintanilla (No. 11 at 138), Kaleb Larkin (No. 4 at 145), Zach Hanson (No. 16 at 145), Beau Mantanona (No. 11 at 152), Richard Fedalen (No. 13 at 152)
152 pounds:
New Jersey’s Ty Whalen is the only returning Junior All-American, but he is joined by a group of hungry 16U All-Americans and guys with international experience. Whalen, a Princeton commit, finished third at 138 a year ago. This weight features 10 16U All-Americans, one of whom, William Henckel of New Jersey, won a national championship last year.
The 16U All-Americans start with Latrell Schafer of Georgia and KJ Evans of Oklahoma. Evans is one of many competitors with international experience. Evans, an Oklahoma commit recently snagged a Cadet Pan American Championships silver medal in Argentina. New Jersey’s Nicholas Kunstek finished sixth at 138 last year in the 16U division. Pennsylvania’s Dylan Evans finished fourth at 145 last summer.
Illinois’ Ethan Stiles makes his junior division debut after he finished sixth in 2019 at 126. Brett Back and Charlie Millard of Wisconsin placed last year in the 16U division. The south is well represented at this weight with Jaden New of Alabama and Cody Chittum of Tennessee. New earned All-American honors in 2019 in the 16U division. Chittum, one of the top wrestlers in the country, is ranked as the No. 4 pound-for-pound wrestler by FloWrestling. Chittum didn’t compete in Fargo last summer. He won a Cadet Pan American championships gold medal in December. Recently, he placed third at the U20 World Team Trials. He is committed to wrestle for Minnesota.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Ty Whalen (New Jersey, 3rd JR FS 138)
Others separated: Ethan Birden of Ohio, Latrell Schafer of Georgia, Cutter Sheets, KJ Evans and Kael Voinovich of Oklahoma, Israel Moreno of Montana, Nicholas Kunstek and William Henckel of New Jersey, Dylan Evans of Pennsylvania, Ethan Stiles of Illinois, Brett Back, Zane Licht and Charlie Millard of Wisconsin, Laird Root of California, Jaden New of Alabama and Cody Chittum of Tennessee.
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Ty Whalen (No. 7 at 145), Ethan Birden (No. 9 at 145), Cody Chittum (No. 2 at 152, No. 4 pound-for-pound), KJ Evans (No. 9 at 152), Kael Voinovich (No. 20 at 152)
160 pounds:
Aiden Riggins, an Iowa signee, highlights this field. He finished as runner-up at this weight last summer. He went undefeated at the Junior National Duals and only allowed 10 points in seven matches. He will be joined by three other returning Junior All-Americans. Wisconsin’s Braeden Scoles finished fourth last summer at 160. He finished as runner-up at the U20 World Team Trials. California’s Nicco Ruiz snagged fifth last year at 145 and Dylan D. Elmore of Kansas placed eighth at 152.
Tyler Secoy of Georgia, Thor Michaelson of Washington and Silas Dailey of Wisconsin earned 16U All-American status last year. Secoy finished eighth at 160. Michaelson, a guy with international experience placed in 2019. Most notably, he earned a Cadet Pan American Championships gold medal last summer. Dailey finished seventh last year at 152. Also look out for Florida’s Brendon Abdon and Carter Schubert of New York. Abdon went undefeated at the Junior National Duals with seven bonus point wins. He is also ranked No. 10 at 160 by FloWrestling. Schubert, a member of high school powerhouse Wyoming Seminary, is ranked No. 16 at 160 by FloWrestling.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Aiden Riggins (Iowa, 2nd JR FS 160), Braeden Scoles (Wisconsin, 4th JR FS 160), Nicco Ruiz (California, 5th JR FS 145) and Dylan D. Elmore (Kansas, 8th JR FS 152)
Others separated: Carter Schubert of New York, J Conway of Indiana, Jeremy Paradice and Tyler Secoy of Georgia, Thor Michaelson of Washington, Brendon Abdon and Cordell White of Florida, Jasiah Queen of New Jersey, Liam Scrivanich of Pennsylvania, Benjamin Shvartsman and Braden Stauffenberg of Illinois, Austin Scott of Arizona, Aydin Rix McElhinney of Colorado and Silas Dailey of Wisconsin
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Aiden Riggins (No. 5 at 160), Braeden Scoles (No. 8 at 160), Brendon Abdon (No. 10 at 160), Carter Schubert (No. 16 at 160), Thor Michaelson (No. 16 at 170)
170 pounds:
Penn State commit Josh Barr of Michigan headlines this deep field. He won the Junior championship last year at 160 aims to repeat up 10 pounds. Last summer, Barr’s championship match was the only one he did not win in tech fall fashion. In early June, he finished as runner-up at the U20 World Team Trials. In 2019, Barr placed third in Fargo in the 16U division.
Beyond Barr, four other returning junior All-Americans lead this bracket. Pennsylvania’s Rocco Welsh, an Ohio State commit, finished third at 160 last summer. In late April, he claimed third at U20 Nationals. Last month, Welsh placed third at the U20 World Team Trials. Two other Pennsylvania products placed last year in the junior division. Holden Garcia finished seventh at 160 while Brody Baumann secured fifth at 170. Baumann is headed to Purdue in the fall. Garcia is headed to Princeton. New Jersey’s Sabino Portella finished seventh last year at 170.
Beyond these guys, this field features a group of 16U All-Americans. Oklahoma’s Talon McCollom, Nicholas Fox of Iowa, Lars Michaelson of Washington, Roman Garcia of Florida, Zachary Eliszewski of Wisconsin and Daschle Lamer of Oregon placed last year. Tyler Lillard of Ohio, CJ Hamblin of Washington and Bradley Gillum of Illinois found the podium in 2019.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Joshua Barr (Michigan, 1st JR FS 160), Rocco Welsh (Pennsylvania, 3rd JR FS 160), Brody Baumann (Pennsylvania, 5th JR FS 170), Sabino Portella (New Jersey, 7th JR FS 170), Holden Garcia (Pennsylvania, 7th JR FS 160)
Others separated: Tyler Lillard and Dylan Newsome of Ohio, Omaury Alvarez of Georgia, Talon McCollom of Oklahoma, Nicholas Fox of Iowa, Lars Michaelson and CJ Hamblin of Washington, Roman Garcia of Florida, Cole Glazier and Travis Smith of Minnesota, Anders Thompson of Montana, Simon Ruiz of New Jersey, Bradley Gillum and Abraham Wojcikiewicz of Illinois, Tyler Eise of Colorado, Zachary Eliszewski, Noah Mulvaney and Ethan Riddle of Wisconsin, Luke Gayer of California and Daschle Lamer of Oregon
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Rocco Welsh (No. 3 at 170), Joshua Barr (No. 6 at 170, No. 16 pound-for-pound), Daschle Lamer (No. 11 at 170), Tyler Lillard (No. 13 at 170), Brody Baumann (No. 17 at 170), Noah Mulvaney (No. 20 at 170)
182 pounds:
This is the only weight in the division with any Junior returning All-Americans. But that doesn’t translate to a lack of talent. It starts with Ryder Rogotzke of Minnesota, who is the No. 3 ranked 182-pounder by FloWrestling. He didn’t compete in Fargo last year. Instead, he was in Hungary competing at the Cadet World Championships in Greco-Roman. Iowa’s Tate Naaktgeboren finished one win away from All-American status last year in Fargo. He will wrestle for Iowa State in the fall of 2023.
This bracket also includes a few 16U freestyle All-Americans. Nathan Taylor of Connecticut finished eighth last year at 126. That’s right. He’s bulked nearly 60 pounds in a year. Dominic Thebeau of Illinois earned fifth at 182 last year. Wisconsin’s Connor Mirasola captured third last year at 182. He was set to wrestle his twin brother, Cole, in the third-place match but it was a no contest. In late April, Mirasola finished as runner-up at U17 Nationals. Justin Rademacher of Oregon finished fourth at 170 last year.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: None
Others separated: Toby Schoffstall of Virginia, Hoke Poe Hogan of Georgia, Tate Naaktgeboren of Iowa, Nathan Taylor of Connecticut, Ryder Rogotzke of Minnesota, Noah Poe-Hatten and Brendan Lockart of Montana, Dominic Thebeau of Illinois, Connor Mirasola of Wisconsin, Joseph Martin and Timothy McDonnell of California, Nathan Fury and Blake Jouret of Kansas, Joshua Cordio of Massachusetts, Justin Rademacher of Oregon and Hunter Jones of Alabama
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Ryder Rogotzke (No. 3 at 182), Tate Naaktgeboren (No. 8 at 182), Connor Mirasola (No. 4 at 182) and Hoke Poe Hogan (No. 20 at 182)
195 pounds:
Idaho’s Rylan Rogers leads this deep group at 195. A Michigan signee, Rogers placed third last year at 195. He is one of several title contenders from Idaho. Iowa’s Wyatt Voelker finished eighth last year at this weight. A Northern Iowa signee, Voelker finished seventh at U20 Nationals in late April. He also went undefeated at the Junior National Duals. Oregon’s Hayden Walters bumps up to 195 after he finished third last summer at 182. Walters, also a future Michigan Wolverine, finished third at the U20 World Team Trials in June.
Other than these guys, several 16U All-Americans will debut in the Junior division. Camden McDanel of Ohio won a Fargo championship last year at 182. He also finished as runner-up at U17 Nationals. McCrae Hagarty of Iowa finished third last year at 195. Hagarty continued his success in the spring with a third-place finish at U17 Nationals. Soren Herzog of Minnesota is another strong midwestern contender. He finished eighth last year at 182 in the 16U division. Cole Mirasola of Wisconsin placed fourth a year ago at 182. Watch out for Cody Merrill of California. A double 16U Fargo All-American, he finished as runner-up last year at 170. He could make some serious noise in his first Fargo junior tournament.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Rylan Rogers (Idaho, 3rd JR FS 195), and Hayden Walters (Oregon, 3rd JR FS 182), Wyatt Voelker (Iowa, 8th JR FS 195)
Others separated: Connor Barket and Gabe Sollars of Indiana, Kingslet Menifee of Virginia, Camden McDanel of Ohio, Luke Cochran of Georgia, Jersey Robb and Oscar Williams of Oklahoma, McCrae Hagarty and Jackson Dewald of Iowa, Jack Darrah of Missouri, Hunter Sonnenberg of Washington, Sawyer Bartelt of Florida, Soren Herzog, Joey Novak and Anthony Tuttle of Minnesota, Mason Christian of Montana, Remy Cotton of Michigan, Hudson Skove of New Jersey, Nick Nosler and Nathan Wemstrom of Illinois, Markell Rivera-Cain of Arizona, Cole Mirasola of Wisconsin, William McCleary of Utah, Rylan Rogers of Idaho, Cody Merrill and Benjamin Vega Sanchez of California and Hayden Walters and Robert Plympton of Oregon
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Rylan Rogers (No. 3 at 195), Wyatt Voelker (No. 6 at 195), Camden McDanel (No. 11 at 195), McCrae Hagarty (No. 12 at 195), Sawyer Bartelt (No. 14 at 195), Hayden Walters (No. 15 at 195), Gabe Sollars (No. 18 at 195)
220 pounds:
Kolby Franklin of Iowa is the only returning Junior All-American in this bracket. A future Hawkeye, he placed fourth a summer ago at 195. He rolls into a Fargo after finding success after several major events. He placed third at U20 Nationals and finished a win away from the podium at the U20 World Team Trials. Last month, he crushed his competition at the Junior National Duals with an undefeated performance and a 100% bonus point rate. He allowed only three points in sixth matches.
Four 16U All-Americans shift into the Junior division.
Ohio’s Carter Neves who is ranked No. 11 by FloWrestling, finished fourth last summer at 195. Recently, he finished as runner-up at U17 Nationals and only lost to Franklin at the Junior National Duals. William Clark of Indiana finished eight last year at 195. He lost to Delaware’s Max Agresti, a fellow contender in this bracket. Samuel Murphy of Missouri finished seventh last summer at 220. He recently spent plenty of mat time with results that include a seventh-place finish at U17 Nationals and a 6-1 outing at the Junior National Duals. Zachary Evans of Pennsylvania finished fifth a year ago at 220.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Kolby Franklin (Iowa, 4th JR FS 195)
Others separated: Ryan Stein of New York, William Clark of Indiana, Zachary Delsanter, Carter Neves and Dylan Russo of Ohio, Bradley Hill of Iowa, Samuel Murphy of Missouri, Max Agresti of Delaware, Zachary Evans and Nicholas Pavlechko of Pennsylvania, Max Ramberg of Wisconsin, Nathan Glass of Nevada and Sean Carroll of Kansas
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Kolby Franklin (No. 8 at 195), Carter Neves (No. 11 at 220), Dylan Russo (No. 13 at 220)
285 pounds:
Two returning All-Americans lead this heavyweight field.
Jamikael Lytle of California finished fifth last year and enters Fargo a month removed from a 6-1 performance at the Junior National Duals. Florida’s Ethan Vergara finished seventh last summer and found similar results and went 9-0 with a 100% bonus point rate at the Junior National Duals.
Several 16U All-Americans will debut at the junior level. Parker Ferrell of Virginia finished third at 16U 220 last summer and recently placed third at U17 Nationals. Ohio’s Aidan Fockler placed fourth a year ago at heavyweight while Jacob Walker of Iowa finished as runner-up at 220. In late April, Walker placed fifth at U17 Nationals. Sebastian Lopez finished seventh at heavyweight last year. Watch out for Aden Attao of Idaho and Spencer Lanosga of Louisiana. Last summer, Attao finished a win away from All-American status. Recently, he finished third at the U20 World Team Trials and seventh at U20 Nationals. Lanosga finished third at 16U heavyweight last year and is already a top prospect in the class of 2024. According to his Twitter, he’s already heard from coaches at Rutgers, Lehigh and Purdue among several others.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Jamikael Lytle (California, 5th JR FS 285), Ethan Vergara (FL, 7th JR FS 285),
Others separated: Cameron Groncki of New York, Dominic Burgett and Paul Clark of Indiana, Aiden Lacoma and Parker Ferrell of Virginia, Aidan Fockler of Ohio, Hayden Simpson of Oklahoma, Jacob Walker, Cameron Geuther and Wyatt Smith of Iowa, Samuel Rodriguez of Pennsylvania, Alex Hamrick of Illinois, Matthew Moore of Colorado, Aden Attao of Idaho, Sebastian Lopez of Kansas, Spencer Lanosga of Louisiana and Ryan Smith of Tennessee
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Aden Attao (No. 11 at 285), Matthew Moore (No. 13 at 285)
USA Wrestling will post one preview each day, starting on Friday, July 8, for the six national tournaments that will be held at the USMC Junior and 16U National Championships in Fargo.
We started the previews on Friday, with a weight-by-weight review of the boys 16U Freestyle Nationals. Saturday, posted the 16U Women’s Nationals field. Sunday, we add the Junior Men’s Freestyle preview. Watch for the remaining three early this week.
100 pounds
Two returning Junior All-Americans are just the start of this weight. Montana’s Isaac Stewart and Nebraska’a Hank Kreigler are back after podium finishes but a handful of 16U All-Americans and a champion jump into the junior bracket.
Get to know Javaan Yarbrough of Ohio if you don’t already remember that name from last year. He ran through the 16U 88-pound bracket in 2021 and allowed just four points — in the final against Haakon Peterson of Wisconsin. Iowa always fields a few contenders at each weight and this time is no different. Tyler Harper finished seventh at 94 in last year’s 16U tournament. His teammate, Jayden Rinken, is a big talent from small town Iowa. He will make his first Fargo appearance after he won a folkstyle national championship in the spring.
Maryland’s Tyler Garvin finished fourth at 94 in the 2021 16U tournament. Davis Motyka, a member of prep power Wyoming Seminary, placed fourth at the U17 Nationals in late April.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Hank Kriegler (Nebraska, 6th JR FS 100), Isaac Stewart (Montana, 8th JR FS 100),
Others separated: Tyler Garvin of Maryland, Javaan Yarbrough of Ohio, Brady Byrd of Indiana, Jayden Rinken and Tyler Harper of Iowa, Davis Motyka of Pennsylvania and Ezekiel Witt of Kansas
Nationally ranked wrestlers: None
106 pounds
Idaho’s Kolter Burton and Tyson Roach of Louisiana highlight the returning All-Americans at this weight. Roach flourished in Fargo and finished fourth at 100 after he won three straight matches on the backside. Burton, a double Fargo All-American, finished fifth at 100.
But another Idaho contender, Mack Mauger, makes the jump to the junior bracket after a championship at 16U at 94 in 2021. Idaho boasts a strong history in Fargo and could put three All-Americans on the podium at this weight. Dedrick Navarro of Idaho claimed fourth at 100 at 16U freestyle. Watch out for Idaho. The Northwest is heavily represented with the addition of Oregon’s Gage Singleton who beat Navarro to grab third at Fargo.
