The Breakdown - Episode 18 - Fargo 16U's Freestyle Day 1

26 16U Women began the day … and 3 SE hammers are in the finals tomorrow afternoon

Florida’s Valarie Solorio, South Carolina’s Zao Estrada, and Tennessee’s Genesis Gilmore will each wrestle for a Fargo 16U National title tomorrow afternoon. Here is a quick recap of their path to the finals, as well as, the other All Americans at their weight.

94 lbs. Valarie Solorio (FL) vs. Gabriella Gomez (IL) for 1st. Solorio had a 12-0 “tech” of Annalise Maralit of South Carolina, a 14-8 win over Gigi Bragg of Michigan, and a 13-0 “tech” of Megan Valdez of California to reach the finals opposite Gomez.

100 lbs. Clare Booe (FL) will wrestle Juliana Alejandro (NV) for 3rd. Booe only loss came to Minnesota’s Aspen Blasko in the 2nd round (Blasko will wrestle for 5th tomorrow). Other than that loss - Booe has been on a tear … with a 30 second fall, a 10-2 win, a 9-0 win over Aubre Krazer of Pennsylvania (who will wrestle for 7th), and a 7-0 win over Angelina Cassioppi of Illinois (Cassioppi will wrestle for 5th tomorrow).

112 lbs. Zao Estrada (SC) vs. Cecelia Williams (MI) for 1st. Estrada is a beast on top and really made quick work of her opponents once she was able to get to that position. She “teched” her way to the finals (11-0, 12-0, 14-2, and 12-1) - 3 of her opponents also made the podium as All Americans.

132 lbs. Hallie Misplay (NC) will wrestle Brenya Crahan (MO) for 7th. Misplay went 4-2 on the day with a pair of losses of Iowa’s Lilly Luft (she lost to her in the opening round and then again in the consi quarters). Hallie had 4 consecutive wins to make the podium.

138 lbs. Genevieve An (GA) will wrestle Taylor Miess (CO) for 5th. An had 2 wins to make the semis, but dropped her semifinal match to Lydia Roope of Michigan and then lost to Attalia Watson of Illinois in the consi semis.

144 lbs. Maggie Graham (TN) will wrestle Lizzie Shunn of Utah for 3rd. Graham finished the day 5-1 with her only loss coming in the quarters to finalist Nebi Tsarni of Maryland.

152 lbs. Genesis Gilmore (TN) vs. Jasmine Robinson (TX) for 1st. Gilmore went 3-0 with 3 falls, but it was far from easy. She was in battles vs. Emily Brown of New York and Abigail Ervasti of Minnesota. She takes on a very tough Jasmine Robinson tomorrow for the title at 152.

180 lbs. Destiny Madison (FL) will wrestle Kiley McClain (CA) for 7th. Madison lost her opening match to eventual finalist Kiara Ganey, but battled back to make the podium at 180.

200 lbs. Alyssa Favara (FL) will wrestle Madisen Pillars (WA) for 5th.

Summary: 3 finalists and 9 total All Americans from the SE. Florida currently sits in 11th in the team race and with a few wins tomorrow has an opportunity to break into the top 10. Florida put 4 of their 5 wrestlers on the podium.

FYI … this was just a quick interview with Valerie after her semifinal win. She is the first 16U finalist for Florida since 2013 when Nadie Fiege won the title at 198 lbs.

Fiege is currently Florida’s only 16U Champ. Valerie will look to change that tomorrow.

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98 16U Men began their quest for a Fargo stopsign … just 18 are still in the hunt for a spot on the podium.

Tough day for some - while others cruised into the quarters.

Dominic Bambinelli, Gabe Arnold, and Latrell Schafer of Georgia cruised into their quarters. Drew Gorman also made the quarters for Georgia, but had to battle vs. Marcello Milani of Michigan (10-8) in order to get there.

Brian Burburija, Ethan Mojena, and Roman Garcia each took care of business for Florida. Garcia has yet to allow a point to be scored as he finished the day 3-0 at 160. Tennessee’s Casen Roark (120) and North Carolina’s Jax Forrest (113) each looked superb in their brackets and are into the quarters.

Down, but not out … these wrestlers lost on day 1, but are still alive in the consis.

Wallace Blue of Alabama and William Jakeway of South Carolina are the only Cadets from their states in the hunt for a spot on the podium. Savoy New is in the consi’s for North Carolina at 170. Florida has three in the consis in Kendrick Hodge, Ethan Rivera, and Sawyer Bartelt. Bartelt lost to Pennsylvania’s Sonny Sasso in the Round of 32 and has won 3 in a row to get to this point.

Georgia also have 3 in the consolation bracket. Albert Butler at 220, Omaury Alvarez at 182, and Tyler Secoy at 160. Secoy lost his first match to Travis Smith of Minnesota and has won 4 in a row to get to this point in the bracket (including wins over Elijah Penton and Omer Barak of Florida) … Smith (the person Tyler lost to in the opening round) is in the quarters at 160.

Wrestlers in the consis need two more wins to make the podium … our quarterfinalists can get on the podium with a win in their next match.