Nation’s best expected for ASICS/Vaughan Junior & Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D., July 19-26
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by Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
FARGO, N.D. - Every year, the nation's best young wrestlers come together for the world's largest wrestling competition, the ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet Nationals at the Fargo Dome in Fargo, N.D.
This competition produces great stories of champions, many who go on to glory in college wrestling, and ultimately at the World and Olympic levels. This marks the 44th anniversary of the Junior Nationals event, which was first held in 1971 in Iowa City, Iowa.
The tournament is scheduled for July 19-26 and is expected to feature outstanding wrestlers in every weight class. USA Wrestling has official state association team standings in all the divisions held in Fargo, adding to the tradition of state wrestling pride exhibited at this event.
Also in Fargo this year, six spots on the U.S. Senior World Team will be determined during the Phase II World Team Trials events, featuring the two non-Olympic weights in each style. The Phase II U.S. World Team Trials for women is Saturday, July 19. The Phase II U.S. World Team Trials for Greco-Roman is Tuesday, July 22. The Phase II U.S. World Team Trials for men’s freestyle is Thursday, July 24. Fans can see many of our best Olympic stars in action, right alongside many future Olympic hopefuls in the age-group levels.
The ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals features high school wrestlers in grades 9-12. Every year, the Junior division features talented athletes who are proven winners, as well as many top young stars who are making names for themselves.
There have only been four athletes to win the coveted USA Wrestling Triple Crown on the Junior level since the program was created in 2007, earned by claiming folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman Junior National titles in the same year. In 2013, Adam Coon of Michigan won the Triple Crown at 285 pounds for the second straight year, becoming the first two-time Junior Triple Crown winner.
2013 Junior National freestyle champions who are eligible to return are Kirk Johansen of Illinois (100), Hunter Marko of Wisconsin (106), Elijah Oliver of Tennessee (113), Jered Cortez of Illinois (126), Seth Gross of Minnesota (132), Aaron Pico of California (138), Ryan Blees of North Dakota (152), Bo Nickal of Texas (170), Michael Pixley of Missouri (182) and Roy Nash of Utah (220).
2013 Junior freestyle runners-up who can return include Francis Edelen of Illinois (100), Joe Cisneros of California (106), Brian Rossi of Illinois (113), Kaid Brock of Oklahoma (120), P.T. Garcia of Colorado (126), Joe McKenna of New Jersey (138), Davonte Mahomes of Illinois (160), Joel Dixon of Oklahoma (195) and Angus Cowell of Connecticut (220).
2013 Junior National Greco-Roman champions who are eligible to compete in Fargo are Dalton Roberts of Michigan (100), Brandon Staley of Florida (106), Joshua Terao of Hawaii (120), Jordan Shearer of North Dakota (126), Hayden Tuma of Idaho (132), Joseph McKenna of New Jersey (138), Jon Jay Chavez of Idaho (152), Davonte Mahomes of Illinois (160), Chandler Rogers of Washington (170), Joseph McClure of Georgia (195) and Roy Nash of Utah (220). Please note that Rogers now lives in Oklahoma.
Runners-up in the 2013 Junior Greco-Roman Nationals who can return are Kirk Johnsen of Illinois (100), Joe Cisneros of California (106), Skyler Petry of Minnesota (113), Blake Tschida of Minnesota (120), Cub Yeager of Oklahoma (126), Rodney Clevenger of Missouri (132), Matthew Moody of Georgia (145), Andrew Millsap of Kansas (152), Xavier Montalvo of Illinois (160), Dan Hawkins of Maryland (182), Jeremy Sweany of California (195), Tyler Schmidt of Wisconsin (220) and Sam Stoll of Minnesota (285).
Many of last year's Cadet National champions are expected to move up into the Junior ranks this year and challenge for titles and All-American honors.
Last year, Illinois was the team champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Following Illinois in the freestyle standings were Oklahoma and California. Behind Illinois in Greco-Roman last year were Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Another indication of the strength of the state teams are the results from the 2014 Junior National Duals, held this June in Oklahoma City, Okla. Oklahoma beat Minnesota in the freestyle finals, followed by Michigan, New Jersey and Illinois. Michigan won the Greco-Roman finals, beating Oklahoma, followed by Illinois, Minnesota and Utah.
The women's Junior freestyle division, now in its 13th year, has grown in size and quality every season, and promises to be very competitive again this year.
2013 Junior National women’s champions eligible to return are Marina and Regina Doi of California (97), Steffanie Hampton of Michigan (117), Rachel Hale of Vermont (121), Teshya Alo of Hawaii (125), Maya Nelson of Colorado (130), Becka Leathers of Oklahoma (139), Alexis Porter of New York (148), Autumn Rux of Michigan (159), Kaya Van Scoyoc of Washington (172) and Ryan Gibbons of Washington (195).
2013 Junior National women’s runners-up eligible to return are Emily Pinson of Georgia (112), Cassidy Jasperson of Texas (121), Jessica Rottier of Wisconsin (130), Kayla Miracle of Indiana (139), Jasmine Mendoza of California (148), Taylor Rosario of Texas (159), Stephanie Pantoya of Florida (172) and Nadine Fiege of Florida (195).
Last year, the Junior National team champion in women’s freestyle was California, followed by Texas and Michigan.
The Women's National Junior Duals will once again be held in Fargo. Only three teams have won this event in its history, California five times and Texas twice. Last year, New York became the third team to win, stunning California in the championship finals.
The Cadet Nationals are for wrestlers who are 15 and 16 years old, some of the best young talents in the country.
There have been 18 wrestlers to win a Cadet Triple Crown since the program began in 2003. In 2013, there were four Cadet Triple Crown winners: Daton Fix of Oklahoma (113), Nick Reenan of Texas (152), Mark Hall of Colorado (160) and Jacob Marnin of Iowa (285).
Cadet Triple Crown winner Daton Fix of Oklahoma (113) is eligible to return this year and seek another Triple Crown. Only one athlete, Taylor Massa of Michigan (2008 and 2009) has won Cadet Triple Crowns two years in a row.
Other 2013 Cadet National freestyle champions who are eligible to return are Gavin Teasdale of Pennsylvania (88), Kaden Gfeller of Oklahoma (94), Daton Fix of Oklahoma (113), Taylor LaMont of Utah (120) and Beau Breske of Wisconsin (160).
2013 Cadet National freestyle runners-up who are eligible to return are Austin Gomez of Illinois (94), Jonathan Ross of Pennsylvania (132) and Kamal Bey of Illinois (160).
2013 Cadet National Greco-Roman champions who are eligible to return are Austin Gomez of Illinois (94) and Beau Breske of Wisconsin (170).
2013 Cadet National Greco-Roman runners-up who are eligible to return are Alexander Crowe of Minnesota (88), Keegan Moore of Minnesota (170) and Jordan Wood of Pennsylvania (220).
The team champions in both Cadet Greco-Roman and Cadet freestyle last year were Illinois Placing second in Greco-Roman was Minnesota, followed by Wisconsin. Taking second in freestyle was Pennsylvania, followed by Ohio.
The 2014 Cadet National Duals were held in Daytona Beach, Fla. this June and showcased many of the stars expected in Fargo. Illinois was again the team champions in both styles. In Greco-Roman, Illinois beat Ohio in the finals, followed by Pennsylvania, Washington and Oklahoma. In freestyle, Illinois beat Pennsylvania for the title, with Ohio, Oklahoma and New Jersey rounding out the top five.
Last year was the third year that there was a Cadet National tournament for girls in Fargo, and the tournament grew in size and intensity.
2013 Cadet National women’s freestyle champions who are eligible to return are McKenzie Bacich of California (95) and Gabrielle Garcia of California (115).
2013 Cadet National women’s freestyle runners-up who are eligible to return are Brooke Thurber of Wisconsin (95), Alexis Bleau of New York (143), Kenya Spencer of Michigan (154) and Taylor Rosario of Texas (172).
California won the 2013 Cadet National women’s freestyle team title followed by Washington in second and Texas in third.
The ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals and the Cadet Nationals brings together hundreds of wrestling volunteers, including referees, pairing officials, coaches, state leaders and tournament operation workers, all who provide the opportunity for more than 4,000 athletes to pursue their dreams.
The ASICS High School All-American Teams for both boys and girls will be honored during the week in Fargo, and the ASICS Boys Wrestler of the Year and the ASICS Girls Wrestler of the Year will be announced.
All of the matches on all of the mats from the 2014 ASICS/Vaughan Junior & Cadet Nationals will be broadcast live through a partnership between USA Wrestling and Flo Wrestling, through the Flo Pro platform.
For updated articles, features and results from Fargo, visit TheMat.com.
SCHEDULE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS IN FARGO
Saturday, July 19 – Cadet Women Finals at 7:00 p.m. Central
Saturday, July 19 – Phase II U.S. World Team Trials finals – Women (best of three series) at 7:00 p.m. Central
Monday, July 21 – Cadet Greco-Roman Finals at 2:00 p.m. Central
Tuesday, July 22 – Junior Greco-Roman Finals at 2:15 p.m. Central
Tuesday, July 22 – Phase II U.S. World Team Trials finals – Greco-Roman (best-of-three series) at 2:15 p.m.
Tuesday, July 22 – Junior Women Finals at 5:45 p.m. Central
Wednesday, July 23 – Junior Women Duals Final Session: 3:30 p.m. Central
Thursday, July 24 – Phase II U.S. World Team Trials finals – Men’s freestyle (best-of-three series) at 3:15 p.m.
Friday, July 25 – Cadet Freestyle Finals: 2:00 p.m. Central
Saturday, July 26 – Junior Men’s Freestyle Finals: 10:00 a.m. Central
This competition produces great stories of champions, many who go on to glory in college wrestling, and ultimately at the World and Olympic levels. This marks the 44th anniversary of the Junior Nationals event, which was first held in 1971 in Iowa City, Iowa.
The tournament is scheduled for July 19-26 and is expected to feature outstanding wrestlers in every weight class. USA Wrestling has official state association team standings in all the divisions held in Fargo, adding to the tradition of state wrestling pride exhibited at this event.
Also in Fargo this year, six spots on the U.S. Senior World Team will be determined during the Phase II World Team Trials events, featuring the two non-Olympic weights in each style. The Phase II U.S. World Team Trials for women is Saturday, July 19. The Phase II U.S. World Team Trials for Greco-Roman is Tuesday, July 22. The Phase II U.S. World Team Trials for men’s freestyle is Thursday, July 24. Fans can see many of our best Olympic stars in action, right alongside many future Olympic hopefuls in the age-group levels.
The ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals features high school wrestlers in grades 9-12. Every year, the Junior division features talented athletes who are proven winners, as well as many top young stars who are making names for themselves.
There have only been four athletes to win the coveted USA Wrestling Triple Crown on the Junior level since the program was created in 2007, earned by claiming folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman Junior National titles in the same year. In 2013, Adam Coon of Michigan won the Triple Crown at 285 pounds for the second straight year, becoming the first two-time Junior Triple Crown winner.
2013 Junior National freestyle champions who are eligible to return are Kirk Johansen of Illinois (100), Hunter Marko of Wisconsin (106), Elijah Oliver of Tennessee (113), Jered Cortez of Illinois (126), Seth Gross of Minnesota (132), Aaron Pico of California (138), Ryan Blees of North Dakota (152), Bo Nickal of Texas (170), Michael Pixley of Missouri (182) and Roy Nash of Utah (220).
2013 Junior freestyle runners-up who can return include Francis Edelen of Illinois (100), Joe Cisneros of California (106), Brian Rossi of Illinois (113), Kaid Brock of Oklahoma (120), P.T. Garcia of Colorado (126), Joe McKenna of New Jersey (138), Davonte Mahomes of Illinois (160), Joel Dixon of Oklahoma (195) and Angus Cowell of Connecticut (220).
2013 Junior National Greco-Roman champions who are eligible to compete in Fargo are Dalton Roberts of Michigan (100), Brandon Staley of Florida (106), Joshua Terao of Hawaii (120), Jordan Shearer of North Dakota (126), Hayden Tuma of Idaho (132), Joseph McKenna of New Jersey (138), Jon Jay Chavez of Idaho (152), Davonte Mahomes of Illinois (160), Chandler Rogers of Washington (170), Joseph McClure of Georgia (195) and Roy Nash of Utah (220). Please note that Rogers now lives in Oklahoma.
Runners-up in the 2013 Junior Greco-Roman Nationals who can return are Kirk Johnsen of Illinois (100), Joe Cisneros of California (106), Skyler Petry of Minnesota (113), Blake Tschida of Minnesota (120), Cub Yeager of Oklahoma (126), Rodney Clevenger of Missouri (132), Matthew Moody of Georgia (145), Andrew Millsap of Kansas (152), Xavier Montalvo of Illinois (160), Dan Hawkins of Maryland (182), Jeremy Sweany of California (195), Tyler Schmidt of Wisconsin (220) and Sam Stoll of Minnesota (285).
Many of last year's Cadet National champions are expected to move up into the Junior ranks this year and challenge for titles and All-American honors.
Last year, Illinois was the team champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Following Illinois in the freestyle standings were Oklahoma and California. Behind Illinois in Greco-Roman last year were Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Another indication of the strength of the state teams are the results from the 2014 Junior National Duals, held this June in Oklahoma City, Okla. Oklahoma beat Minnesota in the freestyle finals, followed by Michigan, New Jersey and Illinois. Michigan won the Greco-Roman finals, beating Oklahoma, followed by Illinois, Minnesota and Utah.
The women's Junior freestyle division, now in its 13th year, has grown in size and quality every season, and promises to be very competitive again this year.
2013 Junior National women’s champions eligible to return are Marina and Regina Doi of California (97), Steffanie Hampton of Michigan (117), Rachel Hale of Vermont (121), Teshya Alo of Hawaii (125), Maya Nelson of Colorado (130), Becka Leathers of Oklahoma (139), Alexis Porter of New York (148), Autumn Rux of Michigan (159), Kaya Van Scoyoc of Washington (172) and Ryan Gibbons of Washington (195).
2013 Junior National women’s runners-up eligible to return are Emily Pinson of Georgia (112), Cassidy Jasperson of Texas (121), Jessica Rottier of Wisconsin (130), Kayla Miracle of Indiana (139), Jasmine Mendoza of California (148), Taylor Rosario of Texas (159), Stephanie Pantoya of Florida (172) and Nadine Fiege of Florida (195).
Last year, the Junior National team champion in women’s freestyle was California, followed by Texas and Michigan.
The Women's National Junior Duals will once again be held in Fargo. Only three teams have won this event in its history, California five times and Texas twice. Last year, New York became the third team to win, stunning California in the championship finals.
The Cadet Nationals are for wrestlers who are 15 and 16 years old, some of the best young talents in the country.
There have been 18 wrestlers to win a Cadet Triple Crown since the program began in 2003. In 2013, there were four Cadet Triple Crown winners: Daton Fix of Oklahoma (113), Nick Reenan of Texas (152), Mark Hall of Colorado (160) and Jacob Marnin of Iowa (285).
Cadet Triple Crown winner Daton Fix of Oklahoma (113) is eligible to return this year and seek another Triple Crown. Only one athlete, Taylor Massa of Michigan (2008 and 2009) has won Cadet Triple Crowns two years in a row.
Other 2013 Cadet National freestyle champions who are eligible to return are Gavin Teasdale of Pennsylvania (88), Kaden Gfeller of Oklahoma (94), Daton Fix of Oklahoma (113), Taylor LaMont of Utah (120) and Beau Breske of Wisconsin (160).
2013 Cadet National freestyle runners-up who are eligible to return are Austin Gomez of Illinois (94), Jonathan Ross of Pennsylvania (132) and Kamal Bey of Illinois (160).
2013 Cadet National Greco-Roman champions who are eligible to return are Austin Gomez of Illinois (94) and Beau Breske of Wisconsin (170).
2013 Cadet National Greco-Roman runners-up who are eligible to return are Alexander Crowe of Minnesota (88), Keegan Moore of Minnesota (170) and Jordan Wood of Pennsylvania (220).
The team champions in both Cadet Greco-Roman and Cadet freestyle last year were Illinois Placing second in Greco-Roman was Minnesota, followed by Wisconsin. Taking second in freestyle was Pennsylvania, followed by Ohio.
The 2014 Cadet National Duals were held in Daytona Beach, Fla. this June and showcased many of the stars expected in Fargo. Illinois was again the team champions in both styles. In Greco-Roman, Illinois beat Ohio in the finals, followed by Pennsylvania, Washington and Oklahoma. In freestyle, Illinois beat Pennsylvania for the title, with Ohio, Oklahoma and New Jersey rounding out the top five.
Last year was the third year that there was a Cadet National tournament for girls in Fargo, and the tournament grew in size and intensity.
2013 Cadet National women’s freestyle champions who are eligible to return are McKenzie Bacich of California (95) and Gabrielle Garcia of California (115).
2013 Cadet National women’s freestyle runners-up who are eligible to return are Brooke Thurber of Wisconsin (95), Alexis Bleau of New York (143), Kenya Spencer of Michigan (154) and Taylor Rosario of Texas (172).
California won the 2013 Cadet National women’s freestyle team title followed by Washington in second and Texas in third.
The ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals and the Cadet Nationals brings together hundreds of wrestling volunteers, including referees, pairing officials, coaches, state leaders and tournament operation workers, all who provide the opportunity for more than 4,000 athletes to pursue their dreams.
The ASICS High School All-American Teams for both boys and girls will be honored during the week in Fargo, and the ASICS Boys Wrestler of the Year and the ASICS Girls Wrestler of the Year will be announced.
All of the matches on all of the mats from the 2014 ASICS/Vaughan Junior & Cadet Nationals will be broadcast live through a partnership between USA Wrestling and Flo Wrestling, through the Flo Pro platform.
For updated articles, features and results from Fargo, visit TheMat.com.
SCHEDULE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS IN FARGO
Saturday, July 19 – Cadet Women Finals at 7:00 p.m. Central
Saturday, July 19 – Phase II U.S. World Team Trials finals – Women (best of three series) at 7:00 p.m. Central
Monday, July 21 – Cadet Greco-Roman Finals at 2:00 p.m. Central
Tuesday, July 22 – Junior Greco-Roman Finals at 2:15 p.m. Central
Tuesday, July 22 – Phase II U.S. World Team Trials finals – Greco-Roman (best-of-three series) at 2:15 p.m.
Tuesday, July 22 – Junior Women Finals at 5:45 p.m. Central
Wednesday, July 23 – Junior Women Duals Final Session: 3:30 p.m. Central
Thursday, July 24 – Phase II U.S. World Team Trials finals – Men’s freestyle (best-of-three series) at 3:15 p.m.
Friday, July 25 – Cadet Freestyle Finals: 2:00 p.m. Central
Saturday, July 26 – Junior Men’s Freestyle Finals: 10:00 a.m. Central
