Leg Grabbin' Time!

Freestyle is here and so are some of the best young prospects in America.

Every year, when the Cadet brackets come out, even fanatical followers of the sport have the knee jerk reaction of thinking, 'I've never heard of most of these guys.'

Well, that's why they're here. And that will change.

The top talent comes to make a name for themselves. And by the end of the week, superstars are born and legacies take their first steps.

Let's jump right in to it.


88lbs - Entries (32)
Last Year’s Final: Gavin Teasdale, PA tf. Zac Murillo, CT, 14-4
The Contenders:
Trey Keeley, IL - Greco Champ
Malik Heinselman, CO - Southern Plains Champ
Jaret Lane, PA - Greco AA
Patrick McKee, MN - Northern Plains Champ
Cody Phippen, KS - Southern Plains Champ (94)
Brandon Kaylor , WA - Northwest Runner-Up
Billy Simpson, OK - Southern Plains Runner-Up

The Situation: Coming off a Greco title, Keeley is probably a mild favorite to win FS. Heinselman beat Simpson to win Southern Plains. Simpson was Lane’s only loss at Cadet Duals.
I see several legitimate contenders. Along with my picks below, Heinselman and McKee are all capable are getting to the big stage. In the end, I’m going with Lane. He’s long for the weight, and I think he gets it going in par terre.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Lane, PA  2. Keeley, IL  3. Phippen, KS  4. Simpson, OK


94lbs - Entries (25)
Last Year’s Final: Kaden Gfeller, OK tf. Austin Gomez, IL, 10-0
2009 Final:
The Contenders:
Nic Aguilar, CA - Greco Champ
Ryan Chauvin, CO - Southern Plains 3rd
Dylan D’Emilio, OH - FILA AA
Rhett Golowenski, OK - FILA AA
Holden Heller, IL - FILA AA
Jason Holmes, AZ - USAW Folk Champ
Brandon Meikel, UT - Greco Runner-Up
Peter Ogunsanya, IL - FILA Runner-Up
Elijah Varona, FL
Sam Webster, MN - Northern Plains Runner-Up

The Situation: Chauvin’s only loss at Southern Plains was to Phippen, who is down at 88. Chauvin posted a win there over Golowenski.
Ogunsanya was the Runner-Up to Teasdale at FILA’s where he beat Holmes and Golowenski.
Both Greco finalists should be major players in Freestyle as well. And I don’t see anyone beating Aguilar. He was so sound and mat savvy. I’m going with him here, too.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Aguilar, CA  2. Ogunsanya, IL  3. Meikel, UT  4. D’Emilio, OH


100lbs - Entries (52)
Last Year’s Final: Danny Vega, AZ fall, Matt Schmitt, MO, 1:48
The Contenders:
Roman Bravo-Young, AZ - FILA Runner-Up
Josh Breeding, OH - 5-2 at Duals
Jakob Campbell, PA - Greco AA
Jaxon Cole, UT
Jon Gomez, NY
Brady Koontz, WI - Returning 6th
Dylan Koontz, WI
Dom Lajoie, MI - Greco Runner-Up
Brandon Lucas, OH - Greco AA
Stone Mendez, NE - Northern Plains Champ
Max Murin, PA
Matty Parker, PA - Undefeated at Duals
Marcus Povlick, IL - Greco AA
Brayden Schwalbe, MT - Returning 4th
Clayton Singh, MO
Joe Thomas, MD - Returning 8th
Alex White, IN
Tanner Yenter, KY

The Situation: Bravo-Young is turning in to a star. He won Greco on Monday and was 2nd at FILA’s in FS where his only loss was to Cade Olivas.
My ‘out-of-nowhere’ pick is Matty Parker, who has just a little FS experience, but will bust out here. He had wins over Breeding and Povlick at Duals. I think it’s him and Lajoie to get to the finals opposite RBY.
Gomez, Murin, and White were state placers in folk regular season.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Bravo-Young, AZ  2. Lajoie, MI  3. Parker, PA  4. Gomez, NY


