TEAM FLORIDA has dropped their roster for Fargo and there are some notable names on the list including several 16U All Americans that are back and looking to take home a stopsign in Juniors. “Fargo” 2021 is the 50th edition of the prestigious Junior Nationals event. The first event, held in the summer of 1971, in Iowa City was Freestyle only … so we have progressed significantly since those early days - adding Greco and then 16U’s (Cadets) and the Girls (at both the Junior and 16U levels). For a fantastic breakdown of the history of “Fargo” (in reality, Junior Nationals and the other national-level USA Wrestling “high school aged” events) you should check out the Fargo Almanac produced by Jason Bryant. It is 187 pages of pure “Fargo” gold (even though the event wasn’t held in Fargo for the first 20+ years).

The 2019 edition of the event had 5,000+ entries (yes many wrestled more than one style) and, given that we missed 2020, 2021 could feature an even larger number. Florida will bring 43 in JR Freestyle (up 14 from 2019), 40 in JR Greco (up 14 from 2019), 18 in Junior Women’s Freestyle (same as in 2019), 31 in 16U Freestyle (up 10 from 2019), 28 in 16U Greco (up 10 from 2019), and 5 in 16U Women’s Freestyle (3 fewer than in 2019). Overall, the Florida will have 45 more entries in 2021 than they did in 2019.

Florida has a long history of success in “Fargo”.  The Sunshine state is #19 in terms of Junior Freestyle All Americans all time with 71 and is #12 in Junior Greco All Americans with 144 (just 2 behind Ohio).  Forty-five Florida women have made the podium as Juniors – putting Florida in the #10 spot.  Florida has been equally successful in taking home stopsigns … 7 Floridians have won Junior Freestyle titles, 24 have won Greco titles, and 4 women have claimed the top step.

Recent JR success: Florida had 6 Greco All Americans in 2019, but their last champ was Dante Jiovanetta back in 2015.  Two JR’s were All Americans in Freestyle in 2018, but Florida didn’t have a wrestler make the JR Freestyle podium in 2019 – that should change in 2021.  As for the JR women … 3 made in the podium in 2019 and this team will look to better that in 2021.

So – which Juniors should be on your radar?

Obviously those wrestlers that placed here at 16U in 2019 should be on the list. Top of the list is 2019 Junior Greco Runner-up Ryan Cody. Cody was 2nd at 160 in 2019 and returns in 2021 ready to take the title at 195. He is one of the few wrestlers that will be in the Junior bracket that competed as a Junior in 2019 and that should give him a ton of confidence coming into this week’s tournament. Kai Owen, a Floridian that spends his high school season at Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania, is back after making the podium in both styles in 16U in 2019. 126/132 will be much different than 100 for Owen, but he figures to be in the mix for a spot on the podium again in 2021. The only other Junior to make the podium in 2019 is Palmetto Ridge’s Brennan Van Hoecke. Van Hoecke was 3rd in 16U freestyle in 2019 and will certainly be in the mix for a spot at 138 this summer. Jack Crook, Chase Thompson, Mikey Tal-Shahar are not listed on the rosters provided by USA Wrestling and Nic Bouzakis is now wrestling for Team Pennsylvania.

Ethan Rivera, Tylynn Lukens, Jonathan Ley, and Tom Crook are all nationally-ranked Juniors and each will be in the hunt for a spot on the podium as well. Making the podium in Fargo isn’t easy and being a returning AA or a multiple State Champ doesn’t guarantee success. That said - I think there are several other Florida Juniors that have a real shot to make a run at the podium. Tyler Washburn, Christian Guzman, and Cooper Haase will be tough down low. Danny Nini, Rivera’s teammate at Lake Highland Prep, Braden Basile, Sebastian Melguizo, and Hayden Whidden will also be in the hunt. Keep an eye on Danny Williams at 160 … he could rattle off several wins and be in the hunt as well.

The Girls team is deep and I’d expect they will definitely expect to have more than 3 All Americans (their # in 2019). Clare Booe, Hannah Hall, Juliana Diaz and Andrea Smith are all ranked in the top 10 and each will look to not only make the podium, but to bring home a stopsign. But those 4 are not the only ones that should be in the hunt for a spot on the podium … also ranked is Kailey Rees, Sierra Chavez, and Cameron Galvin. Keep an eye on Solorio, Vega, Slauson, and Blackburn … it wouldn’t be a surprise for Florida to have 10 Juniors make the podium. This is a solid team that will competitive at most weights.

16U’s

The 2019 16U’s were outstanding. Bouzakis won it in Freestyle, Tal-Shahar was 2nd in Freestyle and 5th in Greco, and the team also had Owen double AA and 3 others make the podium. This group will be hard-pressed to match that output, but they have several that will be in the hunt for their own stopsigns. The group is led by Sawyer Bartelt, Brian Burburija, Ethan Mojena, and Ethan Rivera. Bartelt was simply outstanding at Cadet duals and has to be one of the favorites to claim a title at 195. Burburija was equal to Bartelt (in terms of being unbeaten) at the duals - going 8-0 in Freestyle and 9-0 in Greco at 170. Burburija might not be on many national radars before this tournament, but he will be after we are finished in Fargo. Mojena and Rivera didn’t wrestle the duals, but both have looked outstanding this season and should be in the mix. Another name that might not be on many people’s radars as we begin the week is Anderson Heap of Osceola, but based on his wrestling at the duals … he will be a name that is mentioned repeatedly when all is said and done.

Keep an eye on Andrew Wittenberg, Brandon Cody, Ethan Vugman, and Caleb Rodriguez - each has wrestled top competition and will look to surprise a few people in Fargo. Clare Booe and Valarie Solorio will be tough in the 16U freestyle bracket. I expect each to be in the mix for a spot on the podium as well.

There are always wrestlers that “surprise” people … they get a good draw, they win close matches, they win matches to people they have lost to previously, and so on. The numbers and talent are there for Florida to have a very good 2021 Fargo … the question is … who in this group will?

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Florida Entries:

Men's - USA Junior Freestyle
100 Robert Allcroft, Vincent Biondoletti
106 Tyler Washburn
113 Christian Guzman
120 Blaine M. Jones ll, Jacob Witt, Cooper Haase
126 Braden Basile, Dylan Garcia, Sebastian Melguizo, Jaden Villalobos, Hayden Whidden, Kai Owen
132 Sean-Michael Gonzalez, Danny Nini, Eligh Rivera, Dominic Rubino
138 Isaac Church, Thomas Crook, Alan Diaz, James Marvel, Tyler Smith, Brennan Van Hoecke
145 Carson Miller, Myles Griffin, Aiden Reichert, Michael Shannon
152 Jaurice Seymour, Jonathan Ley, Lucas Moreno, Seth Rhodes
160 Logan Simpson, Frank Solorzano, Daniel Williams, Sergio Desiante, Bryce Mancuso, Anthony Nicolosi
170 Dominic Joyce, Tylynn Lukens
182 Joseph Nicolosi
195 Tyre Smith, Ryan Cody
285 Ethan Vergara

Men's - USA Junior Greco-Roman
100 Robert Allcroft
100 Vincent Biondoletti
106 Tyler Washburn
113 Christian Guzman
120 Blaine M. Jones ll, Jacob Witt
126 Cooper Haase, Braden Basile, Dylan Garcia, Sebastian Melguizo, Jaden Villalobos
132 Hayden Whidden, Kai Owen, Dominic Rubino
138 Isaac Church, Thomas Crook, Alan Diaz, James Marvel, Tyler Smith, Brennan Van Hoecke
145 Myles Griffin, Aiden Reichert, Michael Shannon, Carson Miller
152 Jaurice Seymour, Jonathan Ley, Lucas Moreno, Seth Rhodes
160 Bryce Mancuso, Anthony Nicolosi, Logan Simpson, Frank Solorzano, Daniel Williams, Sergio Desiante
170 Dominic Joyce, Tylynn Lukens
182 Joseph Nicolosi
195 Ryan Cody, Tyre Smith
285 Ethan Vergara

Women's - USA Junior Freestyle
100 Clare Booe, Kealonie Vega, Valarie Solorio
106 Helena Alcantar, Sophia Anderson
112 Sanii Porter, Hannah Hall
117 Cameron Galvin, Riley White, Juliana Diaz
122 Kailey Rees
127 Julia Ferreira
132 Teigan Slauson, Madisyn Blackburn
180 Destiny Madison, Sierra Chavez
200 Alyssa Favara
225 Andrea Smith

Men's - 16U Freestyle
106 David De Armas, Sebastian Degennaro, Gabriel B. Jones, Ethan Rivera, Luke Williams
113 Ethan Vugman
120 Anderson Heap, Titus Herron, Evan Pena, Daniel Echeverria, Ryan Phillips
126 Frankie Florio, Jonathan Hudson, Samuel Marvel
132 Andrew Wittenberg, Reid Noble
138 Brandon Cody, Joshua Boykin, Ethan Mojena
145 Brandon Lehrman, Austin Williams
152 Kendrick Hodge, Dylan Quiroga
160 Omer Barak, Roman Garcia, Elijah Penton
170 Brian Burburija
182 Rhyley Smith
195 Sawyer Bartelt
285 Cane Fernandez, Caleb Rodriguez

Men's - 16U Greco-Roman
106 David De Armas, Gabriel B. Jones, Luke Williams
113 Ethan Vugman
120 Anderson Heap, Titus Herron, Evan Pena, Daniel Echeverria
126 Frankie Florio, Jonathan Hudson, Samuel Marvel, Ryan Phillips, Andrew Wittenberg
138 Brandon Cody
145 Joshua Boykin, Ethan Mojena, Brandon Lehrman, Austin Williams
152 Kendrick Hodge, Dylan Quiroga
160 Omer Barak, Roman Garcia, Elijah Penton
170 Brian Burburija
182 Rhyley Smith
195 Sawyer Bartelt
285 Cane Fernandez, Caleb Rodriguez

Women's - 16U Freestyle
100 Clare Booe, Valarie Solorio
106 Helena Alcantar
180 Destiny Madison
200 Alyssa Favara

FloWrestling nationally ranked boys: Ethan Rivera (No. 8 at 106), Tom Crook (No. 13 at 138), Jonathan Ley (No. 16 at 152), Tylynn Lukens (No. 20 at 170)
Nationally ranked girls: Clare Booe (No. 7 at 100), Hannah Hall (No. 4 at 112), Juliana Diaz (No. 6 at 117), Cameron Galvin (No. 25 at 117), Kailey Rees (No. 14 at 122), Sierra Chavez (No. 15 at 180), Andrea Smith (No. 5 at 200),

TEAM ALABAMA has dropped their roster for Fargo and there are several wrestlers positioned to make a real run at a spot on the podium. Before we get to those to watch, here is a little background on “Fargo”. Fargo 2021 is the 50th edition of the prestigious Junior Nationals event. The first event, held in the summer of 1971, in Iowa City was Freestyle only … so we have progressed significantly since those early days - adding Greco and then 16U’s (Cadets) and the Girls (at both the Junior and 16U levels). For a fantastic breakdown of the history of “Fargo” (in reality, Junior Nationals and the other national-level USA Wrestling “high school aged” events) you should check out the Fargo Almanac produced by Jason Bryant. It is 187 pages of pure “Fargo” gold (even though the event wasn’t held in Fargo for the first 20+ years).

The 2019 edition of the event had 5,000+ entries (yes many wrestled more than one style) and, given that we missed 2020, 2021 could feature an even larger number. Alabama is set to bring 20 in JR Freestyle (up 9 from 2019), 19 in JR Greco (up 10 from 2019), 21 in 16U Freestyle (up 11 from 2019), and 21 in 16U Greco (up 11 from 2019). Overall, Alabama will have 41 more entires in 2021 than they did in 2019. The one disappointment is the lack of a girls team heading to Fargo. It is hard to keep the momentum of sanctioning girls wrestling with the AHSAA when the state cannot get some of the best girls (Evelyn Holmes-Smith, Lena Johannson, Jade Eldridge, and others) to compete in the most important tournament each year for high school-aged girls. I don’t know the reasons for their absence, but that is something Alabama needs to focus on as we move into the 2021-2022 academic year (want motivation? - 49 (of the 80) 2021 NCWWC (NCAA) College All Americans placed in Fargo and 40 of the 2021 NAIA All Americans).

Alabama has had 54 All Americans and 2 Champions over the 50 years. Jaden New returns after taking 4th at 132 in the 16U Greco bracket in 2019. Jaden is joined by several others that have “Fargo” experience including Yanni Vines, Bryce Wanagat, Warren Hoyt, and Levi Miller. That experience could pay dividends as a significantly fewer number of Juniors have had the experience (having missed the 2020 event because of the COVID pandemic). Team Alabama should have several wrestlers looking to make the podium … these are the wrestlers I’m watching:

• If Vines makes 113 for Freestyle he has to be amongst the favorites. He won SE Regions in both Freestyle and Greco up at 120 and was 6-2 wrestling 120 and 126 in Greco at Junior Duals. Vines will be tough at 113 or 120 and should be in the hunt at either weight and in both styles.

• Will Miller and Warren Hoyt both had outstanding seasons and wrestled superb at Junior Duals. Miller was one of the few wrestlers to go unbeaten in both styles. Hoyt was 5-3 in Greco and 7-1 in Freestyle. Neither got the opportunity to wrestle some of the top in their weight at Junior duals (except on a few occasions - Hoyt vs. 16U Fargo Runner-up Jared Simma of Kansas, etc.), but that shouldn’t be much of a factor in how well they will do in Fargo. Do they have the ability to win 6, 7 or 8 to make the podium? I don’t know, but they will be in the hunt.

• Stone, Latona, and Ortis are 3 others that should be in the hunt for a spot on the podium in Juniors.

• And New who has already proven the ability to make the podium at 16U. Can he do so at the Junior level in 2021?

• Each of the 16U’s, except Will Caneer, struggled a bit at 16U duals a month ago (primarily in Freestyle where they appeared a bit banged up after grinding through the Greco competition). So the first 16U to watch is Will Caneer. Caneer was 6-1 in Freestyle and 8-0 in Greco in Indiana - his only loss coming up at 220 to Logan Buchanan of Kansas. Caneer has to be on the radar to make a run for a spot on the podium.

• Brodie Christmas, Hudson Waldrop and Cale Tucker both wrestled well in Greco, but it looked like they were hurt heading into freestyle (particularly Christmas who didn’t get to wrestle a match in Freestyle at the duals).

• Will Anderson and Clay Johnston are two others that could make a deep run. Johnston was 5-1 in Greco (only losing to Manibog of Texas) and 4-3 in Freestyle. Anderson was 6-2 in Greco and 2-1 in Freestyle (splitting time with Caleb Wright).

Alabama has a real shot to have at least 3 Junior All Americans. It will be interesting to see how the 16U crew handles the grind of Fargo and whether they can win some close matches and make the podium as well.

Alabama Entries:

Men's - USA Junior Freestyle
113 Yanni Vines
120 Marcus Wright
132 Devin Stone, Bryce Wanagat, Lindrix Cooper
138 River Scruggs
145 Carson Reaves, James Latona, Logan Reaves
152 Jaden New, Gray Ortis
160 Will Miller
170 Aiden Knight, Joshua Kirby, Carson Freeman, Keenan Wyatt
182 Levi Miller, Kalob Johnstone, Warren Hoyt
220 Timbrook Hodge

Men's - USA Junior Greco-Roman
120 Marcus Wright, Yanni Vines
132 Bryce Wanagat, Lindrix Cooper
138 Devin Stone, River Scruggs
145 Carson Reaves, Logan Reaves, James Latona
152 Jaden New, Gray Ortis
160 Will Miller
170 Aiden Knight, Joshua Kirby, Carson Freeman, Keenan Wyatt
182 Levi Miller, Warren Hoyt
220 Timbrook Hodge

Men's - 16U Freestyle
88 Wallace Blue, Clark Box
100 Cale Tucker
106 Caleb Wright, Brodie Christmas
113 Noah Smith, William Anderson
120 Hudson Waldrop
138 Kristian Seals, Bryce Alli
145 Collin Burroughs, Clay Johnston, Jacob Wheeler, Brady Goodwin
182 Grayson Gulde, William Conlon, Ian Osbourn
195 Cole Carter, William Caneer, Mason Ellis
285 Willie Cox

