The Junior Men's Freestyle division in Fargo is insanely deep. Nearly 100 ranked wrestlers and hundreds more just outside the rankings are poised to defend their rankings or have breakout performances. Here's a deep look at the contenders at all 15 weights this year.

100 lbs

Honorable Mention: Brady Byrd, IN; Mason Brayfield, MO; Kole Davidheiser, PA; William; Jakeway, South Carolina; Hunter Sanchez, UT; Caden Smith, VA

The lightest Junior weight may not be filled with top-20 ranked wrestlers, but there should still be plenty of action to impact the team score. If PIAA placer Kole Davidheiser can get the win, he could put some serious points on the board for Team PA. Brady Byrd of IN finished on the podium at NHSCAs where Caden Smith went 4-2. Mason Brayfield, Hunter Sanchez, and William Jakeway all went undefeated at Junior Duals and could be factors in this bracket as well.

Prediction: 1) Kole Davidheiser 2) Brady Byrd 3) Caden Smith 4) Mason Brayfield 5) Hunter Sanchez 6) William Jakeway

106 lbs - 4 In Top 20

#6 Aydan Thomas, OK

#7 Ezekiel Witt, KS

#17 Tyler Harper, IA

#19 Tyler Garvin, MD

Honorable Mention: Khel Lipumano, AZ; Saxton Scott, ID; Nathan Rioux, IN; Lawson Eller, MN; Isaac Stewart, MT; Cadyn Coyle, NE; Cole Welte, NE; Ayden Dodd, OH; Jason Goodin, OK; Haakon Peterson, WI

Aydan Thomas is riding a hot streak after Junior Duals. He went undefeated in Tulsa with victories over #7 Ezekiel Wit and #17 Tyler Harper, both of whom are threats in this bracket. Tyler Garvin won Junior 100 lbs last year. There’s plenty of depth outside of the top-20 ranked wrestlers. Haakon Peterson won 16U 94lbs last summer and Stewart, Dodd, and Rioux all finished on the podium as well. 

Prediction: 1) Aydan Thomas 2) Ezekiel Witt 3) Tyler Garvin 4) Haakon Peterson 5) Nathan Rioux 6) Cole Welte 7) Isaac Stewart 8) Lawson Eller

113 lbs - 9 In Top 20

#6 Ayden Smith, PA

#7 Aaron Seidel, PA

#9 Seth Mendoza, IL

#10 Mack Mauger, ID

#14 Jake Knight, IA

#15 Cadell Lee, VA

#17 Dru Ayala, IA

#17 Davis Motyka, PA

#20 Blake Beissel, MN

Honorable Mention: Damian Moreno, AZ; ABRAM CLINE, CA; Raekwon Shabazz, CT; Ryan Nuno, ID; Revin Dickman, IN; Connor Fiser, IA; Jace Hedeman, IA; Reid Foster, IA; Dominic Gangi, MA; Austin Grzywinski, MN; Samuel Aponte, NC; Johnny Green, OH; Colyn Limbert, OH; Nikos Filipos, PA; Carson Ota, TX; Kody Tanimoto, TX

After winning a Fargo title at 100 lbs in 2021, Seth Mendoza fell in the finals to Jayden Raney a year ago at 106 lbs. He’ll look to get back on top in perhaps his deepest Fargo weight to date. With 9 wrestlers ranked in the top 20, Mendoza will certainly have his hands full. Missouri commit Mack Mauger has taken home stop signs the last two years and will look to keep the trend going.

After winning a PIAA title this year, Ayden Smith is looking to find similar success in freestyle. His 4th place finish at U17 Trials suggests he might be ready to win this whole bracket.

Ranked wrestlers Aaron Seidel, Jake Knight, Cadell Lee, Dru Ayala, Davis Motyka, and Blake Beissel are capable of placing high or winning this weight. Even outside the top 20, this weight is loaded with accomplished wrestlers who may be ready to make noise in Fargo.

