Fargo - Day 2 Recap

Estrada and Johnson Win Fargo Titles

Zao Estrada finaly won her Fargo title and did so in dominating fashion (I only say finally because she has been so very close before - this year she dominated on her way to the stop sign). Estrada cruised to the 115 lb. Junior title with a 10-0 superior decision over Cassidy Benwell of Missouri. Estrada had 2 falls and 5 superior decisions and outpointed her competition 68-4 over 2 days. Estrada became the first Junior women’s champion from South Carolina since Briena Delgado in 2010. She also became South Carolina’s third four-time Fargo All-American.

Janiya Johnson showed off her incredible athleticism throughout the weekend. It was no more evident than her finals match where she threw Jayci Shelton of Missouri for four to open up a close match in the finals. Johnson, the 3 seed, beat #2 seed Pulk in the semis and top seed Shelton in the finals to claim her first Fargo title. Johnson’s title now makes it 2 for Tennessee. A year ago, Piper Fowler won the first title and now Johnson has added her name to the list … don’t be shocked if someone makes it #3 next year.

Tennessee #100

Tennessee entered the weekend with 97 total All Americans … the women added 4 to that list - making either Sturgill, Hilton, Johnson, or Murphey #100 (I’m not sure when you would count it - so we can just celebrate all 4). Ella Murphey became the first Junior woman finalist in state history … she finished 2nd at 190 to Isabella Phillips of Washington. Caroline Hilton came within seconds of winning a Fargo title and lost a close one to Taina McGowan (3-2) in the 130 lb. final. Hilton and fellow All American Ryleigh Sturgill (4th at 100) are both first-year 16U’s and both should be considered amongst the favorites to claim a stop sign in 2025.

Tennessee 16U’s top SE

Johnson, Sturgill, and Hilton helped the Tennessee women to another top 10 finish (finishing 8th). That was the best finish of any state in the SE. Georgia was 20th and Florida was 26th … Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina did not have an All American.

South Carolina Junior Women are top in the SE

South Carolina put two on the podium with Estrada winning it all at 115 and Annalise Maralit taking 5th at 95 lbs. As a result, South Carolina outpointed Florida by a single point to take 17th. Florida with 4 Junior All Americans was 18th, Tennessee was 25th, and Georgia was 28th. Alabama and North Carolina did not have an All American (which is needed to score team points).

Georgia’s trio of All Americans

Greta Garbuzovas had a great run to the 16U 142 lb. finals, but lost to top seed Violette Lasure of Pennsylvania 11-5. Gabruzovas and Lasure went back and forth throughout the match, but Lasure was able to get the win with two takedowns late. Garbuzaovas was joined on the Fargo podium by fellow Lumpkin County hammer Cadence Grulla. Grulla finished 7th at 88 lbs beating Annabelle Wessel of New York 7-1 in her last match of the tournament. Genevieve An finished her Fargo career as one of Georgia’s best … her 3rd place finish in Junior 190 was her 4th time of the Fargo podium - putting her in elite company (just two other women have matched that feat).

Florida’s 6 All Americans

The Florida women did not crown a Fargo champ this year, but finished with 6 All Americans (2 in 16U and 4 in Juniors). Abigail Gonzales finished 4th at 106 and Latoya Sylvestre was 7th at 190 in 16U. Mya Bethel, a returning Fargo 16U Champ, paced the Juniors - taking 3rd and avenging her only loss of the tournament (she lost to Adriana Palumbo in the quarters, but was able to get the fall for 3rd).She was joined on the Fargo podium by Milana Borrelli (5th - now a 2x AA), Christina Borgmann (6th at 130), and Kinea Moore (8th at 235). Florida had 6 Juniors that made day 2, but lost in the bloodround (1 win from being an All American).