We Own the Dome - Junior Men Freestyle
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 Avery County in North Carolina or Baylor 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 Freestyle over the last 11 years?
Illinois once again … 127 All Americans compared to Iowa’s 90 and Pennsylvania’s 87.
Illinois (127)
Iowa (90)
Pennsylvania (87)
Ohio (78)
Minnesota (75)
Oklahoma (70)
California (64)
New Jersey (61)
Michigan (53)
Wisconsin (51)
SE Status: Georgia is #17 with 21 and Florida is tied for #18 with 20 (with Idaho, New York, and Texas), Tennessee has 8, Alabama and South Carolina each have 4, and North Carolina has 3.
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 (12 All Americans. Tons of talent made the top 8 in Fargo for Illinois since 2012, but just two champs was crowned during that time. Kirk Johansen won the title in 2013 and Daniel Sheen took the top spot in 2019.)
Contenders:
Iowa (8)
Oklahoma (6)
Ohio (4)
9 States with (3)
Florida and South Carolina have each had 1.
Worth Noting: Tanner Rohweder claimed a title for Iowa in 2012 - Iowa hasn’t gotten close since with Brandon O’Brien taking 2nd in 2019, but no other champs than Rohweder during the timeframe. Zane Donley claimed a title for Oklahoma in 2021 and Javaan Yarbrough was 2nd for Ohio in 2022 (after just missing on a double). Elijah Varona was 6th for Florida in 2015 and Alex Roberts finished 8th for South Carolina back in 2012.
106 lbs.
We OWN 106: Illinois (10 All Americans. Louie Hayes broke through for a title at 106 in 2015 - a year after taking 3rd at 100 lbs. Illinois had quite a run at 106 from 2012-2018 with 9 All Americans - only missed putting one on the podium in 2016).
Contenders:
California (8)
Utah (5)
Arizona (5)
4 States with (4)
South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama have each had 1.
Worth Noting: Andrew Gonzales claimed a title for California in 2019 and Arizona had a pair of champs - Danny Vega in 2014 and Jason Holmes in 2016. Sam Latona claimed a title for Alabama in 2017, Hasan Krigger was 4th in 2015, and Davon Powell was 8th for South Carolina in 2015. Kade Evans pulled off the rare back to back AA’s at the weight with a 6th place finish in 2013 and a 4th place finish in 2014.
113 lbs.
We OWN 113: Michigan (7 All Americans that include Caden Horwath, Drew Heethuis, Dominic LaJoie, but just one champ - Braeden Davis in 2021).
Contenders:
Illinois (6)
California (6)
Ohio (6)
Missouri (6)
Minnesota (6)
3 States with (4)
South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee with 1 each.
Worth Noting: A trio of runners-up in Ben Aranda, Brian Rossi, and Deion Johnson, but none that were able to claim a title for Illinois. Tommy Thorn claimed a title for Minnesota in 2012. Hunter Taylor followed up a 106 lb. title with one at 113 for Missouri last year. Nic Aguilar claimed the 113 lb. title for California in 2016. Cole Hunt (Georgia) and Jordan Wigger (South Carolina) each made the podium for the SE and Elijah Oliver claimed a title for Tennessee in 2013.
120 lbs.
We OWN 120: Illinois (13 All Americans. Impressive group and the second most AA’s by a state at specific weight since 2012 (only the big guys from Illinois top this group). Anthony Molton was a champ in 2019 after taking 7th in 2018, Kannon Webster claimed a title in 2021, and Kyle Akins was a 2x AA for Illinois at this weight in 2013 and 2014).
Contenders:
Ohio (10)
Michigan (8)
Oklahoma (7)
Iowa (5)
3 States with (4) including Tennessee
Georgia has had 1
Worth Noting: Nate Jesuorga was simply outstanding on his way to a title for Iowa in 2022. Ohio’s Nathan Tomasello pulled off a unique double in 2012 and 2013 - claiming the title in both years at 120. Austin Assad followed that up for Ohio with a title in 2014. Daton Fix took the title back to Oklahoma in 2015. Tennessee has had a good run at 120 since 2012 … U23 World Team member Cooper Flynn was 7th in 2019 and 3rd in 2021, Tre Chalifoux was 8th in 2015, and Kenneth Hendriksen finished 6th last year. Georgia’s only Junior 120 lb. All American over the last 10 years came back in 2014 with Sean Russell coming up one win short to take 2nd.
