Takedown Report

Every State’s Most Decorated Fargo Champion

Get ready for Fargo by taking a look at every state’s all-time most accomplished wrestler at USA Wrestling’s 16U and Junior Nationals

Note: The following list was compiled by using data from The Fargo Almanac by Jason Bryant of Mat Talk Online. The almanac is the most complete record of each state’s history at the USA Wrestling Junior & 16U Nationals. The Fargo Almanac breaks down each state’s placewinners and champions by style and age group as well as lists the unique records, lists, facts and figures from the tournament since the first Junior Nationals began in 1971. The Fargo Almanac is a $40 digital publication and can be purchased at fargoalmanac.com. 

Alabama: Sam Latona — No Alabamian had won a title in Fargo until Latona claimed a 16U Greco title in 2016. Latona followed that up a year later by winning a Fargo Junior freestyle title.  

Alaska: Michaela Hutchison — The state’s only multi-time Fargo champion was a four-time Junior women’s freestyle finalist and won titles in 2006 and 2007. 

Arizona: Henry Cejudo — Before he won Olympic gold, Cejudo racked up five Fargo titles — three in Greco and two in freestyle. 

Arkansas: Leo Bogaj — Arkansas’ lone champ won a 16U Greco-Roman title at 83.5 pounds in 1998. He also earned All-America honors once more in each style. 

California: Aaron Pico and Gracie Figueroa — A pair of five-time Fargo champs. Pico won his five titles, three of which came in freestyle, during a three-year span. Figueroa swept women’s 16U and Junior titles in 2015 and 2016 and added another Junior title in 2017.  

Colorado: Malik Heinselman — Heinselman piled up four titles, including three in freestyle, over a three-year stretch beginning in 2014 as an 88-pounder. 

Connecticut: Erin Clodgo and Anthony Valles — Before she made a pair of women’s freestyle Senior World Teams, Clodgo placed four times in Fargo and won a pair of Junior titles. Valles won a pair of 16U freestyle titles in 2004 and 2005. 

Delaware: Sheldon Thomas — Thomas was a five-time All-American who never stood lower than third on the podium, highlighted by three freestyle titles and four finals appearances.  

Florida: Anthony Artalona and Shawn McCoy — Artalona was a six-time All-American, five-time finalist and four-time champ, sweeping the 16U titles in 2015 before winning Junior freestyle titles each of the next two years. McCoy doubled up on 16U titles in 1994 and 1995. 

Georgia: Sean Hage — Hage is responsible for nearly a third of Georgia’s 27 titles. He swept both styles for four consecutive years to become one of the event’s two eight-time champions. … rest of story at … Flowrestling.org/articles/11106177-every-states-most-decorated-fargo-champion

July 8, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment