There are many stats volleyed around about Fargo participation and winning state titles, or being an NCAA All American, or pick any wrestling accomplishment. What I haven't seen yet is info on Fargo as a stepping stone to make the Cadet world team.

With 28 athletes between the three styles this year, Fargo seems to create a clear path to making the world team. There were no competitors in the women's 38kg division, and Will Lewan won both styles at 69kg.

Let's start at the top. More than half already had a Fargo stop sign on their resume before making the team this year, a total of 16 athletes. The number who placed is 24, and only two have never before wrestled in the Fargodome. That would be Robert Howard of New Jersey, the 58kg men's freestyle winner in Akron, and Olivia Shore, our 46kg women's world teamer from Ohio.

It's a natural progression to place in Fargo before being at the top of a UWW Cadet podium. This year, cadet athletes in Fargo will have been born in 2001 or 2002, while those competing for the world team can be born in those years as well as 2000. So you get an extra year for Akron or Body Bar. Beyond that, those who make the world team increasingly miss Fargo.

It is unlikely, but not unprecedented, to make a world team prior to competing or placing in Fargo. It is obviously possible, as the first year of competition is the same, and Cadet trials are always before the age level national championships.

On this year's team, Gracie Figueroa, Alex Liles and Alara Boyd all won spots before wrestling in Fargo. Figueroa will be making her third appearance at a world championship, with Liles and Boyd making their second appearance. As for making a team before winning Fargo, that goes to the above three, as well as Travis Wittlake on the men's freestyle side. Wittlake was our 76kg rep last year, and then went on to win 170 pounds in Fargo.

The 2017 UWW Cadet world championships are in Athens, Greece. They will be September 4th to the 10th.

Men's Freestyle Fargo Credentials

Cole Skinner (42kg), OH
2016 Cadet 88 FS 4th

Kurt McHenry (46kg), VA
2015 Cadet 94 FS 6th

Julian Tagg (50kg), OH
2016 Cadet 100 FS 1st

Robert Howard (54kg), NJ
N/A

Jordan Decatur (58kg), OH
2015 Cadet 106 FS 1st, 2016 Cadet 120 FS 1st

Jacori Teemer (63kg), NY
2015 Cadet 120 FS 7th, 2016 Cadet 132 FS 1st

Will Lewan (69kg), IL
2015 Cadet 120 FS 3rd, 2016 Cadet 138 FS 3rd

Travis Wittlake (76kg), OR
2015 Cadet 160 FS 3rd, 2016 Cadet 170 FS 1st

Gavin Hoffman (85kg), PA
2015 Cadet 182 FS 5th, 2016 Cadet 220 FS 2nd

Greg Kerkvliet (100kg), MN
2016 Cadet 195 FS 3rd

Greco-Roman Fargo Credentials

Kase Mauger (42kg), ID
DNP

Dylan Ragusin (46kg), IL
2016 Cadet 94 GR 1st

Lucas Byrd (50kg), OH
2015 Cadet 88 GR 3rd, 2016 Cadet 100 GR 2nd

Ridge Lovett (54kg), ID
2015 Cadet 88 GR 5th, 2016 Cadet 106 GR 1st

Malik Johnson (58kg), MO
2015 Cadet 106 GR 1st

Mason Phillips (63kg), WA
2016 Cadet 132 GR 1st

Will Lewan (69kg), IL
2015 Cadet 120 GR 5th, 2016 Cadet 138 GR 1st

Jake Hendricks (76kg), PA
2015 Cadet 145 GR 5th, 2016 Cadet 160 GR 2nd

Ashton Sharp (85kg), MO
DNP

Cohlton Schultz (100kg), CO
2015 Cadet 220 GR 1st, 2016 Cadet 220 GR 3rd

Women's Freestyle Fargo Credentials

Caitlyn Walker (40kg), PA
2016 Cadet 88 WFS 1st

Emily Shilson (43kg), MN
2016 Cadet 95 WFS 1st, 2016 Junior 97 WFS 1st

Olivia Shore (46kg), OH
N/A

Vayle Baker (49kg), PA
2015 Cadet 88 WFS 1st, 2015 Junior 97 WFS 2nd

Alisha Howk (52kg), MO
2015 Cadet 108 WFS 1st, 2015 Junior 112 WFS 3rd
2016 Cadet 108 WFS 2nd, 2016 Junior 112 WFS 4th

Gracie Figueroa (56kg), CA
2015 Cadet 115 WFS 1st, 2015 Junior 117 WFS 1st
2016 Cadet 124 WFS 1st, 2016 Junior 121 WFS 1st

Alex Liles (60kg), TX
2015 Cadet 124 WFS 3rd, 2015 Junior 125 WFS 3rd
2016 Cadet 132 WFS 1st, 2016 Junior 130 WFS 1st

Alara Boyd (65kg), IN
2016 Cadet 132 WFS 1st, 2016 Junior 139 WFS 1st

Kelani Corbett (70kg), HI
2016 Cadet 154 WFS 5th, 2016 Junior 148 WFS 5th