FARGO GRECO FACTS: Notable stats from the 2023 USMC Junior & 16U Greco-Roman National Championships

Thomas Verrette (CO) celebrates after winning his second straight 16U Nationals Greco-Roman title. Photo by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors.

Fargo, North Dakota – Wrestling is a sport full of nuances. Few places is that more evident than with the classic style – Greco-Roman – where actions below the waist are prohibited. It can create some interesting outcomes in a sport that seems focused on the leg grabbers. That being said, here are some of the things that came out of Fargo at the 2023 USMC Junior & 16U Greco-Roman National Championships at the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University.

NOTE: This is not intended to be a list of every single state, but notable firsts, lasts, drought-ending types of occurrences and records, etc.

Alabama: Kiyan Simon and Isaiah Powe placed in Junior Greco, giving the state two All-Americans for just the second time ever. Last year, Cory Land and Jaden New placed. Powe matched Land, Sam Latona and Erwin Lavender as the state’s only Junior Greco-Roman finalists in state history.

Alaska: Elyle Francisco’s title at 120 pounds wasn’t just Alaska’s only medal in Greco-Roman, it was Alaska’s only medal in the event. Francisco did become the state’s fourth Junior Greco champion and first since Jeremy Bockert two years ago. Francisco joins Bockert, Eli Hutchison (2003) and Brad Steward (1983) as Junior Greco titlists.

Arkansas: Dane Renick’s eighth-place finish at 138 pounds in 16U was the only medal won by the state on the men’s side in either Greco-Roman or freestyle. Renick is just the state’s fourth 16U Greco All-American and just the second since the state actually formulated a high school wrestling culture and USA Wrestling state association. Renick joins Aaron Grigsby, who placed in 2013. In case you’re wondering, former Arkansas resident Leo Bogaj placed twice at 84 pounds in the late 1990s. He would later represent Oklahoma in Fargo.

California: With nine All-Americans, California finished in fourth place in Junior Greco-Roman. The Golden State has earned multiple All-Americans in Junior Greco-Roman since the very first tournament took place in 1972. The nine All-Americans was also above the 51-year average of 6.9.

Colorado: With three champions across both age groups, Colorado tied its best champion output as titles were won by Thomas Verrette in the 16U division and Junior titles were won by Otto Black and Landon Drury. It’s the second straight year with three champions and the fourth overall – all of them coming since 2015. Verrette and Black were two of the three wrestlers who won last year as well.

Connecticut: Unfortunately, the state’s only placewinner in Greco-Roman couldn’t improve upon his finish after an injury forced Chase Kastner from the tournament. Kastner edged Pennsylvania’s Eli Herring 8-7 in the 16U 94-pound quarterfinals, but an arm injury sustained as time expired caused him to injury default to sixth place. Kastner was the state’s first 16U Greco medalist since Timmy Kane finished sixth in 2015 at 126 pounds.

Florida: With his championship at 220 pounds, Florida’s Sawyer Bartelt earned his fifth career medal in Fargo, making him the 20th wrestler in state history to achieve the feat and first since Anthony Artalona and Max Wohlabaugh finished their careers with five medals. Michael Mocco improved upon last year’s finish, stepping up from silver to bronze. As the name would suggest, he was one of two children of 2008 Olympians to win Greco-Roman titles. Michael’s father Steve placed six times in Fargo and won four titles for New Jersey from 1996-2001. He was on the 2008 Olympic team in men’s freestyle. Michael Mocco is just the eighth double champion in state history and the first since Artalona did it in 16U in 2015. The Greco titles also gave Florida seven total golds for the entirety of the tournament, tying a record set in 2005.

Georgia: With four medals in 2023, the Peach State has amassed 42 16U Greco-Roman medals since 2010. From 1985-2009, the state won 28. Blue Stiffler, Christopher Swann and Ryder Wilder were double All-Americans in 16U.

Idaho: The post-COVID heater Idaho has been on is nothing short of spectacular. After setting state membership records, the Idaho Junior Greco-Roman team on the state’s first Fargo title in any age or style after earning 10 medals and winning a pair of titles on the tournament’s final day. The title also snapped Illinois’ 15-year stranglehold on the championship. The last time Illinois didn’t win the tournament was in 2007. Mack Mauger and Aden Attao won their second Junior Greco titles in a row, while Jadon Skellenger and Shilo Jones were runners-up, giving Idaho a state record for finalists in a year, breaking the previous record of three set last year. Mauger and Attao have been at the core of the recent success. Mauger’s Fargo medal haul is now at six, across both styles, while Attao ended his career with five – three golds and two silvers. Idaho has earned 24 medals in Junior Greco since 2021, a total topped only by Illinois (30) and Wisconsin (26). On the 16U side, Saxton Scott was named the OW.

Illinois: Even with losing the grip on the Junior Greco championship, Illinois still earned nine medals and finished in the Top 5 for the 39th time in state history. Kannon Webster won his fourth title in Fargo history and closed his career with eight medals. The impressive thing about Webster’s eight medals is they were all third or better. Four golds, a silver and three bronzes – he wrestled both styles four times and lost a combined four bouts. Of the 17 wrestlers who have placed in the top three at least eight times, five are from Illinois (Anthony Cassioppi, Jack Jessen, Matt Goldstein, Zane Richards and Webster). The 16U squad regained the team championship and tied a record with seven finalists.

Indiana: With a sixth-place finish at 182 pounds in Junior Greco, De’alcapon Veazy won his sixth medal all-time in Fargo, which tied him for the state record. Veazy joins Jeff Pease, Kayla Miracle, Lucas Davison, Matt Hasbrook and Wesley English as six-time medalists at the Junior & 16U Nationals. Nathan Rioux is close behind as he earned his fifth Fargo medal after finishing seventh in Junior Greco at 113 pounds. With James Hartleroad’s championship at 285 pounds in the 16U division, a third of the Greco-Roman titles won in the 16U age group have come at the heaviest weight class. Pease won at 242 pounds in 1987 and 1988, while Eli Pokorney won at 285 pounds in 2017.

Iowa: With a state-record 15 16U All-Americans, Iowa finished second in the team standings behind Illinois. The six finalists in the division tied the state record of six set back in 2006, the only year Iowa won 16U Greco. The 15 All-Americans was also the most of any state in 16U in 2023. Across both age groups, 23 medals were won in Greco, with eight of them coming from first-time placewinners, including 170-pound 16U runner-up Broedy Collins Hendricks. The five Greco champs across both age groups is the second highest ever, behind 2006, when the state won seven. The five titles also tied Illinois for most combined Greco titles in 2023. Hayden Schwab, the oldest son of 2008 Olympian and current Northern Iowa head coach Doug Schwab, won Greco-Roman at 94 pounds after placing fourth in freestyle. In case you were wondering, Doug placed once in 1996, finishing sixth in Junior men’s freestyle for Iowa.

Kansas: With seven medalists for the second straight year, Kansas has been consistent on the Greco side of things for nearly a decade. Since 2014, Kansas has earned seven Greco-Roman medals at the event in eight of the last nine years. The only stumble was four medals in 2021. Ezekiel Witt and Brayden Hill were both double All-Americans this year.

Kentucky: The wrestling record book has been rewritten by the Raney twins. Jayden Raney won double titles for the second straight year, making him the only wrestler in state history to win two freestyle national championships and two Greco-Roman national championships. He’s the first wrestler from the state to double up twice and his four medals ties a state record for most all-time medals in Fargo and Raney’s only finishing up his 16U eligibility. The previous record was held by Joe Carr Jr. of the legendary Carr wrestling family. Raney will have a chance to unseat Carr as the highest Junior freestyle placewinner next year. The top Junior Greco-Roman finish in state history belongs to Brandon Reed and Payne Carr, both finished fourth. The three Greco-Roman All-Americans – Raney, Lucas Ricketts and Gavin Ricketts -- ties last year’s mark, which is the best in state history.

Maryland: Emmitt Sherlock’s runner-up finish in 16U Greco-Roman was Maryland’s first finals appearance in the division since Aaron Brooks won the 160-pound title in 2016. Sherlock was the state’s only medalst in 16U Greco.

Massachusetts: Musa Tamaradze’s third-place finish at 120 pounds in Junior Greco gave the Bay State it’s highest finisher in the division since Bronson Lingamfelter finished third in 1998 at 275 pounds.

Michigan: After winning freestyle at 94 pounds, Michigan’s Jarrett Smith had to settle for silver in Greco-Roman. Smith is the state’s first men’s double finalist since 2017, when Andrew Chambal and Kevon Davenport both reached the finals in both styles. That year, Chambal was second twice, while Davenport won Greco and was second in freestyle.

Minnesota: When Joey Novak defeated Cittadino Tuttle in the finals at 195 pounds of Junior Greco-Roman, it was the first time since 2015 there was an All-Minnesota final in the division. That year, Ben Brancale defeated Ty Johnson at 130 pounds. As good as Minnesota is in Greco-Roman, it’s only happened two other times: In 2006 when Pat Mahan beat Brent Eidenschink at 215 pounds and in 1996 when Brad Pike beat Josh Cagle at 143 pounds. Yes, the old pre-2002 weight classes were stacked.

Missouri: Runner-up finishes by Mason Brayfield at 100 pounds and Zan Fugitt at 132 pounds gave Missouri two Junior Greco-Roman finalists in the same year for the first time since 2015. That year Andrew Buckley and Matthew Schmitt both finished second. Brayfield and David Gleason doubled up, placing in freestyle.

Montana: Isaac Stewart finished fourth in Junior Greco-Roman at 106 pounds, earning him his fifth all-time medal in Fargo. Stewart joins a very select group of wrestlers in Montana history with at least five medals in Fargo. Vaylen Rauser owns the state record with seven, followed by twin brother Jade, who finished his career with six. Current University of Minnesota head coach Brandon Eggum is tied with Stewart with five.

Nebraska: Championships by Joel Adams and Cayden Coyle gave Nebraska multiple champions in Junior Greco for the fourth straight tournament. Of the 16 Junior Greco-Roman titles won by Nebraska in history, nine have come since 2019. Adams joins 2007 world silver medalist Brad Vering as the state’s only three-time champion at the Junior & 16U Nationals. Adams joins Vering, RaVaughn Perkins and Kael Lauridsen as two-time Greco-Roman champions. Adonis Bonar II’s title at 182 pounds is the state’s ninth all-time title in 16U Greco.

Nevada: Manuel Saldate finished fifth in 16U Greco-Roman, making him just the 16th wrestler in state history to win medals in men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman in the same year.

New Jersey: The next generation of wrestlers became an underlying theme over the week. Along with titles won by wrestlers named Schwab, Mocco and Larkin, Gabriel Logan of New Jersey added to the family legacy with a Greco-Roman title at 16U at 145 pounds. Logan’s dad is five-time 16U & Junior placer Damion Logan, who was also an NCAA Division I All-American at Michigan. Gabriel Logan was one of three wrestlers to place for New Jersey in 16U Greco.

New Mexico: All three wrestlers to place in Greco-Roman for New Mexico came at the 16U age division, which tied a state record first set in 2005. Roman Luttrell was the highest finisher, taking third at 113 pounds.

New York: The Empire State’s only three placers in Greco-Roman came in the Junior division, while the 16U’s were shut out for the second year in a row. Casper Stewart’s eighth-place finish at 152 pounds earned him his third all-time Fargo medal, the tops among the three wrestlers who stood on the podium in Fargo.

North Dakota: Leandro “L.J.” Araujo was the state’s only Greco-Roman placewinner, finishing second at 160 pounds. Araujo was the state’s first finalist since Christian Tanefeu was second at 100 pounds in 2018.

Ohio: The 16U Greco squad from the Buckeye State put nine on the podium, the highest output since the 10 placers in 2005. As a team, Ohio finished fourth, which is its highest finish in the division since 2014. Interestingly enough, history shows that the eight placers in 2013 weren’t even good enough for a Top 10 finish that year, but the seven in 2014 earned them a Top 5 spot. Loc Webber won the championship at 88 pounds.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma and Greco-Roman haven’t exactly been two terms that were synonymous with one another – at least not since the early 1990s. The state had seen its 16U and Junior teams finish in the top 10 a number of times, including runner-up finishes in 16U in 1990 and 1991, but never had the state finished in the Top 5 in both age divisions in the same year until 2023. The 16U’s finished third, while the Juniors finished fifth. The nine All-Americans in 16U is the most since the record setting 10 placers in 1990 and 1991. The seven Junior All-Americans is the most since 2002, when the weights expanded from 12 to 15.

Oregon: Justin Rademacher was the lone double All-American for Oregon this year. After finishing third in Junior freestyle, Rademacher was one of two Oregon juniors to place in Greco-Roman, finishing fifth at 182 pounds.

Pennsylvania: With a pair of Top 10 team finishes, the Keystone State finished in the Top 10 in all six divisions, one of just three states to accomplish the feat in 2023. Iowa and Wisconsin also placed all six teams in the Top 10. Pierson Manville was a double All-American for the third time, finishing third in Greco-Roman to go with his third-place finish in Junior men’s freestyle. Manville has finished third in both styles two years in a row. Will Detar’s 16U Greco championship was the eighth title won during the week and it was enough to give Pennsylvania its best champion output since the state had nine champions in 2008.

Rhode Island: After winning a 16U Greco title last year, Rhode Island’s Gabriel Bouyssou finished fifth in Junior Greco at 145 pounds. The medal is Bouyssou’s fifth all-time in Fargo, adding to his state record that he set last year. Only three wrestlers in state history have placed more than once – John Lema in 1990 and 1992 and Patrick Feeley, who placed from 2002-2005 and won a Junior freestyle title at 98 pounds in 2002.

South Carolina: The Palmetto State was shut out in Greco, but one athlete did turn – and crank – some heads during the Junior competition. Three-time women’s freestyle All-American and 2023 Junior women’s finalist Zao Estrada entered the Junior Greco tournament and went 3-2 at 113 pounds. She’s not the first to do it, and wouldn’t have been the first placer, but with three wins, she’s got the most Greco wins for a female, topping the two wins by Maine’s Deanna (Rix) Betterman in 2005 and Utah’s Sage Mortimer in 2008. Mortimer placed seventh and won a consolation bout and her placement bout. Estrada made the second day in a weight that featured 63 wrestlers.

South Dakota: Much like men’s freestyle, the only two wrestles who placed in Greco-Roman were heavyweights Micah Hach and Navarro Schunke. Hach finished sixth at 16U, while Schunke was seventh at Juniors. Hach had seven falls in his two tournaments – he won the most falls award in men’s freestyle as well. It was Schunke’s fourth medal in Fargo. He was the men’s freestyle runner-up in Juniors.

Tennessee: It was another strong showing for the 16U’s in Tennessee as the state put six wrestlers on the podium and finished in eighth place. Coupled with the 16U men’s freestyle finish – also eighth – it was the first time in state history Tennessee has placed in the Top 10 in multiple styles in the same year. The only other Top 10 finish came in 16U Greco-Roman last year, when they finished sixth with a record seven All-Americans. Four of the six Greco-Roman placers – Hudson Chittum, Jose Cordero, Shamus Regan and Maximus Norman – were double All-Americans.

Texas: Karson Tompkins’ fifth-place finish in Greco-Roman made him the only double All-American from the Lone Star State in 2023. The state’s only men’s freestyle placer, Tompkins now has three all-time medals in Fargo. Kody Tanimoto moved up to Juniors in 2023 and improved his Greco placement, finishing second at 113 pounds after last year’s 106-pound fifth place finish at 16U. Iyanu Akingbolagun had three falls in the Junior Greco tournament, the most of any Texan in the style this year.

Utah: Seven placewinners gave Utah it’s first Top 10 finish in 16U Greco-Roman since 2012. Austin Ellis, Ty Carman and Trayvn Boger were all double placewinners. On the Junior side, Layne Kleimann finished fourth at 126 pounds, giving him a fifth Fargo medal all-time. He was a 16U champion back in 2021.

Virginia: Caden Smith was a Junior double All-American for the second straight year after he closed out his tournament with a third-place finish at 100 pounds. Smith joined Evan Sanati and Morgan State signee Kingsley Menifee as double All-Americans in 2023.

Washington: With four Greco-Roman All-Americans, the state doubled its men’s freestyle output and Justyce Zuniga and Thor Michaelson were both double All-Americans. Zuniga wrapped up his tournament with a seventh place finish at 120 in 16U, while Michaelson was eighth in Junior Greco as 160. Matt King was second in 16U at 182 pounds – his name is befitting of a good wrestler.

Wisconsin: Familiar names like Nutter, Schierl and Kawczynski peppered the medal count with Wisconsin in Greco-Roman. While the state’s runner-up finishes in both age groups last year was a high water mark for the state association, Wisconsin was one of three states to place in the Top 10 in all six tournaments with its seventh-place finish in 16U and ninth-place finish in Juniors. Ashton Miess won the Junior title at 160 pounds. Wisconsin’s had at least six placewinners in Junior Greco every year since 2015. Brett Back’s fourth-place finish at 160 pounds returned him to the podium after doubling up in 16U in 2021.