126 lbs.
We OWN 126: New Jersey (8 All Americans including Champ Michael Colaiocco in 2018. Charles Tucker was a 2x AA for Jersey in 2013 and 2014 (finished 2nd in 2014). Joey McKenna was a runner-up in 2012 and Luke Stanich was a runner-up last year).
Contenders:
Illinois (7)
Oklahoma (7)
Pennsylvania (7)
Iowa (6)
Ohio (5)
3 States with (4)
Florida (Braden Basile and Sebastian Melguizo - both in 2021) has had 2, Georgia and North Carolina (Garrison White) with 1 each.
Worth Noting: Austin Gomez and Jared Cortez each won titles for Illinois, Cory Clark and Drake Ayala took home the stopsign for Iowa, and Angelo Rini and Austin Assad did it for Ohio. Mason Gibson took the title back to Pennsylvania last year and Drew Gorman was 3rd for Georgia … Mason Gibson isn’t on PA’s list, but Gorman is for Georgia.
132 lbs.
We OWN 132: Pennsylvania (10 All Americans and quite a collection of hammers including Nic Bouzakis (3rd in 2021), Mike Kemerer (7th in 2013), Max Murin (3rd in 2016, Beau Bartlett (3rd in 2018), but just one champ since 2012 … Zain Retherford in 2012).
Contenders:
Illinois (7)
Minnesota (7)
Ohio (5)
Missouri (5)
California (5)
3 States with (4)
Florida has had 2, Alabama and Tennessee (Hunter Mason) with 1 each.
Worth Noting: Cory Land is Alabama’s 2nd ever Junior Freestyle National Champ after claiming this weight last year. Danny Nini and Malyke Hines each made the podium for Florida - Nini in 2021, Hines in 2018. Nasir Bailey claimed a title for Illinois in 2021 (with Webster taking 2nd to Land last year). Seth Gross and Tommy Thorn each claimed titles for Minnesota and Brent Jones was a 2x AA in 2016 and 2017. Jordan Decatur brought a 132 lb. title back to Ohio in 2018.
138 lbs.
We OWN 138: Pennsylvania (9 All Americans. Impressive list by PA at 138, but like other states that have dominated a weight - no champs - in fact, just one finalist - Brock Zacherl in 2014. Still Ed Scott, Lachlan McNeil, Pierson Manville, Vincenzo Joseph, etc. makes PA tough at 138 over the last 11 years).
Contenders:
New Jersey (7)
Illinois (6)
California (6)
Oklahoma (6)
Iowa (5)
Michigan (5)
3 States with (4)
Georgia has had 3
Worth Noting: Anthony Ashnault, Joey McKenna, Lucas Revano, Matthew Kolodzik, etc. - quite an impressive list of AA’s for Jersey at 138, but just one won a title - Kolodzik in 2015. Ben Freeman claimed a title for Michigan in 2017 and Ryder Block took home the title last year for Iowa. Bryce Brill claimed a title for Illinois in 2012with Kole Brower earning back to back All American spots for Illinois in 2021 and 2022. Georgia has an impressive that includes Caden McCrary, Caleb Henson, and Hunter Kelley and current Bellator fighter Aaron Pico took the title for California in 2013.
145 lbs.
We OWN 145: Pennsylvania and Iowa (9 All Americans each. Fredy Stroker was dominant for Iowa in 2014 and 2015 … 2x AA with a championship in 2015. Pennsylvania has an equally impressive list, but no champs or 2x All Americans at the weight. Jarod Verkleeren was 2nd in 2016 and Vincenzo Joseph was 2nd in 2014 for PA).
