We Own the Dome - Junior Men Greco
We, the wrestling community, routinely walk into Fargo (or other events/venues) with a preconceived idea of which are the teams and athletes to watch. Those you should keep an eye on. At the high school level it is South Dade in Florida or Cleveland in Tennessee. At the national level we have a tendency to look at state dominance. NHSCA always seems to have tons of Pennsylvania athletes on the podium. Well, in Fargo it varies based on whether we’re talking the men or the women, Freestyle or Greco Roman.
The We Own the Dome Series came out of this … and at a very basic level, whether those long-held perceptions are true. We could have gone back to the beginning, but decided to focus our analysis on the last time the weights changed (that way we could look at each weight in greater detail, as well). For the men, that includes the last 11 years (although just 10 Fargo’s because of COVID). So, for this series, we examine all of the All Americans from 2012 through 2022.
Where did we get all of these results to do the analysis? Great question, and one that is easy to answer. Jason Bryant of Mat Talk Online has done much of the heavy lifting. The Fargo Almanac is a treasure trove of information and data about Fargo, from those NCAA Champions that made the podium in Fargo to the number of “Americans in Europe” (yes, that is an actual designation for one of the competing “states”) that have climbed the podium over the years. If you’re interested in knowing anything (and everything) about Fargo, it is the ultimate resource. As a result, it is where we turned to begin our analysis for this series. Lastly, if there any mistakes below, they’re made by SEWrestle (sometimes we get a bit shaky when we count above 5 or 6).
Who Owns the Dome in Junior Men Greco over the last 11 years?
Well it is fairly simple … Illinois. Over the last 11 years, the Illinois men have simply been on another level with 149 All Americans including 28 Champions (as many Champions in that time than Michigan or Ohio has All Americans). Of the 15 weights (remember we have 100 lbs. in Juniors at Fargo), Illinois has the most All Americans in 10 of them.
Illinois (149)
Wisconsin (76)
California (72)
Minnesota (71)
Iowa (58)
Pennsylvania (53)
Washington (48)
Colorado (46)
Oklahoma (42)
New York (40)
SE Status: Florida is #11 with 38 All Americans, Georgia comes in #16 with 31, Tennessee has 10, Alabama 9, North Carolina 5, and South Carolina 2.
One thing that is always interesting to take a look at is the distribution across the different weight classes. Again - we have perceptions that the “lightweights” from this school, club, or state are the ones to watch or a state is known for being a state from their bigger guys or girls. So here is a breakdown of the number of All Americans by weight over the last 11 years:
100 lbs.
We OWN 100: Illinois (and it isn’t close … Illinois has 19 All Americans in 10 years - the next closest is Wisconsin with 7. Anthony King was a 2x All American (1x Champ in 2017), but for the most part this is an impressive rotation of new faces that Illinois puts on the big stage at 100 lbs. every single year.)
Contenders:
Wisconsin (7)
California (4)
Washington (4)
Oklahoma (4)
Utah (4)
Texas (4)
Florida (Elijah Varona and Vincent Biondoletti) has had 2, Alabama (Brandon Cunningham) and South Carolina (Alex Roberts) each have 1
Worth Noting: Wisconsin had 7 different wrestlers make the podium and had quite a run from 2012-2016, but just one (Kaleb Casey) since. Sage Mortimer was one of Utah’s 100 lb. All Americans … after winning the 16U 100 lb. Women’s Freestyle Title that same year.
106 lbs.
We OWN 106: California (California edges Illinois at 106 - at least in terms of the number of All Americans at 106 - 12 vs. 11. Andre Gonzales was California’s only Champ at 106 during the time, but Joe Cisneros and Liam Cronin made the podium twice (Cisneros 2nd and 4th and Cronin 3rd and 7th).
Contenders:
Illinois (11)
Florida (6)
Wisconsin (5)
Pennsylvania (5)
Washington (4)
Oklahoma (4)
Alabama (Sam Latona) and Georgia (Todd Small) each have had one.
Worth Noting: Illinois has more champs than California with Louie Hayes and Nkosi Moody. Florida had a Champ in Brandon Staley in 2013. Elijah Varona and Ryan Rowland made the finals and Jacob Cochran, Nick Walker, and Tyler Washburn made the podium during the time. Jaret Lane claimed a title for PA in 2017, and Brendon Chaowanapibool was a 2x All American and 1x Champ in 2017 and 2018.
113 lbs.
We OWN 113: Illinois (6 All Americans with Dack Punke claiming back to back titles in 2015 and 2016 at 113 … in fact of the 6 AA’s for Illinois at 113 - they have 3 Champs, 2 Runners-up, and a 5th).
Contenders:
California (5)
Minnesota (5)
Wisconsin (4)
Pennsylvania (4)
Colorado (4)
Maryland (4)
Michigan (4)
Kansas (4)
Georgia (Hasan Krigger and Hunter Kelley) and North Carolina (Christian Decatur-Luker and Richard Treanor) each have had 2 with Florida (Ryan Rowland) and South Carolina (Jordan Wigger) with 1.
Worth Noting: Minnesota has had two champs Jarred Oftedahl and Paxton Creese), a runner-up (Skyler Petry), and two 3rd place AA’s (Alan Koehler and Patrick McKee) … none of the states mentioned above with Minnesota had a champ from 2012-2022 at 113.
120 lbs.
We OWN 120: Illinois (10 All Americans in 10 years … not too shabby for Illinois. KeVon Powell is the only one to win a title at 120 and that was back in 2012. Anthony Molton was 2nd and 4th and most recently Massey Odiotto was 2nd a year ago).
Contenders:
Minnesota (8)
Colorado (6)
Michigan (6)
Wisconsin (4)
Kansas (4)
Washington (4)
Florida (4)
Oklahoma (4)
Tennessee (Cooper Flynn and Kenneth Hendriksen) has had 2, Alabama (Khaleel Johnson) and Georgia (Aslan Kilic) each with 1
Worth Noting: Skyler Petry won a title for Minnesota in 2014 and Minnesota had 8 different individuals contribute to their 8 All Americans since 2012. Michigan has more champs than either Minnesota, Colorado, or Illinois since 2012 with 3 - actually 2 individuals since Chayse LaJoie won it twice (2018 and 2019). Rayvon Foley claimed the title at 120 in 2017 … meaning Michigan had quite a run from 2017-2019 at this weight. Dalton Duffield won it twice for Oklahoma in 2015 and 2016 and Florida has had Brandon Staley, Isaiah Varona, James Flint and most recently (as in 2022) Patrick Jones climb onto the podium.
126 lbs.
We OWN 126: Illinois (10 - 4 of Illinois’s 10 All Americans since 2012 have come from 2 individuals - Austin Macias who was 2nd and 5th in 2017 and 2018 and Gabriel Townsell who claimed a title in 2015 and was 2nd in 2016)
Contenders:
Washington (6)
Oklahoma (6)
Iowa (6)
Colorado (5)
Nebraska (5)
Kansas (4)
Oregon (4)
Georgia (Caden McCrary and Nick Masters) has had 2 All Americans at 126 since 2012 with Alabama (Zachary Van Alst) and North Carolina (Wilson Smith) each having 1.
Worth Noting: Cory Clark (2012) and Alex Thomsen (2017) each collected 126 lb. titles for Iowa (Thomsen was also 5th in 2016). The Karstetter gang led Oklahoma at 126 with Cody taking 4th and 6th in 2014 and 2015 and Jack taking 8th in 2016. Camden Russell claimed a title for Nebraska in 2019, Austin Lister was a 2x AA at 126 for Oregon, Otto Black was a champ for Colorado last year and Austin Almauger claimed a title for Washington in 2018.
132 lbs.
We OWN 132: Illinois (11 - Kannon Webster won a title in 2022 and Zane Richards claimed a title in 2012; Michael Gunther was a 2x All American at the weight as well)
Contenders:
Oregon (7)
Minnesota (7)
Utah (6)
Colorado (5)
Idaho (5)
4 States with (4)
Alabama (Cory Land and Zachary Van Alst) and Florida (Luis Hernandez and Tarrell Wallace) have each had 2 with Tennessee (Dayne Dalrymple won a title in 2021) having 1
Worth Noting: Mitchell McKee claimed a title for Minnesota in 2015. Jason Shaner and Nash Singleton were 2x All Amercans for Oregon with Shaner taking 2nd in 2017. Taylor Lamont made the finals twice for Utah - claiming a title in 2016. Idaho had two champs since 2012 at 132 … Hayden Tuma in 2013 and Ridge Lovett in 2018.
138 lbs.
