TEAM NORTH CAROLINA dropped their Fargo roster more than a week ago, but it didn’t get released by USA Wrestling until yesterday. So it is the last state in our “What to Watch - Fargo” series to post. “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. North Carolina will bring 12 in JR Freestyle (same as 2019), 12 in JR Greco (up 5 from 2019), 2 in Junior Women’s Freestyle (2 fewer than in 2019), 3 in 16U Freestyle (6 fewer than 2019), 3 in 16U Greco (6 fewer than in 2019), and 2 in 16U Women’s Freestyle (same as 2019). North Carolina is the only one of the “SE” states to have fewer wrestlers going to Fargo in 2021 than they did in 2019 (9 fewer … 34 vs. 41 with the difference happening in 16U boys). I have to believe that the NCHSAA moving the season to later in the year (North Carolina just had their high school state tournament 2 weeks ago) had a huge impact on their turnout for Fargo. I don’t want to dwell on who is not here from North Carolina as opposed to who is coming this week, but I would be remiss if I didn’t at least acknowledge that two wrestlers (Richard Treanor in JRs - a 2019 Greco All American and Joe Sealey - a 2021 double Champ at both Northeast and Southeast Regionals). Those two would have certainly made the podium this coming week … but they are not here so let’s focus on who North Carolina should be watching in Fargo.

Who to Watch: In the Juniors, Joseph Baisley, Cody Rutherford, Alex Gunning, and Carson Floyd all competed in Fargo 2 years ago as 16U’s. Juniors will be tough going, but these four have experience and that help them a great deal as they work to make the podium in both styles. Ella Beam is ranked #11 at 200 and should be in the hunt for a spot on the podium in JR girls. Jax Forrest is probably the name the stands out the most as who to watch from NC. Forrest took 2nd in Freestyle to Vincent Kilkeary of Pennsylvania (beating Kaedyn Williams and Brycen Arbogast on his way to the finals). That alone should put Forrest on the radar and amongst the favorites to make the podium in Fargo. Another 16U to watch is Reagan Riddick. Riddick won the girls North Carolina state tournament, but more importantly popped down to Florida in the middle of the season to claim the 122 Girls 16U Freestyle title with 3 quick falls (she also won the 117 16U Girls Greco title). Riddick also wrestled “up” in Juniors at 117 and took 4th (with losses to Hannah Hall, Brielle Bibla, and Cameron Galvin - 3 wrestlers that should in the mix in JR’s in Fargo). North Carolina may not have the numbers, but they have wrestlers that can make a run for a spot on the podium.

UPDATE: Looks like USA Wrestling (or someone else) missed Jade Hutto in JR Freestyle at 127. Jade hammered the competition at the North Carolina Girls State Tournament to take the 132 lb. title … more importantly she comes in ranked #24 at 132 in the latest Flowrestling, USA Wrestling, and National Wrestling Hall of Fame rankings. She also returns after competing in Fargo in 2019 at 127 lbs. in JR Freestyle. She is definitely another name to watch from NC.

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North Carolina Entries:

Men's - USA Junior Freestyle
106 Matthew Vindigni
113 Joseph Baisley, Damon Landreth
126 Isaac Gawronski
132 Cody Rutherford, Noah Tocaben
138 Tyler Tracy
160 David Varner, Luke Masterton, Alexander Gunning, Greyson Harris
195 Carson Floyd

Men's - USA Junior Greco-Roman
106 Matthew Vindigni
113 Joseph Baisley, Damon Landreth
126 Isaac Gawronski
132 Cody Rutherford, Noah Tocaben
138 Tyler Tracy
160 David Varner, Luke Masterton, Alexander Gunning, Greyson Harris
195 Carson Floyd

Women's - USA Junior Freestyle
127 Jade Hutto

164 Aaliyah Milligan
200 Ella Beam

Men's - 16U Freestyle
113 Cooper Davis, Jax Forrest
170 Savoy New

Men's - 16U Greco-Roman
113 Cooper Davis, Jax Forrest
170 Savoy New

Women's - 16U Freestyle
112 Reagan Riddick
132 Hailie Misplay

TEAM TENNESSEE dropped their Fargo roster and there are some serious “stopsign” hunters on the list. Everyone - including the other SE states better watch out for these hammers. “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. Tennessee will bring 21 in JR Freestyle (up 13 from 2019), 14 in JR Greco (up 8 from 2019), 8 in Junior Women’s Freestyle (up 3 from 2019), 15 in 16U Freestyle (up 4 from 2019), 11 in 16U Greco (up 2 from 2019), and 8 in 16U Women’s Freestyle (up 7 from 2019). Overall, Tennessee will have 38 more entries in 2021 than they did in 2019 - with the majority coming in Junior Freestyle. After doing several episodes of What to Watch … the takeaway is that every SE state thus far has more wrestlers competing in Fargo than they did in 2019 (some “categories” might be fewer, but the overall numbers are up from 2019).

Cooper Flynn, the Virginia Tech signee, is the latest Junior All American from Tennessee after placing 7th in Freestyle and 4th in Greco in 2019. Flynn was very good in 2019 - he is significantly better in 2021 and will certainly be in the hunt for a stopsign (especially considering he is listed to be back at 120 again in 2021). The 16U crew had 4 Freestyle All Americans in 2019 including Cody Chittum and Ashton Davis … both now on the Junior roster. Chittum was also a Greco runner-up at 16U in 2019. The Girls have never had a Freestyle Champ or a 16U Champ or All American … the last Junior All American was Emma Walker in 2019. Can one of the Tennessee Ladies breakthrough and win it at Juniors or find the podium at 16U? I’d venture to guess the answer to that question is yes.

Who to Watch: So obviously the top name to watch is Cooper Flynn. Cooper was an AA in both styles at 120 in 2019 and he is going to be tough to beat at 120 in 2021. Cody Chittum has grown by leaps and bounds since his 2019 double AA performance. Chittum comes in the #1 ranked wrestler by Flowrestling at 145 and the #8 pound-for-pound wrestler in the country. He has to be amongst the favorites to claim a stopsign at 145. The other returning All American in the JR group is Ashton Davis. Ashton has looked superb over the last few months and will be in the mix for a stopsign at 220 … it isn’t inconceivable we could see any of these hammers against another SE hammer in the finals. If there is one wrestler, outside of Chittum, that grown the most in the 2 years since Fargo … it is Hunter Mason. Mason is now ranked #6 by Flowrestling at 132, but more than that I watched him really handle some top level competition at SE Regions and Elite 8 Duals over the last 8 months and he looks ready to take home a title in 2021. Dayne Dalrymple (freestyle), Aidan Bowers (Greco), Brayden Ivy (Freestyle) will all be in the hunt for a spot on the podium. Keep an eye on Gervacio Gonzalez, Kodiak Cannedy, and others in the JR group.

Look to Casen Roark, Hunter Sturgill, and Landon Desselle in the 16U group. Roark was 7-1 in Freestyle, 7-0 in Greco at 16U Duals and beat a very good Anderson Heap of Florida to take the SE Region title a couple of months back. Sturgill was 8-0 in Freestyle, 7-0 in Greco at 16U Duals and Desselle was 5-1 in Freestyle and 6-0 in Greco at 16U Duals. The level of competition is about to go way up, but these 3 appear ready to make a run in 16U. Mason Jakob was unbeaten, Jarvis Little was 7-1 in Freestyle and 5-2 in Greco, and Kaiden Bates was 6-2 in Freestyle and 6-1 in Greco at the 16U Duals. As stated earlier … “the level of competition is about to go way up” … it will be interesting to see each of these 3 in the middle of it.

