A Fan's Guide to Fargo - Florida Edition
History:
Florida has a deep history as it relates to USA Wrestling’s Junior and 16U National Championships … also known as Fargo. Wrestlers from the Sunshine State have won a combined 536 medals including 83 National Titles. That is an impressive number, but in comparison - Florida ranks 17th on the list (to give you an idea - Illinois sits at #1 with 1,817 All Americans) … Florida is gaining ground and this year’s squad has the ability to inch ever closer to #16 on the list (Indiana). For your info … Florida sits #15 in total number of Champions with 83 and trails #14 Washington by 16.
The majority of Fargo medals have come at the Junior level with 156 in Greco, 81 in men’s freestyle, and 59 in women’s freestyle. Florida has had 7 top 5 finishes in Junior Greco, but has never finished in the top 5 in either men’s or women’s freestyle (at the Junior level) … the Junior men were 8th in both 2009 and 2010, but haven’t been able to crack the top 10 since. Florida’s best finish in Junior Greco was 2nd in 2009 and 2011 (behind perennial power Illinois). The Junior women have just gotten better and better each year and continue to climb into the conversation. They were 10th in 2003 (just the 2nd year of the tournament) and have hovered about that level for years until recent success. The Junior women have finished 6th and 8th in each of the last two Fargo’s and will look to break into the top 5 for the first time this year.
The success at the 16U level looks very similar to that in Juniors. The 16U men have made the top 5 once in Freestyle (and that was all the way back in 1990 when they finished 5th) with a total of 6 top 10 finishes and have finished top 5 in Greco 4 times (with a total of 15 times in the top 10). Florida’s best Greco finish in 16U was just two years ago when they took 3rd behind California and Wisconsin. Surprisingly, the 16U women have struggled a bit (and hopefully that will change now that we enter the 3rd year of sanctioned wrestling in the state for the women). The 16U women have never made the top 5 and have just two top 10 finishes (but one of those was in 2023 when they finished 7th - their highest finish ever for 16U women). Both Mary Manis and Mya Bethel won titles in 16U a year ago and both return and will be hunting a title in Juniors this week.
A few interesting stats to consider:
16U Women have had a total of 20 All Americans and 4 National Champions - 12 of the 20 (and 3 of the 4 Champs) have come in the last 3 years.
Junior Men have had plenty of success recently making the podium in Freestyle (3 in 2023; 3 in 2022; 4 in 2021, etc.) but you have to go back to 2017 for our last National Champion (Anthony Artalona) and Florida’s best shot at claiming a title this year (Michael Mocco) is training for the World Championships and isn’t on the roster.
On the All-Time list …
David Craig and Rocky Cozart have a total of 8 medals (that won’t be matched by anyone this year)
Anthony Artalona, Eric Grajales, and Shawn McCoy have the most Fargo titles (4 each) … that mark will not be in jeopardy this week
Attribution: Data reported above is courtesy of Jason Bryant of Mat Talk Online and the Fargo Almanac that is published each year.
2024 Squad:
Tons to talk about from the Sunshine State. We start with the women and very different expectations when looking at the 16U’s and the Juniors. The majority of the 16U roster is new to the Fargodome. Just Isis Severe and Ailee Briggs competed a year ago. There are some hammers (Abigail Gonzalez, Paola Ramirez, and others), but matching the 4 All Americans from 2023 at 16U is going to be tough. The Junior roster, on the other hand, is loaded with Fargo experience. All 4 2023 16U All Americans move to Juniors and Mary Manis and Mya Bethel will look to claim another title (just at a different level). Grace Leota and Kailani Barrientos will look to make another run at the podium (this time as Juniors). But a strength of the Junior women is the depth of the roster. 17 Juniors competed here a year ago … that is huge and will be one of the reasons Florida will bring home some hardware.
On the men’s side … the 16U’s have a ton of talent, but not a lot of “Fargo” experience. Mac Andrews, KJ Vazquez, Nik Blake, Landon Quiroga and others wrestled well as first-year 16U’s in 2023 … they return and each will be hunting a spot on the podium. That said - the 16U’s best shot might come from those making their Fargo debut. Jovani Solis, Peter Mocco, Joanni Tovar, Adaias Ortiz and others all could make a run as well. The 16U’s have talent - but Fargo is beast. We will see how many can fight their way to a top 8 finish. Like the 16U’s, the Junior roster is full of hammers. BUT … not a ton of returning AA’s. 2023 Fargo Champ Michael Mocco is prepping for the World Championships and 2023 Fargo Champ Sawyer Bartelt is preparing to head to Iowa State (remember though - graduated seniors can wrestle in this event one final time just after high school graduation). Zeno Moore (a 16U AA last year) moves up to Juniors and fellow LHP Highlander CJ Torres returns after taking 4th last year at 152. Otherwise it is a talented group, but one sans Fargo hardware (Christian Fretwell was 16U AA in Greco in 2022 and EJ Solis made the podium in both styles in 2022 as a 16U). Solis nearly made the podium last year as did Heap and Bulko (Greco). Interestingly, Malachi Ortiz earned All American honors in Junior Greco last year, but is only on the roster for Freestyle (unless I overlooked him).
Italicized wrestlers competed for Florida in 2023 (or medaled in a previous year … we didn’t look at year’s before that for those that competed, but did not medal):
16U Women:
94 - Ashlie Schlegel
100 - Aniyah Whayne
106 - Maya Alvarado
106 - Abigail Gonzalez
106 - Miayalee Ortiz
112 - MacKenzie Allcroft
112 - Bianca Ribeiro-Barbosa
118 - Sarah Walsh
118 - Paola Ramirez
124 - Willow White
130 - Isis Severe
136 - Ailee Briggs
136 - Jada Williams
142 - Malia Rezac
148 - Alisha Vilar
170 - Alexa Calidonio
190 - Latoya Sylvestre
190 - Tor'Rina Rushing
Junior Women:
95 - Sophie Booe
95 - Chrissy Rebarchek
100 - Emily Doolittle
100 - Katherine Brooks
105 - Erin Rizzuto
105 - Sigrun Metzger
105 - Camdyn Elliott
110 - Keana Bush
110 - Natalia Choquegonza
115 - Joslyn Johnson
115 - Lily Powell
115 - Mariah Mills
115 - Camilla Delgado
115 - Kaitelynn Oliver
120 - Milana Borrelli (5th in JRs in 2023)
120 - Emma Bauknight
120 - Naomie Sylvestrie
125 - Mary Manis (16U National Champion in 2023)
125 - Jasmine Serrano
125 - Daniela Espinal
130 - Alissa Brown Washington
130 - Christina Borgmann
130 - Sheyla Ochoa Salgado
130 - Chloe Parets
135 - Kailani Barrientos (7th in 16U in 2023)
145 - Katherine Stewart
145 - Viktoriya Devochkina
155 - Mya Bethel (16U National Champion in 2023)
155 - Sofia Delgado
170 - Megan Preston
170 - Payton Moyer
170 - Chloe Stinnett
190 - Grace Leota (4th in 16U In 2023)
235 - Kinea Moore
16U Men Freestyle:
88 - Liam Parker
94 - Zachary Leto
100 - RJ Phelan
100 - Ethan Smith
106 - Stefano Garcia
106 - Cash Caillaui
106 - Brock Glover
113 - Jovanni Tovar
120 - Eric Bush
113 - Sully Karmon
120 - Reid Yakes
120 - Landon Quiroga
120 - Andrew Taylor
126 - Timmy Boda
126 - Adaias Ortiz
126 - Skylar West
132 - Jovani Solis
132 - Dylan Fernandez
132 - James Aguilar
132 - Jaxson Perry
138 - Armand Williams
138 - Clinton Thompson JR
138 - Jasper Croom
144 - Mason O’Dell
144 - Noah Leota
144 - Nikolas Gray
144 - Luke Manghisi
150 - Nikolas Blake
150 - Jonathan Moreno
150 - Charly Sainteus
150 - Derik Palmer
157 - Kawayran Vazquez
157 - Tyree Graham
165 - Mac Andrews
165 - James Shaw Garrett
165 - Colton Bell
175 - Raymond Shaw
190 - Peter Mocco
190 - Darius Montgomery
190 - Grant Silverfield
190 - Richard Lugo
215 - Sebastian Morera
285 - Blake Elder
16U Men Greco:
88 - Liam Parker
94 - Zachary Leto
100 - RJ Phelan
100 - Ethan Smith
106 - Stefano Garcia
106 - Cash Caillaui
106 - Brock Glover
113 - Jovanni Tovar
113/120 - Eric Bush
113/120 - Sully Karmon
120 - Reid Yakes
120 - Landon Quiroga
120 - Andrew Taylor
126 - Timmy Boda
126 - Skylar West
132 - Jovani Solis
132 - James Aguilar
132 - Jaxson Perry
138 - Armand Williams
138 - Clinton Thompson JR
138 - Jasper Croom
144 - Mason O’Dell
144 - Noah Leota
144 - Nikolas Gray
144 - Luke Manghisi
150 - Jonathan Moreno
150 - Charly Sainteus
150 - Derik Palmer
157 - Kawayran Vazquez (7th in 16U at 145)
157 - Tyree Graham
165 - Mac Andrews
165 - James Shaw Garrett
175 - Raymond Shaw
190 - Peter Mocco
190 - Darius Montgomery
190 - Grant Silverfield
190 - Richard Lugo
215 - Sebastian Morera
285 - Blake Elder
Junior Men Freestyle:
100 - David Serrano
106 - Roderick Brown
113 - Malachi Ortiz
113 - Gary Mendez
113 - Liam Davis
113 - Eric Perez
120 - Preston Neufeld
120 - Marlo Clark, Jr.
