#Fargo2026 Facts, Stats, and Updates: Live Notebook from the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals

SEMIFINAL UPDATES

95: New Jersey’s Francesca Gusfa, a 2024 U17 World Teamer, beat Indiana’s Aaliyah Brown 6-5. Gusfa built a 6-0 lead and held off Brown to make her first Fargo final. Gusfa will take on Indiana’s Katelyn Rowles, who pinned Virginia’s Alliya Walker in 49 seconds. Rowles was third in 2024 at 88 pounds.

100: Michigan’s Lillee Denson ended the chance for Iowa’s Abigail Peterson to win both age groups as Denson registered a fall in the bout’s opening minute. Denson, who was third last year at 95 pounds, will face Colorado’s Justice Gutierrez, last year’s 16U champion. Gutierrez pinned U17 World bronze medalist Maisie Elliott of Washington, who lost both her age group semis this morning.

105: Pennsylvania’s Jaclyn Bouzakis reached the Fargo finals for the fourth year in a row and the Junior finals for the second year in a row with an 11-0 tech over Oklahoma’s Kyrstan Perez. Bouzakis will face Colorado’s Emma Faczak, who teched last year’s 16U champion Ryleigh Sturgill of Tennessee 12-2. Faczak was third last year at 105 pounds in 16U.

110: Virginia’s Sarissa Tucker pinned Missouri’s Jayden Keller in a back-and-forth tilt that saw Tucker rally to tie it before getting the fall. Tucker will face Indiana’s Isabel Kaplan, who also pinned her semifinal opponent, Pennsylvania’s Julia Horger, a 2024 16U champion and last year’s Junior runner-up.

115: Florida’s Abigail Gonzalez built a 6-0 lead and held on to beat Washington’s Malia Ottow 6-5. Gonzalez was a two-time 16U All-American, while Ottow placed third at 115 in 16U last year. Gonzalez will face Idaho’s Kinzie Williams, a 9-7 winner over Arizona’s Daynah Gomez.

120: Pennsylvania’s Marlee Solomon, a 2026 U17 World Teamer and two-time 16U runner-up will face 2025 16U champions Hailey Delgado of Texas in the finals at 120. Solomon beat 2025 16U runner-up Aubree Gutierrez of California, while Delgado beat returning Junior placer and 2024 16U runner-up Cheyenne Frank of Michigan 13-8.

125: Mackenzie Carder scored a 2-2 criteria decision over California’s Me’kala James via last point scored. Carder makes the finals for the second year in a row. James was the 2024 16U champion and a returning Junior All-American. Carder will face Martynique Davis of Arizona. Davis teched Wisconsin’s Kylee Kurszewski 10-0.

130: Texas’ Kailin Sebert pinned 2025 16U runner-up Olivia Bezdicek to reach the finals at 130 pounds. Sebert was fifth last year in Juniors. Opposite Sebert will be Wisconsin’s Madilyn Peach, a 4-2 winner over Arizona’s Emma Chacon in a matchup between past Junior placers.

135: Pennsylvania’s Emma Bacon made her third career Fargo final and second straight Junior finals with an 11-0 win over 16U All-American Chloe Wehry of Minnesota. Bacon will face Arizona’s Camila Torres, who pinned Indiana’s Naima Ghaffar in 4:32.

140: Michigan’s Alexis Lazar reached her third Fargo final and second straight in Juniors with a 12-2 tech fall over Texas’ Jordyn Parker. Lazar will face Indiana’s returning Junior runner-up Maddie Marsh, a 14-5 winner over Illinois’ Ema Durst.

145: Michigan added another finalist as Belicia Manuel beat last year’s 16U runner-up Emily Beckley of Oklahoma 5-1. Manuel faces Minnesota’s Nora Akpan, last year’s 140-pound champion. Akpan beat another returning champion, last year’s 145-pound titlist, Violette Lasure of Pennsylvania 7-4.

155: New Mexico’s Eloise Woolsey became the state’s first ever women’s finalist in either age group after a 6-4 win over returning runner-up and past 16U champion Sarah Henckel of Connecticut. Woolsey will face New Jersey’s U17 World bronze medalist Ella Poalillo, who teched North Dakota’s Julia Araujo. Poalillo was a 2024 16U runner-up.

170: Another Michigan wrestler and it’s another Manuel sister as Kaili Manuel teched Kansas’ Kiley Dillow 15-4. Manuel makes her first Junior final after winning 16U the last two years. Manuel will face Ciyanna Okocha, a 4-2 winner of Minnesota’s Sara Pulk, last year’s 16U runner-up.

190: Wisconsin’s Brooke Huffman will face Utah’s Tevia Nau Rarick in the finals at 190. Huffman, a 2024 16U champion and 2025 Junior third-placer, pinned Michigan’s Kanata Richardson and Rarick teched returning Junior runner-up Autumn Elsbury of Iowa 12-1.

207: Michigan put its fifth and final Junior wrestler into the finals at 207 where Maddie Hayden, a 2023 16U runner-up, decisioned Kansas’ 2025 16U runner-up Lulu Kirk 5-3. Hayden will face Illinois’ Phoenix Molina, who upset returning champion Deionna Borders of Ohio 3-1.

235: Retuning All-American Aubrey Bartkowiak pinned New York’s Peyton Mullin in 1:01 to give the state its fourth Junior women’s finalist. Bartkowiak will face Texas’ Alyciana Rogers, who pinned Michigan’s Mya Brandenburg at 5:14.

SEMIFINAL UPDATES
95: U17 World Teamer Sophia Valdez of Colorado beat returning runner-up Brooklyn Henry of Pennsylvania 6-2. Valdez will face Massachusetts’ Brooklyn Murray, who beat Washington’s Lanaia Selig 8-4. Murray is just the state’s second ever 16U Girls finalist – Corynne McNulty finished second in 2024 at 136 pounds.

100: Iowa’s Abigail Peterson pushed into the finals with a 12-1 technical fall win over Pennsylvania’s Timi Coles. Peterson will wrestle the Junior semis later this morning to try to make the finals in both age groups. Another wrestler making the attempt was Washington’s Maisie Elliott, a 2025 U17 World bronze medalist, but Elliott lost her 16U semifinal 10-7 to Oregon’s Olivia Hernandez.

105: Indiana’s Ella Neibert picked off returning All-American Olivia Munson of California 10-0 and advanced to face Arizona’s Bella Mano, a 6-5 winner over Hawaii’s Kayne-Lin Chun.

110: Pennsylvania’s Riley Karwowski received a forfeit over Illinois’ Charlotte Nold. Karwowski will face Texas’ Audrey Cunningham, who advanced with a fall over Oklahoma’s Chloe Medlock.

115: A pair of pins pushed Ohio’s Kaylee Vera and Hawaii’s Auriana Wakinekona into the finals at 115 pounds. Vera pinned Missouri’s Mabel Rogers in 3:17, while Wakinekona was tied with California’s Lillian Fonceca 2-2 when Wakinekona countered a cradle attempt, came to her feet and tossed Fonceca to her back to get the pin.

120: Oklahoma’s McKenna Wilson pinned returning 16U All-American Olivia Kearns of Pennsylvania in one minute to reach the finals. Wilson will face New Jersey’s Elle Changaris, who outlasted returning All-American Mikayla Perkins of Indiana 16-10.

125: Washington’s Winter West pinned Nevada’s Hailey Worden in 2:28 to make the finals for the first time. West was fourth last year. She’ll take on Kansas’ Presley Beard, a 7-6 winner over California’s Aleia Apostol.

130: Oklahoma’s Rachel Garcia beat returning All-American Daelin Cody 11-0 in the top bracket semifinal, while returning All-American Anastasia Rodnikova of Illinois was powered by a pair four-point throws in an 11-10 win over Texas’ Zaylyn Woods.

135: Noli Paddock of New York will face Illinois’ Rain Scott in the 135-pound final. Paddock beat Colorado’s Ella Schultz 14-6, while Scott beat Pennsylvania’s Shannon Logue 5-0.

140: Oklahoma pushed another wrestler into the finals with Ki’Morah Cathey’s 10-0 win over Oregon’s returning All-American Paisley Morrison. Cathey will face Maryland’s Kesi Tsarni, a returning All-American. Tsarni pinned Pennsylvania’s Jenny Gautreau in 1:21.

145: A pair of returning All-Americans will square off in the finals at 145 pounds. Oregon’s Audrey Robinson teched Florida’s Zoe Delgado 11-1, while Kansas’ Gray Joyce teched Arizona’s Yamilett Cortez 10-0. Robinson was fourth at 140 last year, while Joyce was the runner-up at 145.

155: Camilla Hathaway of Pennsylvania received a forfeit in the semifinals against Kansas’ Leolyn Karnowski. Hathaway will face New York’s Ava Guilmette, who pinned Kansas’ Scarlett Yeager in 43 seconds.

170: Kansas’ Siobhan Flanner hit a four-point headlock in the waning seconds to tie the score and take the lead on criteria to rip victory from the jaws of defeat in a 10-10 semifinal win over Pennsylvania’s Remington LaFlamme. Flanner will face Illinois’ Alexis Penley, who pinned Ohio’s Reghan Koch in 1:11.

190: Returning All-American Ashley Hoffman pinned New Jersey’s Brianna Sandoval to advance to the finals to take on Kansas’ Kaylee Thompson. Thompson beat Washington’s Princess Saili 11-10.

207: Michigan’s Lyla Hensen, third last year, teched Wisconsin’s Mercedes Kruse 10-0. Oklahoma’s Abagail Lacey will be Hensen’s opponent. Lacey pinned Florida’s Kenzie Barrett.

235: California’s Taya Maumausolo Matagi pinned Missouri’s Malena Borja in 2:51 in the top bracket semi. Matagi will face Utah’s Maycee Hales, a 6-5 winner over North Dakota’s Jacey Peterson.

QUARTERFINAL NOTABLES
235: Two falls ended quarterfinals in the two bouts between past All-Americans. Indiana’s Aubrey Bartkowiak pinned Pennsylvania’s 2024 16U champ Brenda Banks and New York’s Peyton Mullin pinned Michigan’s Halle Spears.
207: The only matchup with returning All-Americans saw Lulu Kirk of Kansas beat Missouri’s Sophiea Quinn 5-2. Returning champion Deionna Borders of Ohio beat Parice Jones of Colorado 7-1.
190: A pair of returning Junior runners-up moved into the semifinals, as did a pair of past 16U champions – Kanata Richardson of Michigan beat 2023 16U All-American Irelynn Laurin of Tennessee 7-6. Autum Elsbury shutout Nebraska’s JayaShree Bray in a matchup of 2025 runners-up – Elsbury was second in Juniors last year, Bray in 16U. Brooke Huffman of Wisconsin, a Junior placer last year and 2024 16U champ advanced to face Richardson, while 2025 16U champion Tevia Nau Rarick of Utah will take on Elsbury.
170: Four All-Americans pushed into the semifinals with three of those quarters featuring head-to-head matches with All-American. Minnesota’s 16U runner-up Sarah Pulk teched two-time 16U All-American Elizabeth Madison of Ohio 12-2, while Ciyanna Okocha teched Juliet Alt in an All-PA AA matchup. Kansas’ Kiley Dillow decisioned New Jersey’s Olivia Georges 8-4. Dillow will face 2025 16U champion Kaili Manuel of Michigan.
155: More hammer time as all four quarters were head-to-heads with returning placewinners. New Mexico’s Eloise Woolsey beat 2024 16U runner-up Matilda Hruby of Colorado 15-6, while Connecticut’s Sarah Henckel, a four-time Fargo placer and 2022 16U champ coming in, bested 2025 16U runner-up Symone Jewell of California 8-4. North Dakota’s Julie Araujo, third last year in 16U, pinned two-time 16U runner-up Jayci Shelton of Missouri. U17 World bronze medalist Ella Poalillo of New Jersey won by forfeit over KyLee Tibbs of Ohio.
145: Returning champion Violette Lasure of Pennsylvania won a 4-2 war with returning third-placer Greta Brus of Iowa. Lasure never trailed, but led on criteria late before scoring the final two points with 10 seconds left. It’ll be champ vs. champ in the semis as Lasure will face last year’s 140-pound champion Nora Akpan of Minnesota. Up top, Emily Beckley of Oklahoma beat fellow All-American Cassandra Gonzales of Minnesota 11-9. Beckley will face Belicia Manuel, who upended 2024 Junior finalist Aleksandra Bastaic 5-4.
140: A quality head-to-head highlighted the quarters as Michigan’s returning runner-up Alexis Lazar teched returning All-American Dulcy Martinez of California 12-1. Returning runner-up Maddie Marsh of Indiana pinned Iadho’s Keanna Conrad.
135: Arizona’s Camilla Torres of Arizona picked off All-American Kate Doughty of Colorado 10-0 to advance the semis to face Indiana All-American Naima Ghaffar. Pennsylvania’s returning champ Emma Bacon will face Minnesota’s Chole Wehry, who finished third in 16U last year.
130: All four quarters were head-to-heads between previous AAs. Texas’ Kailin Sebert pinned California’s Rianna Bernal, Idaho’s Olivia Bezdicek teched Oklahoma’s Claire Lancaster, Arizona’s Emma Chacon decisioned South Dakota’s Regina Stoeser 7-5 and Wisconsin’s Madilyn Peach pinned Illinois’ Ariella Dobin.
125: Two past finalists will meet in the semifinals as Ohio’s Mackenzie Carder and California’s Me’kala James advanced. Carter beat 16U All-American Raenah Smith of Pennsylvania 8-7 and James beat Ohio’s Cameron Leng 10-2. On the bottom side, Arizona’s Martynique Davis pinned Pennsylvania 16U runner-up Neve O’Byrne in 23 seconds to advance.
120: Been saying it all tournament, but 120 is loaded. All four quarterfinals were head-to-head matchups between All-Americans. 16U champ Hailey Delgado pinned Illinois’ Angelina Gochis and Pennsylvania’s Marlee Solomon pinned Arizona’s Reagan Mathers. Michigan’s Cheyenne Frank teched Nebraska’s Kaylyn Harrill and California’s Aubree Gutierrez teched Iowa’s Violet Diaz 12-0. It’ll be Delgado-Frank and Gutierrez-Solomon in the semifinals.
115: All-Americans Abigail Gonzalez of Florida and Malia Ottow of Washington pushed through as the only two past placers in the semifinals. Ottow beat 16U All-American Ali Svancara of Idaho 17-5. Arizona’s Daynah Gomez teched 16U placer Morgan Hyland of Pennsylvania 10-0.
110: All four semifinalists are previous Fargo placewinners. Indiana’s Isabel Kaplan pinned Arizona’s Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith, and Pennsylvania’s Julia Horger beat Utah’s Eva Zimmerman 18-10 in the two quarters with returning All-Americans. Horger got up 9-0 before Zimmerman mounted a comeback to draw within 8-7. Horger scored two four-pointers in the second to pull away.
105: Three All-Americans – Jaclyn Bouzakis (Pennsylvania), Emma Faczak (Colorado) and Ryleigh Sturgill (Tennessee) - pushed into the semifinals. Bouzakis teched 16U All-American Kiana Lien of California 10-0. Faczak and Sturgill will square off in the semis.
100: A pair of athletes who are doing double duty wrestling both age groups reached the semis at 100 pounds. Washington’s Maisie Elliott teched All-American Lilly Breeden of Missouri and Iowa’s Abigail Peterson pinned Texas’ Noah Kovach. Peterson and Elliott are on opposite sides of the bracket in BOTH Junior and 16U divisions. They could conceivably meet in both finals should they win their semifinals. That's never happened since the tournament started scheduling both age groups at the same time. Elliott will take on Colorado’s Justice Gutierrez, last year’s 16U champion and Peterson will face Lillee Denson, who was third in Juniors last year.
95: Indiana’s Aaliyah Brown decisioned 2024 16U champion Lily Enos of Illinois to reach the semifinals where she’ll face 2024 U17 World Teamer Francesca Gusfa of New Jersey. Gusfa teched Maine’s Ella Paris 12-2. On the bottom half, Virginia’s Alliya Walker pinned Michigan’s Aamina Ajaz. Walker will face Indiana’s Katelyn Rowles, who pinned Hawaii’s Lindsey Lau. Walker and Rowles are both 2024 16U placers.