Contenders:
Minnesota (6)
California (5)
Missouri (5)
Ohio (5)
Florida (5)
4 States with (4)
Worth Noting: Ohio could make the claim that they OWN 145 despite having just 5 All Americans at the weight. Anthony Collica was a back to back Champ in 2012 and 2013, Bryce Andonian won it in 2018, Victor Voinovich was 2nd in 2019 and Manzona Bryant was 3rd in 2019 … impressive group from Ohio. Alex Lloyd was 3x All American for Minnesota twice at 145 in 2016 and 2017) and once at 152 in 2018. Florida isn’t far behind Ohio in terms of making the claim as well … Anthony Artalona was a back to back Champ for Florida in 2016 and 2017, Pat Lugo was 2nd in 2015, and Nosomy Pozo and Johnny Lovett each climbed on the podium at 145 as well.
152 lbs.
We OWN 152: California (11 All Americans. Impressive group from California. Jace Luchau is the only Champ in the group (and the only 2x All American at this weight for the Golden State). But look at some of the names that have AA’d for California since 2012 at 152 … Anthony Valencia, Chase Saldate, and a trio of Wick’s - Luka in 2021, Evan in 2015, and Zander in 2016).
Contenders:
Minnesota (10)
Pennsylvania (7)
Illinois (7)
New Jersey (6)
Michigan (4)
Georgia has had 2, Florida (Yoanse Mejia), Tennessee, and North Carolina with 1 each.
Worth Noting: Caleb Henson claimed a title for Georgia in 2021 and Justin Ruffin was 4th in 2017. Larry Early and Will Lewan each claimed titles for Illinois. Griffin Parriott and Tyler Eischens were 2x AA’s for Minnesota at 152 … Parriott claimed the 152 lb. title in 2016. Impressive run for New Jersey with 4 finalists including a Mason Manville vs. David McFadden all Jersey final in 2014. Jeremiah Price made the podium for North Carolina last season. PA has had 7 AA’s - 5 of which finished 3rd (Hidlay, Shields, Swisher, Johnson, and Kelly). Cody Chittum claimed a title for Tennessee last year as well. Top end talent in the last decade for the SE with Champs Henson (‘21), Chittum (‘22), Mejia who was a runner-up for Florida as well as Ruffin and Price, but in terms of numbers they trail the top states.
160 lbs.
We OWN 160: Wisconsin and Pennsylvania (8 All Americans each. Braeden Scoles and Tyler Dow each were 2x All Americans for Wisconsin - but no one from Wisconsin could find a way to claim a title (Scoles was 3rd and 4th, Dow 2nd and 5th). Same is true for Pennsylvania as Chris Weiler was a 2x AA for PA, but none finished higher than 3rd - Rocco Welsh (2021) and Eric Hong (2016).
Contenders:
Minnesota (7)
New Jersey (6)
Iowa (6)
Ohio (6)
Illinois (5)
2 States with (4)
Florida has had 3
Worth Noting: Quite a trio of Champs for Ohio at 160 … David Carr in 2017, Markus Scheidel in 2013, and Paddy Gallagher in 2019. Jake Allar claimed the title for Minnesota in 2016 and was 6th in 2017 at this weight as well. Aiden Riggins is a two time finalist and 1x Champ for Iowa (claiming the title last year). Florida has had 3 - Fox Baldwin in 2014, Max Wohlabaugh in 2016, and Brendon Abdon a year ago.
170 lbs.
We OWN 170: Illinois and New Jersey (7 All Americans each. Illinois has some outstanding talent make the podium at 170, but none claimed a title. Brayden Thompson (2021) and Xavier Montalvo (2015) came the closest in taking 2nd. The same could be said for Jersey - except Josef Johnson is their only finalist in 2014. Still depth rules as NJ and Illinois are barely ahead of Wisconsin and Ohio over the last decade).
Contenders:
Wisconsin (6)
Ohio (6)
Pennsylvania (5)
Minnesota (5)
Iowa (5)
Oklahoma (5)
Michigan (4)
Georgia (Gavin Kane, Tommy Askey, and Omaury Alvarez) with 3 and Florida (Max Wohlabaugh and Geordan Speiller) with 2.
Worth Noting: Carson Kharchla won a title for Ohio in 2018, Patrick Kennedy for Minnesota in 2019, Josh Barr and Manny Rojas for Michigan in 2021 and 2022. That would make Michigan the 2x defending Champs at this weight as we head into the 2023 Fargo. Chandler Rogers and Kyle Crutchmer each claimed titles for Oklahoma in the last decade and Beau Breske did the same for Wisconsin in 2015.
