Tennessee in Fargo
Here is a quick look at how Tennessee fared in Fargo last week.
Before we begin …
You can find the Brackets in FloArena
You can find my pictures of the event (at least the days I was there - I got Covid on Day 5 and missed the final two days of the tournament
Onto the tournament …
TN continues to roll in Fargo
Team Tennessee entered Fargo on a roll … they wrestled great at both the Cadet and Junior duals and added an important piece to their arsenal - top ranked Cody Chittum - as they entered Fargo. Chittum, like Land from Alabama, entered with a ton of accolades and was certainly amongst the favorites to claim a #stopsign at he beginning of the week … and he didn’t disappoint. Cody wrestled on another level on his way to the Junior Freestyle 152 lb. title … he didn’t give a point in his first 3 matches, beat Greenley 14-5 in the quarters, Swisher 14-2 in the semis and returning All American Ty Whalen 13-3 in the finals. Chittum, like Land, made a run for a double title in Greco - but came up just short - losing to eventual Champ Brendon Abdon of Florida 7-5 in the 160 lb. semis.
Cody wasn’t the only hammer from Tennessee to double up on the weekend … he was joined by Tanner Tran in 16U, Kenneth Hendriksen in Juniors, and by Piper Fowler (who made the podium in both 16U and Junior Women). In all, 13 wrestlers from Tennessee claimed Fargo hardware - including 3 that finished as runners-up. Overall it was a hugely successful trip for team Tennessee. The following are those that made the podium:
Tanner Tran was 2nd at 88 (16U Greco) 8th at 88 (16U Freestyle) - Tanner entered as a bit of an unknown to most across the US - but certainly not to the Tennessee faithful. After going 1-1 early in 16U Freestyle (losing to eventual runner-up Caleb Noble of Wisconsin), Tanner won 3 in a row (including a solid 6-2 win over Gavin Pongsai of California in the bloodround) to make the podium. In Greco - it was a whole different story as he beat Hunter Anderson (ID), Mason Brayfield (MO), and Gage Swann (GA) to make the finals … eventually losing in a wild one to Noble 9-7.
Hunter Sturgill was 2nd at 145 in 16U Greco - Hunter wrestled lights out with 5 consecutive wins to make the Greco finals at 145. He outscored his opponents 40-2 in the 5 matches before dropping his finals match to Aliaksandr Kikinou 4-1 in the finals.
Piper Fowler was 2nd at 152 in 16U and 5th in Juniors - Piper dominated her first 3 opponents in 16U (outscoring them by a combined 31-0 - and one of those ended in a fall in 48 seconds). She then had to battle to beat Olivia Stean of Kansas in the semis (up 6-4 before getting the fall). In the 16U finals she fell to Minnesota’s Ella Pagel. Piper bounced back to make a run in Juniors two days later … she won her first 3 matches (including an 18-15 barnburner over Bo Geibe of Michigan) before dropping her quarterfinal match to Naomi Simon of Iowa. Piper finished 3-1 the rest of the way (including avenging her earlier loss to Simon to take 5th).
William Phillips was 3rd at 100 in 16U Greco - One of the most impressive runs we saw all week in Fargo. William lost his opening match 9-1 VSU to Hudson Loges in the round of 64 and then won 8 in a row to take 3rd (Loges ended up 2nd). Phillips won multiple close matches on his way back through the backside including trailing 2-1 to Gavin Pardilla of Illinois with 40 seconds remaining before getting 2 and the win to advance.
Landon Desselle was 4th at 138 in 16U Greco - Landon won 4 in a row before losing his quarterfinal match to Kane Naaktgeboren of Iowa. Wins over Kresja (IN) *by criteria and then over Paradice (GA) and Stangel (IA) put him in the consi finals opposite Florida’s Elvis Solis. An injury default finished the week for Desselle who finished each style 7-2 (14-4 overall).
Kenneth Hendriksen was 6th at 120 in Junior Freestyle and 5th in Junior Greco - the incoming UTC freshman from Texas was certainly a welcome addition to the Tennessee roster as he made the podium in both styles. In Freestyle, Kenneth won 3 in a row including a 5-4 win over Sergio Vega (AZ) and a 4-2 win over Sam Smith (OK) before losing to Caden Horwath (MI) in the quarters. Wins of Ninninger (VA) and Gylon Sims (IL) and losses to to Koehler (MN) and Lauridsen (NE) put him 6th. In Greco - Hendricksen won 5 in a row to make the semis before losing to eventual runner-up Massey Odiotti (IL). A loss to Marcello Milani (MI) and a win over Patrick Jones (FL) put him 5th in Greco.
Jose Cordero was 7th at 88 in 16U Greco - Jose won 2 in a row before dropping his quarterfinal match to James Hemmila (IL) 7-5. A clutch win over Cason Craft (OK) put him on the podium. A loss to Carter Kendrick (SD) and a win over Mason Brayfield (MO) finished his week.
Cooper Hilton was 7th at 120 in 16U Greco - Cooper shared the 120 lb. 16U bracket (in both freestyle and greco with many of the best 120’s in the country - regardless of age). In Greco - Cooper won 3 in a row before losing in the round of 16 to Jackson Herm of Wisconsin. The difference in making the podium between losing in the round of 16 and the quarters is 3 wins vs. 1 win on the backside … Cooper had to beat Hinson (MO), Wagner (PA), and Saldate (NV) to make the podium. A loss to Riggins (IA) setup a rematch with Herm for 7th - one that Cooper won 7-6.