QUARTERFINAL NOTABLES
235: No returning All-Americans were left on the championship side. Three quarters had wrestlers advance with pins – California’s Taya Maumausolo Matagi, Missouri’s Malena Borja, and Utah’s Maycee Hales.
207: Both returning All-Americans advanced, with Michigan’s Lyla Hensen pinning South Dakota’s Jessica Hite, and Oklahoma’s Abigail Lacy beating Colorado’s Brianna White 7-0.
190: Three falls highlighted the quarterfinals, led by returning All-American Ashley Hoffman, who pinned Idaho’s Payton Toone in the first period. Others advancing by fall were New Jersey’s Brianna Sandoval, and Kansas’ Kaylee Thompson.
170: Both remaining All-Americans in the championship side advanced to the semifinals as Alexis Penley of Illinois teched Emmyjane Bragg of California 10-0 and Kansas’ Siobhan Flanner teched Iowa’s Regan Jensen 10-0.
155: All-American Leolyn Karnowski picked up her fourth fall of the tournament in her quarterfinal win over Florida’s Ennis Coakley. New York’s Ava Guilmette also advanced with a fall over Oklahoma’s Jaylee Simmons.
145: Returning All-American Audrey Robinson of Oregon teched returning All-American Layla Risler of Wisconsin 10-0, while Kansas’ Gray Joyce teched Minnesota’s Emma Antoni.
140: All-Americans Paisley Morrison of Oregon and Kesi Tsarni of Maryland advanced. Morrison pinned Missouri’s Ariel Biggs and Tsarni teched Utah’s Avery Colvin.
135: Colorado’s Ella Schultz continued her winning ways, beating New Jersey’s Sheyna Cruz. Schultz beat Pennsylvania’s top seed Emma Grimes on Thursday. Two returning All-Americans lost as Pennsylvania’s Shannon Logue beat Missouri’s Erin Delling by fall and Illinois’ Rain Scott beat Utah’s Giavonna Good 8-4.
130: Wisconsin All-American Daelin Cody beat Connecticut’s Cecilia Verrilli 9-2, while another All-American, Illinois’ Anastasia Rodnikova, beat South Dakota’s Finley Evjen 10-2.
125: Washington’s Winter West teched Wisconsin’s Morgan Johnson 10-0, while California’s Aleia Apostol of California built an 8-2 lead and held off All-American Hannah Naccarati-Cholo 8-7.
120: All-Americans Olivia Kearns of Pennsylvania and Mikayla Perkins of Indiana both moved into the semifinals at 120 pounds. They’re on opposite sides of the bracket. Kearns will face Oklahoma’s McKenna Wilson, while Perkins will face New Jersey’s Elle Changaris.
115: Ohio’s Kaylee Vera pinned returning All-American Emma Baker of Michigan to reach the semis at 115 pounds. Vera will face Missouri’s Mabel Rogers, who teched Arizona’s Apphia Gutierrez 12-2.
110: Pennsylvania’s returning runner-up Riley Karwowski teched Colorado’s Peggy Susan Dean 10-0. Dean was wrestling both age groups. Karwowski will take on Charlotte Nold of Illinois, a 3-2 winner over Aya Yoshitake of California.
105: A pair of All-Americans were knocked to the consolations as Hawaii’s Kayne-Lin Chun beat Texas All-American Cameron Hodge 6-4 and Indiana’s Ella Neibert beat New Mexico’s Vivienne Popadiuc 14-8. Neibert will face All-American Olivia Munson of California in the semifinals.
100: If you need an update on the unique situation with Iowa’s Abigail Peterson and Washington’s Maisie Elliott, go up to the 100-pound section in Juniors above – they are wrestling both age groups and in the semis in opposite brackets. Elliott beat California’s Sophia Lazaro 4-2, while Peterson teched Wisconsin’s Mya Beckett.
95: Pennsylvania’s Brooklyn Henry advanced to the semifinals with a 4-3 win over Iowa’s Piper Phillips. Henry will face Colorado’s Sophia Valdez, who beat California’s Kaila Robles Rials 10-2.

ROUND OF 16 UPDATES (JUNIOR)

235: Michigan’s Mya Brandenburg pinned Missouri All-American Alexis Stinson to advance to the quarterfinals. Five other returning placers pushed through into the next round.
207: Missouri’s Sophiea Quinn edged returning runner-up Mia Cienega of Washington 8-5 to advance to the quarterfinals in a matchup of past All-Americans. Quinn was eighth last year. Colorado’s Parice Jones outlasted Nevada All-American Charley Timms 16-12.
190: Nebraska’s JayaShree Bray picked up a second straight win over a past All-American, pinning Missouri’s Jayden Moehle. Bray will face Iowa’s returning Junior runner-up Autumn Elsbury in the quarters.
170: The two head-to-heads with AAs at 170 saw Michigan’s Kaili Manuel tech Idaho’s Molly Olague 11-0 and Kansas’ Kiley Dillow pin Iowa’s Amalia Djoumessi in 48 seconds. Manuel will face Utah’s Clarion Fager in her quarter, while Dillow will face All-American Olivia Georges of New Jersey.
155: Returning Junior All-American Eloise Woodley of New Mexico picked up a quick fall over 2022 16U runner-up Skylar Slade of Iowa to advance to the quarterfinals in the only matchup between past placers. The other seven matches with returning placewinners all saw the All-American advance.
145: Oklahoma’s Emily Beckley, Minnesota’s Cassandra Gonzales, and Iowa’s Greta Brus all won matches against fellow All-Americans to move into the quarterfinals. Beckley pinned New York’s Victoria Alvarado, Gonzales beat Pennsylvania’s Jameson Strickland, and Brus topped Colorado’s Ryen Hickey. Returning champion Violette Lasure took longer than usual to pin her Round of 16 opponent. The Pennsylvania pin machine notched her third fall of the tournament and 22^nd career one at 4:12 over Iowa’s Hayden Bratland. Another returning champion, Minnesota’s Nora Akpan, also scored a fall over Indiana’s Jade Chloe Johnson. Aleksandra Bastaic of Indiana teched Arizona’s Izzy LeVine.
140: Four past All-Americans were knocked out of championship contention with one bout featuring returning placers facing off. Indiana’s Maddie Marsh teched Ohio’s Kiera Depinet 13-2, while 16U champion Harlow Skenandore of Wisconsin was beaten by Colorado’s Vivienne Gitke 5-2. Pennsylvania’s Sarah Pearson pinned Washington’s Saige McCleery, and Idaho’s Keanna Conrad teched Oklahoma’s Clover Williams.
135: Returning champion Emma Bacon of Pennsylvania pinned Oklahoma’s Tiffany Breshears in under a minute to advance to the quarterfinals. Ohio’s Auston Brown pinned returning All-American Brooklyn Perez of Arizona. Head-to-heads highlighting the Round of 16 saw Minnesota’s Chloe Wehry beat California’s Eva Garcia 8-4 and Colorado’s Kate Doughty pinned Utah’s Nia Hagler.
130: Texas’ Kailin Sebert, a past two-time placer, pinned 2025 16U All-American Caitlin Maragioglio of New York in the only R16 bout with All-Americans meeting. Six past All-Americans advanced, including 2025 16U runner-up Olivia Bezdicek of Idaho.
125: Wisconsin’s Kylee Kurszewski beat 2025 16U champion Victoria Carbonaro of New Jersey 5-2 in the bracket’s biggest upset. Ohio’s Mackenzie Carder and California’s Me’kala James beat past All-Americans in their Round of 16 matches to advance to the quarterfinals. Carder pinned Pennsylvania’s Samiyah Rahming and James teched Colorado’s Remington Zimmerer 11-1.
120: Iowa’s Violet Diaz beat New Jersey’s Lucia Ranieri 7-6 and Arizona’s Reagan Mathers beat Wyoming’s Lilly Quintanilla 6-2 in a pair of matches featuring past All-Americans. Past champion, and runners-up Hailey Delgado (Texas), Kaylyn Harrill (Nebraska), Cheyenne Frank (Michigan), Aubree Gutierrez (California), and Marlee Solomon (Pennsylvania) all advanced in a monster weight.
115: Arizona’s Daynah Gomez decisioned Illinois’ Chloe Skiles 8-3 in the only match where a returning placer was beaten. Other returning All-Americans to advance were: Abigail Gonzalez (Florida), Malia Ottow (Washington), Ali Svancara (Idaho), Morgan Hyland (Pennsylvania).
110: Missouri’s Jayden Keller and Arizona’s Elizabeth Valenzuela-Smith – both returning All-Americans - advanced to the quarterfinals with wins over other past All-Americans. Keller teched Kansas’ Josie Wilson, while Valenzuela-Smith beat North Dakota’s Alicia Kenfack 12-7. Returning placers Sarissa Tucker (Virginia), Isabel Kaplan (Indiana), Eve Zimmerman (Utah) and Julia Horger (Pennsylvania) all advanced. Horger was second in Juniors last year and was a 2024 16U champion.
105: Two head-to-head AA battles highlighted the Round of 16 at 105 pounds. Returning champ and two-time World bronze medalist Jaclyn Bouzakis of Pennsylvania teched Wisconsin’s Cassidy O’Connell 10-0 and Colorado’s Emma Faczak pinned Illinois’ Alexandra Sebek. Iowa’s Katie Biscoglia beat 2024 16U All-American Dilynn Albrecht 9-4. Other All-Americans to advance were California’s Kiana Lien and Tennessee’s Ryleigh Sturgill, last year’s 16U champ.
100: Washington’s Maisie Elliott reached the quarterfinals in both age groups as she beat Texas’ Audrey Moore 11-0. Missouri’s Lilly Breeden pinned Texas’ Katelynn Dockery to advance in a matchup of past All-Americans. Breeden, a two-time placer, was fourth last year in Juniors. Dockery was a placer in 16U last year. Colorado’s Justice Gutierrez, last year’s 16U champion at 100, won 5-0 over Iowa’s Cassidy McCallister. Other All-Americans to advance at the weight were Oklahoma’s Kyrian Perez, Michigan’s Lillee Denson, and Washington’s Vina Nguyen.
95: Three past All-Americans and World Teamer advanced to the quarterfinals with New Jersey’s Francesca Gusfa, Illinois’ Lily Enos, Virginia’s Alliya Walker, and Indiana’s Katelyn Rowles all advancing. Gusfa and Enos got techs, while Walker and Rowles picked up first-period pins.

MULLIN DOWNS WELLS
New York’s Peyton Mullin pinned Texas’ Shelby Wells in 49 seconds to advance to the Round of 16 in a matchup between a pair of two-time 16U All-Americans. Past 16U runner-up and two-time Junior All-American Brenda Banks of Pennsylvania also advanced with a fall.

NEVADA’S TIMMS HIGHLIGHTS 207
Charley Timms, a 2026 All-American in the 16U division, decisioned Wisconsin’s Autumn King 9-7 at 207 pounds in the only bout between All-Americans in the weight. Returning champion Delonna Border of Ohio and three past runners-up – Maddie Hayden of Michigan, Mia Cienega of Washington, and Lulu Kirk of Kansas – all advanced.

BRAY TOPS BAKER AT 190
Nebraska’s JayaShree Bray, a 16U runner-up last year, decisioned two-time Fargo All-American Blake Baker of Texas 6-0. It was the only head-to-head matchup between past placers in the round. Past champions Brooke Huffman of Wisconsin, and Tevia Nau Rarick of Utah advanced. Rarick led 7-6 going into the second period after falling behind at one point, but a pair of four-pointers bolstered a 10-point second period to give Rarick the technical fall.

ANOTHER DOUBLE DIGIT DOMINATION
All 10 past All-Americans in the 170-pound weight moved into the Round of 16, including two-time U17 World teamer and 2025 16U champion Kaili Manuel of Michigan, returning Junior champion Olivia Georges of New Jersey and 2025 16U runner-up Sarah Pulk of Minnesota.

SIX PACK
All six past finalists moved into the Round of 16 at 155 pounds, including past 16U champion and 2025 Junior runner-up Sarah Henckel of Connecticut and U17 World bronze medalist Ella Poalillo of New Jersey.. The other winners were Colorado’s Matilda Hruby, Iowa’s Skylar Slade, California’s Symone Jewell, and Missouri’s Jayci Shelton.

21 PINS … AND COUNTING
Pennsylvania’s returning champion Violette Lasure picked up her second fall of the tournament, a 33-second win over Massachusetts’ Mayanah Cabrera in the Round of 32 at 145 pounds. It’s Lasure’s 21^st all-time fall in Fargo. Colorado’s Ryen Hickey pinned Missouri’s Keely Fallert in a matchup of past 16U All-Americans. Returning 140-pound Junior champion Nora Akpan of Minnesota advanced with a technical fall and past runners-up Emily Beckley of Ohio and Aleksandra Bastaic of Indiana moved on with pins.

TWO TECHS, TWO PINS FOR PAST FINALISTS
All four wrestlers who have made previous trips to the Fargo finals were dominant in the Round of 32 at 140 pounds. Wisconsin’s Harlow Skenandore, last year’s 16U champion at 140, teched Oklahoma’s Teyanna Fields, while returning Junior women’s runner-up Alexis Lazar of Michigan teched Illinois’ Leann Cory 10-0. Another Junior runner-up, Maddie Marsh of Indiana, pinned Illinois’ Isabella Miller (not the one listed below), and Oklahoma’s Clover Williams, a 2025 16U runner-up, pinned California’s Shaire Anzures.

BACON SIZZLES AT 135
Pardon the pun, but two-time Fargo champion and returning Junior champ Emma Bacon of Pennsylvania has picked up two quick wins – a 20-second fall in the Round of 64 and a 37-second tech in the Round of 32 at 135 pounds. The 2025 U17 World Teamer was one of seven All-Americans to move on. Colorado’s Kate Doughty beat Nevada’s Mike Yoffee 8-7 in a battle between Junior All-Americans. Doughty was fifth last year at 135, while Yoffee was seventh at 125. Arizona’s Camila Torres decisioned 16U All-American Isabella Miller of Iowa 4-3.

MARAGIOGLIO TOPS LYONS IN ALL-AMERICAN MATCHUP
Twenty five points were put up on the board as New York’s Caitlin Maragioglio decisioned Nebraska’s Kalynn Lyons 15-10 at 130 pounds in a matchup of past All-Americans. Maragioglio, a 16U All-American last year, fell behind 6-0 and trailed 86 in the second period before two scoring bursts in the second period gave her the lead and the win. Lyons was fourth in 2024 at 16U.

MORE OF THE SAME AT 125
Just like at 120 pounds, all 10 past placewinners at 125 pounds advanced to the Round of 16, including past champions Me’kala James of California and Victoria Carbonaro of New Jersey. James, a 2024 16U champion who was sixth in Juniors last year, teched teammate Kenzie Herrera, and Carbonaro, a two-time finalist and 2025 16U champion, teched Idaho’s Charlee Noah. Mackenzie Carder of Ohio, a Junior runner-up last year, and Pennsylvania’s Neve O’Byrne, a 16U runner-up last year moved on.

TEN-FOR-TEN AT 120
All 10 returning placewinners in the Round of 32 advanced at 120 pounds, including 2026 U17 World Teamer Marlee Solomon of Pennsylvania, who is fresh off a U20 Pan Am Championship last week in Brazil. All six of the past finalists won by pin or tech, with Solomon teching Iowa’s Camille Schult 11-0. Texas’ Hailey Delgado, last year’s 16U champ at 105 and Arizona’s Reagan Mathers, a 2025 16U champion at 115, both had techs in just under 90 seconds.

MCGINNESS TOPS TEAMMATE BECKER AT 115
Iowa’s Addison McGinness pinned 2024 16U All-American Siera Becker at 115 pounds. The other five All-Americans in the round advanced. Illinois’ Chloe Skiles got past Indiana’s Olivia Crull 8-6 and Pennsylvania’s Morgan Hyland decisioned Wisconsin’s Devlynn Albrecht 8-2.

MILAM PINS EVANS AT 110
Missouri’s Kayleigh Milam pinned teammate and two-time Fargo All-American Killian Evans in the Round of 32 at 110 pounds. The rest of the returning placers, including 2024 16U champion Julia Horger of Pennsylvania won by either pin or tech.

SIX ADVANCE AT 105, FACZAK TOPS PASTIKA
In another deep weight, six All-Americans including a pair of past champions pushed into the Round of 16. Returning champ and two-time U17 World bronze medalist Jaclyn Bouzakis of Pennsylvania teched Wyoming’s Taylor Freeman and 2025 16U champion Ryleigh Sturgill of Tennessee teched Nebraska’s Annah Perdue. Colorado’s Emma Faczak, third last year at 105, teched Minnesota’s Kayla Pastika 10-0. Pastika was fourth at 88 pounds in 16U in 2024. Other past medalists to advance to the next round were Wisconsin’s Cassidy O’Connell and Dilynn Albrecht, California’s Kiana Lien, and Alexandra Sebek of Illinois.

SEVEN PLACERS PUSH THROUGH AT 100, NIGH PICKED OFF
Virginia’s Olivia Mancha beat Ohio’s two-time 16U All-American Libertie Nigh 6-6 on criteria at 100 pounds to highlight the Round of 32 at that weight class. Other All-Americans fared better, including 2025 U17 World bronze medalist Maisie Elliott of Washington, who earned a 10-0 technical fall over New Jersey’s Angelina Qualtieri. Other returning Junior All-Americans to prevail in the round were Oklahoma’s Kyrian Perez, Michigan’s Lillee Denson, Missouri’s Lilly Breeden and Washington’s Vina Nguyen. Two-time Fargo 16U champion Justice Gutierrez of Colorado also advanced with a technical fall.

RUBBER MEETING THE ROAD EARLY
Michigan’s Aamina Ajaz picked off 2024 16U runner-up Brynn Engel of Wisconsin, earning the fall at 4:12. The 95-pound bracket was also flush with credentials as 2024 U17 World Teamer and 2025 Junior All-American Francesca Gusfa of New Jersey beat Hawaii’s Leivelle Alejado of Hawaii 15-10, past 16U champ and three-time All-American Lily Enos of Illinois pinned Iowa’s Brooke Walrath and Virginia 16U All-American Alliya Walker teched Flordia’s  Nadeye Dudley 13-0.

ROUND OF 16 UPDATES (16U)
235: Utah’s Maycee Hales pinned Alabama All-American Khloe Henshaw in the weight’s biggest upset. Henshaw was the only returning placer in the weight.
207: The only two All-Americans returning reached the quarters as Michigan’s Lyla Hensen and Oklahoma’s Abagail Lacy won decisions to advance. Hensen beat New York’s Ava Gregg 6-2 and Lacy beat Utah’s Graycee Simmons 7-0.
190: Returning All-American Ashley Hoffman pinned Ohio’s Ryleigh Chambers to reach the quarterfinals. Hoffman was the only returning placer at the weight.
170: Returning All-Americans Alexis Penley of Illinois and Siobhan Flanner of Kansas both moved into the quarterfinals. Penley teched Indiana’s Hannah Beasley and Flanner teched Ohio’s Norah Chupp.
155: Kansas’ Leolyn Karnowski picked up her third fall of the tournament, this time taking down Pennsylvania’s Amillyiona Green. It’s Karnowski’s eighth career fall in the division after picking up five last year.
145: Kansas’ Gray Joyce teched South Dakota’s Winry Yaggie 10-0 in a matchup of past All-Americans. Oregon’s Audrey Robinson pinned Kansas’ Olive Jones and Wisconsin’s Layla Risler teched Missouri’s Kaylee James 10-0.
140: Oregon’s Paisley Morrison and Maryland’s Kesi Tsarni advanced to the quarterfinals. Morrison pinned Nebraska’s Zoe Seymour and Tsarni teched Montana’s Charlee Lund 10-0.
135: Missouri’s Erin Delling and Utah’s Giavonna Good – the only two All-Americans alive in the Round of 16 at the weight – advanced to the quarterfinals. Delling beat Illinois’ Te’Aja Young 13-4 and Good teched Wisconsin’s Faye Schahtner 11-0.
130: Three All-Americans were bounced from the championship side at 130 pounds, two in head-to-head matches with other All-Americans. Wisconsin’s Daelin Cody pinned Avery Counts of Kansas, while Anastasia Rodnikova of Illinois teched Texas’ Avery Fitzgerald 11-0. South Dakota’s Finley Evjen scored the biggest upset of the weight, gaining the winning takedown on a go-behind with five seconds left to beat returning runner-up Gail Sullivan of New York 3-2.
125: Washington’s Winter West advanced with a quick 10-0 tech fall over Colorado’s Zoe Gabel and Arizona’s Hannah Naccarati-Cholo did the same, advancing past Florida’s Caly Rodriguez with a tech. West was fourth last year and Naccarati-Cholo was eighth.
120: All-Americans Olivia Kearns of Pennsylvania and Mikayla Perkins of Indiana advanced to the quarterfinals. Kearns pinned Kate Eggleston of Iowa in 19 seconds, while Perkins teched California’s Alexia Hernandez 18-6. Perkins was down early, but ended the match with a pair of four-pointers.
115: A pair of returning All-Americans were ousted from the championship bracket at 115 pounds as Arizona’s Apphia Gutierrez held off late-charging Kendal Haynie of Florida 12-10. Haynie was fourth last year at the weight. New Jersey’s Alexandria Barskiy pinned returning All-American Cora Stewart of Washington at the 3:36 mark. Returning All-American Emma Baker of Michigan beat Wisconsin’s Ember Zupanc 6-4.
110: Ohio’s Isabella Thiel upended returning All-American Kirra Mitchell of Georgia 5-2. Returning All-Americans Riley Karwowski of Pennsylvania and Peggy Susan Dean of Colorado also advanced. Dean, who is wrestling both age groups, beat Oregon’s Lauren Echeverria 9-7, while Karwowski teched Annabelle Mueller of Illinois 10-0.
105: Returning All-American Vivienne Popadiuc of New Mexico pinned Michigan’s Tatianna Castillo to advance to the quarterfinals in a head-to-head between returning All-Americans. Popadiuc was third last year at 100 pounds and Castillo was eighth at 105. Returning All-American Olivia Munson advanced with a technical fall over Wisconsin’s Penelope Ayala.
100: Washington’s Maisie Elliott moved into the quarterfinals with a fall over returning All-American Cidney Schaffer of Pennsylvania.
95: 2026 U17 World Teamer Sophia Valdez of Colorado and returning runner-up Brooklyn Henry of Pennsylvania both won in the Round of 16, putting them on a collision course for a potential semifinal should they both win in the quarterfinals.

IOWA’S JENSEN WITH BIG PIN
Of the 40 returning All-Americans or World Teamers competing in the Round of 32 this morning, only one was beaten. Iowa’s Regan Jensen pinned Oklahoma’s Alyvia Edwards, a 2025 16U All-American, at 1:03 at 170 pounds.

CHALK TALK
It’s been a good round for the returning All-Americans as 17 wrestlers who are returning Top 4 or past World teamers all advanced to the Round of 16, including Maisie Elliott of Washington, who is wrestling both age groups simultaneously. Returning runners-up Brooklyn Henry and Riley Karwowski of Pennsylvania, Gail Sullivan of New York and Gray Joyce of Kansas were all victorious. Karwowski was pushed in a 7-4 win over Missouri’s Addison St George.

WORLDLY
Washington’s Maisie Elliott moved into the Round of 16 after a 10-0 tech over Ohio’s Esmae Morris at 100 pounds. Elliott was a U17 World bronze medalist at 40kg last year.

NOTABLES IN THE ROUND OF 64
A handful of All-Americans were picked off in the Round of 64: Kentucky’s Naiya Delos Santos of Kentucky teched 2025 16U All-American Kendra Ege of Illinois 12-0 at 100 pounds … New Jersey’s Eleanor Kisselback of New Jersey decisioned 2025 16U All-American Addison Hunt of Texas 9-1 at 115 pounds. … Colorado’s Ella Schultz teched 2025 16U All-American Emma Grimes 12-1 at 135 pounds.

WEIGHING IN
Of the 16 weight classes, the smallest in terms of numbers are 207 and 235, both of which have 19 entries. The largest is 125 pounds, with 90 entries. Three weights - 110, 115, and 130, have over 80 entries each. The first year of the 16U Girls division was in 2011, which had 81 total wrestlers.

BY THE NUMBERS
The 16U entries clipped 1,000 for the second year in a row, with all 50 states represented and a total of 1,024, slightly down from last year’s record of 1,029.

PIN QUEEN
Pennsylvania’s returning Junior champion Violette Lasure opened up her tournament with an 11-second fall, the fastest of the tournament thus far. It’s Lasure’s fourth appearance in Fargo, finishing third as a first-year 16U in 2023, then winning titles the past two seasons. In 2023, she pinned nine wrestlers and followed with five falls each of the last two years. Her first fall of the tournament gave her 20 all-time pins in Fargo.

TOP FOURS FALL
New York’s Aliyah Otto of New York pinned 2025 16U All-American Allison Garbacz at 155 pounds. Garbacz was third last year. Pennsylvania’s Bryce Snyder beat South Carolina’s returning Junior All-American Makayla Vasser 10-10 on criteria. Vasser was fourth last year while representing Nebraska. At 207 pounds, Minnesota’s Charlize Laban pinned Florida’s Makayla Ocean, who was fourth in 16U last year.

MORE EARLY AA CLASHES
Missouri’s Jayci Shelton, a 2024 16U runner-up, beat Nebraska’s Addeline Graser by fall at 155 pounds. It was Graser’s second straight match against an All-American at the weight to start the tournament. At 170, Pennsylvania’s Ciyanna Okocha teched Colorado 16U All-American Shayla Martinez 10-0.

TWO PAST CHAMPS FALL EARLY
Tennessee’s Mariana Brown pinned 2024 16U champion Haley Gonzales in the Round of 64 at 135 pounds, while 2025 16U champion Aniyah Smith of Iowa was pinned by Indiana’s Aubrey Bartkowiak at 235 pounds.

EARLY UPSETS
The Round of 128 saw a handful of early upsets. Wisconsin’s Ayda Miller teched returning Junior All-American Kiera Partello of Florida 10-0 at 110 pounds. Partrello was seventh last year at 105 pounds. Minnesota’s Courtney Kotish edged returning Junior All-American Ashley Thompson of Arkansas 6-4 at 155 pounds. There was one early head-to-head matchup between returning All-Americans – Nebraska’s Addeline Graser pinned Indiana’s Rhaigyn Trenary in 54 seconds. Graser was fifth in 2024 in 16U, while Trenary was seventh in 2024, also in the 16U division.

ENTRIES
Official entry numbers for the Junior Girls division in women's freestyle is 1,270, a new record and an increase of 54 athletes. All 50 states are represented on the women's side, including the first four Juniors from Mississippi in tournament history. Action begins at 1 p.m. CDT.

SEMIFINAL NOTES

285: It’s an all-Iowa final at heavyweight as Joe Constable will face Ashton Honnold. Constable beat California’s Matthew Cooley 3-1, while Honnold beat another Iowan, JT Kelso 4-0 in the other semifinal.

215: Utah’s Ladd Holman, last year’s runner up at 175 pounds, beat last year’s 16U champion Gage Ponton of Idaho 8-0 to advance to the finals. Holman will face Illinois’ Jaxon Penovich, who was a 6-1 winner over Kansas’ Cooper Reves.

190: Iowa’s Waylon Cressell moved one step closer to the Junior Triple Crown with an 8-0 semifinal win over Utah’s Shepard Stephens. Cressell will face Maryland’s Victor Marks-Jenkins, who beat Florida's Kyle Gallo 9-0.

175: Returning champion Ivan Ivanov of Idaho will face unheralded Gary High of Tennessee in the finals at 175. High beat California’s Mason Carnrite 10-1.

165: Ohio’s Cael Gilmore beat Washington’s Tre Haines 4-1 and Texas’ Jared Remington beat Kansas’ Thunder Page to set the finals at 165 pounds. All four were past Fargo All-American in Greco-Roman.

157: Returning champion Wyatt Medlin of Illinois edged Texas’ Daniel Acosta 5-3 at 157 pounds to push Medlin to his fourth all-time Fargo final. Medlin will face Alaska’s Jacob Morris, who beat last year’s 16U champion Gregory Torosian 4-1.

150: Colorado’s Gavin Weichelt beat 2025 16U runner-up Hayden Reuter of Alaska 5-3 in the semifinals. Weichelt will take on Oklahoma’s Legend Ellis, who beat teammate Dimitri Kizer 10-6.

144: A pair of past Fargo All-Americans meet in the finals at 144 as Pennsylvania’s returning runner-up Ned Kauffman will take on Minnesota’s Liam Collins. Kauffman teched Indiana’s Mason Goelz and Collins pinned Illinois’ Adante Washington.

138: Illinois continued to flex its Greco muscles as Thomas Banas beat 2024 16U champion Matthew Orbeta of California 10-0 to make the finals at 138. Banas will face Michigan’s Nicholas Sorrow, who upended 2025 16U champion Gage Bjerga of Minnesota 6-0.

132: Illinois’ Jamiel Castleberry picked off teammate and returning 113-pound champion Kaleb Pratt 3-1 to reach the finals at 132. Castleberry will take on Ohio’s Tommy Wurster, who teched Indiana’s Caleb Schaefer 9-0.

126: Oklahoma’s Isaiah Jones made a Greco-Roman final for the third time in his career after a 6-4 win over 2024 Junior champion Nicolas Enzminger of North Dakota. Jones will face Nebraska’s Cruzer Dominguez, who teched Minnesota’s Titan Friederichs, a 2023 16U runner-up, 10-0 in the other semifinal.

120: It’ll be an all-Illinois final at 126 pounds as Michael Rundell and Ray Long prevailed in the semifinals. Rundell teched South Dakota’s Brandon Oehme 8-0, while Long topped 16U All-American Tyler Verceles of Maryland 8-1.

113: Oklahoma’s Cason Craft reached the Junior finals for the second time in his career with an 11-2 win over Ohio’s Blackburn Savage. Craft will take on Illlinois’ Niko Odiotti, who was third last year at 106. Odiotti teched Maryland’s Austin Hayes 15-7, but Odiotti had to rally from a 6-0 deficit in the first period to do it.

106: Iowa’s Ty Martin makes his second trip to the Fargo finals in 2026 with a 5-0 win over Georgia’s Derik Kiefer. Martin will take on Michigan’s Dakota Harmer, who beat South Carolina’s Stephano Calderon 10-6.

100: Tennessee’s Logan Raske was the first Junior wrestler to punch through to the finals. Raske teched Kentucky’s Jackson Taylor 8-0 to give Tennessee its first Junior Greco finalist since 2024. Raske will face Illinois’ Symon Woods, last year’s fifth-placer at 100 pounds. Woods decisioned Wisconsin’s Eli Roth 9-4.

QUARTERFINAL NOTES

285: Three past Iowa All-Americans pushed into the semifinals at 285 where Joe Constable, Ashton Honnold, and JT Kelso were all victorious over returning placers. Honnold beat two-time All-American Preston Krueger of Wisconsin 5-2. The other semifinalist is California’s Matthew Cooley, who teched past 16U All-American Leland Day of Colorado 10-2.

215: Illinois’ Jaxon Penovich and Kansas’ Cooper Reves got past previous Fargo placers to advance to the semifinals, while returning placers Ladd Holman of Utah and Gage Ponton of Idaho also were victorious. Reves pinned Missouri’s Carter Brown while Penovich teched California’s Carter Vannest.

190: Florida’s Kyle Gallo, Iowa’s Waylon Cressell and Utah’s Shepard Stephens all advanced to the semifinals by beating past All-Americans in bouts where both wrestlers were previous podium finishers. Galllo edged Nebraska’s JT Smith 5-4, Cressell beat fellow Iowan Andy Franke 9-0, and Stephens teched Idaho’s Blaise Turner. Maryland All-American Victor Marks-Jenkins also advanced.

175: Returning champion Ivan Ivanov of Idaho and 2024 16U runner-up Lucas Boe of Florida continued their winning ways. Ivanov pinned Minnesota’s Grady Weinbrenner and Boe teched Illinois’ Ty’Quauvion Smart 8-0.

165: Tre Haines of Washington continued his strong tournament, beating 2024 16U All-American Drake Morrison of Idaho in the quarterfinals 7-0. In an all-Kansas matchup between past placers, Thunder Page edged Emerson Tjaden 4-3. All-Americans Cael Gilmore (Ohio) and Jared Remington (Texas) also advanced.

157: Four All-Americans reached the semis with returning champion Wyatt Medlin of Illinois leading the charge with a 9-0 win over All-American Parker Casey of Iowa. Alaska’s Jacob Morris teched Kansas’ Donald Jackson 8-0 in another bout between returning placers. Texas’ Daniel Acosta pinned California’s Jayden Dela Rosa in 4:42, and California’s Gregory Torosian, last year’s 16U champion, teched Minnesota’s Kaleb Mead.

150: Alaska’s Hayden Reuter beat Colorado’s Austin Collins in a matchup between past 16U Finalists. Reuter was second last year at 144, while Collins was the 2024 champion at 132. Oklahoma’s Legend Ellis beat Colorado’s David Burchett 3-3 on criteria. Ellis was third at 16U in 2024, while Burchett was sixth in Juniors last year. Oklahoma also pushed Dimitri Kizer into the semifinals with a 9-9 criteria win over Wisconsin 16U All-American Alexander Penzkover.

144: Returning runner-up Ned Kauffman of Pennsylvania got past Maryland’s Tyler Stephens 7-5, while Minnesota All-American Liam Collins pinned Washington’s Mason DesRochers in 2:24. Indiana’s Mason Goetz upended two-time Fargo placer Anthony Delgado of Nevada 9-0, and Illinois’ Adante Washington outlasted Texas All-American Tyler Yancey 13-10.

138: In an absolutely loaded quarterfinal round, three of the four matches featured head-to-heads with past Fargo All-Americans. California’s Matthew Orbeta, a 2024 champion, beat 2025 runner-up Blake Nevils of Idaho 7-3. Last year’s 16U champion at 132, Gage Bjerga of Minnesota, teched Montana’s Christopher Grossman 9-0. Illinois’ Thomas Banas teched California’s Jack Baker 12-4. The other bout saw Michigan’s Nicholas Sorrow pin past 16U All-American Cael Humphrey of California.

132: Indiana’s Caleb Schaefer moved into the semifinals after a 5-1 win over last year’s 16U champion Robert Ruscitti of Illinois. Last year’s 16U runner-up Tommy Wurster of Ohio edged 2025 16U All-American Aidan McClure of Illinois 3-1 to advance.

126: A pair of big head-to-head highlighted the quarterfinals at 126 pounds. North Dakota’s 2024 Junior champion Nicolas Enzminger teched California’s Thiago Silva 8-0, a two-time 16U All-American. Nebraska’s Cruzer Dominguez teched two-time 16U champion Loc Webber of Ohio 8-0. Other All-Americans to advance were Oklahoma’s returning runner-up Isaiah Jones and Minnesota’s 2023 16U runner-up Titan Friederichs.

120: U17 World bronze medalist and 2024 Junior champion Michael Rundell of Illinois teched returning 120-pound Junior runner-up Joel Freiderichs of Minnesota 9-0 in the first period. Another Illinois wrestler advanced to the semifinals with a win over another All-American. Ray Long topped Utah’s Kaleb Blackner 13-3. Long was third at 113 in 16U last year, while Blackner was eighth at Junior 120 last year. Maryland’s Tyler Verceles, third in 16U last year, advanced past Idaho’s Brand’n Edstrom 9-0.

113: Oklahoma’s Cason Craft, a 2024 champion, exacted some revenge on Florida’s Koa DeLoach, as Craft teched DeLoach 8-0 in the quarterfinals. DeLoach eliminated Craft in last year’s bloodround.

106: Georgia’s Derik Kiefer teched California’s Frank Fuentes 13-5. Fuentes was third at Junior 100 last year. Iowa’s Ty Martin, a 16U champion last year, teched Utah’s Grady Swalberg 10-1. South Carolina’s Stephano Calderon reached the semifinals after topping Florida’s Parker Williams 12-3. He puts the Palmetto State back on the Junior Greco podium after they blanked last year. They set a state record with three Junior Greco All-Americans in 2024.

100: All-Americans Symon Woods of Illinois, Eldon Roth of Wisconsin, and Logan Raske of Tennessee all advanced to the semifinals. Roth topped Indiana’s Jayland Davis of Indiana in the closest match of the quarters among matches featuring an All-American.

ROUND OF 16 NOTES

215: Georgia’s Xander Dossett teched 16U All-American Joaquin Ruiz of Utah 9-0 to advance. Returning runner-up Ladd Holman of Utah rolled past Missouri’s Joseph Camelin 8-0. Missouri’s Carter Brown, a 2023 All-American at 16U, topped Kansas’ 2024 16U All-American Noah Mathis 10-2.

190: Iowa’s Andy Franke teched Ibrahim Zaky of Virginia 9-0 in a matchup of head-to-head 16U All-Americans. Minnesota’s Caden Grenier topped 2025 16U All-American Kannon Freschette of Washington 8-0.

175: Idaho’s Ivan Ivanov, last year’s 16U champion, teched Iowa’s Noah Howk-Erwin, a 2023 All-American, 10-1. 2024 16U runner-up Lucas Boe of Florida edged Wisconsin’s Spencer Madsen 3-2.

165: Washington’s Tre Haines, a two-time 16U All-American, knocked off 2025 16U champion Harrison Smith of Nevada 2-1 at 165 pounds. Idaho’s 2024 16U All-American Drake Morrison pinned Indiana’s Deacon Dressler at 2:54 to advance. Dressler was sixth at 165 in 16U last year. Texas’ Jared Remington beat Arizona’s Joseph Valenzuela Smith 12-9 in a matchup between returning Junior All-Americans.

SEMIFINAL NOTES

285: Minnesota’s Sawyer Schendel is also in contention for the 16U Triple Crown. The Minnesotan beat Michigan’s Michael Carter 8-0. Schendel will face Pennsylvania’s John Montgomery, a 10-7 win over Oklahoma’s Lucas Franklin.

215: Freestyle champion Kade Splinter of Wisconsin advanced to his second final of the tournament, teching Michigan’s Lucas Lewandowski 8-0. Splitner will face returning All-American Zachary Leftwich of Virginia, a 10-5 winner over Minnesota’s Phillip Harris.