Prediction: 1) Seth Mendoza 2) Mack Mauger 3) Ayden Smith 4) Aaron Seidel 5) Jake Knight 6) Cadell Lee 7) Davis Motyka 8) Dru Ayala

120 lbs - 11 In Top 20

#1 Isaiah Cortez, CA

#3 Leo DeLuca, NJ

#4 Beric Jordan, OK

#6 Gauge Botero, PA

#7 Nathan Desmond, PA

#8 Louie Gill, PA

#11 Christopher Kiser, OK

#12 JJ Peace, South Carolina

#15 Ethan Rivera, FL

#16 Edwin Sierra, CA

#20 Jackson Blum, MI

Honorable Mention: Gabriel Ramirez, AZ; Dale O'Blia, CO; Roman Lermer, FL; Antonio Mills, GA; Musa Tamaradze, MA; Vincent Paino, NJ; Zane Donley, OK; Gage Singleton, OR; Teague Strobel, South Carolina; Carson Dupill, TN; Mason Jakob, TN; Ethan Uhorchuk, TN; Darron Provost, Wyoming

Like last year, 120 lbs has incredible depth. With 11 ranked in the top 20 and three ranked in the top four, this bracket his highly combustible. Fargo could set the table for Who’s Number One at this weight. Isaiah Cortez currently holds the top spot at the weight after beating Bassett and Botero at U17 Trials en route to a 3rd place finish. Leo DeLuca won 16U at 113 lbs in 2021 and is certainly capable of adding another stop sign to his collection this weekend. Beric Jordan sits at #4. He was an Ironman finalist last December after winning it in 2021. He’s notched victories in the last year over Botero, Desmond, and Gill, the next three highest ranked guys in the weight. Cortez, DeLuca, and Jordan have not competed against one another in recent history which makes the prospect of any of those matches even more intriguing.

Michigan commit Chris Kiser is ranked #11 at 113 lbs, but his OK State finals upset over Beric Jordan should have the field on notice. The also shouldn’t overlook Jackson Blum who’s #20 ranking doesn’t reflect his capability. He beat Botero this spring at U17s where he finished 8th.

Prediction: 1) Leo DeLuca 2) Isaiah Cortez 3) Beric Jordan 4) Gauge Botero 5) Nate Desmond 6) Jackson Blum 7) Louie Gill 8) Chris Kiser

126 lbs - 7 In Top 20

JR Freestyle 126 lbs - #4 Jax Forrest, PA

JR Freestyle 126 lbs - #11 Elijah Cortez, CA

JR Freestyle 126 lbs - #12 Sebastian Degennaro, FL

JR Freestyle 126 lbs - #13 Caio Aron, TX

JR Freestyle 126 lbs - #13 Wyatt Skebba, WI

JR Freestyle 126 lbs - #16 Adrian Meza, AZ

JR Freestyle 126 lbs - #20 Dillon Campbell, OH

Honorable Mention: Christian Davis, AZ; Billy Townson, CA; Daniel Aranda, FL; Kieron McCormack, GA; Kolter Burton, ID; Michael Olson, MN; Logan Swensen, MN; Miles Anderson, NE; Adrian DeJesus, NJ; Gage Walker, OK; Eli Kirk, OK; Dean Houser, PA; Eren Sement, PA; Mason Ziegler, PA; Layne Kleimann, UT

126 lbs is one of the deepest weights nationally, so while this bracket only has 7 guys ranked in the top 20, it has plenty of wrestlers at or above that calliber. Kolter Burton was in the Junior Freestyle finals last year (in addition to placing 5th in the 16U Division) while Michael Olson and Layne Kleiman both placed as well. The entire honorable mention list is filled with guys capable of occupying some of the top steps on this podium.

There’s plenty of top-talent as well. Jax Forrest wasn’t in Fargo a year ago. Instead, he was brining home a silver medal for Team USA at the U17 World Championships. He’s the clear favorite. CA state champ Elijah Cortez beat Forrest’s teammate Bo Bassett at U17 Trials and has the next highest ranking on this list. NHSCA champ Sebastian Degennaro and his finals opponent Caio Aron will look to make noise as will Wyatt Skebba who’s coming up from 113 lbs. Adrian Meza is plenty dangerous in this field. He beat Luke Lilledahl this spring at the Journeymen World Classic and won a tough Fargo 16U bracket in 2021. Dillon Campbell placed 8th in this weight a year ago, so he’ll look to climb higher this time.

Prediction: 1) Jax Forrest 2) Adrian Meza 3) Elijah Cortez 4) Dillon Campbell 5) Sebastian Dejennaro 6) Kolter Burton 7) Caio Aron 8) Gage Walker

132 lbs - 7 In Top 20

#2 Nasir Bailey, IL

#7 Dalton Perry, PA

#8 Kyler Larkin, AZ

#9 Zan Fugitt, MO

#10 Kale Petersen, IA

#13 Cooper Hilton, TN

#15 Matty Lopes, NJ

Sergio Vega, AZ; Noah Torres, AZ; Derek Guanajuato, AZ; Christian Herrera, CA; Bryce Luna, CA; Leo Macias, CA; Elias Navida, CA; Jacob Perez, CA; Dmitri Alarcon, CO; Jacob Myers, CO; Collin Mullins, GA; Dillon Cooper, KS; Matthew Botello, MA; Jack Nelson, MN; Giovanni Scafidi, NJ; Patrick O'Keefe, NJ; Joseph Clem, NY; Vinnie D'Alessandro, OH; Miles Velasquez, OK; Andrew Binni, PA; Tahir Parkins, PA; Michael Turi, PA; Jarvis Little, TN; Kyison Garcia, UT; Noah Nininger, VA; Mitchell Neiner, WA; Carter Freeman, WI

This weight is bolstered by three recent grads who are looking for one last title before heading to their respecrive colleges. Little Rock commit Nasir Bailey looks to follow in 2022 grad Kyle Dutton’s shoes by winning a stop sign before he heads to ArKS while Zan Fugitt and Kale Petersen want to do the same before starting classes at WI and IA respectively. While Bailey has competed at 61kg this spring, he normally wrestles high school events at 138 lbs, so his presence at this weight suggests Coach Erisman and company see him as a 133-pounder at the next level.

2025 Penn State commit Dalton Perry beat Kyler Larkin this spring at PNL, and both Larkin and Fugitt beat Petersen at the U20 Trials. Don’t count Petersen out in this bracket though, he knocked off Nasir Bailey at the U20 US Open this year. Cooper Hilton has looked strong since moving up to 132 lbs. Willing this bracket would be a massive step for the TN prep. The depth outside of the top 20 at this weight is incredible. Expect some unranked guys to make names for themselves this week.

Kale Petersen's victory over Nasir Bailey at the US Open

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Prediction: 1) Nasir Bailey 2) Dalton Perry 3) Kyler Larkin 4) Zan Fugitt 5) Kale Petersen 6) Cooper Hilton 7) Matty Lopes 8) Jack Nelson

138 lbs - 7 In Top 20

#6 Omar Ayoub, OH

#10 Daniel Zepeda, CA

#15 Landon Robideau, MN

#18 Will Baysingar, IL

#19 Carlos Stanton, AZ

#19 Hunter Hollingsworth, OK

#20 Paul Kelly, CA

Adyn Bostick, AZ; Giosue Hickman, AZ; Gavin Bauder, CA; Moses Mirabal, CA; Elvis Solis, FL; Colin Kacena, FL; Drew Gorman, GA; Tanner Frothinger, ID; Peyton Cox, IL; Joey Buttler, IN; Kyrel Leavell, IN; Kane Naaktgeboren, IA; Tyson Sherlock, MD; Tyson Charmoli, MN; Carter Schmidt, MT; John Alden, NE; Donny Almeyda, NJ; Jake Zaltsman, NJ; Jackson Young, NJ; Amir Avazov, NY; Jordan Joslyn, NY; Kade Brown, OH; Mason Kernan, PA; Gaven Suica, PA; Luke Martin, South Carolina; Garrett McChesney, TX; Colton Theobald, UT; Anthony Lucchiani, VA; Chase Van Hoven, VA; Marcos Torrez, WA; Smokey McClure, WA; Antonio Avila, Wyoming

Omar Ayoub is the highest ranked wrestler in this field, and he already has victories over Robideau, Zepeda, and Baysingar. He’s the favorite to make the finals like his older brother did a year ago, and finish one spot higher on the podium. Since losing to Ayoub in a dissapointing Fargo performance a year ago, Daniel Zepeda won Reno and a CA state title. He’ll be looking for redemption in the dome.

