ILLINOIS, WITH HUGE GRECO-ROMAN FINISH, EDGES PENNSYLVANIA IN FINAL COMBINED #FARGO2023 TEAM STANDINGS
By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
After the women’s freestyle and men’s freestyle competition, Illinois trailed Pennsylvania by 151 points in the #Fargo2023 combined team standings.
Then came Greco-Roman. Illinois amassed 319 points in Greco-Roman, with 213 points in winning the 16U Greco-Roman Nationals and 106 points in placing third in the Junior Greco-Roman event. Pennsylvania scored 162 points in the two Greco-Roman tournaments, placing in a tie for 4th in 16U Greco-Roman and 10th in Junior Greco-Roman.
Illinois finished with 767 points to edge Pennsylvania by six points, which finished with 761 points in the overall team standings, featuring all six national tournaments included in the 2023 USMC Junior/16U Nationals in Fargo, N.D.
Iowa, which was fourth after the first four tournaments, had a strong Greco-Roman effort, adding 311 Greco-Roman points in the two events to jump above California to place third. Iowa finished with 696 points, with fourth-place California with 552 points.
Oklahoma had a balanced competition, scoring well in five of the six tournaments, including two excellent Greco-Roman performances, to place fifth with 470 points, just one point ahead of sixth-place Wisconsin with 469 points.
Rounding out the top 10 were No. 7 Ohio with 428 points, No. 8 Minnesota with 381 points, No. 9. Michigan with 298 points and No. 10 New Jersey with 273 points.
Ohio and Minnesota showed balance in the six tournaments, while Michigan scored a majority of its points in the women’s freestyle events and New Jeresy scored big in both of the men’s freestyle events.
Overall, Pennsylvania won the most team titles with three: 16U Women’s Freestyle Nationals, 16U Men’s Freestyle Nationals, Junior Men’s Freestyle Nationals. Illinois won two tournaments, the Junior Women’s Freestyle Nationals and the 16U Greco-Roman Nationals. Winning its first team national title ever was Idaho, which made history by capturing the Junior Greco-Roman team title. Idaho’s Junior Greco-Roman effort, helped them jump from 21st place after four events to 13th place in the final standings.
#FARGO2023 OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS
(after six of the six tournaments)
Place/State/16UW/JRW/16UFS/JRFS/16UGR/JRGR/TOTAL
1 Illinois 43 + 151 + 160 + 94 + 213 + 106 = 767
2 Pennsylvania 129 + 77 + 183 + 210 + 110 + 52 = 761
3 Iowa 64 + 54 + 156 + 111 + 191 + 120 = 696
4 California 70 + 102 + 117 + 112 + 34 + 97 = 532
5 Oklahoma 78 + 2 + 39 + 129 + 131 + 91 = 470
6 Wisconsin 56 + 61 + 66 + 159 + 50 + 77 = 469
7 Ohio 34 + 45 + 146 + 67 + 110 + 26 = 428
8 Minnesota 52 + 44 + 71 + 66 + 73 + 75 = 381
9 Michigan 95 + 86 + 50 + 5 + 47 + 15 = 298
10 New Jersey 15 + 14 + 93 + 103 + 36 + 12 = 273 … rest of story at … Teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2023/July/24/Illinois-wins-overall-Fargo-combined-team-race
Illinois Native Austin O’Connor Joins Wrestling Coaching Staff
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois wrestling head coach Mike Poeta announced Wednesday (July 26) the addition of assistant coach Austin O’Connor.
“When you think of Illinois wrestling at the youth, high school, and collegiate level one name stands out and that’s Austin O’Connor,” said Poeta. “Beyond what he brings to the mat his character, leadership and passion will help bring U of I wrestling to another level. There was an immediate jolt of excitement from the Illinois wrestlers and coaching staff with the announcement of him coming home.”
O’Connor, a Lockport, Ill. native, enters his first year of coaching after he finished his collegiate wrestling career for the University of North Carolina (UNC) in 2023. He became the second Tar Heel in school history to win multiple NCAA Championships and he’s the program’s first five-time All-America honoree.