Men's - 16U Greco-Roman
88 Wallace Blue, Clark Box
106 Cale Tucker, Caleb Wright, Brodie Christmas
113 Noah Smith, William Anderson
120 Hudson Waldrop
138 Kristian Seals, Bryce Alli
145 Collin Burroughs, Jacob Wheeler, Clay Johnston, Brady Goodwin
182 Grayson Gulde, William Conlon, Ian Osbourn
195 Cole Carter, William Caneer, Mason Ellis
285 Willie Cox

TEAM SOUTH CAROLINA has dropped their roster for Fargo and there are some notable names on the list - particularly on the girls side. “Fargo” 2021 is the 50th edition of the prestigious Junior Nationals event. The first event, held in the summer of 1971, in Iowa City was Freestyle only … so we have progressed significantly since those early days - adding Greco and then 16U’s (Cadets) and the Girls (at both the Junior and 16U levels). For a fantastic breakdown of the history of “Fargo” (in reality, Junior Nationals and the other national-level USA Wrestling “high school aged” events) you should check out the Fargo Almanac produced by Jason Bryant. It is 187 pages of pure “Fargo” gold (even though the event wasn’t held in Fargo for the first 20+ years).

The 2019 edition of the event had 5,000+ entries (yes many wrestled more than one style) and, given that we missed 2020, 2021 could feature an even larger number. South Carolina will bring 7 in JR Freestyle (up 1 from 2019), 7 in JR Greco (up 3 from 2019), 7 in Junior Women’s Freestyle (up 6 from 2019), 7 in 16U Freestyle (up 5 from 2019), 8 in 16U Greco (up 6 from 2019), and 2 in 16U Women’s Freestyle (the same # they brought in 2019). Overall, the Palmetto state will have 21 more entires in 2021 than they did in 2019.

South Carolina has had 39 All Americans and 6 Champions over the 50 years, but not many in recent memory. Terrance Thompson is the only National Champ on the boys side, winning Junior Greco at 98 lbs. in 1998. Genesis Patterson was the last girls freestyle champ in 2013, taking the title in 16U at 101 lbs. But 2021 could be where that drought ends. Dasia Yearby returns after taking 2nd at 164 lbs in 2019 and should be just one of a number of South Carolina girls who will be in the mix for a spot on the podium. Yearby, ranked #10 at 180 in the latest rankings, is joined by Zao Estrada and April Kelly. Estrada is registered to wrestle in both 16U and Junior Girls Freestyle, as well as 16U Greco. She’s ranked #2 at 112 in girls freestyle, but is also registered for 16U boys Greco. Kelly is ranked #13 at 127 and will make a run at the podium in Junior Freestyle. The SC girls have several others that sit just outside the top 25 rankings, but don’t be surprised to see Caitlyn Davis and Emma Burk in the “Juniors” and Annalise Maralit at “16U” make a run at the podium. The last boys All American was Trevor Mansfield in Greco in 2016. That isn’t likely to change in 2021, but keep an eye on Yannis Charles in 16U. He wrestled well at Junior Duals and figures to do well in 16U in Fargo.

South Carolina Entries:

Men's - USA Junior Freestyle
120 Bryson Harper
132 Ryu Brown
138 Jason Garay
152 Justin Hayes
195 Zachary Hornsby, Patrick Brophy
285 Dontavius Daniels

Men's - USA Junior Greco-Roman
120 Bryson Harper
132 Ryu Brown
138 Jason Garay
152 Justin Hayes
195 Zachary Hornsby, Patrick Brophy
285 Dontavius Daniels

Women's - USA Junior Freestyle
106 Zao Estrada
122 Isabella Hoffman
127 April Kelly
138 Caroline Gilstrap
144 Caitlyn Davis
152 Emma Burk
180 Dasia Yearby

Men's - 16U Freestyle
88 William Jakeway
126 Hassan Williams
132 Yannis Charles, Gavin Wilson
145 Anderson Hall
152 Steel Walker
182 Mason Parsons

Men's - 16U Greco-Roman
88 William Jakeway
94 Zao Estrada
126 Hassan Williams
132 Yannis Charles, Gavin Wilson
145 Anderson Hall
152 Steel Walker
182 Mason Parsons

Women's - 16U Freestyle
100 Annalise Maralit
106 Zao Estrada

Nationally ranked girls: Zao Estrada (No. 2 at 112, No. 25 P-4-P), April Kelly (No. 13 at 127), Dasia Yearby (No. 10 at 180).