Avery Kibelbek is back wrestling for Tennessee after spending the past year at Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania. She is ranked #25 and should be in the mix to make the podium in Juniors at 106. Tennessee’s best shot to have their first 16U All American is Maggie Graham. Graham is ranked #4 and has spent much of the last month preparing and competing at the Pan Am’s. She will compete in both Juniors and 16U, but has to be amongst the favorites to claim a title in 16U. Ella Murphey, Ella-Lina Gonzalez, and Katelynn Hernandez are a few of the others to keep an eye this week.

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Tennessee Entries:

Men's - USA Junior Freestyle
120 Cooper Flynn
126 Calvin Eason
132 Hunter Mason, Sammy Shires
138 James Dalrymple
138 Brayden Ivy
145 Sean Pitts, Noah Kang, Cody Chittum
152 Benjamin Stigamier, Finley Jameson, Colby Dalon
160 Ian McGehee, Kodiak Cannedy, Tanner Willett
182 Gervacio Gonzalez
195 Connor Milhorn, Jose Suarez-Pereira
220 Ashton Davis, Richmond Flowers
285 Ryan Smith

Men's - USA Junior Greco-Roman
126 Cooper Flynn
132 James Dalrymple
138 Hunter Mason
145 Sean Pitts, Cody Chittum
152 Finley Jameson
160 Ian McGehee, Tanner Willett
170 Aiden Bowers
182 Gervacio Gonzalez
195 Connor Milhorn, Jose Suarez-Pereira
220 Ashton Davis
285 Ryan Smith

Women's - USA Junior Freestyle
106 Avery Kibelbek
112 Ella-Lina Gonzalez, Grace Elliott
117 Melanie Val
122 Katelynn Hernandez, Kristen Allsup
132 Rontaysia Payne
200 Shayra Calderon

Men's - 16U Freestyle
100 Mason Jakob
113 Jarvis Little, Brody Gobbell, Cash Graziano
120 Jackson Wimsatt, Casen Roark
126 Hunter Sturgill, Noah Creque
132 Landon Desselle
145 Spencer Kon
152 Taylor Wimsatt
160 Kaiden Bates
182 Jensen Schreiber
195 Nicolas Jenkins, William Parodi

Men's - 16U Greco-Roman
100 Mason Jakob
113 Cash Graziano, Jarvis Little
120 Jackson Wimsatt
126 Hunter Sturgill, Noah Creque
132 Landon Desselle
152 Taylor Wimsatt
160 Kaiden Bates
182 Jensen Schreiber
195 Nicolas Jenkins

Women's - 16U Freestyle
112 Ella-Lina Gonzalez
117 Melanie Val
122 Katelynn Hernandez, Kristen Allsup
127 Caila Weatherspoon
144 Maggie Graham
152 Genesis Gilmore
200 Ella Murphey

FloWrestling nationally ranked men: Cody Chittum (No. 1 at 145, No. 8 P-4-P), Hunter Mason (No. 6 at 132),
Nationally ranked girls: Avery Kibelbek (No. 25 at 112), Maggie Graham (No. 4 at 152), Ella Murphey (No. 14 at 200),

TEAM GEORGIA has dropped their Fargo roster and the Juniors include many of the names that did big things in Fargo 2 years ago as 16U’s - minus Matt Singleton who is training for the Junior World Championships in Russia in August. “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. Georgia will bring 35 in JR Freestyle (up 7 from 2019), 28 in JR Greco (up 5 from 2019), 13 in Junior Women’s Freestyle (up 4 from 2019), 26 in 16U Freestyle (9 fewer than 2019), 28 in 16U Greco (4 fewer than 2019), and 8 in 16U Women’s Freestyle (up 6 from 2019). Overall, Georgia will have 9 more entries in 2021 than they did in 2019 – but many fewer 16U boys as compared to 2019.

Georgia has a rich “Fargo” history - ranking in the top 25 in nearly every category from JR Champions to 16U All Americans and so on. But it was their success in 2019 that most remember. The 16U crew (now much of this JR team) had 9 Freestyle All Americans and 8 Greco All Americans (including Champions RJ Weston and Michael Kilic). Those totals put the team in 4th in Freestyle and 3rd in Greco (something the Georgia Junior team has only done one other time in their history).