He finished his final campaign in the 2022-23 season a perfect 23-0 at 157-pounds. In his wins he secured his third ACC Championship and was named ACC Wrestler of the Year. He’s the second wrestler in UNC history to win this honor multiple times. He was awarded the top seed at the 2023 NCAA Championships where he outscored his opponents 30-9 enroute to his second national title.
A year prior in the 2021-22 season he went 21-3 overall and passed the century mark in career wins at the Appalachian Open. This was his first year wrestling at 157-pounds; he earned All-American honors and was a runner-up at the ACC Championships.
In his last year at 149-pounds he went a perfect 13-0 for the 2020-21 season. He earned his first ACC Wrestler of the Year award and earned All-ACC honors. He won his first NCAA Championship as the two seed when he knocked off No. 1 seed Sammy Sasso of Ohio State.
O’Connor still saw success during the shortened 2019-20 season due to the COVID-19 crisis. He went 25-1 with a perfect 13-0 dual record and won his first ACC Championship at 149-pounds. The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) named him to First-Team All-American honors after the pandemic canceled the 2020 NCAA Championships.
He broke through as the starter at 149-pounds in his redshirt freshman year during the 2018-19 season. He compiled a record of 34-6 and placed third at the NCAA Championships. … rest of the story at … Fightingillini.com/news/2023/7/26/illinois-native-o-connor-joins-wrestling-coaching-staff
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS SUPPORTS USA WRESTLING AS PRESENTING SPONSOR OF 2023 JUNIOR AND 16U NATIONALS
The United States Marine Corps supports the USA Wrestling community and extends its local resources to our wrestling coaches nationwide. As presenting sponsors of this year’s Junior and 16U National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota, the Marine Corps presented awards to each of this year’s national champions in men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s freestyle.
“The United States Marine Corps was thrilled to attend the 2023 Junior and 16U National Championships,” said LtCol Rob Dolan, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, National Director of Marketing and Communication. “The young women and men battling on the mat consistently demonstrated a warrior spirit and tenacity that showcased their commitment to compete at this level. We extend our congratulations to each wrestler and coach and look forward to continuing to forge invaluable relationships with the USAW community.”
The United States Marine Corps recognizes the role of coaches, educators, mentors, and parents who inspire that fighting spirit. Whether your interest lies in helping us identify high-achieving students or inviting us to help you motivate and steer them toward success, we would like to get to know you.
The Marines invite wrestling coaches to learn more about the local Marines who are available to help their teams win battles by inspiring the fighting spirit in their athletes. Please visit RMI.Marines.com/Influencer or email community@marines.mcrc.mil.
About the United States Marine Corps Influencer Program
Become a Marine Corps Influencer.
As an educator, guidance counselor, mentor, or individual concerned with the advancement of today’s youth, you understand the importance of providing our young men and women with the knowledge they need to succeed, the discipline to apply what they have learned, and the desire to achieve more.
Just as you make every effort to help the youth of our nation succeed, the Marine Corps strives to help every Marine reach their potential. We will work together to ensure the success of our youth and ensure the security of our nation.
IOWA’S KNAACK, ROSS WIN TRIPLE CROWNS; KENTUCKY’S RANEY DOUBLES UP AGAIN; ILLINOIS WINS TEAM TITLE IN 16U GRECO-ROMAN
Fargo, North Dakota – A pair of Iowans completed their second trips of the week to the top of the podium on Saturday night at the Fargodome, while Illinois regained control of Greco-Roman at the 16U level as the 2023 USMC 16U Greco-Roman National Championships came to a close in Fargo, North Dakota.
Individually, Iowa’s Kyler Knaack and Dreshaun Ross were the stars of the week, each winning their second titles here and both adjoining them with folkstyle national titles won in April to earn them the prestigious USA Wrestling Triple Crown.
The team title was tight heading into the consolation finals and medal rounds, but Illinois’ 4-2 record in placement matches combined with Iowa’s 1-8 performance before the finals gave the champions a bit of breathing room heading into the last 17 bouts where both states combined for 13 of the 34 competitors.
When the final whistle blew, Illinois and Iowa each had three champions, but Illinois came away with its 10th 1U Greco-Roman team title with 213 points and 13 All-Americans. Iowa set a state record with 15 medalists in the style and finished second with 191 pounds.
Knaack delivered in his opportunity to win the Triple Crown, capturing a 16U Greco-Roman title after a gritty 4-3 win over Illinois’ Jimmy Mastny. Knaack built a 4-1 lead before giving up two late and holding off a late takedown attempt. Knaack’s Greco-Roman title completes the rare triple titles of men’s freestyle, which he won earlier this week, and a folkstyle title, which he won following the high school season in April.
Ross wrestled as if his goal was to spend as little time as possible on the mat in the most possible championship bracket matches. Ross outscored his opponents 50-0 en route to a resounding championship at 195 pounds, giving Iowa a second Triple Crown and giving Ross his third 16U title overall to go with men’s freestyle titles last year and earlier this week. Ross dispensed with California’s David Calkins 9-0 in 37 seconds to join Iowa legend David Kjeldgaard as the only three-time 16U champion in state history across both freestyle and Greco-Roman.
Kentucky’s Jayden Raney completed his 16U career with his second straight Greco-Roman title and his fourth title in the age group, becoming the 17th wrestler in history to double up in both 16U years. Raney teched Colorado’s Austin Collins 10-2 to win the 120-pound championship. Raney is the first wrestler to complete feat since Carson Manville did it for Pennsylvania in 2018. … rest of story at … Teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2023/July/22/16U-Greco-Roman-wrap
Delaware State Hosting Free All-Girls Wrestling Clinic
Delaware State is hosting a free all-girls clinic on August 19 with Olympians Toccara Montgomery and Randi Miller.
DOVER, Del. — Delaware State University in collaboration with the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Wrestling Initiative (HBCUW), Wrestle Like a Girl (WLAG), the Black Wrestling Association (BWA), and Division I Women’s Wrestling (D1WW), announces it will host an All Girls Wrestling Clinic next month.
Guiding this empowering clinic are Olympians, Toccara Montgomery and Randi Miller. Montgomery was the first Black woman to win a medal at the World Championships for the United States, seizing a silver in 2001 in her debut Senior World Championships appearance. She also secured another silver in 2003, competed in the 2002 World Championships, and made history as the first Black woman to wrestle for the United States in the Olympics, finishing seventh in 2004, the year women’s wrestling was introduced to the Olympic Games.
Following Montgomery’s achievements, Randi Miller, a native of Arlington, Texas, became the first Black woman and Texan to win an Olympic medal (bronze) in women’s wrestling during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She was the sole Black woman to win a medal in USA Wrestling until fellow Texan Tamyra Mensah-Stock captured gold in 2021.
Aimed at expanding opportunities for young women in wrestling, DSU Athletic Director, Alecia Shields-Gadson, shared, “Delaware State University (DSU) proudly presents the groundbreaking “All Girls Wrestling Clinic,” a transformative event that champions access and opportunity for aspiring female wrestlers. In collaboration with esteemed organizations such as HBCUW, WLAG, BWA, and D1WW, this clinic aims to empower young women with the skills, confidence, and support needed to thrive in the world of wrestling. Join us as we pave the way for a future where gender barriers crumble, and every girl’s passion for wrestling is nurtured and celebrated.”
Jahi Jones, Executive Director of HBCU Wrestling Initiative, expressed his enthusiasm about the growing interest in girls’ wrestling and the event’s potential. “Girls wrestling is the fastest-growing sport on the high school level,” Jones noted. “I am incredibly excited about the prospect of adding opportunities for women to compete at the highest level while still experiencing the rich cultural offerings that HBCUs provide to their students.”
Further emphasizing the significance of women’s wrestling, Lori Ayres, Founder D1 Women’s Wrestling shared, “The sport of wrestling builds leaders. With over 50,000 high school girls wrestling in the 2022-2023 season, there are plenty of athletes hungry for opportunities on D1 campuses. It’s a big deal that Delaware State University is opening up its doors like this and they’re smart to do it now A press release from several national wrestling organizations earlier this year stated that women’s wrestling has met the criteria to begin to move from NCAA emerging sports status to championship status. All D1 institutions would be wise to familiarize decision-makers with women’s wrestling. Bravo to Delaware State University for being curious about the sport and its potential for empowering women.”
The clinic is part of a larger vision, and it signifies an important step in creating a vibrant and inclusive wrestling community around campus. DSU, along with its partners, believes that fostering leadership through sports like wrestling contributes to holistic student development and will produce leaders who have the potential to change the trajectory of their families, community, and country for the better. … rest of story at … Flowrestling.org/articles/11156682-delaware-state-hosting-free-all-girls-wrestling-clinic
USA WRESTLING SHATTERS RECORDS WITH 7,134 TOTAL ENTRIES IN THE 2023 USMC JUNIOR/16U NATIONALS IN FARGO
By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling | July 25, 2023,
FARGO, N.D. – The combined USMC Junior and 16U Nationals, hosted in the FargoDome in Fargo, N.D., is recognized as the largest wrestling tournament in the world.
In 2023, not only did the tournament see substantial growth in overall participation, but it also saw growth in five of the six national tournaments included in the week-long competition.
USA Wrestling blitzed the overall record with 7,134 entries this year, blasting through the 7,000 athlete barrier and topping the 2022 record of 6,646 athletes by 488 athletes, a healthy increase of 7.3%.
2023 USMC Junior/16U Nationals entries by tournament
• USMC 16U Women’s Freestyle Nationals: 740
• USMC 16U Men’s Freestyle Nationals: 1,595
• USMC 16U Greco-Roman Nationals: 1,206
• USMC Junior Women’s Freestyle Nationals: 853
• USMC Junior Men’s Freestyle Nationals: 1,596
• USMC Junior Greco-Roman Nationals: 1,144
Total: 7,144 total entries
Of the five tournaments which saw growth in 2023, the 16U Women’s Freestyle Nationals had the most increase, with 222 more entries than last year, which is a whopping 42.8% increase in just one season.
Other tournaments with impressive increases were the 16U Greco-Roman Nationals with 162 more wrestlers and the 16U Men’s Freestyle Nationals, with 159 more entries. Both the Junior Men’s Freestyle Nationals (with 33 more athletes) and the Junior Greco-Roman Nationals (with 3 more athletes) saw growth as well.
The only event which saw a decrease was the Junior Women’s Freestyle Nationals, which went from 944 athletes last year to 853 wrestlers. The main change that impacted this event was the fact that for the first time, the 16U Women’s Nationals and the Junior Women’s Nationals were held at the same time. In the past, many 15- and 16-year old women athletes that were also in high school could compete in both tournaments. This year, almost all of the athletes chose to compete in one of the tournaments. In fact, only three women wrestled in both the 16U and Junior divisions. There were more individual women athletes competing in Fargo this year, even though the total in the Junior division was lower.
2023 USMC Junior/16U Nationals entries, in comparison to 2022 record event
• 16U women’s freestyle: 740 vs. 518 (+ 222 entries)
• 16U men’s freestyle: 1,595 vs. 1,436 (+159 entries)
• 16U Greco-Roman: 1,206 vs. 1,044 (+162 entries)
• Junior women’s freestyle: 853 vs. 944 (- 91 entries)
• Junior men’s freestyle: 1,596 vs. 1,563 (+33 entries)
• Junior Greco-Roman: 1,444 vs. 1,141 (+ 3 entries)
The growth this year came at the 16U level, where there were 543 more entries in the three national events than last year. … rest of story at … Teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2023/July/25/Fargo-participation-records-set
FARGO GRECO FACTS: NOTABLE STATS FROM THE 2023 USMC JUNIOR & 16U GRECO-ROMAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Jason Bryant, Special to TheMat.com | July 25, 2023
Fargo, North Dakota – Wrestling is a sport full of nuances. Few places is that more evident than with the classic style – Greco-Roman – where actions below the waist are prohibited. It can create some interesting outcomes in a sport that seems focused on the leg grabbers. That being said, here are some of the things that came out of Fargo at the 2023 USMC Junior & 16U Greco-Roman National Championships at the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University.
NOTE: This is not intended to be a list of every single state, but notable firsts, lasts, drought-ending types of occurrences and records, etc.
Alabama: Kiyan Simon and Isaiah Powe placed in Junior Greco, giving the state two All-Americans for just the second time ever. Last year, Cory Land and Jaden New placed. Powe matched Land, Sam Latona and Erwin Lavender as the state’s only Junior Greco-Roman finalists in state history.
Alaska: Elyle Francisco’s title at 120 pounds wasn’t just Alaska’s only medal in Greco-Roman, it was Alaska’s only medal in the event. Francisco did become the state’s fourth Junior Greco champion and first since Jeremy Bockert two years ago. Francisco joins Bockert, Eli Hutchison (2003) and Brad Steward (1983) as Junior Greco titlists.
Arkansas: Dane Renick’s eighth-place finish at 138 pounds in 16U was the only medal won by the state on the men’s side in either Greco-Roman or freestyle. Renick is just the state’s fourth 16U Greco All-American and just the second since the state actually formulated a high school wrestling culture and USA Wrestling state association. Renick joins Aaron Grigsby, who placed in 2013. In case you’re wondering, former Arkansas resident Leo Bogaj placed twice at 84 pounds in the late 1990s. He would later represent Oklahoma in Fargo.
California: With nine All-Americans, California finished in fourth place in Junior Greco-Roman. The Golden State has earned multiple All-Americans in Junior Greco-Roman since the very first tournament took place in 1972. The nine All-Americans was also above the 51-year average of 6.9.
Colorado: With three champions across both age groups, Colorado tied its best champion output as titles were won by Thomas Verrette in the 16U division and Junior titles were won by Otto Black and Landon Drury. It’s the second straight year with three champions and the fourth overall – all of them coming since 2015. Verrette and Black were two of the three wrestlers who won last year as well.
Connecticut: Unfortunately, the state’s only placewinner in Greco-Roman couldn’t improve upon his finish after an injury forced Chase Kastner from the tournament. Kastner edged Pennsylvania’s Eli Herring 8-7 in the 16U 94-pound quarterfinals, but an arm injury sustained as time expired caused him to injury default to sixth place. Kastner was the state’s first 16U Greco medalist since Timmy Kane finished sixth in 2015 at 126 pounds.
Florida: With his championship at 220 pounds, Florida’s Sawyer Bartelt earned his fifth career medal in Fargo, making him the 20th wrestler in state history to achieve the feat and first since Anthony Artalona and Max Wohlabaugh finished their careers with five medals. Michael Mocco improved upon last year’s finish, stepping up from silver to bronze. As the name would suggest, he was one of two children of 2008 Olympians to win Greco-Roman titles. Michael’s father Steve placed six times in Fargo and won four titles for New Jersey from 1996-2001. He was on the 2008 Olympic team in men’s freestyle. Michael Mocco is just the eighth double champion in state history and the first since Artalona did it in 16U in 2015. The Greco titles also gave Florida seven total golds for the entirety of the tournament, tying a record set in 2005. … rest of story at … Teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2023/July/25/Fargo-Greco-Facts
UNCP Athletics Announces 44th Hall Of Fame Class
PEMBROKE – Unrivaled accolades among six student-athletes, a legendary men’s basketball coach and athletics director, and an avid Braves Club supporter who represents #BraveNation on a global stage as one of the top National Football League referees, will be officially inducted into the UNC Pembroke Athletics Hall of Fame as part of Homecoming Week in late October, athletics department officials announced Thursday.
The class spans seven sports, represents the better part of 5 different decades, and has accolades such as the NFL, the Olympics, NCAA National Championships and runner-up finishes. “This is an unprecedented class in many ways. I’m so appreciative to the committee for all they do and have done to arrive at this point”, said UNCP Athletics Director Dick Christy.
Olympian and men’s cross country/track & field’s Pardon Ndhlovu, NCAA National Champion Mike Williams, NCAA National runner-up Meghan (Moore) Mitchell, NFL referee Brad Allen, Dan Kenney, who skippered the men’s basketball team to 124 victories from 1985-92 before serving as the head of the athletics department from 1998-2012, men’s golf multi-time all-American and former golf professional Jordan Walor, will join baseball players Linwood Hedgpeth and Johnny Williams (posthumous), in comprising UNCP’s 44th Athletics Hall of Fame class.
The 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. on October 27 in the University Center Annex. Ticket information will be announced at a later date.