We OWN 138: Minnesota (12 different individuals made the podium for Minnesota at 138 since 2012. Two - Ben Brancale and Mitchell McKee - won titles with Kyle Boeke, Mitch Bengston, and Ty Johnson taking 2nd).
Contenders:
Washington (9)
Wisconsin (7)
California (6)
Idaho (5)
Georgia (4)
Florida (Bretli Reyna, Frankie Tal-Shahar, and Joshua Calhoun) has had 3 and Tennessee has had 1 (Michael Murphy)
Worth Noting: Illinois - which has dominated nearly every other weight class - does not have a single All American at 138 since 2012. Georgia enjoyed much of their 138 lb. success in 2014 and 2015 when Rudy Guillen took 2nd in 2014 and Roman Boylen was 4th as well as Hunter Kelley taking 6th in 2015. Caden McCrary was 3rd at the weight in 2019. Q’veli Quintanilla claimed a title for Washington in 2021 and Jake Velarde climbed onto the podium twice for Washington in 2012 and 2013. Just like 132 - Idaho’s Hayden Tuma and Ridge Lovett claimed titles at 138 as well. Kyle Parco was a champ for California in 2018.
145 lbs.
We OWN 145: Illinois (13 All Americans since 2012 … no champs; Sir Romeo Howard was 2nd in 2014 and 5th in 2013 and 3 others made the finals … We Rachel (2018), Austin O’Connor (2015), and Jayden Colon last year)
Contenders:
California (8)
Minnesota (7)
Colorado (7)
Utah (7)
Georgia (4)
Arizona (4)
Florida had 3 AAs including 2022 Champ Brennan Van Hoecke, Runner-up Anthony Artalona, and 3rd placer Jose Luis Felipe. Alabama had 1 with Jaden New last year.
Worth Noting: California might have 5 fewer All Americans than Illinois, but they have 2 champs in Blayne Briceno (2013) and Jaden Enriquez (2017). Ryan Deakin claimed a title for Colorado in 2016 and Phil Downing was a 2x AA for Colorado in 2012 and 2013. Georgia crowned a champ with Andrew Webb in 2015. Joining Webb on the podium for Georgia is 2013 runner-up Matthew Moody, Derekston Williams, and Justin Ruffin. Anthony Echimedia was a champ for Arizona in 2019 and Grant Lamont won a title for Utah in 2012.
152 lbs.
We OWN 152: Minnesota (Minnesota has been stout at 152 in JR Greco with 10 All Americans since 2012. Griffin Parriott and Peyton Robb have each won titles and Tyler Eischens was 2nd and 3rd in 2017 and 2018).
Contenders:
Illinois (8)
Pennsylvania (7)
Iowa (5)
Nebraska (5)
California (4)
Maryland (4)
Georgia and Florida have each had 3 with Tennessee (Ian McGhee in 2022) with 1 AA since 2012
Worth Noting: Branden Stauffenberg claimed a title for Illinois in 2022, Chase Straw was a 2x AA for Iowa in 2014 and 2015, Nick Hamilton and James Burks led the way for Nebraska with Hamilton claiming a title in 2021 and Burks doing so in 2019 (after AAing in 2018), and new NDSU Assistant Coach Hayden Hidlay claimed a title for PA in 2015. Anthony Artalona, Steven Villalobos, and Yoanse Mejia made the podium for Florida and Andrew Webb, Michael Kilic, and Justin Ruffin were AAs for Georgia since 2012.
160 lbs.
We OWN 160: Wisconsin (10 All Americans with Tyler Dow claiming a title in 2018 and was a runner-up in 2017; Caden Young and Matt Grey were also runners-up for Wisconsin).
Contenders:
California (7)
New York (7)
Illinois (6)
Pennsylvania (5)
Florida (5)
Washington (5)
2 States with (4)
Georgia had 3 AA’s (RJ Weston, Jeremy Paradice, and Caleb Waddell) and Tennessee has had 1 (Cody Chittum a year ago).
Worth Noting: MJ Gaitan won a title for California in 2021, Davonte Mahomes was a Champ for Illinois in 2013, and Terrance Parks was a 2x AA for New York and Adrian St Germain was a 2x AA for Washington. But Florida had 2 Champs - Geordan Speiller in 2012 and Brendon Abdon a year ago (as well as AA’s Dakota Greene and Max Wohlabaugh).
170 lbs.
