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).

USA Wrestling’s Schoolboy (14U) and Cadet (16U) Duals kick off later this week in Indiana. The Schoolboys are in Franklin and the Cadets will be in Westfield - if you happen to be in the neighborhood. I have worked to track down the SE teams that are scheduled to compete - to give you a preview of who to watch. Note: Not every state responded to the requests … so the info below is what I was able to find. Some are missing coach quotes. I’m also assuming North Carolina and South Carolina are not taking teams this year.

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Schedules

14U Schedule

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16U Schedule

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Where to Watch (or follow the dashboard)

I’d be surprised if the event is not streamed on trackwrestling - but know you will need a Gold+ subscription in order to watch it live.

• 14U Greco

• 14U Freestyle

• 16U Greco

• 16U Freestyle

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14U Duals

Teams to Watch:

It is difficult to project the teams to watch in 2021 because of two important factors: 1) none of the duals happened in 2020 - so we are two years removed from the competition, and 2) the names and faces change year to year with kids moving for age group to age group. Many of the 14U’s were wrestling 12U the last time this event happened. Still we can look at the traditional powers to give us a sense of who might be the teams to watch in 2021.

Pennsylvania Blue downed Minnesota Red 47-30 to claim the 14U (Schoolboy) Greco title in 2019. Oklahoma Red, Washington, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana Gold, and Oklahoma Blue each made the Gold/Silver Pool.

Pennsylvania Blue also took home the Freestyle title with a 39-33 win over Oklahoma Blue. Minnesota Red, California, Ohio, New Jersey Red, Washington, and Illinois finished out the top 8.

Most of the wrestlers compete in both styles - so the PA Blue squad (which featured Bo Bassett, Mason Gibson, the Williams brothers, etc.) had most of their squad win in both styles.

Blue? Red? Gold? New to USA Wrestling’s Duals competition?

Blue, Red, Gold, or whatever is simply a way to designate different teams from the same state. Most states brought (or will bring) a single team to the event, but if you see a color designation after the state - you should know that the state has two teams in the competition.

How does the tournament work?

There are multiple steps to the final placement of teams …

Step 1: Teams are “seeded” into one of 4 pools to begin the competition.

Step 2: Each team advances through a bracket with wins (or is put into the consolations with a loss). Ordering teams 1 through 8 (typically it is 8, but it depends on how many teams are in the bracket) after Day 1 of competition.

Step 3: Day 2 the teams are placed into their “final” pool - in this competition there is a Gold/Silver Pool, a Bronze/Copper Pool and so on. If a team took 1st or 2nd in their bracket from Day 1 - they are placed in the Gold/Silver Pool. If they finished 3rd or 4th then the are placed in the Bronze/Copper Pool and so on.

Step 4: Each “pool” (a pool is a setup where each team wrestles every other team in that pool) has a Pool A and Pool B and every team in Pool A will wrestle every other team in Pool A (same with Pool B).

Step 5: The final match for each team is a “cross-over” between pools A and B in their larger Gold/Silver, etc. pool. That match determines a team’s final place.

NOTE: The Places out the side of a wrestler are their finish at SE Regions (GR = Greco Roman and FS = Freestyle).

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SE Teams

Alabama

• 71 - NONE

• 77 - Jameson Thomas

• 83 - Will Atkinson (8th FS at 77)

• 87 - NONE

• 92 - Nick Sykes (4th GR; 6th FS)

• 97 - Joseph Marcum

• 102 - Bradley Hastings (8th FS)

• 106 - Evelyn Holmes-Smith (1st FS Girls 105)

• 106/110 - Kiowa Vines (2nd GR; 3rd FS at 102)

• 110 - Trae Peeler

• 114 - Bradley Williams (2nd GR; 4th FS)

• 119 - Carter Blalock

• 125/130 - Cruz Rainwater

• 125/130 - Adam Wheeler

• 136 - Skyler Hernandez

• 149 - Sheldon Sharp

• 165 - Braxton Reeves

• 187 - None

• 250 - None

The trip will still be very exciting … The goal of this trip is to get some of our newer kids exposure at the national scene. Winning isn't the focus for the new kids, but mat time and understanding of olympic styles and how it will help them when folkstyle season comes this fall. - Coach Williams

Who to Watch: Sykes, Holmes-Smith, Vines, Peeler, and Williams are the strength of the squad. Each has post-season folkstyle experience (state qualifiers or state placers as middle schoolers this past year) and it will be interesting to see how they fair against some of the top Schoolboys/Schoolgirls in the nation.

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Florida

• 71 - Everett Stephens (3rd FS; 3rd GR))

• 77 - Uy`Kwon Wimberly

• 83 - William Buckley (4th FS)

• 87 - Lincoln Sledzianowski (8th FS)

• 92 - Landon Quiroga

• 97 - Tyler Gray

• 102 - Johnathan Moder (4th GR; 4th FS)

• 106 - Andres DiGrigoli (1st GR; 1st FS at 110)

• 110 - Dustin Kohn (6th FS at 106)

• 114 - James Kosza (8th FS)

• 119 - Benjamin Wolgamuth (4th GR at 114)

• 125 - Micah Wittenberg (1st FS)

• 130 - Landen Holley

• 136 - Gavin Isaacs

• 136 - Kalias Nazario

• 149 - Bryan Picallo

• 165 - Michael Mocco (1st GR; 1st FS)

• 187 - Alex Smith (1st FS)

• 250 - None

Who to Watch: Another solid group from top to bottom. Mocco and DriGrigoli each won both styles at SE Regions and should lead the way for the boys from Florida. Micah Wittenberg and Alex Smith each claimed the title in Freestyle. The key to how well Florida fares later this week will likely fall to how well SE placers Stephens, Buckley, Moder, Kohn, and others wrestle.

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Georgia

• 71 - Teequavious Mills

• 77 - Cooper McArthur (4th FS; 1st GR)

• 83 - Gabe Swann (4th GR; 6th FS at 77)

• 87 - Roman Belardo (3rd GR; 3rd FS)

• 92 - James Sievers

• 97 - Isaac Hoshide

• 97 - Cash Prado

• 102 - Nick Owens

• 106 - Scott Swann

• 110 - None

• 114 - Phillip Jax (4th GR; 6th FS at 119)

• 119 - Ronan An

• 125 - David Jewell

• 125 - Paul Lanier

• 130 - Connor Stevens (8th FS)

• 136 - Moose Bringer

• 149 - Matt Vanwettering (3rd GR; 4th FS)

• 165 - Kriecg Roe

• 187 - Robert McCoy

• 250 - None

It was an awesome experience to see the schoolboy team train for three days at our National Tram Camp. We have some good kids with National experience, so we expect to compete to be in the All-American rounds. - Coach Moistner

Who to Watch: Cooper McArthur, Roman Belardo, Phillip Jax, and Matt Vanwettering each placed top 4 at the SE Regions and should lead the way. Mills, Owens, An, Lanier, and Bringer didn’t wrestle in Jacksonville (as far as I can tell), but should be some names to watch this weekend. Georgia may not have any superstars (like the last time they brought a team to schoolboys), but they are solid from top to bottom and should be in the hunt.

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Tennessee

• 71 - Noah Watkins

• 77 - Hudson Chittum (1st GR; 2nd FS at 71)

• 83 - Jose Cordero (3rd GR; 2nd FS at 77)

• 83 - Tanner Tran

• 87 - Axle Ritchie

• 92 - Kellan Sanders

• 92 - Charles Phillips (4th GR; 6th FS at 87)

• 97 - Nate Boger (1st GR; 1st FS)

• 102 - Chase Walker (1st GR; 1st FS)

• 102 - Zachary Little

• 106 - Zac Bosken (3rd GR; 3rd FS)

• 106 - Blake Cogden

• 110 - Malachi Puckett

• 110 - Findley Smout (3rd GR; 5th FS)

• 114 - Kaden Rice (5th FS)

• 119 - David Cook

• 125 - Blaise Meeks

• 136 - Eli Lane

• 149 - Cy Fowler (2nd GR; 2nd FS)

• 165 - Fred Casto

• 187 - Xavier Vizacon

• 250 - Amos Huan

• Mattox High (do not have a weight for Mattox)

Who to Watch: From top to bottom - Tennessee might have the best team from the SE (but if any of the teams cross paths - we should get some good battles). Chase Walker won a stacked 102 lb. bracket (both styles) at SE Regions and is definitely one to keep an eye on. Nate Boger won both styles at 97 in Jacksonville and Hudson Chittum was in the finals at 71 (winning Greco and taking 2nd in freestyle - but is listed at 77 for the duals). Cy Fowler took 2nd at 149 (both styles) and should be another to watch for this weekend. Zac Bosken was 3rd in both styles at 106 in Jacksonville and Jose Cordero was 2nd in freestyle (and 3rd in Greco) at 77 (but like Chittum is listed to be up a weight for duals).

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16U Duals

Teams to Watch:

Just like the Schoolboys - it is hard to know what will be the make-up of the Cadet teams this year. We can look at the schoolboy duals from 2 years ago and get a good idea of some of the wrestlers you might see at Cadets in 2021. If we take 2 years ago as the barometer … Pennsylvania has a team that few in the country can compete against. But Bassett has made a U15 World Team and don’t be surprised if the hammers from that squad (Mason Gibson, Williams x2, etc.) are gearing up for Fargo. Still the competition should be very steep - especially with everyone trying to get a ton of mat time. Oklahoma, Illinois, and Washington are always in the hunt and it would be surprise if 2021 was any different.

NOTE: The Places out the side of a wrestler are their finish at SE Regions (GR = Greco Roman and FS = Freestyle).

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SE Teams

Alabama

• 88 - Wallace Blue

• 94 - None

• 100 - Cale Tucker

• 106 - Brodie Christmas (8th FS at 113)

• 113 - William Anderson (4th GR at 120; 5th FS at 120)

• 120 - Hudson Waldrop (3rd GR; 3rd FS)

• 120 - Noah Smith

• 126 - Chad Strickland (6th FS)

• 126 - Nicolas Dempsey (4th GR)

• 138 - Bryce Alli

• 145 - Clay Johnston (3rd GR 152; 6th FS t 152)

• 145 - Jacob Wheeler

• 152 - Cole Sykes (4th GR)

• 152 - Collin Burroughs

• 160 - Kyle Oliveira

• 170 - Logan Ransom

• 182 - William Conlon (2nd GR; 4th FS)

• 182 - Ian Osbourn

• 195 - William Caneer

• 220 - Mason Ellis

• 285 - Willie Cox (4th GR; 4th FS)

The coaches are very excited with this squad and what we have to work with. We have a good mix of very experienced kids and lesser experienced kids. Several members of the team have past national duals experience and the ability to bring 20 kids to compete is going to be huge in our ability to be competitive. - Team Leader Dave Johnston

Who to Watch: The Alabama Cadet Team should be very tough from 100 through 126. Tucker, Christmas, Anderson, Waldrop, Strickland, and Dempsey all have national experience … add in Noah Smith and the team has some flexibility to create some matchups. Alabama also has some tough wrestlers “up top” with Johnston, Sykes, Conlon, and Cox. This is probably the best Cadet team Alabama has put together for the duals … the competition will be tough, but this team should be in the hunt.

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Florida

• 88 - None

• 94 - Derrick Williams

• 100 - Fredrick Mitchum

• 106 - Christian Fretwell

• 113 - Ethan Vugman (4th GR)

• 120 - Anderson Heap (1st GR; 2nd FS)

• 126 - Elvis Solis

• 132 - Reid Noble

• 132 - Gavin Balmaceda (6th FS)

• 138 - Brandon Cody (1st GR; 8th FS)

• 145 - Gianni Maldonado

• 152 - Kendrick Hodge (3rd FS)

• 160 - Cordell White Jr

• 170 - Brian Burburija (2nd GR; 1st FS)

• 182 - Connor Hackett (3rd GR; 6th FS)

• 195 - Sawyer Bartelt

• 220 - Branden Marrero

• 285 - Caleb Rodriguez (2nd GR; 1st FS)

Who to Watch: Florida will be tough in spots throughout the lineup. Heap and Burburija each won a style and took 2nd in the other style at SE Regions. Vugman, Balmaceda, Cody, Hodge, Hacket, and Rodriguez also made the podium in at least one of the two styles. The best wrestler of the group is Sawyer Bartelt who didn’t compete at SE Regions, but is a legit threat to claim a stop sign in Fargo. Fretwell, Solis, Noble, Maldonado, and White had good folkstyle seasons … how will that translate to Greco and Freestyle? Florida should be in the hunt … it will be interesting to see if they can take care of business on day one and advance to the Gold/Silver pool for Day 2.

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Georgia

* Georgia will be bringing two squads for both Greco and Freestyle (a Blue and Red team). Both are listed below. A wrestler will compete in both styles for their squad unless otherwise noted.

Georgia (Blue)

• 88 - Eli Bowman

• 94 - Ty Murray

• 100 - Antonio Mills (1st GR at 94; 4th GR at 100; 1st FS at 94)

• 106 - Kieron McCormack

• 113 - Drew Gorman (1st GR; 1st FS)

• 120 - Noah Danforth

• 126 - Logan Paradice

• 132 - Cade Parent (2nd GR)

• 138 - Josh Denson

• 145 - Emil Necula (GR)

• 145 - Latrell Scaffer

• 152 - Dominic Bambinelli (4th GR 145; 3rd FS at 145)

• 160 - Creed Thomas

• 160 - Tyler Secoy

• 170 - Hoke Poe-Hogan (1st GR; 3rd FS)

• 182 - Omaury Alvarez

• 195 - None

• 220 - Tre Butler (GR)

• 220 - Ivan Thurman (FS)

• 285 - Hayden Roy

Georgia Red

• 88 - None

• 94 - None

• 100 - Cael Kusky

• 106 - Brayden Mitchell

• 113 - Jonathan McDaniel

• 120 - Maddox McArthur

• 126 - Collin Mullins (2nd GR; 3rd FS)

• 126 - Gunner Chambers (3rd GR; 4th FS)

• 132 - Jackson Mills (8th FS)

• 138 - Jace Parent

• 145 - Jason Clark (6th FS)

• 145 - Emil Necula (FS)

• 152 - Micah Wood

• 152 - Zach Wallace

• 170 - Brock Hacker

• 182 - None

• 195 - None

• 220 - Gatlin Sugarman (GR)

• 220 - Tre Butler (FS) (3rd FS)

• 285 - Ivan Thurman (GR)

• 285 - Gatlin Sugarman (FS)

We have two goals. First, to compete for a national title. This team has some individuals that will be hunting for stop signs in Fargo … they should expect to be in the hunt for a national title as a team. Second, we are building to Fargo. Understanding how to handle 7 or 8 matches in a day to get to the bloodround or a medal round match. The duals give you the best opportunity to replicate that. - Coach Davis

What to Watch: Coach Davis hit the nail on the head with his comment … the expectations are high for the Georgia Cadets. This is a team that should be competitive at every weight and will be favored at many of the weight classes. Emil Necula nearly made a U15 World Team a few months ago, but the wrestler to watch is Drew Gorman. Gorman is a monster at 113. Add in Alvarez, Hogan, Bambinelli, Danforth, Mills, and others … Georgia Blue will be a tough team to beat. Georgia Red also features several very good wrestlers, but with 4 forfeits - the battle will be uphill. Keep an eye on Mullins and Chambers - both wrestled well at SE regions and should help lead Georgia Red in both styles.

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Tennessee

• 88 - None

• 94 - None

• 100 - Mason Jacob (2nd FS)

• 106 - Cooper Hilton

• 113 - Jarvis Little

• 120 - Casen Roark (1st FS)

• 126 - Hunter Sturgill (1st GR; 2nd FS)

• 132 - Landon Deselle

• 138 - Connor Payne (6th FS at 132)

• 145 - James Strong

• 152 - Clark Vaughn

• 160 - Kaiden Bates (8th FS)

• 170 - ?

• 182 - Landon Williams

• 195 - Hayven Jenkins

• 220 - Miles Workman

• 285 - Dion Stutts

What to Watch: The top wrestler on any SE team (and perhaps on any team at the event) is 15U World Team Member Cooper Hilton. Hilton made Team USA in both Greco and Freestyle at 44 kg (about 10 lbs lighter than he will wrestle at the duals). Regardless all 106’s should be on notice. The Tennessee Cadets are very tough from Mason Jacob (100) through Connor Payne (132) … but with at least 2 forfeits - the team (in terms of dual wins) could struggle. Hilton, Roark, Sturgill, and Deselle can go with anyone, but it takes more than 4 to win a dual. How far Team Tennessee climbs will be up to how well the 145-285 group performs.

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In Summary …

The duals are a great way to see top competition and learn (especially for the newer wrestlers) how to handle 8 matches in one style and then switch it up and wrestle 8 in another style. Over the years - the Duals have been a good gauge on who is ready to perform well in Fargo and who needs to put in some extra work in the month between.

You should see …

• SE teams be very competitive, but any forfeits could push a team into a lower placing pool

• Several wrestlers will go unbeaten (in one or both styles)

• Several wrestlers will struggle with the level of competition … but will they win the matches they “should” win.