Landon Robideau was in the 16U finals last year, and he’s about as savvy a freestyler as there is in this tournament regardless of weight. He’s fallen to Ayoub in the past, but he’s tough to score on and has 4-point potential, so don’t count him out. Baysingar, Stanton, Hollingsworth, and Kelly are also all ranked, but even beyond that group, there’s some serious heat at 138 lbs.

Fargo will mark the return of Drew Gorman. The GA product finished 3rd at 126 lbs a year ago. He can go with anyone in this weight. Tyson Charmoli, Elvis Solis, and Giousue Hickman all placed a year ago at 16U and should have an immediate-impact up at Juniors.

Prediction: 1) Omar Ayoub 2) Landon Robideau 3) Daniel Zepeda 4) Carlos Stanton 5) Drew Gorman 6) Paul Kelly 7) Will Baysingar 8) Hunter Hollingsworth

*UPDATE: After this preview was published, we learned that Ryder Block had decided to move from 145 lbs to 138 lbs. He won this bracket a year ago and will be the prohibitive favorite to repeat.

145 lbs - 5 In Top 20

#2 Kannon Webster, IL

#6 Ryder Block, IA

#13 Pierson Manville, PA

#14 Gabriel Bouyssou, Rhode Island

#17 Jaxon Joy, OH

Honorable Mention: Daishun Powe, AL; Gabriel Gallardo, AZ; Hercules Windrath, CA; Garrett Reece, CO; Anderson Heap, FL; Tyler Guerra, IL; Bas Diaz, IA; McKinley Robbins, IA; Cash Raymond, MN; Alex Braun, MN; Gavin Linsman, MO; Avery Allen, MT; August Hibler, NJ; Cross Wasilewski, NJ; Caden Bellis, NY; Casper Stewart, NY; Brodie Dominique, OH; Layton Schneider, OK; KJ Evans, OK; Jackson Butler, PA; Griffin Walizer, PA; Brock Weiss, PA; Elias Long, PA; Moses Kayden Gross, SD; Ayson Rice, SD; Tyler Hood, VA

This weight has a clear top two wrestlers in Illinois commit Kannon Webster and Iowa commit Ryder Block. Both were in the freestyle finals a year ago, and both competed at Who’s Number One. In June, they met at Junior Duals. Webster won a calculated 2-1 match. It would be great to see more points fly in a potential rematch.

Kannon Webster vs Ryder Block at Junior Duals

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Pierson Manville is the top contender to break up that rematch. The recent ASU commit has been competing well on the national level for years, and he’s found more consistent victories this year than in years past. A year ago, he and Block had a fun, physical battle.

Don’t count out Cornell commits Gabriel Bouyssou and Jaxon Joy who both have massive wins under their belts. Outside the top 20, this weight contains 7 Fargo placers from a year ago (Dominique, Bellis, Gross, Reece, Stewart, Schneider, and Braun), and KJ Evans who made the finals in 2021.

Prediction: 1) Kannon Webster 2) Ryder Block 3) Pierson Manville 4) Gabriel Bouyssou 5) Jaxon Joy 6) KJ Evans 7) Brodie Dominique 8) August Hibler

*UPDATE: After this preview was published, we learned that Ryder Block would be competing at 138 lbs instead of 145 lbs.

152 lbs - 10 In Top 20

#6 Vince Bouzakis, PA

#7 Zach Hanson, MN

#9 Brock Herman, OH

#9 Collin Gaj, PA

#10 Claudio Torres, FL

#11 Laird Root, CA

#14 Kody Routledge, OK

#15 Ethan Parco, CA

#15 Zane Licht, WI

#16 Grigor Cholakyan, CA

Seth Larson, GA; Jadon Skellenger, ID; David Mayora, IL; Jaydon Robinson, IL; Paul Ognissanti, MD; Braxton Strick, MO; Gabriel Delgado, NV; Logan Rozynski, NJ; Jesse Vanorden, NY; Waylon Cressell, ND; Ty Wilson, OH; Kael Voinovich, OK; Anthony Evanitsky, PA; Chase Hontz, PA; Devon Magro, PA; Logan Fowler, TN; Brandon Ploehn, UT; Moses Espinoza-Owens, UT; Mitchell Faglioni, VA

152 lbs has no shortage of title contenders Kody Routledge won a stop sign last year, and Vince Bouzakis, Zach Hanson, Collin Gaj, and Grigor Cholakyan all finished in the top 3. Brock Herman was top 3 in 2021 when Zach Hanson won his title.

A golden ticket for Who’s Number One could be in play at this weight, but ranked 2023 grads Hanson, Herman, and Licht don’t care about the younger guys’ WNO aspirations.

Stanford fans should pay special attention to this bracket as 2023 commit Zach Hanson could win it along with 2024 commits Ethan Parco and Grigor Cholakyan.

If you’re looking for unranked wrestlers who could do damage, start with freestyle and greco specialist Jadon Skellenger who just might take home the top spot. Jaydon Robinson has finished in the top 4 here as well and could do it again.

Prediction: 1) Zach Hanson 2) Collin Gaj 3) Vince Bouzakis 4) Brock Herman 5) Laird Root 6) Claudio Torres 7) Jadon Skellenger 8) Kody Routledge

160 lbs - 6 In Top 20

#2 William Henckel, NJ

#4 Braeden Scoles, WI

#6 Charlie Millard, WI

#7 Ethan Birden, OH

#13 Nick Kunstek, PA

#16 Collin Guffey, CA

Isaias Jimenez, AZ; Israel Ibarra, AZ; Gavin Fernandez, CA; Kendrick Hodge, FL; Cade Parent, GA; Konlin Weaver, GA; Grant Kress, IA; Brent Slade, IA; Benjamin Smith, MD; Brent Nicolosi, MA; Philip Lamka, MI; Colton Bornholdt, MN; Noah Torgerson, MN; Griffin Lundeen, MN; Merrik Murray, MO; Israel Moreno, MT; Nicholas Campagna, NJ; Max Nevlin, NJ; Ousmane Duncanson, NY; Frank Volpe, NY; Christopher Crawford, NY; Ishmael Guerrero, OK; Jude Randall, OK; Jake Dailey, PA; Nathan Rickards, PA; Luca Felix, PA; Reed Fullmer, PA; Macon Ayers, VA; Thor Michaelson, WA; Tristan Steldt, WI; Brett Back, WI

William Henckel earned his #2 ranking by finishing second in the mini-tournament at the U20 World Team Trials and notching a victory over Joe Sealey. Henckel was also a Fargo champ in 2021. Braeden Scoles, Charlie Millard, and Ethan Birden are also top ten-ranked competitors. Scoles has been top four in Fargo the last two years and Millard was on the podium a year ago. Kunstek and Guffey round out the ranked wrestlers.

Chris Crawford, Israel Ibarra, and Luca Felix aren’t currently ranked but all placed in Fargo a year ago, and Brett Back, Isaias Jimenez, and Griffin Lundeen placed two years ago.

Prediction: 1) William Henckel 2) Braeden Scoles 3) Charlie Millard 4) Ethan Birden 5) Nick Kunstek 6) Collin Guffey 7) Christopher Crawford 8) Brett Back

170 lbs - 6 In Top 20

#13 Noah Mulvaney, WI

#15 Gage Wright, West VA

#17 Jasiah Queen, NJ

#18 Adam Waters, PA

#19 Holden Garcia, PA

#20 Dominic Bambinelli, GA

Oliver Howard, AL; Jake Honey, CA; Erik McCown, CA; Angelo Posada, CA; David Alonso, CA; Elijah Penton, FL; Omer Barak, FL; Tyler Secoy, GA; Hudson Rogers, ID; Colin Kelly, IL; Chris Moore, IL; Anthony Rinehart, IN; Danny Diaz, IA; Nicholas Fox, IA; Derek Johnson, KS; Rafael Knapp, MA; Jed Wester, MN; Bryce Burkett, MN; Jacob Zearfoss, NJ; Jordan Chapman, NJ; Ryan Burton, NJ; Xavier Giles, NY; Gage LaPlante, NY; Tyrel Miller, OH; Talon McCollom, OK; Bodie Morgan, PA; Dominic Sumpolec, PA; Will Harmon, UT; Lars Michaelson, WA

170 lbs is probably the most wide open bracket of the division. 2023 grads Noah Mulvaney, Holden Garcia, and Jasiah Queen will take a crack at a stop sign before heading to Bucknell, Princeton, and Drexel respectively. They’re joined by three more ranked wrestlers including freshman PIAA champ Adam Waters, Beast of the East champ Gage Wright, and NHSCA finalist Dominic Bambinelli.

Unranked Bryce Burkett was a Fargo freestyle finalist a year ago, and Hudson Rogers, Tyrell Miller, Jordan Chapman, Ryan Burton, and Jed Wester all also finished on the podium. Talon McCollom, Nicholas Fox, Tyler Secoy, Lars Michaelson, and Jed Wester all placed in 2021.

Prediction: 1) Noah Mulvaney 2) Adam Waters 3) Gage Wright 4) Holden Garcia 5) Jasiah Queen 6) Dominic Bambinelli 7) Bryce Burkett 8) Jordan Chapman

182 lbs - 9 In Top 20

#3 Tate Naaktgeboren, IA

#5 Jarrel Miller, OH

#8 Cole Han-Lindemyer, MN

#9 George Rhodes, NJ

#10 Justin Rademacher, OR

#14 Wyatt Ingham, WI

#15 Orlando Cruz, IN

#16 De'Alcapon Veazy, IN

#17 Hoke Poe, GA

William Conlon, AL; Diego Costa, CA; Thomas Sandoval, CA; Nathan Taylor, CT; Samuel Watkins, KS; Peter Snyder, MD; Marcell Booth, MN; Peyton Westpfahl, MO; Cade Ziola, NE; Gavin Blondeaux, NV; Braidon Woodward, NY; Gregory Merriman, NC; Hunter Hutcheson, OH; Jackson Angelo, PA; Braedon Welsh, PA; Henry Baronowski, PA; Silas Dailey, WI

Future Cyclone Tate Naaktgeboren is the favorite to win this bracket. He finished 3rd in this same weight a year ago. He’s joined by fellow 2023 grads #9 George Rhodes, #10 Justin Rademacher, and #15 Orlando Cruz.

Rising junior Jarrel Miller won the 16U division here a year ago, and his performance at Junior Duals this summer suggests he’s ready to contend here as well. De’Alcapon Veazy was in the 16U finals last summer and also finished second at U17 Trials this spring. Cole Han-Lindemyer, Wyatt Ingham, and Hoke Poe are also ranked and are big difference makers in the bracket.

Unranked previous Fargo placers include Samuel Watkins, Cade Ziola, Peyton Westpfahl, Peter Snyder, and Silas Dailey.

Prediction: 1) Tate Naaktgeboren 2) Jarrel Miller 3) Cole Han-Lindemyer 4) George Rhodes 5) Justin Rademacher 6) Wyatt Ingham 7) Orlando Cruz 8) Hoke Poe

195 lbs - 8 In Top 20

#1 Connor Mirasola, WI

#7 Joey Novak, MN

#10 Jersey Robb, OK

#11 Tucker Hogan, PA

#12 Payton Thomas, OK

#14 Karson Tompkins, TX

#20 Thomas Dineen, MN

#20 Kingsley Menifee, VA

Matthew Gazda, AZ; Aidan Ysaguirre, AZ; Ben Bomberger, CA; Ira Sittner, CO; Luke Cochran, GA; Carson Gooley, ID; Gunner Henry, IN; Uriah Virzi, KY; Mark Ayala, MA; Cittadino Tuttle, MN; Anders Thompson, MT; Justin Griffith, NJ; Gage Yackee, OH; Riley McPherson, OH; Cole Bartram, PA; Tucker Bellanca, PA; Caleb Marzolino, PA; Dillon Bechtold, PA; Leimana Fager, UT; Hunter Sonnenberg, WA

After a victory over Max McEnelly this spring, Connor Mirasola is up to #1 in the country and in prime position to earn a Golden Ticket to Who’s Number One with a victory here. His toughest opponent just might be Wyoming commit Joey Novak who had a barn burner with Mirasola’s AWA cohort Aeoden Sinclair at a dual between Pinnacle and AWA this spring.

Oklahoma 2023 grads Tucker Hogan and Payton Thomas would love to disrupt that potential matchup by making the finals before they go to Oklahoma State and Navy respectively. Both Thomas Dineen and Kingsley Menifee will also be heading to college in the fall at SDSU and Morgan State. Tucker Hogan and Karson Tomkins round out the ranked wrestlers in this weight. Both are plenty capable of doing serious damage. Unranked Caleb Marzolino and Cittadino Tuttle both placed here a year ago and add to the depth at 195 lbs.

Prediction: 1) Connor Mirasola 2) Joey Novak 3) Tucker Hogan 4) Jersey Robb 5) Payton Thomas 6) Karson Tompkins 7) Thomas Dineen 8) Kingsley Menifee

220 lbs - 4 In Top 20

#2 Cole Mirasola, WI

#9 Cash Henderson, UT

#11 Oscar Williams, OK

#20 Jared Thiry, IA

Cole Carter, AL; Coby Merrill, CA; Cody Merrill, CA; Adrian Arellano, CO; Nick Nosler, IL; Brennan Carey, MO; Jake Fernandez, MO; Melvin Whitehead, NV; Hudson Skove, NJ; Aidan Schlett, NJ; Zachary Evans, PA; Calvin Lachman, PA

Before all the entries came in, #2 Cole Mirasola looked like a favorite to win this bracket, but Team California is brining Cody Merrill who won one of the toughest brackets in Fargo last year at 195 lbs. Merrill is out of the rankings due to inactivity, but if he’s able to find his 2022 Fargo form he’ll be tough to beat.

Utah’s Cash Henderson won the 16U division at 220 lbs last hear where Melvin Whitehead placed 3rd. Cody Merrill’s younger brother Coby finished 7th last year at 182 lbs. Oklahoma’s Oscar Williams and Iowa’s Nick Nosler have had strong performances this year, and both will look to finish high on this podium. Illinois’s Nick Nosler is a major factor as well. He was a state champ this year who’s earned ranked victories throughout the year.

Prediction: 1) Cody Merrill 2) Cole Mirasola 3) Cash Henderson 4) Oscaar Williams 5) Jared Thiry 6) Coby Merrill 7) Nick Nosler 8) Melvin Whitehead

285 lbs - 4 In Top 20

#2 Aden Attao, ID

#3 Koy Hopke, WI

#7 Navarro Schunke, SD

#16 Richard Thomas, OK

Willie Cox, AL; Dirk Morley, CO; Caleb Rodriguez, FL; Elijah VanSickle, FL; Shilo Jones, ID; Marko Ivanisevic, IL; Cameron Geuther, IA; Clayton Frehn, KS; John Vinciguerra, NJ; Rocco Dellagatta, NJ; Luke Cox, OH; Koen Mattern, WA

Aden Attao is looking to defend his Fargo title from a year ago. He beat 2022 U17 World Champ Koy Hopke by tech at the U20 World Team Trials. Given Hopke’s skill, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him make adjustments to keep himself in the back if the two should meet in the finals.

Attao's victory over Hopke at U20 Trials

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2021 Fargo champ Navarro Schunke also looms large in this bracket, and Oklahoma’s Richard Thomas is a proven national-level heavyweight as well.

New Jersey’s Roco Dellagatta was 5th at 182 lbs last year, but he’s up at heavyweight and looking to be the next high-performing heavyweight from St. Joe’s Regional after Jim Mullen moves on to Virginia Tech in the fall.

Colorado’s Dirk Morley and 2022 Fargo placers Caleb Rodriguez and Koen Mattern could have strong performances in the dome.

Prediction: 1) Aden Attao 2) Koy Hopke 3) Navarro Schunke 4) Richard Thomas 5) Rocco Dellagatta 6) Dirk Morley 7) Caleb Rodriguez 8) Koen Mattern