We OWN 170: Illinois (11 All Americans including Fargo Champs Alex Cramer (2018), Bradley Gillium (2022), and Kamal Bey (2015).
Contenders:
Wisconsin (9)
Iowa (6)
Pennsylvania (5)
Kansas (4)
Minnesota (4)
Georgia (4)
Florida has had 2 (Christian Moder and Peter Nagy) and Tennessee has had 1 (Fargo Champ Tommy Brackett in 2016).
Worth Noting: Gable Frandsen was a 2x AA for Wisconsin, Angel Garcia claimed a title for PA in 2019, and Alex Meyer was a Champ for Iowa in 2012. Georgia has had 4 All Americans at 170 since 2012 including 2022 Runner-up Omaury Alvarez, Vincent Baker, Matthew Waddell, and Jason Grimes in 2012.
182 lbs.
We OWN 182: Illinois (12 All Americans. Illinois not only dominates in terms of numbers, but also in terms of Champs. Illinois easily owns 182 with 5 Champs since 2012 - Sam Brooks (2012), Logan Gruszka (2016), Jack Jessen (2017), Zachary Braunagel (2018), and Deanthony Parker (2021)).
Contenders:
New York (6)
Ohio (6)
Wisconsin (4)
Iowa (4)
Missouri (4)
Oklahoma (4)
Georgia has had 3, Florida 2 (Ashton Habeil and Brandon Marshall), Tennessee 2 (Tommy Bracket twice), and Alabama 1 (Christian Knop).
Worth Noting: Justan Rivera claimed a title for Georgia in 2014 and 2 different Matthew Waddell’s earned AA honors - Gilmer’s Waddell in 2016 and Pepperell’s Waddell in 2022. Michael Altomer won a title for New York in 2022 (a year after taking 2nd at this weight in 2021) and James Handwerk was a 2x AA for Ohio.
195 lbs.
We OWN 195: California (8 All Americans, but no champs. Jeramy Sweany was 2nd in 2013 (and 3rd in 2012) and Artem Loginov was 2nd in 2019).
Contenders:
Illinois (7)
Iowa (7)
Pennsylvania (7)
Wisconsin (6)
4 States with (4) including Georgia
Florida has had 1 AA since 2012 at 195 (Ryan Cody who was 2nd in 2021)
Worth Noting: Joseph McClure and Vincent Baker each earned titles for Georgia (McClure in 2013 and Baker in 2019). Roderick Davis and Tyler Denova also placed at 195 for Georgia. Jacob Warner claimed a title for Illinois, Wyatt Voelker was on the top step in 2021 for Iowa, and Ryan Solomon claimed the title in 2012 for Pennsylvania.
220 lbs.
We OWN 220: Illinois (11 All Americans. Jace Punke was a 2x Fargo Champ - 2018 and 2019. Darrell Mason, Andrew Blackburn-Forst, and Luke Luffman each finished 2nd).
Contenders:
Iowa (6)
Pennsylvania (6)
Wisconsin (6)
New York (6)
California (5)
2 States with (4)
Florida (Sawyer Bartelt in 2022) and North Carolina (Kacee Hutchinson) have each had 1 All American at 220 since 2012.
Worth Noting: Michael Rogers was a 2x All American for PA in 2014 and 2015. Max Ramberg won a title in 2022 for Wisconsin and Tyler Schmidt was a 2x AA for Wisconsin in 2013 and 2014.
285 lbs.
We OWN 285: Illinois (14 All Americans. Anthony Cassioppi was a 2x Champ with titles in 2017 and 2018. Luke Luffman and Ryan Boersma each claimed titles as well. Adarios Jones, Michael Hobbs, and Thomas Helton were 2x All Americans).
Contenders:
Iowa (9)
Oklahoma (6)
Michigan (5)
3 States have (4)
Florida has had 3 ( Dante Jiovenetta won a title in 2015 and was 2nd in 2014, Ethan Vergara was 3rd last year) and North Carolina (Kendrick Watson) has had 1.
Worth Noting: In a rare instance … Spencer Treanary was a 3x All American for Iowa - taking 7th In 2017, 4th in 2018, and 2nd in 2019. Hayden Simpson and Montana Phillips were 2x All Americans for Oklahoma. Adam Coon was a 2x Fargo Champ for Michigan in 2012 and 2013 and Austin Emerson was a 2x AA for Michigan in 2017 and 2018.