Takedown Report

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

July 26, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment