We Own the Dome - 16U 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 Thompson in Alabama or Foard in North Carolina. 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 16U Men Greco over the last 11 years?
Again it is fairly clear cut and the state to beat continues to be Illinois.
Illinois (147)
Pennsylvania (92)
Minnesota (91)
California (85)
Wisconsin (77)
Washington (63)
Ohio (55)
Iowa (50)
Missouri (50)
Colorado (40)
Idaho (40)
SE Status: Georgia is 17th with 31, Florida is 18th with 30, Tennessee has 18, Alabama 11, North Carolina 5, and South Carolina 4.
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:
88 lbs.
We OWN 88: Illinois (12 All Americans including 2 Champs in Louie Hayes (2013) and Trey Keeley (2014). Hayes also AA’d at this weight in 2012 - taking 5th).
Contenders:
Minnesota (7)
Wisconsin (5)
Colorado (5)
Alabama has had 3, Tennessee 2, Georgia, North Carolina (Richard Treanor), and South Carolina (William Jakeway) with 1 each.
Worth Noting: Alabama was tough in 2016 with Sam Latona winning it and Pope Rivers taking 4th. Macon Edwards was 5th the following year. The SE was solid a year ago as Tanner Tran (Tennessee) was 2nd, Gabe Swann (Georgia) was 3rd, and Jose Cordero (Tennessee) was 7th. Caleb Thoennes claimed a title for Minnesota in 2019, Mosha Schwartz did the same for Colorado in 2015 and Wisconsin has won the last two with Haakon Peterson winning in 2021 and Caleb Noble last year.
94 lbs.
We OWN 94: Illinois (9 All Americans including 2 Champs - Austin Gomez and Dylan Ragusin … the only Illinois wrestlers to have 2 16U Greco Titles sicne 2012).
Contenders:
Wisconsin (8)
Pennsylvania (7)
California (7)
Idaho (7)
Minnesota (5)
Florida is the only SE state represented with 2 (Kai Owen was a runner-up in 2018 and Elijah Varona was 6th in 2014).
Worth Noting: Nic Aguilar and Ray Ray Harris claimed titles for California, Mack Mauger for Idaho in 2021, Mason Gehloff for Minnesota in 2018, and Hunter Marko and Haakon Peterson a decade apart (2012 and 2022) for Wisconsin.
100 lbs.
We OWN 100: Illinois (12 All Americans. Quite a list for Illinois at 100 with Peter Ogunsanya being the only champ in a weight that included Kannon Webster (3rd in 2019), Joey Melendez (4th in 2015), Ben Aranda (2nd in 2019) and many others).
Contenders:
Minnesota (10)
Pennsylvania (6)
Wisconsin (5)
Florida and Tennessee have each had 3
North Carolina (Richard Treanor and Josh Blatt) 2
Worth Noting: Florida and Tennessee have each had 3 with Lincoln Sledzianowski claiming a title for Florida las year. Sledzianowski will be back at 16U (probably up at 106), but will be competing for Pennsylvania this year. Kai Owen and Frankie Bruno each placed at 100 for Florida as well. William Phillips finished 3rd last year for Tennessee and he joined Trae McDaniel and Michael Murphy as AA’s from the Volunteer state. Minnesota trails Minnesota by just 2 AA’s, but have had 2 Champs - Jore Volk and Mitchell McKee.
106 lbs.
We OWN 106: Illinois (7 All Americans. As Lucas would say “straight hitters” for Illinois at 106. Just 7, but the 7 are magnificent. Anthony Ruzic and Dylan Ragusin both won titles, Matthew Ramos and Dylan Duncan were 2nd, Anthony Molton and Charles Faber 3rd, and Joseph Fernau 6th).
Contenders:
Washington (6)
Minnesota (5)
Pennsylvania (5)
Ohio (5)
Iowa (5)
Florida (Kyle Norstrem - 1st in 2012), Georgia (Caden McCrary - 3rd in 2017), Alabama (Alex Thomas - 4th in 2016) and Tennessee (Michael Murphy - 4th in 2013) have each had one.