182 lbs.
We OWN 182: Illinois (10 All Americans. 182 for Illinois is just nasty. Abe Assad - Champ, Jack Jessen - Champ and Runner-up, Nathan Traxler - 2x All American at the weight … not mention Cam Caffey, Deanthony Parker, Zach Braunagelm Tony Vezzetti, and Ricky Robertson).
Contenders:
Iowa (7)
Ohio (6)
Minnesota (5)
Oklahoma (5)
Missouri (5)
3 States with (4)
Georgia (Brooks Climmons, Matthew Waddell, Justan Rivera) has had 3, Alabama (Christian Knop) and Florida (Jesse Stephanos) with 1 each
Worth Noting: Max Lyon won a title for Iowa in 2017, Owen Webster was a 2x All American and 1x Champ for Minnesota, Michael Pixley won a title for Missouri in 2013, and Victor Marcelli was a 2x All American at this weight for Ohio.
195 lbs.
We OWN 195: Ohio (11 All Americans. And not just AA’s, but Champs and wrestlers that placed multiple years. Ben Darmstadt and Dylan Fishback each claimed titles for Ohio - Darmstadt in 2016 and Fishback in 2021. Matthew Cover made the podium twice for Ohio at 195 - 8th in 2018 and 6th in 2019).
Contenders:
Pennsylvania (10)
Illinois (6)
Iowa (6)
4 States with (4)
Georgia with 3 and South Carolina (Brett Bye) 1.
Worth Noting: PA is nipping at the heels of Ohio in terms of AA’s at 195 since 2012 - but they don’t have any champs (compared to Ohio’s two). Cole Urbas and Miles Lee both finished 2nd. Lee was also a 2xer at this weight - taking 2nd in 2017 and 6th in 2016. Wyatt Voelker was a 2x AA for Iowa in 2021 and 2022 and Jacob Warner was a Champ for Illinois in 2017. Georgia has had 3 AA’s since 2012 at this weight … Joseph McClure in 2013, Matthew Waddell in 2017, and Vincent Baker in 2019.
220 lbs.
We OWN 220: Iowa (10 All Americans including 2 Champs - Bradley Hill in 2022 and Marcus Harrington in 2014. Ben Kueter was a runner-up in 2021 and Kolby Franklin was a runner-up last year).
Contenders:
Illinois (9)
Minnesota (8)
Ohio (6)
Pennsylvania (5)
Missouri (5)
2 States with (4)
Georgia (Noah Pettigrew), Florida (Sawyer Bartelt), and North Carolina with 1 each
Worth Noting: Jace Punke was a 2x AA and Luke Luffman won a title for Illinois. Rylee Streifel was 2nd and 7th for Minnesota. J’Den Cox won a title for Missouri in 2012 and Zach Elam did the same in 2017. Jordan Wood claimed a title for Pennsylvania in 2015.
285 lbs.
We OWN 285: Illinois (18 All Americans - simply outstanding and absolutely dominates the weight. Anthony Cassioppi was a 2x Champ and a 1x Runner-up from 2016-2018. Luke Luffman won a title in 2019. The depth is really impressive … 4 wrestlers were 2x All Americans at this weight for Illinois (and that doesn’t include Cassioppi). Aydin Guttridge in 2018 and 2019, Michael Hobbs in 2013 and 2014, Thomas Helton in 2015 and 2016, and Zach Muller in 2016 and 2017.)
Contenders:
Iowa (10)
4 States with (4)
Georgia and Florida with 2 each and Alabama and Tennessee with 1 each
Worth Noting: Gannon Gremmel won a title for Iowa in 2016. Carter Isley, Jake Scanlan, and Spencer Trenary each made the podium twice at 285 for Iowa. Samson Evans finished on the podium for Tennessee in 2017, Jesse Webb for Alabama in 2013, Chase Horne was a runner-up for Georgia in 2021 and Paul Robinson was 8th in 2017, and Ethan Vergara was a 2x All American for Florida - taking 7th in 2021 and 3rd in 2022.