120 - Mark Bonfante
120 - Micheal Maisonet
120 - David Leiva
126 - Alex Giglietti
126 - Sebastian Degennaro
126 - Jack Oliver
126 - Coby Shields
132 - Christian Fretwell
132 - Jaiden Oliver
132 - Daniel Aranda
138 - Elvis Solis (5th in 16U in 2022)
138 - Maximus Brady
138 - Josue Batista
138 - Jayce Paridon
138 - Charlie DeSena
138 - Collin Kacena
144 - James Kosza
144 - Benjamin Wolgamuth
144 - Zeno Moore (7th in 16U at 145)
144 - Jayden Bowles
150 - Anderson Heap
150 - Izaiah Zaitouni
150 - Frank Florio IV.
157 - Eric Hodge
157 - Angel Prieto
157 - Jose Guttierez
157 - Claudio Torres Jr (4th in JRs at 152)
165 - Willie White
165 - Pavel Bulko
165 - Sage Suarez
165 - Drake Bonney
175 - Gage Wiggins
175 - Gunner Holland
175 - Amir Coston
175 - Gerson Alette
175 - Husam Mustafa
175 - Connor Bonney
175 - Evangelo Mercado
190 - Alan Rivera
190 - Deacon Delong
190 - Brian Senalle
190 - Brooks Baker
190 - Robert Kucharczk
215 - Alex Smith
215 - Ryan Sirico
215 - Brady Comerford
285 - Ralph Riche
285 - Liam Higgins
285 - Gavyn Uribes
Junior Men Greco:
100 - David Serrano
106 - Roderick Brown
113 - Gary Mendez
113 - Eric Perez
120 - Preston Neufeld
120 - Marlo Clark, Jr.
120 - Mark Bonfante
120 - Micheal Maisonet
120 - David Leiva
126 - Alex Giglietti
126 - Jack Oliver
126 - Coby Shields
132 - Christian Fretwell (3rd in 16U in 2022)
138 - Elvis Solis (3rd in 16U in 2022)
138 - Maximus Brady
138 - Josue Batista
144 - James Kosza
144 - Benjamin Wolgamuth
144 - Jayden Bowles
150 - Anderson Heap
150 - Izaiah Zaitouni
150 - Frank Florio IV.
157 - Eric Hodge
157 - Angel Prieto
157 - Jose Guttierez
165 - Willie White
165 - Pavel Bulko
165 - Sage Suarez
175 - Gage Wiggins
175 - Gunner Holland
175 - Amir Coston
175 - Gerson Alette
175 - Evangelo Mercado
190 - Alan Rivera
190 - Deacon Delong
190 - Brian Senalle
190 - Brooks Baker
215 - Alex Smith
215 - Ryan Sirico
215 - Brady Comerford
285 - Ralph Riche
285 - Liam Higgins
285 - Gavyn Uribes
Who to Watch:
There are so many athletes you could watch and for everyone reading this, I’m sure you have the individual or individuals you are most interested in following. For me there are tons of wrestlers to watch - but I have a tendency to gravitate to specific storylines or ideas when focusing on individuals and I’ve tried to capture that below. Honestly, many different wrestlers could fall into each of these headings, but I don’t have the capacity to write about everyone. I can’t wait to see who I don’t mention has a great tournament and I can mention them in the wrap-up under the heading … here is who I missed in the preview. For each group below I focused on one name (and narrowing it to just one was extremely difficult in so many cases) for each of these descriptors:
Can’t Miss Hammer - someone that has been here before and this state’s best shot to make the podium.
Breakout Candidate - wasn’t in Fargo in 2023, but has wrestled well this spring/summer and is ready to make their mark on the Fargo stage.
Day 2 - for those of you unfamiliar with Fargo … much of the field is eliminated by the end of Day 1. Only a few make it Day 2 in the largest tournament in the world … this individual has the ability to make that happen.
Stepping Up - this wrestler had an outstanding run as either a 14U or a 16U previously … but this is their first year (If I’m wrong please let me know) in the new age group and they are ready to make the most of the opportunity.
16U Men’s Freestyle
Can’t Miss Hammer: Jovani Solis - represented Puerto Rico at Pan Ams … winning Gold in Freestyle. Fargo is a different beast, but so is Solis. The easy pick here is Vazquez, but we went with Solis … Florida could have as many as 6 that make the 16U podium.
Breakout Candidate: Adaias Ortiz
Day 2: Mac Andrews … our off the radar pick was Nik Blake, but he is out due to injury so we go with Andrews who is a little more on the Fargo radar, but still has a great shot to make a run for the podium as do Quiroga, Williams, and others.
Stepping Up: Tovar or Mocco … both were outstanding 14U’s a year ago. Both look ready to claim a spot on the podium this week.
16U Greco
Can’t Miss Hammer: Kawayran Vazquez - 7th in Greco as a first-year 16U.
Breakout Candidate: Jovanni or Jovani … Tovar or Solis. Both are hammers and each has the ability to beat anyone else in the bracket.
Day 2: Mac Andrews - 2-2 as a first-year 16U last year. Andrews had a great 16U duals and is dialed in to make a run.
Stepping Up: Peter Mocco - getting better with each tournament … ready for that next step in Fargo
Junior Men’s Freestyle
Can’t Miss Hammer: CJ Torres - 4th in Junior Freestyle last year as a first-year Junior. Don’t be surprised to see a pair of future Hokies and SE hammers celebrating with Fargo titles in Torres and Drew Gorman of Georgia.
Breakout Candidate: Alex Smith - another Highlander that will be ready to make a run.
Day 2: Max Brady - watching Brady give Swenson everything he could handle at SE Regions makes him our pick. Swenson lost 3-2 in the bloods last year and Brady was 3-2 overall … he has gotten better and better over the last 12 months and if that trajectory continues he will be on the podium this week. Truth is Solis, Heap, Holland, Fretwell, etc. could be in this spot, but we went with Brady based on that match vs. Swenson.
Stepping Up: Eric Hodge - 3-2 in 16U Freestyle and really could’ve made the podium. The jump to Juniors is tough, but Hodge has the ability to make it.
Junior Greco
Can’t Miss Hammer: Anderson Heap - nearly made the podium last year. 8-1 at Junior duals with lone loss coming 3-2 to Ramos of Wisconsin.
Breakout Candidate: Gunner Holland - missed 2023 due to injury, but has been outstanding this spring and summer. Could also put Max Brady or Christian Fretwell here - neither wrestled Greco in Fargo last year.
Day 2: Pavel Bulko - Greco hammer. Bulko nearly made the podium last year. He makes a run for a title this year.
Stepping Up: Willie White - not sure White is a first-year Junior, but regadless he is certainly one to watch after going 6-3 at Junior Duals
16U Women’s Freestyle
Can’t Miss Hammer: Ailee Briggs - 1-2 a year ago, but has grown by leaps and bounds … Ailee makes a run for the podium as a 2nd year 16U
Breakout Candidate: Abigail Gonzalez - everyone in Florida already knows; Fargo finds out this week … Abby Gonzalez is next.
Day 2: Maya Alvarado
Stepping Up: Paola Ramirez or Willow White - not sure if either are 1st year 16U’s or not, but both will make some noise
Junior Women’s Freestyle
Picking this group was super difficult … 2 16U Champs, returning All Americans, and a bunch of returners that are hungry to make the podium. This might be the best Junior Women’s team that Florida has ever put together.
Can’t Miss Hammer: Mya Bethel - I’ve spent some time this spring and summer watching some of the top US women compete … Bethel has been at so many of those practices … 16U Champ last year and just keep getting better and better
Breakout Candidate: Christina Borgmann
Day 2: Katherine Stewart - previous AA’s Delgado, Borrelli, Barrientos, and Leota are the easy picks. We fully expect them to be contending for a spot on the podium on Day 2 … so we decided to go with someone that has shown the mettle to make a run, but hasn’t been there previously. Stewart was 3-2 as a first-year Junior in 2023 … that experience is going to pay dividends this week. We could’ve picked Bush, Mills, Rizzuto, Johnson, or Elliott as well. That quintet could all be wrestling for a spot on the podium.
Stepping Up: Mary Manis - just like Bethel - moves up after claiming a title last year in 16U. Juniors are a different beast, but Manis has been everywhere and has competed against everyone. She was 2nd as a first-year 16U … don’t be surprised if she betters that as a first-year Junior.