Worth Noting: Drew West was a 2x AA for Iowa at this weight in 2013 and 2014 and Sheldon Seymour won a title for PA in 2018.
113 lbs.
We OWN 113: Illinois (9 All Americans. Everyone is chasing Illinois … including 2014 National Champ Austin Gomez).
Contenders:
Minnesota (8)
California (8)
Michigan (6)
Wisconsin (5)
Georgia has had 2, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama with 1 each.
Worth Noting: Brodie Christmas made the podium for Alabama last year, Malyke Hines in 2016 for Florida, Trae McDaniel in 2019 for Tennessee and Adam Flatt and Drew Gorman for Georgia. Minnesota and California are super close to taking 113 over and both states have crowned champs … Mithcell McKee in 2013 and Austin Laudenbach in 2021 for Minnesota and Brock Bobzien for California in 2019. Jordan Hamdan claimed a title for Michigan in 2016 and Hunter Lewis took home a stopsign to Wisconsin in 2017.
120 lbs.
We OWN 120: Illinois (9 All Americans. Depth and top end talent. Gabriel Townsell and Vincent Turk claimed titles for Illinois. 3 others finished 2nd. But none since 2019).
Contenders:
Washington (8)
Wisconsin (6)
Missouri (6)
Idaho (5)
Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina have each had 2 and Florida has had 1.
Worth Noting: Haiden Drury claimed a title in 2018 for Washington, Chistian Fretwell was 3rd in 2022 for Florida, Caleb Henson was 5th for Georgia in 2018 and David Panone for Georgia in 2019, and Hunter Wilson and Jax Forrest for North Carolina. The Nutter gang put up some significant # of AA’s at 120 for Wisconsin … Alston Nutter was 2nd in 2015, Aidan Nutter was 5th in 2017, and Amryn Nutter was 2nd a year ago.
126 lbs.
We OWN 126: California (12 All Americans including 3 Nationals Champs in Zahid Valencia in 2013, Jaden Enriquez in 2014, and Patrick Ramirez in 2015).
Contenders:
Pennsylvania (9)
Arizona (6)
Minnesota (5)
Georgia had ha 2, Florida and Tennessee 1 each
Worth Noting: Ramon Ramos claimed a title for Arizona in 2019 and Mason Gibson for Pennsylvania in 2021. Outstanding individuals from the SE made the podium at 126 … Cody Chittum was 3rd in 2018, Matty Singleton was 4th in 2018, Paul Watkins 8th in 2017 for Georgia, and Dylan Kohn was 7th in 2018 for Florida.
132 lbs.
We OWN 132: Minnesota (9 All Americans. 9 AA’s including 4 that claimed titles and 2 others that finished 2nd. Minnesota has had some firepower at 132. Jake Allar, Alex Loyd, Carson Manville, and Zach Hanson won titles in 14, 15, 17, and 21. For 5 consecutive years - Minnesota had a finalist at 132 … Kass was 2nd in 13, Allar 1st in 14, Loyd 1st in 15, Eischens 2nd in 16, Hanson 1st in 17).
Contenders:
Illinois (8)
California (5)
Colorado (5)
Washington (5)
Georgia and Florida have had 3 each.
Alabama (Jaden New in 2019) and South Carolina (Trevor Mansfield in 2016) have had 1 each.
Worth Noting: Michael Kilic claimed a national title for Georgia in 2019. Nate Askew was 2nd for Georgia last year and Rudy Guillen was 7th in 2013. Draven McCall was 4th at this weight in 2022 for Florida. Frankie TalShahar and Tarrell Wallace were both 7th in 2017 and 2018. Damien and Fabian Lopez each claimed titles for Illinois in 2018 (should that be counted as 2?). Aaron Pico and Billy Greenwood each claimed titles for California and Colorado - a decade apart (Pico for Cali in 12 and Greenwood for Colorado last year).
138 lbs.
We OWN 138: Illinois (7 All Americans. Larry Early and Will Lewan each claimed titles and Fidel Mayora was a 2x All American at this weight in 2016 and 2017).
Contenders:
Minnesota (6)
Colorado (6)
Iowa (6)
Wisconsin (5)
Michigan (5)
Florida and Georgia with 3 each.
Tennessee with 2 and South Carolina with 1.
Worth Noting: A pair of South Dade hammers have made the podium at 138 … Pat Lugo back in 2013 and EJ Solis a year ago. Brandon Cody also made the podium here for Florida - taking 5th in 2021. Logan Paradice joined Solis on the podium last year - taking 7th for Georgia. Garrison Dendy and Jake Adcock also made the podium for Team Geogia. Yannis Charles had quite a run to an 8th place finish in 2021. Cody Chittum was 2nd in 2019 and Landon Desselle was 4th last year for Tennessee. Quite a group for the SE last year at 138 with Solis, Paradice, and Desselle all making the pdoium. James Johnston was a 2x AA for Michigan at this weight in 2018 and 2019. Joseph Nelson claimed a title for Wisconsin in 2012.
145 lbs.
We OWN 145: California (12 All Americans led by 2x National Champ at this weight Robert Perez III. Aliaksandr Kikiniou claimed the title last year.)
Contenders:
Illinois (7)
Pennsylvania (5)
Iowa (4)
Idaho (4)
Washington (4)
Florida with 3 (Anthony Artalona - Champ in 2015, Ethan Mojena - 4th in 2021, and Steven Villalobos - 7th in 145), Georgia 2 (Matty Singleton - 2nd in 2019, Emil Necula - 7th last year), and Tennessee 1 (Hunter Sturgill - 2nd in 2022).
Worth Noting: Illinois has had 3 runners-up, but no champs at 145. Pierson Manville is the only champ for Pennsylvania after claiming the title in 2021 and Matthew Park is the only Champ for Idaho after taking the title on 2014.
152 lbs.
We OWN 152: Wisconsin (8 All Americans. Wisconsin has been solid at 152, but no champs - and just one finalist - Tyler Dow in 2016. But from 2014 to 2018 they didn’t miss a beat with 6 All Americans in 5 years).
Contenders:
Illinois (7)
Washington (5)
Pennsylvania (4)
Georgia (4)
Oregon (4)
Missouri (4)
Florida with 3 and Tennessee (Mason Reiniche) with 1.
Worth Noting: Max Wohlabaugh claimed a 152 lb. Greco title for Florida in 2015. CJ Torres and Gianni Maldonado both made at he podium at this weight last year. RJ Weston claimed a title for Georgia at 152 in 2019 and Taylor Lujan, Kamdyn Munro, and Dominic Bambinelli have all made the podium since 2012. Riley Jaramillo claimed a title for Oregon in 2014, Carson Manville did the same for PA in 2018, and James Rogers did it for Washington in 2016.
160 lbs.
We OWN 160: Illinois (10 All Americans. Outstanding weight for Illinois with 2 Champs - Adrian Cramer in 2018 and Bradley Gillum in 2019). Quite a run for Illinois from 2013 to 2016 they had 6 All Americans).
Contenders:
Pennsylvania (7)
Ohio (7)
Minnesota (6)
California (5)
Utah (4)
New Jersey (4)
Georgia (Dawson Matthews and Elijah Kerr-Brown) has had 2, Florida (Roman Garcia in 2021) and South Carolina (AJ Alford in 2014) with 1 each.
Worth Noting: Carter Starocci and Liam Scrivanich each claimed titles for PA at 160, Owen Webster took home the stop sign to Minnesota in 2014, and Kimball Bastian claimed the title in 2012 for Utah. Interesting note … Mark Hall won this weight in 2013 for Colorado in both styles (Mark Hall from Minnesota won 152 in 2012 in 16U).
170 lbs.
We OWN 170: Illinois (10 All Americans. 2 Champs in Abe Assad and Jacob Warner. Plus Jack Jessen, Kamal Bey, and others … Illinois is tough at 170).
