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).

Interested in watching some high quality wrestling? Go back and watch the Junior Freestyle Duals … the SE teams, but in reality any of the teams competing. There were some great matches, some outstanding throws, and the many duals came down to the last match.

Iowa downed Oklahoma Red 40-23 to claim the overall title - their first in 16 years. Minnesota Blue downed Illinois 37-27 for 3rd. Wisconsin, Ohio Red, California, and New Jersey rounded out the top 8.

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Alabama and Tennessee battle with some of the best in Pool A

Both Alabama and Tennessee lost their first round matches in Pool A - Alabama to #2 seed Colorado 47-25 and Tennessee in a heartbreaker 36-34 to Michigan Blue. Tennessee rebounded with wins over Nebraska and Colorado before losing to Michigan Blue again for 3rd. Alabama came back from that opening round loss to down Texas B 38-29 before losing to Michigan Blue and Colorado (again) to finish their action in Pool A.

Tennessee moved onto the Bronze/Copper Pool for Day 2 and Alabama moved into the Red/Blue Pool. Tennessee dropped their opening match to Georgia Blue 51-12, beat Minnesota Red 35-33 and then lost to Kansas and North Dakota Blue to finish 5th in the Bronze Pool. Bentley Ellison’s 10-2 win at the end of the Minnesota Red match sealed the win for Tennessee.

Alabama lost their opening match in the Red/Blue pool to Florida 43-21 and then dropped a tough one to Texas A 34-32 in a dual where their 2 forfeits really hurt them. Alabama rebounded with a win over George Red 41-22 before dropping a close one to Indiana 32-31 to finish the tournament.

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Georgia Blue just misses the All American Pool; Georgia Red battles into the Red/Blue Pool

Georgia Blue won their opening match vs. North Dakota Red before losing the pool B semifinal to New Jersey 41-25 (the match that would keep them from making the All American Pool and their only loss in Freestyle). Georgia Blue rebounded by downing California Blue and Oklahoma Blue to finish Pool B. Georgia Blue finished up their tournament with wins over Tennessee, Kansas, Minnesota Red, and Oklahoma Blue to take 9th.

Georgia Red lost a close one to North Dakota Blue 38-30 before downing South Carolina. They finished their action in Pool D with losses to Kansas and Pennsylvania. Georgia Red lost to Texas A, Florida, and Alabama before downing California Blue to take 7th in the Red/Blue Pool. Georgia Red was very competitive despite giving up 4 forfeits.

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Florida and South Carolina

Florida finished 5th in Pool B after going 2-2 with a bye in the opening round. They lost to Illinois 56-9 in the semis and lost to Oklahoma Blue 39-30 in the consi semis before getting on board with a dual win for 5th over California Blue. Florida then turned it on for day 2 - going unbeaten to claim the top spot in the Red/Blue Pool. They downed Alabama, Georgia Red, Texas A, and finally Colorado in a 36-31 match that came down to an 11-9 win by Hayden Whidden at 126 and a fall by Sebastian Melguizo at 132.

South Carolina brought 11 to Tulsa - and in this field that was going to be a real challenge (in getting dual wins). They went 0-2 in Pool D, but were significantly more competitive in the Green/Yellow Pool on Day 2. Still forfeiting 5 is always going to put a team behind … and South Carolina could never find a way to recover those 25 points. They finished the tournament losing to Texas B, Nebraska, Arkansas, and North Dakota Red.

Team Florida

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Five on the Rise

The Freestyle portion of the Junior Duals were filled with some outstanding individual performances. We’ve identified 5 below that really stood out plus an “others to watch” section that highlights some of those that you should definitely keep an eye on heading into Fargo

Another thing to keep in mind … going unbeaten is always the best measure of how well someone wrestled. It is important to note that some below (with losses) had tougher matches than others that might have finished with better records.

• 120 - Cole Hunt (Georgia) - 8-0 with 2 close wins over Potts of Oklahoma (8-7) and Collins of New Jersey (13-10) plus 6 tech falls.

• 160 - Gunner Filipowicz (Georgia) - 8-0 (6-0 with 2 forfeits). 6 tech falls with very good wins over Braden Anderson of Oklahoma, Kodiak Cannedy of Tennessee, and others.

• 160 - Will Miller (Alabama) - few walked away from the four days of wrestling with an unblemished record (in both Greco and Freestyle), but Miller was one of them. He was 8-0 with 5 tech falls and 3 falls. App State got a good one … and several SE programs will be sorry they didn’t pursue Miller more diligently.

• 170 - Gabe Arnold (Georgia) - 8-0 (7-0 with a forfeit). Really nice win over Michael Dellagatta of New Jersey 8-4.

• 220 - Noah Pettigrew (Georgia) - 8-0 (6-0 with 2 forfeits) - very good win over Ashton Davis of Tennessee (10-0 tech fall) - had 5 tech falls and a fall.

Others to watch:

• 120 - Yanni Vines (Alabama) - 6-2 with good wins over Milani of Michigan and Ditomasso of Georgia. Vines is on the cusp of pushing for a spot on the podium in Fargo, but will need to find a way to beat the likes of Strickenberger and Black (who he lost to this past week).

• 120 - Dominic Ditomasso (Georgia) - 5-3 with a fantastic win over Cadet Greco Fargo Champ Christian Tanefeu of North Dakota.

• 126 - Hayden Whidden (Florida) - 6-1 with 2 forfeits. Only loss to Baysinger of Illinois. Really good win over Angelo Lozado of Colorado - who was a Cadet All American 2 years ago.

• 126 - Amantee Mills (Georgia) - 5-3 with a forfeit win. Split matches with Oklahoma’s Rhett Peak and lost a close match to Totten of New Jersey 6-5. Really good win over Parker Janssen of Minnesota.

• 132 - Sebastian Melguizo (Florida) - 5-2 … good wins and two tough losses.

• 138/145 - Yannis Charles (South Carolina) - 4-2 splitting time between 138 and 145. Took one of his 2 losses at 145 vs. Connor Powell of Georgia. Had a wild 20-17 win over Brexton Beach of Arkansas.

• 138/145 - Brayden Ivy (Tennessee) - Unbeaten at 138 (6-0) - only loss came in bumping up to face Kilic of Georgia.

• 145 - Michael Kilic (Georgia) - 7-1 with a good 6-6 criteria win over 2019 Cadet All American Kyle Boeke and a tough 6-5 loss to Whalen of New Jersey.

• 145 - James Latona (Alabama) - 4-2 and split time with Logan Reaves at 145. Some good wins, but it was his loss to Ivan Morris that was the most telling - Morris was a Fargo All American 2 years ago as a Cadet. He lost 21-11 in a match that was all over the place (was 4-4 at the break). On his feet … Latona dominated, but couldn’t allow Morris on top.

• 145/152 - Luke Belcher (Tennessee) - Unbeaten at 145 (6-0) … only loss came to Jake Piccirilli of Georgia at 152.

• 152 - Jake Piccirilli (Georgia) - 6-2 with a pair of wins over Daegab Griffin of Oklahoma. Lost a close 6-5 decision to Elmore of Kansas.

• 160 - Zyan Hall (Georgia) - 6-1 (5-1 with a forfeit). Only loss came to Alabama’s Will Miller. Beat Couto of Florida as well Renner of North Dakota.

• 160/170 - Kodiak Cannedy (Tennessee) - 6-1 splitting time between 160/170 - only loss coming to Filipowicz of Georgia. Won a wild 21-18 decision over Kaden Renner of North Dakota.

• 182 - Warren Hoyt (Alabama) - 7-1 and wrestled outstanding. Gave up a quick fall to Robinson of Texas, but otherwise wrestled extremely well.

• 182 - Matthew Singleton (Georgia) - 7-1 and probably still a bit upset with his loss to Soldano of New Jersey (they got in a 50/50 situation in which Soldano came out on top and got the fall). Others Singleton ran through the 182’s - only giving up points to Cadet All American Jared Simma of Kansas in a 12-2 tech fall win.

• 182 - Gervacio Gonzalez (Tennessee) - only loss came to 2019 Cadet All American Jared Simma of Kansas.

• 195 - Ryan Cody (Florida) - 6-1 with a loss to Sheeren of Texas. Good win over Chesbro of Oklahoma and Adams of Georgia.

• 195 - Hunter Adams (Georgia) - 7-1 with only loss coming to Ryan Cody of Florida. Nice win over Sheeren of Texas 10-8

• 195 - Thomas Godbee (Georgia) - wrestled extremely well with his only loss coming to Ayzerov of New Jersey.

• 220 - Tristan Middlebrook (Florida) - 5-2 with a win over Webster of Georgia. Lost to Culp of Illinois and Newlin of Oklahoma.

• 220/285 - Logan Webster (Georgia) - 7-1 (5-1 with 2 forfeits). Stepped up and got 2 wins at 285 for Georgia Red. Only loss came to Tristan Middlebrook of Florida.

• 220 - Ashton Davis (Tennessee) - 6-2 with a loss to Pettigrew of Georgia and Caiden Casella (Kansas). Dominated in his 6 wins.

• 285 - Chase Horne (Georgia) - unbeaten and easily handled the competition … 5 tech falls (only giving up a point to McDaniel of Tennessee) plus a fall and a 9-0 decision of Novak of Minnesota.

• 285 - Abe Preston (Alabama) - Unbeaten at 8-0 (with 4 forfeits) Won 3 close matches - 9-8 over Vergara of Florida, 7-5 over Boggan of Michigan, and 8-4 over Valle of Georgia.