106lbs - Entries (62)
Last Year’s Final: Jack Mueller, TX tf. Andrew Nieman, OK, 10-0
The Contenders:
Alex Crowe, MN
Kaden Gfeller, OK - Returning Champ
Jake Gliva, MN - Northern Plains Champ
Paul Konrath, IN - USAW Folk Champ
Anthony Madrigal, IL - 5-2 at Duals
Drew Mattin, OH - FILA AA
Rylee Molitor, MN - Northern Plains Runner-Up
Sidney Oliver, MO
Daniel Planta, MD - 6-2 at Duals at 113
Zach Sherman, NJ - FILA AA
Ian Timmins, NV - GR Champ
Trae Vasquez, MT
Drew West, IA - FILA AA

The Situation: There is a host of talent at 106 that appears in tiers.
Everyone knows Gfeller. He’s the big dog on the block as one of just two returning Fargo Cadet Champs. He’s the guy to beat. But I love the way Timmins wrestled earlier in the week, and Drew West is an awful tough out.
Konrath is a guy I have my eye on. He’s positioned himself to be among the elite guys at the weight with big recent wins including Timmins, Oliver, and Madrigal, who is a great up-and-comer in his own right. He had wins over Sherman and Lajoie at Duals, where his only losses were to Gfeller and Konrath.
Guys like Molitor, Prep finalist Sherman, and Oliver have all showed promise, so making noise here wouldn’t be surprising.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Gfeller, OK  2. Timmins, NV  3. West, IA  4. Konrath, IN


113lbs - Entries (90)
Last Year’s Final: Daton Fix, OK dec. Mitch McKee, MN, 12-9
The Contenders:
Ty Agaisse, NJ - 5-3 at JR Duals
Paul Bianchi, WI - Northern Plains Champ
Ed Chalifoux, TN - Returning 7th
Nevonte Deminson, CA -
Yianni Diakomihalis, NY - FloNationals Champ
Ben Freeman, MI - Returning 6th
Austin Gomez, IL - Returning Runner-Up
Will Kaldes, PA - Returning 4th
Brent Jones, OH - Returning 3rd
Andrew Merola, NJ
Ian Parker, MI - Returning 5th
Dack Punke, IL - FILA GR Champ
Bryce West, IA - FILA AA
Chase Wickman, WA - Returning 7th

The Situation: Although there’s a whole lotta talent in the bracket, the projected final is clearly a Yianni-Gomez showdown. There two resumes couldn’t be more different. Yianni has been ultra consistent, but it’s all been in folk. Gomez has a couple losses on his ledger, but a vastly superior FS docket.
As good as both are, there are real threats in their road to the big stage. There are seven other freestyle All Americans, and that doesn’t include Ty Agaisse, who will be right in the thick of things. In addition to Agaisse, consider the Michigan duo of Parker Freeman, real title contenders.
Jones beat Kaldes in the 3-4 bout last year.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Gomez, IL  2. Yianni, NY  3. Agaisse, NJ  4. Parker, MI


120lbs - Entries (98)
Last Year’s Final: Taylor LaMont, UT dec. Gabe Townsell, IL, 11-7
The Contenders:
Vitali Arajau, NY - FILA AA
JJ Figueroa, CA
Jacob Greenwood, CO
Parker Kropman, NY
Joe Lee, IN - 6-2 at Duals
Ryan Leisure, IA
Ozzy Lugo, FL
Travis Piotrowski, IL - Returning 6th
Wilson Smith, NC - GR Runner-Up
Kanen Storr, MI - 5-2 at Duals
Jon Trowbridge, KS
Requir Van der Werwe, NJ
Colton Williams, TX - GR Champ, Returning 8th

The Situation: Like Yianni, Arajau doesn’t have a whole heckuva lot of FS experience. But he had a FILA performance (4th) that proves he’s more than capable.
Lee took losses to Storr and Fix at Cadet Duals, and had a win over Piotrowski. Storr’s only losses were to Fix and O’Connor.
Pay attention to two first year Cadets in Trowbridge and Leisure. You’ll come to know them in the future.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Arajau, NY  2. Williams, TX  3. Storr, MI  4. Piotrowski, IL


126lbs - Entries (88)
Last Year’s Final: Zahid Valencia, CA tf. Hayden Hidlay, PA, 12-1
The Contenders:
John Busiello, PA
Dylan Duncan, IL
Jaden Enriquez, CA - Undefeated at Duals
Quentin Hovis, AZ - Returning 5th
AJ Jaffe, IL
Taylor LaMont, UT - Returning Champ
Alex Lloyd, MN
Andrew Merholz, IL - Returning 6th
Chad Red, IN - 6-2 at Duals
Corey Shie, OH - Returning 7th
Dresden Simon, MI - 7-1 at Duals
Josh Wyland, VA

The Situation: The returning Champ, LaMont, didn’t have a good FILA’s in FS (he DNP’d), but I expect him to rebound here. There’s a trio that should push him. Chad Red is a fabulous talent and Corey Shie has been really coming on strong. Also pay attention to Jaden Enriquez, who is going for the Cadet Triple Crown.
Red beat Shie at Cadet Duals and took loses to LaMont and Simon, who also beat Duncan there.

Willie’s Picks: 1. LaMont, UT  2. Shie, OH  3. Red, IN  4. Simon, MI


132lbs - Entries (77)
Last Year’s Final: Carter Happel, IA tf. Jon Ross, PA, 10-0
The Contenders:
Jake Allar, MN - GR Champ
Jaron Chavez, ID - GR Runner-Up
Zack Diamond, HI - Returning 8th
Parker Filius, MT - USAW Folk Runner-Up
Kameron Frame, KS
Kendall Frame, KS
Eric Hong, PA - Returning 4th
Jaron Jensen, UT
Nick Lee, IN - 2x FILA Runner-Up
Austin O’Connor, IL - GR 3rd

The Situation: Perhaps more than any other weight, you can identify a clear ‘top tier”. There are three stop-sign caliber frontrunners here. Nick Lee is a non-stop motor type who narrowly missed making the Cadet World Team the last two years. Eric Hong already seems like a savvy veteran and O’Connor is one of the best Sophomores in the country.
If there are any to upset the apple cart...watch for Allar, Chavez, and Diamond.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Hong, PA  2. Lee, IN  3. O’Connor, IL  4. Diamond, HI


138lbs - Entries (91)
Last Year’s Final: Isaiah White, IL dec. Chase Lemons, ID, 8-5
The Contenders:
Devin Bahr, WI - USAW Folk Champ
Hunter Bolen, VA
Hunter Carmona, AZ
Sammy Cokeley, KS
Jaryn Curry, OK - Southern Plains Champ
Dom Demas, OH - FILA AA
Stephan Glasgow, NJ
Ethan Karsten, MO - GR Champ
Adrian Ojeda, NV
Shayne Oster, IL - Central Region Champ
Brock Port, PA
Josiah Rider, CO

The Situation: A really odd weight here where, although there are 91 entries, most lack significant national freestyle experience.
That doesn’t mean there’s not talent; you’re about to be introduced to some of the top incoming Freshmen in the country. Jaryn Curry and Josiah Rider promise to be special and Devin Bahr and Hunter Bolen have officially ‘arrived’ already earlier in the week with their GR performances.
Ethan Karsten pretty much came out of nowhere to win the GR title. But damn, he looked good. I don’t think it’s a fluke. He’ll do well in FS too.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Demas, OH  2. Bolen, VA  3. Karsten, MO  4. Bahr, WI 



145lbs - Entries (67)
Last Year’s Final: Mason Manville, NJ tf. Austin Kraisser, MD, 10-0
The Contenders:
Brady Berge, MN - 5-1 at JR Duals
Liam Corbett, HI - 2x GR AA
Jacob Covaciu, IN - Central Regional Champ
Brendan Gill, AZ
Logan Gruszka, IL - GR Runner-Ip
Brandon Kui, NJ
Anthony Mantanona, CA - USAW Folk Champ
Lenny Merkin, NY
Quentin Milliken, PA
Matt Park, ID - GR Champ
Braeden Redlin, TX
Jon Ross, PA - Returning Runner-Up
Layne Van Anrooy, OR - USAW Folk Runner-Up
Jared Verkleeren, PA - Cadet World Team Member

The Situation: Even if I think a contender is very talented, I almost never pick them very highly if they don’t have proven credentials in that style. But I have to throw that rule out the window here. Brady Berge is just THAT good. I only know of 5 FS matches he’s ever wrestled and that was at JR Duals, emphasis on JUNIOR, where he beat a Top 5 senior in Zac Hall.
Another guy you have to look at is Jared Verkleeren, who had a good, not great, freshman season. That all changed at FILA’s where he torched the field and made the Cadet World Team. It wasn’t an anomaly. He’ll be a player here.
One youngster I really love as a prospect is Mantanona. He beat Van Anrooy in Folk finals and I think he makes an impact at this weight.
Ross was a Runner-Up to this year’s World Team Member, Carter Happel.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Berge, MN  2. Verkleeren, PA  3. Ross, PA  4. Mantanona, CA


152lbs - Entries (71)
Last Year’s Final: Nick Reenan, TX dec. Trace Carello, IL, 4-0
The Contenders:
Johnny Blankenship, MO - 8-0 at Duals
Riley Jaramillo, OR - GR Champ
Bryan McLaughlin, NJ - Northeast Regional Champ
Trey Meyer, WA
AJ Pedro, MA
Jimmy Saylor, PA
Jesse Shearer, ND
Anthony Sherry, IA - GR Runner-Up
Luke Troy, CA

The Situation: As you go up in weight at Cadets, the FS inexperience shows itself. But again, there’s lots of talent.
AJ Pedro is one of the best in the Class of 2017. Jarimillo looked legit in winning the GR title over Sherry, another premier youngster.
I’ve been really encouraged with Blankenship’s progression. One of his duals wins was over McLaughlin. And keep an eye on Luke Troy, another up-and-comer from Cali.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Pedro, MA  2. Jaramillo, OR  3. Sherry, IA  4. Blankenship, MO


160lbs - Entries (57)
Last Year’s Final: Mark Hall, CO tf. Kamal Bey, IL, 10-0
The Contenders:
Andrew Berryesa, AZ - Returning 7th
Brandon Dallavia, NJ -Returning 5th
Ricky Gonzalez, CA - 7-2 at Duals
Joe Grello, NJ
Gary Jantzer, OR - USAW Folk Runner-Up
Jacob Warner, IL - FILA AA
Owen Webster, MN - GR Champ

The Situation: Brandon Dallavia was an unknown coming in to Fargo last year. This year, he’ll go down in the archives.
The favorites to meet him in the finals are Warner, who posted a few good wins at FILA’s, Webster, the GR Champ, and Jantzer who was a Junior High legend.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Dallavia, NJ  2. Warner, IL  3. Jantzer, OR  4. Berreyesa, AZ


170lbs - Entries (56)
Last Year’s Final: Beau Breske, WI tf. Bridger Barker, AZ, 10-0
The Contenders:
Braden Best, MO
Kamal Bey, IL - Returning Runner-Up
Jared Bird, ID
Beau Breske, WI - Returning Champ
Luke Drugac, NJ
Jared Florell, MN
James Handwerk, OH - GR Runner-Up
Jack Jessen, IL
Randy Meneweather, IL
Jared Siegrist, PA - NE Region Champ

The Situation: A double Fargo Champ last year, Breske is looking to win the Triple Crown this year with Folk and GR titles already in hand. He gave up a total of 1 point in his last three Fargo tournaments.
Bey, who Breske teched in GR finals, is the odds-on favorite to reach the finals again. But there are a handful of kids that could push him, notably Handwerk and Meneweather.
Handwerk is up to 170 after reaching the GR finals at 160 where he teched Meneweather, a 2A state champ.
Jessen comes in as one of the most heralded freshmen-to-be.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Breske, WI  2. Handwek, OH  3. Bey, IL  4. Meneweather, IL


182lbs - Entries (43)
Last Year’s Final: Justan Rivera, GA fall Jack Harris, OH, 2:39
The Contenders:
Antonio Agee, VA
Zane Black, PA - NE Regional Champ
Christian Brunner, IL - Central Regional Champ
Dean Drugac, NJ
Wyatt Koelling, UT - USAW Folk RU
Isaac Luellen, KS - Southern Plains Champ
Keegan Moore, MN - Returning Runner-Up

The Situation: We could see a unique situation where we have Cadet Triple Crown winners in back-to-back weights. Breske at 70 and Moore here. Interestingly enough, it was Breske who denied Moore his FS title last year.
Koelling has really been coming on. He was a runner-up in GR to Moore, and at Folk where his only loss was to Luellen.
Watch for Christian Brunner to be a major factor. And keep an eye on youngster Black.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Moore, MN  2. Brunner, IL  3. Koelling, UT  4. Drugac, NJ


195lbs - Entries (40)
Last Year’s Final: Tyler Johnson, IL fall Sammy Colbray, OR, 1:08
The Contenders:
Jeff Allen, VA
Brian Barnes, OR - Returning 6th
Jacob Cavins, IN - USAW Folk Runner-Up
Matt Correnti, NJ - Returning 3rd
Matt Stencil, OH - GR Champ
Kobe Woods, IN - USAW Folk Champ
Wyatt Harden, MI - Central Regional Champ

The Situation: A small but solid group of contenders here. Correnti’s only loss last year came to eventual champ, Sammy Colbray.
Stencil beat Woods en route to his Greco title. Woods was Cavins’ only loss at Folk Nationals. Harden beat Cavins to win Central Regional.
Watch out for Brian Barnes, a youngster from the Northwest with a great pedigree.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Correnti, NJ  2. Stencil, OH  3. Woods, IN  4. Harden, MI


220lbs - Entries (37)
Last Year’s Final: Lance Benick, MN tf. Michael Smith, MD, 12-0
The Contenders:
David Aranda, CA
Gannon Gremmel, IA - FILA AA
Ethan Hofacker, WI - Central Regional Champ
Garyn Huntley, NY - FILA AA
Brandon Metz, ND - GR Champ
Cole Nye, PA - NE Regional Champ
Luke Ready, MI
Tommy Williams, MO - 6-1 at Cadet Duals
Brett Winters, AL

The Situation: Gremmel is the most credentialed wrestler in a rather thin pool. Metz looked good in winning his GR title and also won Northern Plains.
Huntley wrestled 125KG at FILA’s.
Watch for under the radar guys Nye and Ready.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Gremmel, IA  2. Metz, ND  3. Williams, MI   4. Nye, PA


285lbs - Entries (31)
Last Year’s Final: Jake Marnin, IA fall Tate Orndorff, WA, 3:23
The Contenders:
Brian Ditchman, IL
Thomas Helton, IL - FILA AA
Osuwaru Odigizuma, OR
Hunter Mullins, WA - Northwest Regional Champ
Andrew Piehl, MN - Northern Plains Champ
Levi Seabolt, GA - SE Regional Champ
Kevin Vough, OH - FILA Runner-Up

The Situation: Vough has developed into one of the top heavyweights in the country and a title threat in any event he enters.
Helton was 3rd at FILA’s. His only losses were to eventual champ, Marnin and to Vough in the true second bout. He also won the NE Regional.
Odigizuma was the GR Runner-Up to Vough and a big, athletic type that should also be in the mix in FS.
Mullins was undefeated at Cadet Duals down at 220. And Piehl beat nationally ranked Mike Kelly to win Northern Plains.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Vough, OH  2. Piehl, MN  3. Mullins, WA  4. Helton, IL