190: California’s Mason McDonnell advanced to the finals with a medical forfeit over Washington’s Duane Leslie. McDonnell will face Pennsylvania’s Bryce Collins, who was the men’s freestyle champion a few days ago. Collins beat Illinois’ Daniel Jackson 3-1.

175: Iowa’s Tyde Nelsen, a returning All-American, teched New York’s Peter Mikedis 8-0 and will face Pennsylvania’s Layden Acevedo in the final. Acevedo beat Michigan’s Cael Tyler 7-1.

165: Arizona’s Jaiden Finger topped Wisconsin’s Michael Daledin 13-7 and Iowa’s Blest Woods beat Florida’s Terriel Cooke 6-1 to set the final at 165 pounds.

157: Returning All-American Tommy Rowlands of Ohio bested Florida’s Jake Austin 4-2 and will face Iowa’s Jaimon Mogard, who was an 8-0 winner over California’s Jack Torosian. Mogard is still in contention for the 16U Triple Crown after he won 16U in men’s freestyle.

150: Virginia’s Reza Massjouni made his second final of the tournament with an 8-0 win over Iowa’s Owin Koethe in just 33 seconds. Massjouni will take on Idaho’s Lincoln Steele, who edged Colorado’s Stetson Gabel 11-10.

144: Alaska made it THREE 16U finalists as Shane Ostermiller beat Illinois’ Devin Ehler 4-0. Ostermiller will take on another Illinois wrestler, Jeremiah Hayes, who was a 9-0 winner over Iowa’s Riley Watts.

138: Wisconsin’s Aspen Tritz pinned teammate Tyler Paulson in just under a minute to reach the finals at 138. Tritz will face Washington’s Austin Schield, who was an 11-0 winner over Colorado’s Hudson Bragg.

132: Illinois’ Obadiah Willis picked up a monster win, beating returning champion Ryder Owen of Washington 9-0. Willis will take on Maryland’s Weston Baumgartner, who pinned Utah’s Gunner Knudsen at 1:48.

126: Alaska pushed another wrestler, Trestin Houck, into the 16U finals, making it the first time the state has multiple 16U finalists in Greco in the same year. Houck beat Idaho’s Scout Scott 9-1. He’ll face Pennsylvania’s Flynn Arnested, who beat returning runner-up Zachary Donalson of Arkansas 9-0.
120: Returning champion Diego Robertty of Iowa will look to repeat after his 10-7 semifinal win over All-American Blake Mauch of Utah. Robertty will face Kansas’ Wade Stubbs, a winner by fall over Indiana’s Spenser McCammon.

113: Alaska’s Manny Novelli moved into the finals with a 6-3 win over Iowa’s Ashur Whitmer. Novelli will face All-American Evan Cies of Pennsylvania, a 9-1 winner over All-American Garrett Bjerga of Minnesota.
106: Iowa pushed Amir Newman-Winfrey into the finals at 106 pounds after a first-period fall over Illinois Cole Lemberg. Newman-Winfrey will face Utah’s Jack Holman, a 7-2 winner over Colorado’s Casen Becker.

100: Returning All-American Leonidas Murillo of Pennsylvania beat Florida’s Kenley Estevez to reach the finals at 100 pounds. Murillo will face Iowa’s Shay Lundvall, who teched Indiana’s Elias Faith 10-0.

94: Tennessee’s Chase Smith will face New Jersey’s Mason Irwin in the 94-pound final. Smith teched Colorado’s Jarek Gallegos 9-0.

88: Utah’s Caleb Heyder, a returning All-American, reached the finals with a fall in 54 seconds over Washington’s Elijah Jensen. Heyder will face Illinois’ Giovonni Nix.

QUARTERFINAL NOTES

150-285: Virginia’s Reza Massjouni (150) and Zachary Leftwich (285), Ohio’s Tommy Rowlands (157), Iowa’s Tyde Nelson (175), Washington’s Duane Leslie (190), California’s Mason McDonnell (190), and Wisconsin’s Kade Splinter (215) were all returning All-American who pushed into the semifinals.

138: Wisconsin’s Aspen Tritz pinned Connecticut’s Jaxsen Bailey in 3:21 in a matchup of past All-Americans. Tritz was seventh at 138 last year, while Bailey was fourth at 126.

132: Washington’s Ryder Owen continued to dominate, teching Pennsyvlania’s Lucas Reeves 11-0.

126: Alaska’s Trestin Houck, last year’s third-place finisher at 113 pounds, teched Minnesota’s Beckett Edstrom 13-3, while returning runner-up at 113, Zachary Donalson of Arkansas, beat Illinois’ Jaden Washington 8-6.

120: Indiana’s Spenser McCammon beat Michigan’s returning All-American Dylan Phillips 7-0, while returning runner-up Blake Mauch of Utah and returning champion Diego Robertty of Iowa advanced. Robertty beat Wisconsin’s Lincoln Swick 10-6.

113: Returning All-Americans Garrett Bjerga of Minnesota and Evan Cies of Pennsylvania advanced to the semifinals. Cies pinned Florida’s Leonydes Peraza while Bjerga beat Illinois’ Isaac Showalter 5-1.

106: Illinois’ Cole Lemberg picked off returning champion Miro Parr-Coffin of Washington 9-4. Utah’s Jack Holman knocked off returning All-American Jack Thursh of Arizona 8-0. Thrush was third at 94 pounds last year.

100: Pennsylvania’s Leonidas Murillo scored a takedown with 13 seconds left to pull out a 4-4 criteria victory over Iowa’s Cyrus Millage. Millage was last year’s runner-up at 88, while Murillo was third. Iowa’s Shay Lundvall of Iowa topped returning All-American Gavin Boller of Michigan 7-4.

88: Utah’s Caleb Heyder pinned Pennsylvania’s Logan Rang at 2:14 to advance to the semifinals. Heyder was fifth at 88 pounds last year.

ROUND OF 16 UPDATES
Returning All-American Reza Massjouni of Virginia beat North Carolina’s Jake Amiott 11-2 at 150 pounds, while Ohio’s returning All-American Tommy Rowlands teched New Jersey’s Lucas Sei 10-1 at 157 pounds to kick off the session.

ROUND OF 16 QUICK HITS
At 106 pounds, Colorado’s Casen Becker edged All-American Jantz Greenhalgh of Utah 4-3. Greenhalgh was fifth last year at 100 pounds. Pennsylvania’s Riley Crandall picked up a 2-0 Round of 16 win over returning All-American Dominic DeMarco of Illinois at 113 pounds. DeMarco was fourth last year at 94 pounds.

QUICK STICKS
Returning champion Ryder Owen of Washington won his Round of 32 bout with a fall in 16 seconds over New York’s Ryan Bozelli. Owen’s fall is the second fastest of the 16U tournament so far, with the fastest coming from Porter Daniels of Florida. Daniels had a 12-second pin in his first consolation match at 144 pounds.

LOWER WEIGHT HAMMERS MOVE ON
Two of the returning 16U finalists moved into the Round of 16 as 100-pounder Cyrus Millage of Iowa defeated Minnesota’s Grayson Schroeder 4-3 and 106-pounder Miro Parr-Coffin of Washington teched Minnesota’s Ivan Larsen. Millage won freestyle on Sunday night and was second last year. Parr-Coffin was a double champion last year at 94 pounds, but didn’t place last week in men’s freestyle.

MORE BIRTHDAYS
There’s two more wrestlers competing today with July 14 birthdays – California’s Owen Santos at 100 pounds and Minnesota’s Jayce Gruber at 120 pounds.

STILL PRETTY CHALK
We’re into the Round of 32 and we’re still pretty consistent with the returning All-Americans winning. At 106 pounds, Jack Holman of Utah teched returning All-American Parker Wingen of South Dakota in just under a minute. Wingen was sixth last year at 88 pounds.

… AND NOT SO EASY
Iowa’s Ashur Whitmer picked off returning finalist Cody Bakhsh 10-1 at 113 pounds in the first upset of the Round of 64.

EASING INTO IT
Five returning finalists were victorious in the Round of 128, with all five winning by technical fall. Runner-up Cody Bakhsh of Delaware beat Isai Sanchez of Wisconsin at 113 pounds, Utah’s Blake Mauch beat Wyoming’s Zavier Heater, and Iowa’s Diego Robertty beat Pennsylvania’s Dallas Blauser at 120 pounds, Arkansas’ Zachary Donalson beat Hawaii’s Kameo Rozet at 126, and Washington’s Ryder Owen beat West Virginia’s Jackson Brown.

CAROLINA! (SOUTH, THAT IS)
South Carolina 5A state champion Jake Strickland started off his 16U Greco-Roman tournament with a sold 7-2 win over returning All-American Xander Webber of Ohio. It was the only match where an All-American fell in the Round of 128.

ENTRIES
The 16U Greco-Roman division features 1,258 athletes from 47 states. That’s down 15 athletes from 2025.

ROUND OF 16 UPDATES (Session ended after 157)

157: Champions Wyatt Medlin of Illinois and Gregory Torosian of California continued on, while Minnesota’s Kaleb Mead pinned 2025 16U All-American Kaleb Griffin of Nebraska. The only matchup of returning All-Americans saw Kansas’ Donald Jackson beat California’s Diego Valdivienzo 9-4.

150: Returning champion Austin Collins of Colorado rolled past Washington’s Connor Crum 9-1 and 2025 16U runner-up Hayden Reuter of Alaska decisioned Wisconsin’s Tristan North 9-4. Oklahoma’s Dimitri Kizer pinned 2024 16U champion Chance Ruble of Missouri at 2:11 to push into the quarterfinals.

144: Returning runner-up Ned Kauffman of Pennsylvania advanced with an 8-0 tech over Maryland’s Connor Allison. Indiana’s Mason Goelz beat 2025 16U runner-up Mihal Necula of Georgia 8-0.

138: Both past champions in the weight advanced as California’s Matthew Orbeta beat Missouri’s Carsten Burkemper 6-4 and Minnesota’s Gabe Bjerga beat California’s Ames-Michael Hoevker 8-0. Four All-Americans fell at the weight – three in head-to-head matches. Jack Baker of California beat Ohio’s Blaze Van Gundy 8-0. Another Californian Cale Humphrey pinned Indiana’s Jensen Boyd, and Montana’s Christopher Grossman decisioned Colorado’s Deven Lopez 6-3. Michigan’s Nicholas Sorrow teched Washington’s Dayton Fitzgibbon 10-0.

132: The three past finalists at 132 pounds pushed through into the quarterfinals. Illinois Kaleb Pratt, the champion at Junior 113 last year, teched Alaska’s Quenten Halvorson and 126-pound 2024 16U champion Robert Ruscitti of Illinois teched Washington’s Jonas DesRochers 12-3. Ohio’s Tommy Wurster, last year’s 16U runner-up at 120, advanced past Utah’s Samuel Moody 9-1. Illinios’ Jamiel Castleberry upended Montana All-American Kellen Downing 7-2.

126: Two-time Fargo runner-up Isaiah Jones of Oklahoma breezed into the quarterfinals with a 10-0 tech over Oregon’s Jesse Landtroop. North Dakota’s Nicolas Enzminger, a 2024 Junior champion at 113) got a quick fall over Iowa’s Mathew Prine in 33 seconds. Two-time 16U champion Loc Webber teched returning All-American Jorge De La Rosa of Oregon, and Nebraska’s Cruzer Domingez, two-time All-American, teched another two-time All-American, Carter Wallis of Missouri, 13-5.

120: U17 World bronze medalist and 2024 Junior champion Michael Rundell advanced with a tech over Louisiana’s Landen Modica 9-0, while returning 120-pound Junior runner-up Joel Friederichs of Minnesota teched Colorado’s Alejandro Perez 14-5. South Dakota’s Brendon Oehme pinned two-time All-American Lazarus McEwen of Washington to advance, while Illinois’ Ray Long teched Texas’ Shawn Coffel 9-0 in a matchup of past All-Americans.

113: The depth at 113 pounds was evident in the Round of 16 as all eight bouts featured at least one All-American, but it was a tough round for the past placers as seven returning All-Americans were beaten, two in head-to-head matchups. Returning champion Cason Craft of Oklahoma teched Iowa 2024 16U All-American Damien Yeoman 8-0, while Illinois’ Niko Odiotti teched Nebraska’s returning Junior All-American Ace Schweitzer 17-6. Two of the losses came from returning finalists. Kansas’ Tanner Rhoten knocked off returning Junior runner-up Onofre Gonzales of Colorado 8-0 and Maryland’s Austin Hayes got past returning champion Vincent DeMarco of Illinois 12-10.

106: Four past All-Americans pushed into the quarters as Iowa’s Ty Martin, Georgia’s Derik Kiefer, California’s Frank Fuentes and South Carolina’s Stephano Calderon each had technical fall victories. Michigan’s Dakota Harmer decisioned Illinois All-American Aidan Ortega.

100: Kentucky’s Jackson Taylor moved into the quarters with a quick 12-second fall over Illinois Diontae Calhoun. All-American Logan Raske of bordering Tennessee also had a quick fall, getting a 32-second pin over Kansas’ Bennett Scheier. Illinois put two into the quarters as Symon Woods topped Ben Kinney of Pennsylvania 8-0, while Rocco Valvano beat Oklahoma’s Rhoan Rambo 7-6.

QUICK NUMBERS
As the field is set for the Round of 16, Illinois has 23 wrestlers alive on the championship side, followed by California with 17 and Iowa with 15. Illinois has four wrestlers on the championship side at 100 and 132 pounds, while California has four at 138 pounds.

ALL 18 CHAMPS INTO THE ROUND OF 16
Every past returning champion in the Greco field has pushed into the Round of 16. That round did see three past finalists get beaten – Nevada’s Kayden Hanlon (mentioned below) and Louisiana’s Braylon Stewart, who fell to Wyoming’s Keegan Rager 8-4 at 165 pounds. At 175 pounds, California’s Mason Carnite beat North Dakota’s Tate Sailer 8-6.

BLOWING UP THE BRACKET AT 144
Five returning All-Americans were beaten in the Round of 32 at 144 pounds, highlighted by Washington’s Mason DesRochers’ 10-1 win over 2025 16U runner-up Kayden Hanlon of Nevada. Maryland’s Connor Allison beat 2025 Junior placer Kiernan Meink of Nebraska 12-8, while another Marylander, Tyler Stephens, beat another Nebraskan, Brody Schmitt 8-0. Schmitt was 8^th last year at 138 pounds in 16U. Indiana’s Mason Goetz pinned past 16U All-American Bryson Burton of Oklahoma and California’s Jack Bronte beat Minnesota All-American Chase Mills 9-3.

JACKS OF ALL TRADES
California’s Jack Baker beat Colorado’s Jack Simpson 8-0 at 138 pounds, one of three matches in the round at the weight with All-Americans facing off. Washington’s Dayton Fitzgibbon beat New York’s Jake Nieto 14-12 and California’s Cael Humphrey beat Florida’s Reid Yakes 5-0. Colorado did pick up quality win at the weight as Rayce Schriever pinned two-time All-American Austin Ellis of Utah.

TWO NOTABLES AT 132
Three-time All-American Kellen Downing of Montana advanced with a 12-4 technical fall over Alabama’s William Atkins, who was fifth in 2024 in 16U. Michigan’s Jamison Gregory beat Connecticut’s Chase Kastner 11-3. Kastner placed twice in the 16U division previously.

TANGLIN’
California’s Thiago Silva and Oregon’s Jorge De La Rosa advanced to the Round of 16 at 126 pounds in matches that featured returning All-Americans clashing. Silva, a two-time Fargo placer, beat Pennsylvania’s Evan Schomberg 9-0 and De La Rosa, who was sixth last year at 113 pounds in 16U, got past Iowa’s Ethan Humphrey, a 2024 16U All-American. Another notable at 126 pounds saw Washington’s Audon Clark upend returning Junior All-American Aiden Jalejel of Oklahoma 10-0.

MORE BAYOU BADDIES
Louisiana struck again with an upset, this time at 120 pounds where Landen Modica teched returning Junior All-American Joshua Enoch of Oregon 8-0. Modica will face 2024 Junior champion Michael Rundell in the Round of 16.

CHAMPION UPDATE
A load more of past champions were in action in the Round of 64. Fifteen of the 16 champions in the round advanced. California’s Matthew Orbeta snuck by Florida’s Bekim Zherka 5-5 on criteria at 138 pounds. The only past champ to fall that round was Thales Silva (mentioned below).

BIRTHDAY LICKS
Nebraska’s Maxum Rodgers is off to a 2-0 start at 165 pounds. Rodgers is one of four wrestlers in the Junior division who are celebrating birthdays today. The others are Iowa’s Trace Rial at 126 pounds, Florida’s Christopher Smith at 132 pounds, and Texas’ Damion Bodiu at 285 pounds.

BIG TEX
Texas’ Keith Remington knocked off 2025 16U runner-up Colin Rutlin of Missouri 10-5 at 157 pounds, making it four previous finalists who have been beaten in the Greco tournament’s first two hours.

EARLY SCRAPS
There were two bouts in the Round of 64 the featured returning All-Americans facing off. At 113 pounds, Pennsylvania’s Camron Smith beat Indiana’s Cameron Schofield 6-1. Smith was sixth at 106 pounds last year, while Schofield was fifth in 2024 in the 16U division. At 138 pounds, Thomas Banas of Illinois beat Oregon’s Hunter Hurl 9-2. Banas was fourth at 16U last year, while Hurl was eighth in 2024 in 16U while representing Utah.

RETURNING PLACERS BY THE NUMBERS
Of the 1,295 wrestlers in the Junior division, 151 of them are returning placewinners across both age groups. The weight with the largest number of returning placers in 138 pounds, with 19 wrestlers who have previously stood on the podium. There’s 15 returning placers at 126 pounds and 10 of the 15 weights have at least 10 wrestlers with medals. The largest weight class in terms of entries is 165 pounds, with 118 at the weight.

CARNAGE IN THE ROUND OF 64
Two past finalists were upset in the Round of 64 at 120 pounds. Maryland’s Landon Clore teched 2024 16U champion and U17 World teamer Thales Silva of California 11-2, while Colorado’s Alejandro Perez teched Illinois’ Daniel Goodwin, the Junior runner-up at 113 pounds last year. At 126 pounds, Ohio’s Derion Williams teched 2024 16U runner-up Tristan Pino of Colorado 8-0. At 132, West Virginia’s Kayden McDonald upended 2024 16U All-American Jordan Manyette 7-5.

ANOTHER ILLINOIS NOTABLE
Illinois’ Colton Huff picked up a big win at 138 pounds in the Round of 128, beating returning Junior All-American Nathan Rioux of Indiana 8-5. Rioux was third at 132 pounds last year and was coming off a third place finish at 132 pounds two days ago.

NINE-FOR-NINE, ILLINOIS HAS FOUR OF THEM
Nine past champions pushed through their first matches unscathed, including both at 132 pounds. Illinois’ Kaleb Pratt, the 2025 Junior champion at 113 pounds, teched Wyoming’s Sammy Sanchez 9-0, while last year’s 16U champion Robert Ruschitti of Illinois teched Alaska’s Camden Messmer 8-0. Another Illinois champ, Michael Rundell, got a first-period tech at 120 pounds over Maryland’s Miles Molina. Rundell was a U17 World bronze medalist last year. Wyatt Medlin, a Junior returning champion, teched New York’s John Savin Nguyen in 21 seconds to advance.

BOUNCED BY THE BAYOU
Louisiana high school state champion Scott Cascio had the biggest win of the first hour of competition, tech falling returning Junior runner-up Paliku Chang of Hawaii 11-2 at 132 pounds.

IVANOV QUITE STRONG EARLY
Returning 16U champion Ivan Ivanov of Idaho started off with a stellar 10-2 technical fall over Massachusetts’ Preston Burroughs at 175 pounds. It was the only match in the Round of 128 that featured a pair of returning All-Americans. Burroughs was fourth last year at 165 pounds in 16U.

DON’T SPEND YOUR POINTS ALL IN THE SAME PLACE
We had early fireworks at 138 pounds where North Dakota’s Grady Iverson beat returning All-American Shane Stream of Illinois 30-21 in the Round of 128. No, that is NOT a typo. Give this wild match a look here. Iverson was third in Class A in North Dakota for Bismarck’s Century High School this past season and has committed to wrestle at Division II UMary next season. Stream finished 8^th at 132 pounds last year in the 16U division.

BY THE NUMBERS
The Classic Style of Greco-Roman wrestling kicked off on the fifth day of the 2026 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals with 1,295 Junior entries from all 49 states. Only Delaware isn't entered in Juniors, but they have athletes competing at the 16U age-group.

MOCCO DOMINANT IN SEMIS
Florida’s Michael Mocco reached his first Junior final after an 11-1 win over Arizona’s Kal-El Fluckiger at 285 pounds. Mocco, a U17 World Champion in 2024, was third last year in Juniors and won 16U in 2024. He’ll face Wisconsin’s Tyson Martin, who beat teammate Cael Leisgang 10-0.

SINGER TOPS OLIVEROS, AGAIN
In a rematch of last year’s 175-pound Junior final, Pennsylvania’s Nicholas Singer teched California’s Mason Ontiveros 12-1 at 190 pounds. Singer will face Iowa’s Waylon Cressell, who teched Florida’s Kyle Gallo 13-1.

DUBE TOPS COLLINS AT 150
Jason Dube, a Pennsylvania resident who attends Ohio’s SPIRE Academy, reached the finals after knocking off Colorado’s Austin Collins 10-0 at 150 pounds. Dube, who was fourth last year, will face Minnesota’s Davis Parrow, a returning All-American. Parrow beat Michigan’s Deacon Morgan 10-0.

MILLS-KENNY PART III SET FOR 132-POUND FINALS
It’ll be the third matchup between 2025 Junior champion Antonio Mills of Georgia and 2023 U17 World Champion Paul Kenny of New Jersey in the finals at 132 pounds. Mills beat Kenny twice last year, including a wild 10-9 quarterfinal bout here in Fargo.

SANCHEZ-SCHWAB SET TO MEET AT 126
California’s Samuel Sanchez will face Iowa’s Hayden Schwab in the finals at 126 pounds after Sanches teched New Jersey’s Matthew Mulligan and Schwab beat 2025 16U runner-up Mateo Gallegos of Pennsylvania 4-4 on criteria. Schwab scored the bout’s only two-point action, a takedown 30 seconds into the bout. They pair traded stepouts the rest of the way.

KEEP ON ROLLIN’
Pennsylvania’s Brayden Wenrich reached the finals at 120 pounds after his third consecutive win over a returning All-American. In the Round of 16, Wenrich beat South Dakota 16U placer Shea Richter 10-0, he followed that with a 10-6 win over Maryland Tyler Verceles 10-6 to start Sunday’s round and then just over an hour later, beat Idaho’s Brand’n Edstrom 12-5. Wenrich was a high school state champion for the Konkrete Kids of Northampton High School in rugged District 11. He’ll take on New Jersey’s Michael Batista, a 13-9 winner over Loc Webber of Ohio.

WOODE BECOMES HAWAII’S FIRST FINALIST SINCE 2011
After beating the returning champion in the quarterfinals, Hawaii’s Analu Woode kept on trucking with a come-from-behind 19-15 win over returning Junior runner-up Cason Craft of Oklahoma at 113 pounds. Woode becomes the state’s first Junior finalist since 2011, when David Terao took second at 119 pounds. The state’s first – and only – champion came back in 2001 when Travis Lee won at 123 pounds. Woode will face California’s Thales Silva, who pinned Wisconsin’s Camden Rugg at the 3:34 mark.

SEMIFINAL START
Of the 30 semifinal bouts, 13 of them are matches with returning All-Americans hitting head-to-head.

A QUICK QUARTER RUNDOWN
With four mats of quarters on each mat and matches flying fast and furious, here’s a quick hit of notable quarter matchups as the semifinals are now being called to mats.

At 138, Minnesota’s Gage Bjerga beat Utah’s Austin Ellis 15-6 in a bout between wrestlers who finished third in the 16U divisions during their career. … Pennsylvania’s Jason Dube picked off Indiana’s Clinton Shepherd 7-6 at 150 pounds, while Colorado’s Austin Collins pinned Indiana’s Peyton Hornsby in 29 seconds. … Illinois’ Rocco Cassioppi beat U17 World silver medalist Joe Bachmann of Pennsylvania 3-1 at 165 pounds. … Florida’s Lucas Boe beat Wisconsin’s Tomm Heiser 11-0 at 175 pounds.

MILLS RALLIES PAST HERNANDEZ IN CHAMP VS. CHAMP BOUT, KENNY ADVANCES
Georgia’s Antonio Mills’ quest to repeat as a Junior champion seemed in doubt early as he fell behind 6-0 to 2025 16U champion Miklo Hernandez of Minnesota, but Mills three second-period takedowns and added an exposure to pick up the 12-8 victory. On the top side of the bracket, U17 World Champion Paul Kenny beat Illinois’ Jamiel Castleberry 8-2 to advance to the semifinals.

WORLD CHAMP SANCHEZ ROLLS, SCHWAB DOES AS WELL
Two-time U17 World Champion Samuel Sanchez of California moved into the semifinals with a 13-3 technical fall win over Minnesota’s Titan Friederichs. He’ll face Matthew Mulligan of New Jersey, who upended past 16U All-American Van Smith of Oklahoma. On the bottom side of the bracket, 2024 16U champion Hayden Schwab of Iowa teched Georgia’s Cody Clarke 16-6. Schwab will face Pennsylvania’s Matteo Gallegos, who beat Iowa’s Cale Vandermark 12-1 in a bout between previous placewinners.

BATISTA TOPS SILVA IN CHAOTIC QUARTER
In a bout that was a lesson in burst scoring, New Jersey’s Michael Batista edged California 16U champion Thiago Silva in a wild 15-13 quarterfinal. Batista was up, then Silva, then Batista went ahead for the final time after trailing 13-11, hitting a four-pointer with 45 seconds remaining to pull ahead. Batista will take on Ohio’s Loc Webber, a 11-0 winner in the quarters over California’s Aiden Garcia.

CALIFORNIA LOVE
A pair of All-Americans lost in the quarterfinals at the hands of California wrestlers at 106 pounds. Luke Loren knocked off Minnesota’s Jackson Thorn 13-10 and Frank Fuentes defeated Michigan’s Dakota Harmer 11-10. Loren and Fuentes will face each other in the top bracket semifinal later this session.

HAWAII BACK ON THE PODIUM
Hawaii’s Analu Woode, an All-American at the 16U division in 2024, became the state’s first Junior All-American since 2013 after he teched returning champion Turner Ross of Oklahoma 12-2 in just under two minutes at 113 pounds. The last time Hawaii placer in the Junior Boys division was Josh Terao at 120 pounds. Woode is just the eighth medalist in state history in the division. Woode will face another Oklahoma wrestler, returning runner-up Cason Craft, who teched Iowa’s Cruz Gannon 10-0. California’s Thales Silva beat Indiana’s Traevon Ducking 16-6 in a head-to-head bout between past All-Americans. Silva will face Wisconsin’s Camden Rugg, a returning Junior All-American. Rugg beat Kansas’ Oscar Gauna 10-6.

WALKOVERS
A pair of wrestlers advanced to the semifinals by merely weighing in at 100 pounds. Florida’s David Serrano and Iowa’s Ty Martin advances as the Alabama duo of Jonathan Hall and Jaxon Lewis did not make weight. Both Serrano and Martin are on the same side of the bracket and will now meet in the semifinals.

BACON OUT, MOGARD ADVANCES TO FACE ROWLANDS
Returning All-American Tommy Rowlands moved into the finals at 157 pounds with a 6-3 win over Florida’s Jake Austin. Rowlands will face Iowa’s Jaimon Mogard, who won via medical forfeit over returning runner-up Asher Bacon of Pennsylvania. Bacon won this morning’s quarterfinal, but withdrew from the event after securing a spot on the podium.

MAT DEMON
Virginia’s Reza Massjouni reached the 16U finals at 150 pounds, beating Arizona’s Caden Woodall 10-0. It was Massjouni’s sixth straight technical fall and he became Virginia’s first 16U finalist since Cadell Lee in 2021. He’s outscored his opponents 63-0. He was a 144-pound Class 3 state champion at Christiansburg High School. Massjouni will face Florida’s Illia Kyrianenko.

DRIVE FAST, TURN LEFT
Indiana put a pair of wrestlers reach the finals at 120 and 126 pounds. At 120, Spenser McCammon edged returning All-American Shiloh Joyce of New Jersey 4-2, while returning All-American Jeremy Carver beat Pennsylvania’s Arturo Reyes 7-2 at 126 pounds.

MORE CALIFORNIA LOVE
At 106 pounds, California’s Sebastian Gutierrez teched returning All-American Stephen Bagocius 12-2 to reach the finals. Gutierrez will face another Californian, Cameron Bartlow, who was a 13-3 winner over Colorado’s Casen Becker.

VILLAFANE TOPS RETURNING CHAMP
There will be no repeat 16U champion in 2026 as Pennsylvania’s Nelson Villafane defeated PA teammate and returning champion Leonidas Murillo 10-6 at 100 pounds. Villafane powered himself to the victory with three takedowns. He’ll face Cyrus Millage of Iowa (mentioned below).

IOWA OFF TO QUICK START IN SEMIFINALS
As the semifinals started just before noon Sunday, three of the first four bouts that finished saw wrestlers from Iowa prevail. At 88 pounds, Kai McDonald teched Washington’s Elijah Jensen 11-0, while moments later at 94 pounds, Johnathan Thompson beat Case Freeman 10-0 in an all-Iowa semifinal. Cyrus Millage followed with a 14-4 tech over Ohio’s Parker Workman at 100 pounds.

ANOTHER LARKIN, AND HE’S PRETTY GOOD
Arizona’s Kash Larkin punched his ticket to the semifinals with a 13-5 win over returning All-American Noel Verduzco of Indiana at 126 pounds. Larkin will face Ohio’s Anthony Bergeron next.

ARKANSAS BACK ON THE PODIUM
Lewis Davis picked up a 9-3 victory over Iowa’s Joseph Leick at 132 pounds to reach the semifinals, giving Arkansas its first 16U All-American since 2019 and the state’s sixth medal in the style overall. Davis will face Pennsylvania’s Alex Marchetti.

JOYCE TOPS KLICHUROV AT 120
The only other head-to-head between returning 16U All-Americans, New Jersey’s Shiloh Joyce defeated Illinois’ Erik Klichurov 13-8. Joyce was sixth last year at 100, while Klichurov was eighth at 113 pounds. Joyce advances to face Indiana’s Spenser McCammon, who defeated Wisconsin’s Mason Moody 10-0 in a minute.

MURILLO ADVANCES, FACES PA TEAMMATE IN SEMIS
Returning 16U champion Leonidas Murillo of Pennsylvania advanced to the semifinals with a 6-3 win over Iowa’s Shay Lundvall at 100 pounds. It was one of two quarterfinals on Sunday morning that featured returning All-Americans squaring off. Lundvall was seventh last year. Murillo will face PA teammate Nelson Villafane in the semifinals. Villafane teched Indiana’s Elias Faith 10-0 in 22 seconds to advance.

LOOKING AT T-ROW LEGACY
Tommy Rowlands was one of the top upperweights in the nation during his time on the mats in Fargo while representing Ohio from 1997-1999 and later the U.S. World Team. His son, also named Tommy, is off to a solid career as well. A double All-American last year, the younger Rowlands advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-3 win over California’s Gabriel Champagne at 157 pounds. To catch up with dad, has to exceed six medals in Fargo and four total championships across both styles.

ROUND OF 16 LANDMINES
Pennsylvania’s Ryder Ream advanced to the quarterfinals at 106 pounds after a 9-1 win over returning All-American Knox Ayala of Iowa. Ayala was third at 94 pounds last year. Pennsylvania was again the culprit in sending another All-American to the consolation bracket – but it was against one of their own as Lee Dreshman beat state teammate Riley Crandall 3-1 at 113 pounds. Crandall was seventh at 94 pounds last year.

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE
With apologies to Powerman 5000, the only head-to-head matchup in the Round of 16 between returning All-Americans came at 113 pounds where California’s Michael Bernabe teched Pennsylvania’s Evan Cies 14-3. Bernabe was sixth at 106 pounds last year, while Cies was 8^th.

COMING BACK STRONG
Georgia’s Javin Russo dropped a tight 9-6 second round match to Minnesota’s Garrett Bjerga and since, has reeled off four straight technical falls in the consolations at 113 pounds. Illinois’ Jaden Washington is also coming back strong, with three straight technical falls in the consolations at 126 pounds. Both Russo and Washington have five technical falls thus far in the tournament.  

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
Picking out three of the top states – Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Iowa – we were curious on how they matched up regarding their pin and tech fall totals. As of 5:37 p.m. CDT, Pennsylvania had won 203 matches in 16U, with 116 of them coming via tech fall – good for 57 percent of the wins. The Keystone State has 30 falls. Illinois had 163 wins with 82 of them via technical fall (50.3 percent). They also had 30 falls. Iowa has won 126 matches with 79 techincal falls (62.7 percent) with 17 falls. Note, this isn't intended to say THE top three states, just a general look at three OF the top three states.

RETURNING FINALISTS MOVE ON, PARR-COFFIN STAYS ALIVE
The only three returning finalists in the championship side of the 16U brackets both moved on to the Round of 16 with dominant victories. Pennsylvania's Leonidas Murillo, the lone champion still alive, advanced with a 6-2 win over New Jersey's Michael Perna. Iowa’s Johnathan Thompson, second at 88 last year, picked up a 38-second technical fall over Indiana’s Ezra Cappa at 94 pounds, while Pennsylvania’s Asher Bacon, last year’s runner-up at 157 pounds, pinned California’s Jack Torosian at 2:26. Bacon’s back at 157 this summer. The other returning champion, Miro Parr-Coffin of Washington, was upset yesterday and he stayed alive with a 6-6 criteria win at 106 pounds over Louisiana’s Paul Evans.

FIRST BLOOD
Oklahoma’s Rhoan Rambo picked up the day’s first win over a returning All-American in the 16U division with a 4-3 win over Michigan’s Dominick Sindone at 94 pounds. Sindone was 8^th at 88 pounds last year. The second All-American fell shortly afterwards, this time at 113 pounds, as Tennessee’s Jhakai Roller beat Michigan’s Brody Compau 7-4. Compau was fifth last year at 100 pounds. There were 28 returning All-Americans in the round to start Saturday’s afternoon session.

MOCCO ROLLING AT HEAVYWEIGHT, WE’VE HEARD THIS BEFORE
Florida’s Michael Mocco, a 2024 U17 World Champion and 2023 16U Fargo champion, rolled into the quarterfinals with his second fall of the tournament to go along with two technical falls. Mocco pinned Colorado’s Xander Rose in just under two minutes to advance to face Iowa’s Ashton Honnold, who upended 2025 16U runner-up Joe Constable, also of Iowa. In the only matchup of returning All-Americans in the Round of 16, Wisconsin’s Tyson Martin teched Kansas’ Noah Mathis 11-0. Washington’s Kade West beat 2026 16U champion Noah Larios of California 6-3.

KONOPKA CONN-TINUING ON
Connecticut’s Maximus Konopka moved into the quarterfinals after beating Indiana’s Ceasar Salas 13-11 at 215 pounds in a battle of past runners-up. Konopka was second in 2024 in the 16U division at 190, while Salas was second last year at 215. Konopka will face Pennsylvania’s Decker Bechtold next.

SINGER SEWS UP ANOTHER VICTORY
Returning champion Nicholas Singer of Pennsylvania moved into the quarterfinals with an 11-0 win over returning All-American Eli Leonard of Wisconsin at 190 pounds – one of three R16 matches that featured head-to-head matchups between past placers. Florida’s Kyle Gallo topped Illinois’ Jaxon Penovich 16-8 and Nebraska’s Riley Johnson beat Texas’ Cody Savage 11-0. Savage reached the 16U finals in 2024 while representing Vermont. Minnesota’s Joseph Heim picked off 2025 16U champion Mario Hutcherson of Pennsylvania 11-3.

ANOTHER 75 PERCENT AT 175
Past 16U champion Lucas Boe of Florida reached the quarters after tech falling Arizona’s Kobe Cunanan 13-2. Boe will face Wisconsin’s Tomm Heiser, who was a 15-5 winner over 2024 16U champion Brayden Koester of Iowa. A pair of past 16U runners-up, Bruno Cassioppi of Illinois and Maximus Dhabolt of Iowa, were also victorious.

(MELVIN) MILLER TIME
Returning champ Melvin Miller of Pennsylvania beat returning All-American Calvin Rathjen of Iowa 11-4 to reach the quarterfinals at 165 pounds. The four points given up by Miller were the first of his tournament as he’s outscored opponents 41-4. Miller faces Minnesota’s Grayson Eggum on Sunday. Pennsylvania’s Joe Bachmann, a U17 World silver medalist in 2024 for Puerto Rico, will take on Illinois Rocco Cassioppi on the bottom side of the bracket.

75 PERCENT AT 157
Three of the four past finalists in the Round of 16 at 157 pounds advanced to the quarterfinals with West Virginia’s Dominic Way preventing that from being four-for-four. Way beat Utah’s 2024 16U champion Noah Bull 18-12. Way will face another past champion in the quarters, 2022 16U champion Mac Crosson, who stood atop of the podium at 88 pounds. Returning champion Wyatt Medlin of Illinois teched Texas’ Daniel Acosta giving Medlin Minnesota’s Lincoln Robideau, a 2025 16U runner-up in Sunday’s quarterfinals.

INDIANA CHAMPS PUSH THROUGH AT 150
Indiana’s duo of Clinton Shepherd and Peyton Hornsby picked up dominant wins in the Round of 16 to advance to the quarterfinals. Shepherd teched Illinois’ Donovan Rosauer in just under a minute, while Hornsby teched Ohio’s Benjamin James in the first period. Hornsby won last year’s 16U title at 144, while Shepherd won in 2024 at 132 pounds and was second in Juniors last year at 144. Shepherd and Hornsby are on the same side of the bracket and could meet in the semifinals. Shepherd will face Pennsylvania’s past 16U All-American Jason Dube, while Hornsby will face Colorado’s Austin Collins, the 2026 national winner of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award.

138: HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU SAY A WEIGHT IS LOADED?
The descriptive struggle is real, but what’s more real is the Round of 16 at 138 pounds where five of the eight matches featured head-to-head matchups between past All-Americans and two past finalists fell. Utah’s Austin Ellis beat Florida’s 2024 16U champion Shamus Regan 6-6 on criteria to advance to face Minnesota’s Gage Bjerga, a 10-0 winner in 38 seconds over California’s Matthew Orbeta. Bjerga was third at 16U at 132 pounds last year. Florida’s Tyler DeKraker edged 2026 16U runner-up Landyn Shaffer of New York 5-3. DeKraker will Ohio’s Uriah Lopez in the quarterfinals. Other AA matchups in that round saw Michigan’s Nicholas Sorrow beat Tennessee’s Jaxon Lane 15-3 and Iowa’s Dawson Youngblut pin West Virginia’s Stephen Myers. Youngblut will take on Idaho’s Blake Nevils, while Sorrow will face Pennsylvania’s Tanner Guenot, who beat All-American Jensen Boyd of Indiana.

MORNIN’ KENNY
New Jersey’s Paul Kenny, a 2023 U17 World Champion, has outscored opponents 45-0 in his first four bouts, including a 11-0 win over returning Junior All-American Kaleb Pratt of Illinois. Kenny will face another Illinois wrestler, Jamiel Castleberry in the quarterfinals. Returning champion Antonio Mills of Georgia defeated Illinois’ Jason Hampton 6-2 to advance to the quarters on the bottom half of the bracket. Mills will face 2025 16U champion Miklo Hernandez of Minnesota in a champ vs. champ situation. Hernandez beat yet another Illinois wrestler, Adam Glauser, 11-0. Ohio’s Blaze Van Gundy knocked off 2024 Junior runner-up Brock Rothermel of Pennsylvania 11-8. Van Gundy will face Nathan Rioux of Indiana, who was a 2022 16U runner-up at 94 pounds.

REALLY STACKED AT 126, TOO
All eight Round of 16 bouts featured either a returning All-American or someone who won a couple world championships. Ok, the world champion is two-time U17 World Champ Samuel Sanchez of California, who beat Illinois Allen Woo 10-0 for his fourth straight technical fall. Sanchez will take on Minnesota’s Titan Friederichs. In addition to Schwab’s win (mentioned below), other head-to-head battles that determined quarterfinalists were Oklahoma’s Van Smith over New York’s Brennan Sprague and Pennsylvania’s Matteo Gallegos  beating Illinois’ Oleksandr Havrylkiv. New Jersey’s Matthew Mulligan beat 2025 16U runner-up Oliver Pulliam of Texas.