Beyond these guys, a plethora of 16U studs leap to the Junior level. Iowa’s Dru Ayala captured seventh at 16U freestyle last year. Mauger beat him in the third-place match at U17 Nationals. Those two could be on path for a rematch in Fargo. Blake Beissel of Minnesota, another contender at this weight, beat Ayala to claim sixth at Fargo last summer. A list of regional champions such as Jason Goodin of Oklahoma, Abram Cline of California and Alabama’s Cale Tucker among others join this deep group of lightweights.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Tyson Roach (Louisiana, 4th JR FS 100), Kolter Burton (Idaho, 5th JR FS 100),
Others separated: Colyn Limbert of Ohio, Jason Goodin of Oklahoma, Dru Ayala of Iowa, Mack Mauger and Dedrick Navarro of Idaho, Gage Singleton of Oregon, Blake Beissel, Luke Koenen and Robert Sherk of Minnesota, Abram Cline of California, Cale Tucker of Alabama and Cadyn Coyle of Nebraska
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Mack Mauger (No. 6 at 106), Dru Ayala (No. 9 at 106), Colyn Limbert (No. 14 at 106) and Gage Singleton (No. 19 at 106)
113 pounds
Missouri’s Hunter Taylor seeks a championship repeat after he won at 106 last summer. He won a Missouri high school state championship in March and returns as one of the top hammers at 113. Taylor also went undefeated at the Junior National Duals in June. But a group of returning All-Americans and junior debutants will be hungry to take him out.
Brandon Morvari of Minnesota finished runner-up to Taylor last year which creates a potential finals rematch depending on the draw. Taylor teched Morvari, 10-0. Wyatt Skebba of Wisconsin finished sixth at 106 and Morvari sent him to the consolation bracket after a semifinal loss. Tucker Bowen continues the representation of Idaho’s potent lightweights after a seventh-place finish at 100 a year ago. Massachusetts’ Isiac Paulino leads his state’s delegation after he placed seventh at 106 last summer.
Nathan Desmond of Pennsylvania, Minnesota’s Michael Olson and Layne Kleimann found the podium last year at 16U freestyle. Several guys such as Marco Tocci of Pennsylvania and Tyler Washburn of Florida placed in Greco-Roman but look to improve their freestyle results from last summer.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Hunter Taylor (Missouri, 1st JR FS 106), Brandon Morvari (Minnesota, 2nd JR FS 106), Wyatt Skebba (Wisconsin, 6th JR FS 106), Tucker Bowen (Idaho, 7th JR FS 100), Isiac Paulino (Massachusetts, 7th JR FS 106)
Others separated: Tanner Tishner, Jackson Heaston and Charlie LaRocca of Indiana, Carter Nogle of Maryland, Blade Walden of Oklahoma, Jacob Chapa of Washington, Tyler Washburn of Florida, Michael Olson of Minnesota, Carson Wagner, Nathan Desmond and Marco Tocci of Pennsylvania, Anthony Ruzic and Dominic Ducato of Illinois, Damian Moreno of Arizona, Layne Kleimann of Utah, Ryan Nuno of Idaho, Sloan Johannsen of South Dakota and Isaiah Quintero and Jeremy Oani of California
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Hunter Taylor (No. 14 at 113), Brandon Morvari (No. 19 at 113), Nathan Desmond (No. 19 at 120)
120 pounds:
A returning champion, three returning All-Americans and a Cadet World bronze medalist headline the field at 120. This firepower and depth in this weight is similar to 120 in the 16U men’s freestyle bracket. So many contenders but only one will win.
Michigan’s Braeden Davis, a 2023 Penn State commit, emerged onto the scene last year after a championship at 113. A scoring machine, Davis tallied 70 points in six matches last summer. But the defending champion will be tested in a bracket with Iowa’s Nate Jesuroga who won a Cadet World bronze medal last summer in Hungary. Similar to Davis, he will be a future Big Ten wrestler (Iowa). These two headline a loaded field. Minnesota’s Alan Koehler finished third last summer in Fargo at 113. Caden Horwath, another Michigan hammer, placed eighth. Koehler beat Horwath 9-8 in the quarterfinals last summer. Horwath is committed to wrestle for the Michigan Wolverines. Koehler, however, is set to rep the Nebraska Cornhuskers in college. This weight is a sampling of future Big Ten stars.
Arizona’s Daniel Guanajuato returns to Fargo after he snatched third at 106 last summer.
Several 16U All-Americans debut at junior. Look out for Vincent Kilkeary of Pennsylvania who is a future Ohio State Buckeye. He finished third last year at 113 in the 16U freestyle division. Kael Lauridsen of Nebraska placed fourth last summer at 120 in 16U but found plenty more success this summer. Last month, he won a Cadet Pan American championships gold medal.
This is certainly a weight to watch in Fargo.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Braeden Davis (MI, 1st JR FS 113), Alan Koehler (MN, 3rd JR FS 113), Daniel Guanajuato (AZ, 3rd JR FS 106), Caden Horwath (MI, 8th JR FS 113)
Others separated: Noah Nininger of Virginia, Garret Rinken, Nate Jesuroga and Trever Anderson of Iowa, Marcello Milani of Michigan, Vincent Kilkeary of Pennsylvania, Sergio Vega of Arizona, Benjamin Bast of Wisconsin, Israel Gonzalez of Utah, Treygen Morin of Idaho, Victor Ramirez Jr. of California, Kenneth Hendriksen and Bentley Ellison of Tennessee and Kael Lauridsen of Nebraska
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Nate Jesuroga (No. 1 at 120, No. 18 pound-for-pound), Braeden Davis (No. 3 at 120), Alan Koehler (No. 14 at 120), Vincent Kilkeary (No. 15 at 120) and Caden Horwath (No. 5 at 126)
126 pounds:
Just two returning All-Americans do not dilute the number of hammers at this weight. Ohio’s Dillon Campbell and Michigan’s Drew Heethuis placed in the junior division last year but a crew of 16U All-Americans that include high-end college prospects join this bracket. Heethuis who placed seventh at 113 last summer is a two-time Michigan state champion and a Princeton commit. Campbell, a back-to-back Ohio state champion, placed sixth at 120.
Adrian Meza of Arizona debuts in the junior division after he won a16U Fargo championship last year at 120. He beat Aden Valencia of California, a fellow competitor in this field, 3-0, in the final. Valencia, a top 2024 prospect, committed to Stanford earlier this week. Speaking of 2024 blue chip prospects, Mason Gibson of Pennsylvania, a Cornell commit, returns after he placed third last year in 16U freestyle at 126.
Several others earned All-American status last year at 16U freestyle such as Coleman Nogle of Maryland, Drew Gorman of Georgia, Christopher Coates of Missouri, Mitchell Neiner of Washington and Jaden Pepe of Pennsylvania.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Dillon Campbell (Ohio, 6th JR FS 120) and Drew Heethuis (Michigan, 7th JR FS 113)
Others separated: Tyler Ferrara of New York, Logan Frazier of Indiana, Coleman Nogle of Maryland, Drew Gorman of Georgia, Eli Kirk of Oklahoma, Kale Petersen, Gable Porter and Jayce Luna of Iowa, Kolby Warren and Christopher Coates of Missouri, Mitchell Neiner of Washington, Teegan Vasquez of Montana, Mason Gibson and Jaden Pepe of Pennsylvania, Gylon Sims of Illinois, Adrian Meza and Derek Guanajuato of Arizona, Jacob Myers of Colorado, Shane Corrigan of Wisconsin, Kyison Garcia of Utah, Tanner Frothinger of Idaho, Ray Ray Harris and Aden Valencia of California, Anthony Aniciente of Nevada and Hudson Waldrop of Alabama
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Kale Petersen (No. 5 at 120), Mason Gibson (No. 7 at 120), Aden Valencia (No. 6 at 126), Drew Gorman (No. 7 at 126), Gable Porter (No. 10 at 126) and Adrian Meza (No. 19 at 126)
132 pounds:
Kannon Webster of Illinois, the defending champion at 120, headlines this deep group filled with All-Americans and 16U champions. An Illinois commit, surges into Fargo after a third place finish at the U20 World Team Trials and a 6-1 performance at Junior National Duals. He will be joined by teammate Vincent Robinson who placed fifth at 126 last year. In fact, Webster and Robinson represent the No. 3 and No. 4 sports on FloWrestling’s 132-pound rankings. Cael Hughes of Oklahoma, a 2019 U16 Fargo champion, is ranked No. 2. Hughes, an Oklahoma State commit, was the only guy to beat Webster at the Junior National Duals.
Wisconsin’s Greyson Clark returns to this weight class after snagging the last spot on the podium last summer. Also look for Grigor Cholakyan of California who placed fifth at 120 last year. He finished fifth at U20 Nationals in late April.
Ohio’s Omar Ayoub is also a solid contender at this weight. He claimed seventh at U17 Nationals in late April. Alabama’s Cory Land, who recently won the prestigious Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, joins the bracket as the No. 3 ranked wrestler at 126.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Kannon Webster (Illinois, 1st JR FS 120), Vincent Robinson (Illinois, 5th JR FS 126), Grigor Cholakyan (California, 5th JR FS 120), Greyson Clark (Wisconsin, 8th JR FS 132)
Others separated: Omar Ayoub of Ohio, Cael Hughes of Oklahoma, Nate Bierma and Matthew Beem of Iowa, Aaron Lucio of Michigan, Matthew Lopes of New Jersey, Jameson Garcia of Illinois, Rhett Koenig of Wisconsin, Tristan Bremer and Kyle Rice of Idaho, Ayson Rice of South Dakota, Paul Kelly of California, Nash Singleton of Oregon and Isaiah Powe and Cory Land of Alabama
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Cory Land (No. 3 at 126), Cael Hughes (No. 2 at 132), Kannon Webster (No. 3 at 132), Vincent Robinson (No. 4 at 132), Grigor Cholakyan (No. 15 at 132), Omar Ayoub (No. 18 at 132), Greyson Clark (No. 19 at 132) and Nash Singleton (No. 18 at 138)
138 pounds:
Nasir Bailey, a returning champion from Illinois at 132 highlights this field that includes four other returning All-Americans. Bailey, one of the top talents in this tournament finished third at the U20 World Team Trials in early June and compiled a 5-1 performance at the Junior Duals.
He only lost to Iowa’s Ryder Block, who is hungry to find the podium after being two wins away from All-American status in 2021 and 2019.
This weight could see a rematch of the 132 final with Bailey and last year’s runner up, Emilio Ysaguirre of Arizona. Zeke Seltzer of Indiana is another All-American at 132. He finished fifth in 2021. Ysaguirre also finished as runner-up at the U20 World Team Trials and placed fourth at U20 Nationals. Seltzer is a three-time Fargo All-American. He finished as runner-up in 2019 in the 16U division and fifth in 2018.
Jude Swisher of Pennsylvania and Kole Brower of Illinois return after podium finishes at 138 a year ago. Swisher is a Penn signee.
Plenty of 16U All-Americans make the transition into the junior bracket. Ohio’s Isamel Ayoub, Missouri’s Carter McCallister and Eli Rocha, Washington’s Smokey McClure, Florida’s Brennan Van Hoecke and Pennsylvania’s Pierson Manville are among that group.
Manville and Van Hoecke are ranked by FloWrestling. Manville sits at No. 14 while Van Hoecke is No. 19 at 145.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Nasir Bailey (Illinois, 1st JR FS 132), Emilio Ysaguirre Jr. (Arizona, 2nd JR FS 132), Zeke Seltzer (Indiana, 5th JR FS 132), Jude Swisher (Pennsylvania, 5th JR FS 138), Kole Brower (Illinois, 8th JR FS 138)
Others separated: Casper Stewart and Jordan Soriano of New York, Brac Hooper of Indiana, Ismael Ayoub of Ohio, Jacob Frost, Ryder Block and Chase Fiser, Carter McCallister and Eli Rocha of Missouri, Smokey McClure of Washington, Brennan Van Hoecke of Florida, Walker Bents and Elijah Paulson of Minnesota, Dylan Gilcher of Michigan, Pierson Manville of Pennsylvania, Dominic Hargrove of Colorado, Christopher Martino of Idaho, DJ Gillett of Oregon, Jeremiah Price of North Carolina and Keith Smith of Nebraska
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Nasir Bailey (No. 3 at 138), Dylan Gilcher (No. 5 at 138), Ryder Block (No. 10 at 138), Jacob Frost (No. 19 at 138), Pierson Manville (No. 14 at 145), Brennan Van Hoecke (No. 19 at 145)
145 pounds:
Two returning All-Americans and a bunch of 16U All-Americans compose this bracket at 145.
Maryland’s Richard Fedalen is one of two returning junior All-Americans in this field. He finished sixth last summer at this weight and placed fifth at 16U in 2018. He brings international experience to Fargo as well. On Friday, the Columbia commit won a Pan American championships gold medal in Greco-Roman. California’s Kimo Leia is other returning junior All-American. He finished fourth last year at 138. Leia is headed east as he will join the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in the fall.
A pair of Minnesota hammers will debut in the Junior division. Zach Hanson won a 16U championship last summer at 132 and brings a loaded resume to Fargo. He finished fourth at U20 Nationals in late April and went undefeated at the Junior National Duals. His teammate, Koy Buesgens finished a win away from All-American status last year. In 2019, he finished eighth in the 16U division.
New Jersey’s August Hibler finished fifth last year in the 16U division at 138. Jaydon Robinson of Illinois finished fourth in 2021 in Hibler’s bracket.
Also watch out for Cole Brooks of Oklahoma. The Wyoming commit barely missed the podium last year. He was just a win away. He had a terrific Junior National Duals in which he went undefeated with a 100% bonus point.
Beau Mantanona of California and Kaleb Larkin of Arizona are two more key guys to watch. Both are ranked by FloWrestling — Larkin at No. 4 at 145 and Mantanona at No. 11 at 152. Larkin finished a win away from All-American status in Fargo last year. In late April, he finished as runner-up at U20 Nationals. Last month, he placed fourth at the U20 World Team Trials. Larkin will stay in-state for college and attend Arizona State. Mantanona, a Michigan commit, finished fifth in Fargo in 2019 in the 16U division. He did not compete in Fargo last year as he was training for the Cadet World Championships but did not place in Hungary.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Kimo Leia (California, 4th JR FS 138), Richard Fedalen (Maryland, 6th JR FS 145)
Others separated: Cole Brooks of Oklahoma, Gavynn Carpenter of Missorui, Q’veli Quintanilla of Washington, Maxwell Petersen, Koy Buesgens and Zach Hanson of Minnesota, August Hibler of New Jersey, Jayden Colon, Kiefer Duncan, Jaydon Robinson, Noah Manuel Tapia and David Mayora of Illinois, Kaleb Larkin of Arizona, Brady Collins and Weston Dalton of Colorado, Gavin Drexler of Wisconsin, Kayd Craig and Jason Mara of Idaho, Kaden Keiser of South Dakota, Beau Mantanona of California
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Koy Buesgens (No. 8 at 138), Q’Veli Quintanilla (No. 11 at 138), Kaleb Larkin (No. 4 at 145), Zach Hanson (No. 16 at 145), Beau Mantanona (No. 11 at 152), Richard Fedalen (No. 13 at 152)
152 pounds:
New Jersey’s Ty Whalen is the only returning Junior All-American, but he is joined by a group of hungry 16U All-Americans and guys with international experience. Whalen, a Princeton commit, finished third at 138 a year ago. This weight features 10 16U All-Americans, one of whom, William Henckel of New Jersey, won a national championship last year.
The 16U All-Americans start with Latrell Schafer of Georgia and KJ Evans of Oklahoma. Evans is one of many competitors with international experience. Evans, an Oklahoma commit recently snagged a Cadet Pan American Championships silver medal in Argentina. New Jersey’s Nicholas Kunstek finished sixth at 138 last year in the 16U division. Pennsylvania’s Dylan Evans finished fourth at 145 last summer.
Illinois’ Ethan Stiles makes his junior division debut after he finished sixth in 2019 at 126. Brett Back and Charlie Millard of Wisconsin placed last year in the 16U division. The south is well represented at this weight with Jaden New of Alabama and Cody Chittum of Tennessee. New earned All-American honors in 2019 in the 16U division. Chittum, one of the top wrestlers in the country, is ranked as the No. 4 pound-for-pound wrestler by FloWrestling. Chittum didn’t compete in Fargo last summer. He won a Cadet Pan American championships gold medal in December. Recently, he placed third at the U20 World Team Trials. He is committed to wrestle for Minnesota.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Ty Whalen (New Jersey, 3rd JR FS 138)
Others separated: Ethan Birden of Ohio, Latrell Schafer of Georgia, Cutter Sheets, KJ Evans and Kael Voinovich of Oklahoma, Israel Moreno of Montana, Nicholas Kunstek and William Henckel of New Jersey, Dylan Evans of Pennsylvania, Ethan Stiles of Illinois, Brett Back, Zane Licht and Charlie Millard of Wisconsin, Laird Root of California, Jaden New of Alabama and Cody Chittum of Tennessee.
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Ty Whalen (No. 7 at 145), Ethan Birden (No. 9 at 145), Cody Chittum (No. 2 at 152, No. 4 pound-for-pound), KJ Evans (No. 9 at 152), Kael Voinovich (No. 20 at 152)
160 pounds:
Aiden Riggins, an Iowa signee, highlights this field. He finished as runner-up at this weight last summer. He went undefeated at the Junior National Duals and only allowed 10 points in seven matches. He will be joined by three other returning Junior All-Americans. Wisconsin’s Braeden Scoles finished fourth last summer at 160. He finished as runner-up at the U20 World Team Trials. California’s Nicco Ruiz snagged fifth last year at 145 and Dylan D. Elmore of Kansas placed eighth at 152.
Tyler Secoy of Georgia, Thor Michaelson of Washington and Silas Dailey of Wisconsin earned 16U All-American status last year. Secoy finished eighth at 160. Michaelson, a guy with international experience placed in 2019. Most notably, he earned a Cadet Pan American Championships gold medal last summer. Dailey finished seventh last year at 152. Also look out for Florida’s Brendon Abdon and Carter Schubert of New York. Abdon went undefeated at the Junior National Duals with seven bonus point wins. He is also ranked No. 10 at 160 by FloWrestling. Schubert, a member of high school powerhouse Wyoming Seminary, is ranked No. 16 at 160 by FloWrestling.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Aiden Riggins (Iowa, 2nd JR FS 160), Braeden Scoles (Wisconsin, 4th JR FS 160), Nicco Ruiz (California, 5th JR FS 145) and Dylan D. Elmore (Kansas, 8th JR FS 152)
Others separated: Carter Schubert of New York, J Conway of Indiana, Jeremy Paradice and Tyler Secoy of Georgia, Thor Michaelson of Washington, Brendon Abdon and Cordell White of Florida, Jasiah Queen of New Jersey, Liam Scrivanich of Pennsylvania, Benjamin Shvartsman and Braden Stauffenberg of Illinois, Austin Scott of Arizona, Aydin Rix McElhinney of Colorado and Silas Dailey of Wisconsin
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Aiden Riggins (No. 5 at 160), Braeden Scoles (No. 8 at 160), Brendon Abdon (No. 10 at 160), Carter Schubert (No. 16 at 160), Thor Michaelson (No. 16 at 170)
170 pounds:
Penn State commit Josh Barr of Michigan headlines this deep field. He won the Junior championship last year at 160 aims to repeat up 10 pounds. Last summer, Barr’s championship match was the only one he did not win in tech fall fashion. In early June, he finished as runner-up at the U20 World Team Trials. In 2019, Barr placed third in Fargo in the 16U division.
Beyond Barr, four other returning junior All-Americans lead this bracket. Pennsylvania’s Rocco Welsh, an Ohio State commit, finished third at 160 last summer. In late April, he claimed third at U20 Nationals. Last month, Welsh placed third at the U20 World Team Trials. Two other Pennsylvania products placed last year in the junior division. Holden Garcia finished seventh at 160 while Brody Baumann secured fifth at 170. Baumann is headed to Purdue in the fall. Garcia is headed to Princeton. New Jersey’s Sabino Portella finished seventh last year at 170.
Beyond these guys, this field features a group of 16U All-Americans. Oklahoma’s Talon McCollom, Nicholas Fox of Iowa, Lars Michaelson of Washington, Roman Garcia of Florida, Zachary Eliszewski of Wisconsin and Daschle Lamer of Oregon placed last year. Tyler Lillard of Ohio, CJ Hamblin of Washington and Bradley Gillum of Illinois found the podium in 2019.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Joshua Barr (Michigan, 1st JR FS 160), Rocco Welsh (Pennsylvania, 3rd JR FS 160), Brody Baumann (Pennsylvania, 5th JR FS 170), Sabino Portella (New Jersey, 7th JR FS 170), Holden Garcia (Pennsylvania, 7th JR FS 160)
Others separated: Tyler Lillard and Dylan Newsome of Ohio, Omaury Alvarez of Georgia, Talon McCollom of Oklahoma, Nicholas Fox of Iowa, Lars Michaelson and CJ Hamblin of Washington, Roman Garcia of Florida, Cole Glazier and Travis Smith of Minnesota, Anders Thompson of Montana, Simon Ruiz of New Jersey, Bradley Gillum and Abraham Wojcikiewicz of Illinois, Tyler Eise of Colorado, Zachary Eliszewski, Noah Mulvaney and Ethan Riddle of Wisconsin, Luke Gayer of California and Daschle Lamer of Oregon
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Rocco Welsh (No. 3 at 170), Joshua Barr (No. 6 at 170, No. 16 pound-for-pound), Daschle Lamer (No. 11 at 170), Tyler Lillard (No. 13 at 170), Brody Baumann (No. 17 at 170), Noah Mulvaney (No. 20 at 170)
182 pounds:
This is the only weight in the division with any Junior returning All-Americans. But that doesn’t translate to a lack of talent. It starts with Ryder Rogotzke of Minnesota, who is the No. 3 ranked 182-pounder by FloWrestling. He didn’t compete in Fargo last year. Instead, he was in Hungary competing at the Cadet World Championships in Greco-Roman. Iowa’s Tate Naaktgeboren finished one win away from All-American status last year in Fargo. He will wrestle for Iowa State in the fall of 2023.
This bracket also includes a few 16U freestyle All-Americans. Nathan Taylor of Connecticut finished eighth last year at 126. That’s right. He’s bulked nearly 60 pounds in a year. Dominic Thebeau of Illinois earned fifth at 182 last year. Wisconsin’s Connor Mirasola captured third last year at 182. He was set to wrestle his twin brother, Cole, in the third-place match but it was a no contest. In late April, Mirasola finished as runner-up at U17 Nationals. Justin Rademacher of Oregon finished fourth at 170 last year.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: None
Others separated: Toby Schoffstall of Virginia, Hoke Poe Hogan of Georgia, Tate Naaktgeboren of Iowa, Nathan Taylor of Connecticut, Ryder Rogotzke of Minnesota, Noah Poe-Hatten and Brendan Lockart of Montana, Dominic Thebeau of Illinois, Connor Mirasola of Wisconsin, Joseph Martin and Timothy McDonnell of California, Nathan Fury and Blake Jouret of Kansas, Joshua Cordio of Massachusetts, Justin Rademacher of Oregon and Hunter Jones of Alabama
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Ryder Rogotzke (No. 3 at 182), Tate Naaktgeboren (No. 8 at 182), Connor Mirasola (No. 4 at 182) and Hoke Poe Hogan (No. 20 at 182)
195 pounds:
Idaho’s Rylan Rogers leads this deep group at 195. A Michigan signee, Rogers placed third last year at 195. He is one of several title contenders from Idaho. Iowa’s Wyatt Voelker finished eighth last year at this weight. A Northern Iowa signee, Voelker finished seventh at U20 Nationals in late April. He also went undefeated at the Junior National Duals. Oregon’s Hayden Walters bumps up to 195 after he finished third last summer at 182. Walters, also a future Michigan Wolverine, finished third at the U20 World Team Trials in June.
Other than these guys, several 16U All-Americans will debut in the Junior division. Camden McDanel of Ohio won a Fargo championship last year at 182. He also finished as runner-up at U17 Nationals. McCrae Hagarty of Iowa finished third last year at 195. Hagarty continued his success in the spring with a third-place finish at U17 Nationals. Soren Herzog of Minnesota is another strong midwestern contender. He finished eighth last year at 182 in the 16U division. Cole Mirasola of Wisconsin placed fourth a year ago at 182. Watch out for Cody Merrill of California. A double 16U Fargo All-American, he finished as runner-up last year at 170. He could make some serious noise in his first Fargo junior tournament.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Rylan Rogers (Idaho, 3rd JR FS 195), and Hayden Walters (Oregon, 3rd JR FS 182), Wyatt Voelker (Iowa, 8th JR FS 195)
Others separated: Connor Barket and Gabe Sollars of Indiana, Kingslet Menifee of Virginia, Camden McDanel of Ohio, Luke Cochran of Georgia, Jersey Robb and Oscar Williams of Oklahoma, McCrae Hagarty and Jackson Dewald of Iowa, Jack Darrah of Missouri, Hunter Sonnenberg of Washington, Sawyer Bartelt of Florida, Soren Herzog, Joey Novak and Anthony Tuttle of Minnesota, Mason Christian of Montana, Remy Cotton of Michigan, Hudson Skove of New Jersey, Nick Nosler and Nathan Wemstrom of Illinois, Markell Rivera-Cain of Arizona, Cole Mirasola of Wisconsin, William McCleary of Utah, Rylan Rogers of Idaho, Cody Merrill and Benjamin Vega Sanchez of California and Hayden Walters and Robert Plympton of Oregon
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Rylan Rogers (No. 3 at 195), Wyatt Voelker (No. 6 at 195), Camden McDanel (No. 11 at 195), McCrae Hagarty (No. 12 at 195), Sawyer Bartelt (No. 14 at 195), Hayden Walters (No. 15 at 195), Gabe Sollars (No. 18 at 195)
220 pounds:
Kolby Franklin of Iowa is the only returning Junior All-American in this bracket. A future Hawkeye, he placed fourth a summer ago at 195. He rolls into a Fargo after finding success after several major events. He placed third at U20 Nationals and finished a win away from the podium at the U20 World Team Trials. Last month, he crushed his competition at the Junior National Duals with an undefeated performance and a 100% bonus point rate. He allowed only three points in sixth matches.
Four 16U All-Americans shift into the Junior division.
Ohio’s Carter Neves who is ranked No. 11 by FloWrestling, finished fourth last summer at 195. Recently, he finished as runner-up at U17 Nationals and only lost to Franklin at the Junior National Duals. William Clark of Indiana finished eight last year at 195. He lost to Delaware’s Max Agresti, a fellow contender in this bracket. Samuel Murphy of Missouri finished seventh last summer at 220. He recently spent plenty of mat time with results that include a seventh-place finish at U17 Nationals and a 6-1 outing at the Junior National Duals. Zachary Evans of Pennsylvania finished fifth a year ago at 220.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Kolby Franklin (Iowa, 4th JR FS 195)
Others separated: Ryan Stein of New York, William Clark of Indiana, Zachary Delsanter, Carter Neves and Dylan Russo of Ohio, Bradley Hill of Iowa, Samuel Murphy of Missouri, Max Agresti of Delaware, Zachary Evans and Nicholas Pavlechko of Pennsylvania, Max Ramberg of Wisconsin, Nathan Glass of Nevada and Sean Carroll of Kansas
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Kolby Franklin (No. 8 at 195), Carter Neves (No. 11 at 220), Dylan Russo (No. 13 at 220)
285 pounds:
Two returning All-Americans lead this heavyweight field.
Jamikael Lytle of California finished fifth last year and enters Fargo a month removed from a 6-1 performance at the Junior National Duals. Florida’s Ethan Vergara finished seventh last summer and found similar results and went 9-0 with a 100% bonus point rate at the Junior National Duals.
Several 16U All-Americans will debut at the junior level. Parker Ferrell of Virginia finished third at 16U 220 last summer and recently placed third at U17 Nationals. Ohio’s Aidan Fockler placed fourth a year ago at heavyweight while Jacob Walker of Iowa finished as runner-up at 220. In late April, Walker placed fifth at U17 Nationals. Sebastian Lopez finished seventh at heavyweight last year. Watch out for Aden Attao of Idaho and Spencer Lanosga of Louisiana. Last summer, Attao finished a win away from All-American status. Recently, he finished third at the U20 World Team Trials and seventh at U20 Nationals. Lanosga finished third at 16U heavyweight last year and is already a top prospect in the class of 2024. According to his Twitter, he’s already heard from coaches at Rutgers, Lehigh and Purdue among several others.
Returning 2021 Fargo Junior All-Americans: Jamikael Lytle (California, 5th JR FS 285), Ethan Vergara (FL, 7th JR FS 285),
Others separated: Cameron Groncki of New York, Dominic Burgett and Paul Clark of Indiana, Aiden Lacoma and Parker Ferrell of Virginia, Aidan Fockler of Ohio, Hayden Simpson of Oklahoma, Jacob Walker, Cameron Geuther and Wyatt Smith of Iowa, Samuel Rodriguez of Pennsylvania, Alex Hamrick of Illinois, Matthew Moore of Colorado, Aden Attao of Idaho, Sebastian Lopez of Kansas, Spencer Lanosga of Louisiana and Ryan Smith of Tennessee
Nationally ranked wrestlers: Aden Attao (No. 11 at 285), Matthew Moore (No. 13 at 285)
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