Plenty of rising stars make big impact as Junior Nationals Greco tourney kicks off

Idaho’s Jon Jay Chavez (in blue) looks for points during the Junior Nationals Greco-Roman tournament on Monday in Fargo. John Sachs photo. 

FARGO, N.D. – There is plenty of star power in the Junior Nationals Greco-Roman wrestling field this week.

That was evident during an entertaining first day of competition on Monday at the Fargo Dome. 

Through the first two sessions on Monday, four wrestlers remain in the hunt to capture coveted USA Wrestling Triple Crowns at the Junior level.

Wrestlers still in the running for Junior Triple Crowns are California’s Randon Miranda (100 pounds), Arizona’s Danny Vega (106), California’s Joey Cisneros (113) and Oklahoma’s Chandler Rogers (170). 

Those wrestlers captured Junior Folkstyle Nationals crowns earlier this year in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The final leg of the Triple Crown, the Junior Nationals freestyle tournament, will be held later this week in Fargo.

Rogers is also a returning Junior Nationals Greco champion. 

2013 Junior National Greco-Roman champions Brandon Staley of Florida (120), Jon Jay Chavez of Idaho (170) and Roy Nash of Utah (220) also remain on course to repeat in Fargo.

Chavez won a bronze medal at the 2013 Cadet World Championships. Nash was a 2013 Cadet World Team member. 

Minnesota’s Sam Stoll (285), a 2013 Junior World bronze medalist, is still alive to win here in Fargo.

Iowa’s Jacob Marnin (285), a 2013 Cadet Triple Crown winner, also went unbeaten Monday as did two-time Cadet World Team member Taylor LaMont of Utah (126). 

The Junior Greco competition resumes at 9 a.m. Tuesday with semifinals and wrestlebacks. The finals are set for 2:15 p.m.

There are 869 wrestlers, an increase of 52 from last year, competing in the Junior Nationals Greco tournament. There are 45 states represented in the Junior field.