Recent success: The 2019 JR team had 4 All Americans in each style to go along with those 17 All Americans from the 16U group. RJ Weston and Michael Kilic (as mentioned above) each have 16U Greco titles from 2019 and Noah Pettigrew has a 16U Freestyle title from 2018. Vincent Baker claimed a Junior Greco title in 2019 at 195, but it has been 22 years since Georgia had a Junior Freestyle Champ (Chris Rodrigues in 1999). This is Georgia’s best shot in many years to put an end to the Freestyle Champion drought … who is the most likely to claim a Freestyle Junior title in 2021?

Who to Watch: The list of Juniors is quite long and all we have to do is look to 16U success 2 years ago to pick out those “most likely” to make a run for the podium again in 2021. So Michael Kilic, RJ Weston, David Panone, Noah Pettigrew, and Chase Horne are those that standout at first glance. Kilic and Weston each won Greco titles at 16U (they both also placed top 4 in freestyle), Panone placed in Greco and Pettigrew placed in freestyle at 16U. Horne was 3rd in both styles and comes in as the #1 285 in the country according to Flo. So those 5 should be in the hunt again in 2021, but they are not the only ones we should be watching.

Cole Hunt, Caleb Henson, and Gunner Filipowicz are three names that should also be on the list. Hunt has recently committed to wrestle at North Carolina, Henson at Virginia Tech, and Filipowicz for West Point. Each will be in the hunt for a spot on (or on top of) the podium. So that gives you 8 JRs to watch and I don’t want to focus solely on the JRs, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a few more. Dominic Ditomasso, Robert Austin Westbrook, Art Martinez, Sam Harris, Jeremy Paradice, Jake Swink, and Jarrod Pominville … each have 2019 Fargo experience and that experience cannot be overstated. The Junior girls bring a solid group that is headlined by current #1 (at 122) and more recently Pan Am Champ Amani Jones. Jones is among the favorites to claim a title. Genevieve An is ranked #18 at 127, but probably stands a better shot at making a run in 16U than in Juniors. May Prado is another name to watch. Prado will wrestle both JRs and 16U, but figures to be a real threat in the 16U 132 lb. bracket.

As for the 16U’s. It will be a tall task to think that they will be able to match the success of the 2019 16U group that had 17 All Americans over both styles and 2 Champs. But that doesn’t mean the 16U’s won’t have many on the podium and perhaps several on the top step. The first name that pops off the list is Gabe Arnold. Arnold, who wrestles for Wyoming Seminary in PA during the season, is among the top 170’s in the country as a JR or 16U and has to be among the favorites to claim a title. One name that is no longer flying “under the radar” after a superb Cadet Duals is Omaury Alvarez. Alvarez, and Matthew Waddell, should be in the mix at 182 for a spot on the podium. A pair of Jefferson hammers in Creed Thomas and Hoke Poe-Hogan have also had good summers and figure to be in the mix at 160 (with Thomas listed to wrestle 152 in Greco). Latrell Schafer, Emil Necula, and Tyler Secoy are some of the other names to keep an eye on. Georgia also has a few 8th graders (rising freshmen) that have a real shot to make some noise - they include Dominic Bambinelli, Drew Gorman, Logan Paradice and Cade Parent … it will be interesting to see how this group fairs in their first trip to Fargo.

As a whole, Georgia should be in the mix for a ton of “coasters” (the small stopsigns), medals or whatever you care to call them. I’d expect they will also have several in the finals and taking home “stopsigns”. Fargo is tough and past accolades doesn’t guarantee future success, but having that experience and having been on the podium before cannot be underestimated. The thing I am most interested in is whether the team can finish in the top 5 in Juniors … something that the GA Juniors have only done once before in Greco (and that was in 2014).