Contenders:
Wisconsin (6)
Minnesota (5)
7 States with (4)
Georgia (Hoke Poe-Hogan and Khamari Whimper) and Florida (Dontae McGee and Nathan Ferkovich) have had 2 each, Tennessee 1 (Jake Stacey last year).
Worth Noting: Gavin Nelson claimed a title for Minnesota in 2019 and Beau Breske was a 2x Champ for Wisconsin in 2013 and 2014.
182 lbs.
We OWN 182: Pennsylvania (11 All Americans and trending way up … 5 in the last 3 Fargo’s including 2019 Champ Nicholas Feldman, Adam Watters 2nd last year).
Contenders:
Minnesota (8)
Illinois (6)
Wisconsin (6)
Missouri (5)
Indiana (5)
Georgia (Justan Rivera twice in 2012 and 2013 and Brock Hacker last year) has had 3 and Florida 1 (Mikey TalShahar in 2019).
Worth Noting: Keegan Moore claimed a title for Minnesota in 2014 and Andrew Davison brought a stopsign back to Indiana in 2015.
195 lbs.
We OWN 195: Ohio (8 All Americans with 3 Champs … Braxton Amos, Matt Stencel, and Seth Shumate.)
Contenders:
Pennsylvania (7)
Illinois (7)
Indiana (6)
Missouri (5)
Kansas (5)
Iowa (5)
Florida and Alabama with 2 each, Georgia with 1.
Worth Noting: Very good run by the SE at 195. Alabama’s 2 AA’s are William Caneer in 2021 and Cole Carter in 2022. Florida’s include 2021 Champion Sawyer Bartelt and 2022 Runner-up Michael Mocco. Georgia’s Noah Pettigrew was 7th in 2018. Kolby Franklin claimed the title in 2018 for Pennsylvania and Ashton Sharp took home the title in 2017 for Missouri.
220 lbs.
We OWN 220: Illinois and California (8 All Americans each. Nicholas Sahakian claimed the title for California last year after taking 7th at this weight in 2021. No Champs for Illinois but a solid pair of runners-up in Luke Luffman and Jace Punke plus 2x AA at this weight Blake Zalapi.
Contenders:
Pennsylvania (7)
Arizona (5)
Ohio (4)
Missouri (4)
Washington (4)
Georgia with 3, Alabama 2, Florida and Tennessee with 1 each.
Worth Noting: Chase Horne climbed onto the podium twice for Georgia - 3rd and 6th. Ricardo Aguirre was an AA for Georgia in 2015. Mason Ellis doubled up in Fargo in 2022 for Alabama - making the podium in both freestyle and greco. Dalton Campbell was also an AA for Alabama - a decade before. Chase Thompson made the podium for Florida and Sammy Evans for Tennessee. Pennsylvania has been very close, but hasn’t claimed the top step at 220 over the last decade. Jordan Wood was 2nd in 2013, Kolby Franklin 2nd in 2019, and Austin Johnson 2nd in 2021. Braxton Mikesell won a title for Washington in 2018.
285 lbs.
We OWN 285: Illinois (15 All Americans. Most of any weight by any state. Quite a run for Illinois from 2012 through 2016 - where they had 11 All Americans in 5 years at 285. Interestingly - none won a title. Hayden Copass was 2nd, Wyatt Schmitt was 2nd last year, Antonio James was 3rd, Anthony Cassioppi was 3rd, etc.)
Contenders:
Ohio (8)
Iowa (5)
4 States with (4)
Florida and Tennessee with 2 each. Alabama with 1.
Worth Noting: Kevin Vough and Alex Coleman won titles for Ohio and Jacob Marnin and Spencer Trenary won titles for Iowa. Florida has had 2 AA’s in Dante Jiovenetta and Caleb Rodriguez, Tennessee has had James Howard and 2015 National Champ Nicholas Boykin and Alabama’s Willie Cox made the podium in 2021.