Takedown Report

Fargo Men’s Freestyle division state highlights, with firsts, records and notable achievements

Fargo, North Dakota – We’re not sure who coined the phrase “records are meant to be broken,” but whoever it was could have been a wrestling fan or just a savant of the legendary Detroit Tigers’ Disco Demolition Night, which took place 45 years ago this week.
And not to sound like a broken record, but entry numbers in Fargo reached new positions on the charts in both age groups in men’s freestyle as the two tournaments came to a close on Wednesday. The final tally was 1,816 in the Junior division and 1,698 in 16U, which topped last year’s mark of 1,596 in Junior and 1,596 in 16U. Here are the hits from 2024.

Alabama: The lone All-American in men’s freestyle came in the form of 150-pounder Daishun Powe in the Junior division. Powe finished sixth and kept the Junior men’s freestyle All-American streak alive at three. Powe was a 6A state champion this past season at 165 pounds for Gardendale High School.

Arizona: With seven Junior men’s freestyle All-Americans, the state set a new record, surpassing its previous high mark of six set last year. Sergio Vega won the state’s 12^th championship in the division. The sixth-place finish in the team standings was also the highest in state history. Seven of the eight placewinners across both divisions were returning All-Americans – Junior 106-pounder Daniel Alire finished eighth to pick up his first Fargo medal.

California: The Golden State totaled 17 All-Americans across both age groups, finished third in Junior men’s freestyle and sixth in 16U. Both of the California champions were Juniors as Daniel Zepeda won his first Fargo title after finishing second last year and 215-pound champion Angelo Posada improved significantly from last season where he was eighth at 170 pounds. Zepeda and Moses Mendoza each won their fifth Fargo medals all-time.

Colorado: The state placed four wrestlers in men’s freestyle – two in each age group. 132-pounder Austin Collins finished seventh and earned his second Fargo medal. Collins, a 2A state champion from Wray, was a runner-up in Greco-Roman last year at 120 pounds.

Connecticut: Maximus Konopka and William Henckel both were runners-up in their respective age divisions. It was the second time in state history with two men’s freestyle finalists in the same year. Back in 2013, Zach Murillo (16U) and Angus Cowell (Junior) finished second. Konopka won a Class L state title, the Connecticut All-State championship and the New England championship this past season for Simsbury. Henckel was a National Prep champion at Blair Academy in New Jersey.

Florida: The Sunshine State picked up eight more medals across both age groups in 2024, which was two more than last year. The top placer in men’s freestyle was 132-pounder Jovani Solis, who finished fourth in 16U. Solis is already a two-time Florida 1A state champion, winning titles as a seventh and eighth grader at Somerset Academy. He went 63-0 this past season.

Georgia: Championships by Ariah Mills … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/july/19/fargo-men-s-freestyle-division-state-highlights-with-firsts-records-and-notable-achievements

July 24, 2024 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized