It’s Junior Nationals time! The tournament has been a staple for the best in high school wrestling for a long time, so I wanted to take a trip down memory lane and watch some of the best Junior men’s freestyle matches since the turn of the century to get excited for this year’s action.

2003 - 135: Dustin Schlatter, OH vs Ryan Lang, OH

Two 4X Ohio state champs and legends. Dustin Schlatter, representing Perry High School, and Ryan Lang, representing St. Eds. Schlatter was the prodigy, but Lang was two years older and a returning Junior Nationals champion.

2007 - 145: Mario Mason, NJ vs Jake Deitchler, MN

Before they were teammates at the University of Minnesota, they met on the big stage at Fargo. Jake Deitchler was known for his Greco skills, but a returning Fargo finalist and Folkstyle Nationals, he was a highly touted recruit regardless of style or weight. Mario Mason was instrumental to the success of some of the mid 2000s Blair Academy teams.

2010 - 145: Alex Dieringer, WI vs Dylan Ness, MN

Before they were making NCAA finals, Alex Dieringer and Dylan Ness were making Fargo finals. Already a high school graduate, Ness was older, but Dieringer was a Cadet champion the year before.

2012 - 132: Zain Retherford, PA vs Zane Richards, IL

Illinois dominates Fargo, it’s what they do, and Zane Richards was no different. He had already won Fargo three times, twice as a Cadet and once the previous year in Juniors. He had also made a Cadet World Team the year prior, but Retherford had already made a Cadet World Team that summer himself and proved he was ready.

2013 - 138: Aaron Pico, CA vs Joey McKenna, NJ

Before there was Marcus Blaze and Bo Bassett, there was Aaron Pico. His wrestling abilities were on full display against Joey McKenna, who had made the Cadet World Team earlier that summer. 

2018 - 132: Ridge Lovett, ID vs Jordan Decatur, GA

These two knew how to win stop signs. Ridge Lovett had already won Freestyle Nationals once and Jordan Decatur had already won twice.  

2022 - 170: Josh Barr, MN vs Rocco Welsh, PA

While they’re now teammates at Penn State, in high school these two were rivals. They would go on to face off at Who’s Number One in the fall, but first, Fargo. The video description says it best, “Joshua Barr and Rocco Welsh's Fargo final was perhaps the most highly anticipated of the week, and the action didn't disappoint.”