Members of the 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame committee include Hall of Fame members David Lewis (basketball) and Melanie (Cobb) Hughes (soccer), Braves Club members Crystal Moore and Jerry Elkins, and Dr. Calvina Ellerbe, an associate professor in the Sociology and Criminal Justice Department.
Ndhlovu ran cross country and track for the Black & Gold from 2009-13, and finished 41st in the Marathon event for his native Zimbabwe at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. A 4-time all-Peach Belt Conference standout, he won the 2011 and 2012 Peach Belt Conference Men’s Cross Country Championship and was named the PBC Runner of the Year both seasons. He also competed in PBC track and field in his senior season in 2013 – the first year the conference held it as a championship sport – and was named the PBC Men’s Track Athlete of the Year, winning the 1,500- 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs. He advanced to the NCAA National Championships and was named an all-American in both the 5000- and 10000-meter runs.
A 4-time all-American and 3-time regional champion, Mike Williams logged 112 victories for the Braves from 2009-13, and captured the program’s first individual national champion when he rolled through the 165-pound tournament at the 2011-12 NCAA Championships. A 2-time NCAA Super Region I Wrestler of the Year honoree as well, he tallied 34 wins as a junior, and then added 38 more victories as a senior on the way to a third-place showing at the NCAA Championships. Williams was also named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the prestigious National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals in 2010. … rest of story at … UNCPbraves.com/news/2023/7/19/general-uncp-athletics-announces-44th-hall-of-fame-class
Mitchell is the only all-American in the 23-season history of the women’s golf program, and brought home that national honor twice across her 3-year career (2010-13) in Pembroke. She compiled a 75.8 career stroke average in 34 tournaments and 73 rounds of golf, and tallied 30 top-20 finishes for the Braves, and wrapped up her collegiate career with a then-Peach Belt Conference record nine individual event titles, including the 2013 PBC Championship. An 8-time PBC Player of the Week honoree, Mitchell raked in a trio of all-conference laurels and was named PBC Golfer of the Year following both her junior and senior (co) campaigns.
Allen, a key cog in the ongoing efforts of the department’s Braves Club, earned his bachelor’s degree in history from UNC Pembroke in 1991, and joins his father, Greg, in the distinguished UNCP Athletics fraternity
FUN FARGO FACTS: MILESTONES AND NOTABLES FROM THE 16U AND JUNIOR MEN’S FREESTYLE TOURNAMENTS
Fargo, North Dakota – Let’s geek out over some more data, shall we? Here’s a look at some of the notable nuggets, milestones and achievements from across the 30 mats at the record-setting USMC Junior & 16U Nationals in men’s freestyle at the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.
Alabama: Kyan Simon was the fourth wrestler in state history to reach the Junior men’s freestyle finals. The first was Henry Lavender in 1980 at heavyweight, while the state’s only two champions came relatively recently. The first champ was current Virginia Tech All-American Sam Latona at 106 pounds in 2017 and the second was last year, when current Northern Iowa wrestler Cory Land won at 132 pounds. Simon has moved up to 106 pounds for Greco-Roman.
Arizona: While the state just missed out on hitting the top 10 in the team standings in either age group, the state set a record for most total men’s freestyle medals with 10. Arizona placed four wrestlers in 16U, while six hit the medal stand in Juniors, including champion Kyler Larkin, who won his second all-time title. Larkin’s father Eric was an eight-time placewinner in both age groups from 1994-1998, including four titles – a 16U freestyle title, two Junior Greco-Roman titles and a Junior freestyle title.
California: Cody Merrill joined an exclusive group of Californians with his second Junior men’s freestyle title. Merrill, who won at 220 pounds after winning at 195 pounds in 2022, is only the third wrestler from the Golden State to win two Junior men’s freestyle titles. Laurence Jackson was the first, winning in 1984 and 1985 and Morgan McIntosh won titles in 2010 and 2011.
Colorado: With four All-Americans, Colorado’s medal streak hit 19 tournaments in a row at 16U. It’s also the 10th straight year the state has put multiple wrestlers on the podium. Isaiah Harrison was the runner-up at 113 pounds. He was the first finalist since Dominick Serrano won at 132 pounds in 2019.