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Georgia Entries:

Men's - USA Junior Freestyle
113 Hunter McCullough
120 Cole Hunt, Dominic Ditomasso, Ethan McCullough , Jacob Galindez, Mac Bowen
126 Carson Chalk, Robert Austin Westbrook, Tyson McCullough
132 Art Martinez, David Panone, Reese Jones
138 Dakota Williamson, Hunter Price, Tyler Barb
145 Connor Powell, Samuel Harris
152 Jeremy Paradice, Caleb Henson, Jake Swink, Jarrod Pominville, Michael Kilic
160 Canyon Hebb, Gunner Filipowicz, Miles Watts, Robert Weston, Zyan Hall
170 Grady Tisdale
182 Kian Hauser, Nolan Pozzobon
182 Soren Dresch
220 Logan Webster, Noah Pettigrew
285 Chase Horne, Daniel Nunez

Men's - USA Junior Greco-Roman
113 Hunter McCullough
120 Cole Hunt, Conner Marsh, Dominic Ditomasso, Ethan McCullough , Jacob Galindez
126 Robert Austin Westbrook, Tyson McCullough
132 Art Martinez, Christian Gordon, David Panone, Reese Jones
138 Dakota Williamson, Hunter Price, Tyler Barb
145 Connor Powell, Samuel Harris, William Thigpen
152 Jeremy Paradice, Jarrod Pominville, Michael Kilic
160 Canyon Hebb, Miles Watts, Robert Weston, Zyan Hall
170 Grady Tisdale
182 Kian Hauser
285 Chase Horne

Women's - USA Junior Freestyle
100 Jordan Epstein
106 Sierra Williamson
112 Callie Payton
117 Brooke French
122 Amani Jones
127 Jasmine Jenkins-Bey
132 May Prado
138 Cecily Livingston, Genevieve An
138 Maddie Steiner, Mia Buckner
152 Arieana Bacon
164 Jayde Massa

Men's - 16U Freestyle
100 Cael Kusky, Antonio Mills
106 Braydon Mitchell, Kieron McCormack
113 Drew Gorman
120 Maddox Mcarthur, William Chambers
126 Collin Mullins, Logan W. Paradice
132 Cade Parent, Ian Stephens, Joshua Denson
138 Emil Necula, Jason Clark
145 Latrell Schafer, Terry Moore
152 Creed Thomas, Dominic Bambinelli, Micah Wood
160 Hoke Poe Hogan, Kelvin Reyes, Tyler Secoy
170 Gabriel Arnold
182 Matthew Waddell, Omaury Alvarez
220 Albert Butler

Men's - 16U Greco-Roman
100 Cael Kusky
106 Braydon Mitchell, Kieron McCormack
113 Drew Gorman
120 Maddox Mcarthur, William Chambers, Caden Pollard
126 Collin Mullins, Logan W. Paradice, Antonio Mills, Sebastian Melendez
132 Ian Stephens, Joshua Denson
138 Cade Parent, Emil Necula
145 Jason Clark, Terry Moore, Crisjaniel Martinez-Antonetty
152 Dominic Bambinelli, Micah Wood
160 Creed Thomas, Hoke Poe Hogan, Kelvin Reyes, Tyler Secoy, Adam Gromatzky
182 Matthew Waddell, Omaury Alvarez
220 Albert Butler

Women's - 16U Freestyle
94 Jordan Epstein
112 Callie Payton
117 Brooke French
127 Jasmine Jenkins-Bey
132 Genevieve An, May Prado
152 Arieana Bacon
164 Jayde Massa

FloWrestling nationally ranked boys: Chase Horne (No. 1 at 285, No. 13 P-4-P), Michael Kilic (No. 13 at 145), Caleb Henson (No. 3 at 152), Robert Weston (No. 13 at 152), Noah Pettigrew (No. 4 at 220)
Nationally ranked girls: Amani Jones (No. 1 at 122, No. 19 P-4-P), Genevieve An (No. 18 at 127)