Maximus Norman was 7th at 152 in 16U Freestyle - Max won his opening two matches before losing to Chris Crawford (NY) in the Round of 32. Max then had to win 5 to make the podium including a wild one with Mitchell Younger of Ohio 10-9 … a loss to Felix (WV) and a over Stoffel (WI) put him 7th.
Jake Stacey was 7th at 170 in 16U Greco - winning close matches … that’s the path Jake took to making the podium in Greco. He won 3 in a row to start things off - including an 8-7 win over Genaro Pino (CO) before losing to Ronchetti (IL) in the quarters. A 5-4 win over Liam Byrne (OR) put him on the podium before he lost to Slade (IA) in the consi of 4 … Stacey finished his week in Fargo with another 1 point win - this time over Luke Hancock (KS) 5-4 to take 7th.
Ella Murphey was 7th at 200 in Juniors - Good run by Ella to make the podium at 200 lbs. She had two quick wins bofore losing to Rley Dempewolf of Indiana in the quarters. A quick fall of Preciado (CA) put her on the podium - where she finished the tournament with a loss to Brumley (MO) and a win over Zoe Adam (SD).
Ian McGehee was 8th at 152 in Junior Greco - Ian dominated his opening 4 matches - outscoring his opponents 33-2 (including a fall). He lost his quarterfinal match to Brackett (CO) before beating Mitchell Helgert (WA) to make the podium. Losses to May and Rice finished his week up in Fargo.
As a “team” (and don’t get me wrong I understand scoring only the All Americans) - Tennessee finished:
16th Junior Men Freestyle
23rd Junior Greco
25th Junior Women
t25th 16U Freestyle
6th 16U Greco
23rd 16U Women
Bloodrounders
Getting to the bloodround of any major tournament is an accomplishment … getting so close to the podium in Fargo only to fall by one match can be heart-breaking. Here are Tennessee’s bloodrounders in 2022:
Maggie Graham (144 - JR Women) - Maggie, a 2021 16U All American, came about as close as you can get to making the podium. She dominated her first 3 matches before losing 6-6 on criteria to Sydney Perry (IL) in the quarters (Perry ended up winning it all) … so 6-6 loss on criteria (led 6-2 with 2 minutes remaining in the match) to the eventual champ and then dropped a tough one to a red hot Nebi Tsarni who was marching through the backside after losing in the Round of 16.
Genesis Gilmore (152 - JR Women) - 2 wins to start things off before losing to Stella Steigler (VA) in the Round of 16 … meant Genesis needed 3 wins to make the podium. Wins over Wagner (CA) and Caringi (NY) put her in position to make a return trip to the podium, but a loss to Delise Villa (CA) would makr the end of her run.
Jose Cordero (88 - 16U Freestyle) - A loss early (in the Round of 16) to James Hemmila (IL) put Jose in a tough position … wins over Schultz (MN) and Swann (GA) got him within one, but a 6-3 loss to Kaison Screier (MO) would conclude his run in Freestyle.
Axel Ritchie (94 - 16U Freestyle/Greco) - Easily the most heart-wrenching to not make the podium for Tennessee … Axel Ritchie lost in the bloodround in both styles. In Freestyle, he put himself in a tough position by losing in the Round fo 64 to Caden Correll (IL). Axel battled back - winning 4 in a row before losing to Kole Davidheiser (PA) on criteria in the bloodround 6-6. In Greco he pulled eventual Champ Haakon Peterson in the quarterfinals and once again lost on criteria in the bloodround - this time 3-3 to Brock Johnson of Kansas.
Cooper Hilton (120 - 16U Freestyle) - As mentioned above - 16U 120 was easily the toughest weight for the 16U’s. And Cooper fell just off the podium in Freestyle. Cooper won 4 in a row before dropping his quarterfinal to Jordan Raney of Kentucky … as a result Cooper drew Cadet World Champ Bo Bassett in the bloodround - losing 2-2 on criteria. A great run in a tough weight, but in the end just off the podium.
Jarvis Little (126 - 16U Freestyle) - How deep was 16U 126? Jarvis won his opening match in the Round of 128 before losing to eventual Runner-up Landon Robideau of Minnesota in the Round of 64. That meant Jarvis needed 7 wins to make the top 8. He would finish with 6 - including wins over Florida’s Colin Kacena, fellow Tennessean Casen Roark (6-4) before losing to Hickman (AZ) 5-3.
Landon Desselle (138 - 16U Freestyle) - Landon had a nice opening round win over Logan Paradice (GA) before (like his teammate Jarvis Little) dropping his Round of 64 match … meaning he needed 7 wins to make the podium … and yes like Little - he would end up with 6. Landon actually dominated the backside before running into Minnesota’s Alex Braun. Landon got up big on Braun 7-0 before Braun got into the match at the beginning of the 2nd period … and eventually beating Desselle 11-9.
Max Norman (152 - 16U Greco) - Norman looked to double up after finishing top 8 in Freestyle. He started strong with 2 wins, but dropped a tough 8-8 match to Jackson Tribbett of Colorado (in a match Max controlled until the 2nd period here he gave up 2 4-pt throws). Wins over Sigman and Reves put him within one win of making the podium again, but it wouldn’t happen as he lost to Leister Bowling of Colorado to finish Greco 4-2.