Florida: Michael Mocco’s title at 220 pounds was Florida’s first in 16U freestyle since Nic Bouzakis claimed gold at 126 pounds in 2019. Mocco’s father Steve was a 2008 Olympian and a monster in his era in Fargo. Steve Mocco was a six-time men’s freestyle placewinner for New Jersey and won four titles. He won a 16U title in 1997 before reeling off three straight Junior freestyle titles from 1999-2001. Michael does already have something dad doesn’t – a Greco-Roman medal. Michael placed second in 2022. He’s looking to double up with big stop signs this week. …
North Carolina: With Savoy New’s eighth-place finish at 182 pounds in Junior men’s freestyle, North Carolina has placed a wrestler in the division for consecutive years for the first time since 2012-13. Last year, Jeremiah Prince place eighth at 152 pounds. … rest of story at … Teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2023/July/21/Fun-Facts-Mens-Freestyle
PENNSYLVANIA WINS USMC JUNIOR MEN’S FREESTYLE TEAM TITLE, BUT WISCONSIN SHINES IN FINALS; FOUR CHAMPS WIN SECOND TITLES
Fargo, North Dakota – Pennsylvania set a state-record with 19 All-Americans and came away with two individual champions and a ninth Junior men’s freestyle team title, but Wisconsin stole the show Wednesday night as they set their own records and tied a national record with five champions at the 2023 USMC Men’s Junior Freestyle National Championships at the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.
Four of the five Juniors looking to win second men’s freestyle titles were successful as Iowa’s Ryder Block, Illinois’ Kannon Webster, Wisconsin’s Connor Mirasola and California’s Cody Merrill were all victorious. The fifth, Idaho’s Aden Attao, was pinned in the finals by Wisconsin’s Koy Hopke.
Pennsylvania won two of their three finals — Jax Forrest at 126 pounds, Vince Bouzakis at 152 pounds. Coming into the finals, Wisconsin set a state record with six finalists. The state’s previous high was in 2002 when they put five in the finals and won three titles. Titlists Mirasola and Hopke were joined atop the podium by Haakon Peterson (106 pounds), Braeden Scoles (160) and Noah Mulvaney (170). Wisconsin’s second-place finish its best in state history as well.
The five champions ties a national record for most Junior men’s freestyle champions in a year, set by Ohio in both 1991 and 2003. Pennsylvania’s 19 placewinners was the second-most all-time. Illinois had 20 medalists in 2011 and 2018.
Block, one of two Iowa champions on the night, earned his second title in a row, dominating California’s Daniel Zepeda 10-0. Block had five techs, a fall and a decision en route to his title. He outscored his opponents 76-10 in the tournament.
Webster won his second championship in three finals trips and returned to the top of the podium after finishing second a year ago after a 7-4 win at 145 pounds over Cross Wasilewski. It was one of two champions from Illinois on the night.
Wisconsin’s first champion of the night came at 106 pounds where Peterson won his fourth all-time title in Fargo and his first Junior freestyle championship with a 6-4 win over Iowa’s Tyler Harper. Scoles climbed to the top of the podium after finishing fourth and third each of the last two years. He topped New Jersey’s William Henckel, a 2021 16U freestyle champion, 7-4. Mulvaney followed with a dominant 14-1 technical fall over Illinois’ Chris Moore.
Of the five Wisconsin champions, four were part of Ben and Max Askren’s Askren Wrestling Academy, including 195-pound gold medalist Mirasola, who won last year at 182 pounds. Mirasola was one of the most dominant wrestlers in the tournament, going 7-0 and not surrendering a single point and putting up 71 points in seven technical falls.
California’s Merrill won his second title and was the only one who was able to solve Wisconsin in the finals. Merrill beat Cole Mirasola 11-0 and was the only champion from the Golden State on the night.
Hopke put the cherry on top for Wisconsin, rallying from a 7-0 deficit to pin Idaho’s returning champion Attao in the final 30 seconds. Hopke found an opening in the second period with sweeps and ended up tying the bout at nine before he maintained control on top and picked up the fall. … rest of story at … Teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2023/July/19/Junior-FS-finals-wrap
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
Takedown Report 