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.