STACKED 120 POUNDS
Seven of the eight matches in the Round of 16 at 160 pounds featured returning All-Americans, including the previously mentioned wins by Batista and Thoennes. Other All-Americans to advance were Ohio’s Loc Webber, Maryland’s Tyler Verceles and Idaho’s Brand’n Edstrom. Two other All-Americans were beaten as California’s Aiden Garcia pinned Michigan All-American Layne Martin and Pennsylvania’s Brayden Wenrich teched South Dakota’s Shea Richter.

SCHWAB MOBBIN’
Iowa’s Hayden Schwab, the 2024 16U champion at 106 pounds, moved into the quarterfinals with a 13-2 tech over North Dakota’s returning Junior All-American Nicolas Enzminger at 126 pounds. He’ll face Georgia’s Cody Clarke, a 12-1 winner over Nebraska’s Cole Caniglia.

BATISTA DROPS THOENNES, TO FACE SILVA IN QUARTERS
New Jersey’s Michael Batista teched returning All-American Landon Thoennes of Minnesota 17-6 to advance to the quarterfinals at 120 pounds. Thoennes was third last year in Juniors, while Batista was seventh in 2023 in the 16U division. Batista, a wrestler at prep powerhouse Blair Academy, will face last year’s 106-pound 16U champion, Thiago Silva of California in the quarterfinals.

ROSS RALLIES FROM DOWN BIG IN ROUND OF 16
Returning Junior champion Turner Ross of Oklahoma rallied from a 10-1 first period deficit to push his way into the quarterfinals in his 14-11 win over Florida’s Koa DeLoach at 113 pounds. DeLoach, some of you may remember, was the first wrestler to represent Guam at the tournament when he competed here in 2024. Ross will face another wrestler from the Pacific, Hawaii’s Analu Woode, who continued his solid tournament with a 7-4 win over 2025 16U All-American Connor Maddox of Indiana. Also at 113 pounds, Wisconsin’s Camden Rugg advanced with a 10-0 win over Colorado’s Onofre Gonzalez, last year’s Junior runner-up at 100 pounds.  

MOVING UP, GOING DOWN
As we’ve seen already in the first two hours of the second day of the Junior division, transitioning from a past 16U placement to a Junior one isn’t a simple as it may sound. Well yes, wrestling is hard, but four past 16U finalists have fallen, including two previously mentioned. The hits kept coming as Texas’ Charlie Trujillo pinned 2025 16U runner-up Tommy Marchetti of New Jersey in the first period, while Tennessee’s Dylan Villers, last year’s 16U runner-up at 150, was teched by Iowa’s Parker Casey at 157 pounds. Also at 150 pounds, Michael Ruane of Pennsylvania beat Missouri’s Colin Rutlin, last year’s 16U champion at 150, 7-2.

GARZA TOPS ’24 CHAMPION RUNDELL
Another returning champion fell in the Round of 32 as California’s Anthony Garza beat 2024 Junior champion Michael Rundell of Illinois 9-6 at 120 pounds. Garza built an 8-0 lead and led 9-3 at the break. Garza will take on another wrestler with finals experience, 2024 16U runner-up Tyler Verceles of Maryland, who was a 15-5 winner over Florida’s Christopher Phillips.

KEYSTONE ON KEYSTONE KRIME
A pair of matches featuring All-Americans from Pennsylvania hit in the first hour of the second day. At 132 pounds, 2024 Junior runner-up and 2025 Junior third-placer Brock Rothermel beat 2025 16U All-American Jordan Manyette 7-2, while at 138 pounds, Emilio Albanese, a 16U All-American in 2023, pinned returning Junior All-American Carter Chunko with one second remaining in the bout. Albanese earned the tech in short time and Chunko conceded the position, with the referee calling for fall confirmation at 5:59.

UTAH’S ELLIS TOPS TERRANOVA, MEETS REGAN NEXT
Utah’s Austin Ellis, a two-time 16U All-American, defeated New Jersey’s 2024 16U runner-up PJ Terranova 4-0 at 138 pounds. Ellis will take on Florida’s Shamus Regan in the Round of 16. Regan got past pesky Jamison Gregory who wouldn’t go down without a fight in Regan’s 14-10 Round of 32 victory. Regan was a 2024 16U champion.

MORE HAMMERS HITTING AT 113
Iowa’s Cruz Gannon beat Virginia’s Vince von Bernewitz 11-0 at 113 pounds. Not only were the two returning All-Americans, they met in the 7^th place match in the 2024 16U division where Gannon also picked up the victory. Indiana’s Traevon Ducking teched Illinois’ Michael McNamara 11-0. Ducking was fourth last year at 106 pounds in 16U, while McNamara placed at 88 pounds in 2024 in 16U. Also at 113, returning Junior All-American Niko Odiotti of Illinois beat 16U All-American Lincoln Valdez of Colorado 14-4.

TITAN OF THE MAT
Minnesota’s Titan Friederichs is looking to return to the Fargo podium for the first time since 2022. He’s off to a good start, picking up a win over 16U All-American Braiden Lotier of Pennsylvania 12-2 in the Round of 32 at 126 pounds.

NOT THE BIG ISLAND, BUT A HUGE WIN
In the first matchup of the day between returning All-Americans, Hawaii’s Analu Woode teched returning Junior champion Nathan Schuman of Pennsylvania 10-0 in the first period. Woode went up 4-0 and after they two got put back up to standing with two minutes left in the first. Woode scored again, then locked up a trapped-arm gutwrench and picked up two turns to advance to the Round of 16. Woode was a 2024 16U placer at 106 pounds. Wood is a two-time high school state champion for Nanakuli High School in Waianae.

PIN-NESOTA
Minnesota’s Beckett Edstrom is off to a 2-0 start with a pin and a tech in the first two rounds at 126 pounds. Edstrom’s second round match took a scant 10 seconds, setting the new pace time for the tournament’s fastest fall in either men’s freestyle division. Edstrom will face Indiana’s Deacon Gibbs in the Round of 32.

OHIO STRIKES, SPLITS
A pair of All-Americans were upset at 113 pounds in the Round of 64, highlighted by a win from Ohio’s Nolan DeShon in a back-and-forth 11-10 decision over Cody Bakhsh, a returning All-American from Delaware. DeShon scored the decisive takedown as time expired and added an additional point for a lost challenge. Also at 113, Florida’s Bryce Fiore teched California returning All-American Ausome Guillermo 13-2. At 106 pounds, California’s Daniel Serrano edged Ohio’s Grady Moos 9-7. Moos was 4^th at 88 pounds last year.

PALMA UPENDS RETURNING CHAMP
Ohio’s Cole Palma scored a takedown with nine second remaining to force a 2-2 tie and win on criteria to beat returning 16U champion Miro Parr-Coffin of Washington in the Round of 64 at 113 pounds. Palma’s two-point action trumped Parr-Coffin’s pair of one-pointers. Palma will take on Iowa’s Esaias Koethe in the Round of 32.

SUNSHINE START
Florida’s Noah Desmond picked up the first win over a returning All-American as he knocked off Maryland’s Damian DuChez 4-3 at. 113 pounds. DuChez was 8^th at 94 pounds in last year’s 16U division.

QUICK START, QUICK FINISH
Washington’s Colton Roberts spent just 12 seconds on the mat in his 120-pound matchup in the Round of 64. He’s setting the pace for the fastest fall in the 16U division. Roberts was third in Washington’s 3A classification for University High School.

UPPER WEIGHT UPDATE
Another 16U finalist from last season was picked off at 165 pounds as Pennsylvania’s Thomas Schechterly beat California’s Chris Anguiano 11-9, aided by two takedowns and three sets of exposure points. Schechterly will face Minnesota’s Caden Staab in the Round of 32. At 175 pounds, Florida’s Vlad Chechkovsky pinned Illinois’ Izaac Gaines at 4:17. Gaines was fourth at 157 in 16U last year.

HE IS THE BAD DRAW
In his first match of the day, Maryland’s Max Birth picked off a past All-American at 190 pounds. Birth made it two-for-two as he beat another returning All-American, Washington’s Kannon Freschette, in the Round of 64. Birth will draw a third straight All-American when he faces off with Illinois’ Jaxon Penovich in the Round of 32.

LANDMINES
A number of returning Junior All-Americans were picked off in the Round of 64. At 120, California’s Aiden Garcia beat Florida’s Liam Davis, who was third last year at 113 pounds. Another California Valdivienso was a bit more fortunate as Diego Valdivienzo beat 2024 16U champion Elijah Brown of New York 6-4 at 157 pounds. Another past champion fell at 165 pounds, where Vermont’s Colby Houle upended Illinois’ Ethan Sonne 11-3. Sonne was last year’s 16U champion at the weight. Houle, a New England Prep champion for Northfield Mount Hermon in Massachusetts, was fourth at National Preps this past season.

EARLY HEAD-TO-HEADS
The Round of 64 has already led to a number of past All-Americans clashing. At 120 pounds, 2024 Junior champion Michael Rundell of Illinois advanced with a 10-0 tech over Iowa’s Kaiden Belinsky, a two-time Junior All-American. North Dakota’s Nicolas Enzminger, a 2024 Junior All-American moved into the next round after topping Iowa’s Ethan Humphrey 12-2. Humphrey was a 2023 16U All-American. At 138, Pennsylvania’s Emilio Albanese, a 2023 16U All-American, decisioned Vincent Rosas of Kansas, a 16U All-American last year. At 157 pounds, 2025 16U runner-up Dylan Villers of Tennessee teched California’s Carlos Valdivienzo 10-0. Valdivienzo was sixth in 2024 at 138 pounds in the 16U Division.

COLORADO’S ORTEGA PICKS OFF FARNSWORTH
Two-time Colorado high school state champion JR Ortega picked up the day’s first big upset, beating Pennsylvania’s Justin Farnsworth 8-5 at 126 pounds. Farnsworth, last year’s runner-up at Junior 113, led 5-2 before Ortega scored the bout’s last six points to advance, icing the match with a takedown with 12 seconds left. Ortega advances to face 2023 16U All-American Isaiah Jones of Oklahoma in the Round of 32.

WORLD TEAMERS OFF TO TORRID START
The four past U17 World Team members hit the ground running with dominant victories to open their 2026 Fargo. California’s Samuel Sanchez, a two-time U17 World Champion, dispatched Louisiana’s Caleb Kirk 12-2 at 126 pounds, while New Jersey’s Paul Kenny, a 2023 U17 World Champion, topped Idaho’s Kai Christensen 11-0 at 132 pounds. Florida’s Michael Mocco, a 2024 U17 World Champion, beat Nebraska’s Brody Jakubowski 10-0 at 285 pounds. Pennsylvania’s Melvin Miller, a U17 fifth-place finisher in 2024, teched South Dakota’s Holden Hawkins 10-0 at 165 pounds.  

SETTING THE PACE
Alabama’s Braxton Montgomery has set the pace for the fastest fall in the first Junior session with a 17-second fall in his opening round bout at 144 pounds.

16U CHAMP CEJUDO JR. WITHDRAWS
Arizona’s Angel Cejudo Jr., last year’s 16U champion at 132 pounds, withdrew from the Junior 132-pound bracket following Thursday’s weigh-in as a precautionary measure due to lingering injuries. New York’s Peter Filli, Cejudo Jr.’s first round opponent, advanced with a forfeit.

JUNIOR ROUND 128 UPSETS
With over 1,800 athletes in the Junior Division, the returning All-Americans don’t get tested as much as the tournament opens, but that didn’t stop the upset bug from biting a number of past All-Americans. At 113 pounds, a pair of past All-Americans fell. Indiana’s Julian DeLuna pinned returning Junior All-American Bennett Wachter at 2:43, while Georgia high school state champion Joseph Austin, knocked off 2025 Junior All-American Daniel Romero of Colorado with a fall at 1:40. At 126 pounds, Oregon’s Eli Prevost teched 2024 16U All-American Brock Goebel of Nebraska 10-0. Minnesota’s Gabriel Roehl beat New Jersey’s Jordan Segal 8-4 at 132 pounds. Segal was 8^th at 100 pounds in 16U in 2024. Illinois’ Coehn Weber teched Virginia 2024 16U All-American Colten Jones 12-2 at 165 pounds, and at 190 pounds, Maryland’s Max Birth teched Missouri’s Jace Renfro 11-0. Renfro was 8^th at 165 pounds in 2023 in the 16U division.

Pennsylvania’s Justin Farnsworth, a 2024 16U 100-pound champion and last year’s Junior runner-up at 113 pounds, started off the tournament quickly with a 10-0 tech fall in 16 seconds over Ohio’s Caden Steinbreck at 126 pounds. Farnsworth is one of three past 16U champions who opened up with technical falls in the round of 256.  At 132 pounds, Minnesota’s Miklo Hernandez, a 2025 16U champion, earned a 10-0 tech over Texas’ Santiago Garcia, while Noah Bull of Utah, a 2024 16U champion, beat Texas’ Drezdyn Ballard 13-3 at 144 pounds.

A NEW RECORD, ALREADY
The total entries for the men’s freestyle divisions total 3,558 wrestlers with 1,740 entries in 16U – a drop of 26 athletes from last year- and 1,818 in Junior – a drop of 69 athletes. Before we blow the first whistle, a new benchmark was set as wrestlers from all 50 states competed at the Junior Nationals for the first time since the tournament’s launch in 1971. Every state had competed at one time or another, but this is the first with all 50 represented. The 16U division has 49 of the 50 with only Mississippi not entering wrestlers in that age group – it’s the state’s third year bringing wrestlers to Fargo as a state association.