Marines Cadet & Junior National Championships

Most Anticipated Potential Junior Freestyle Matches

Most Anticipated Potential Junior Freestyle Matches

As we get closer to another weeklong extravaganza in the Fargodome we take a look at our biggest potential matchups.

Jul 12, 2018 by Ryan Holmes
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In the men’s Junior freestyle division alone, there are close to 115 ranked wrestlers registered to compete at Fargo this year.

With that amount of firepower, we are bound to get some very high-level matches as another weeklong extravaganza at the Fargodome gets underway Saturday. Here's a look at the potential matchups that have us on the edge of our seats at the sheer thought of them.

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113: Jeremiah Reno vs. Cullan Schriever

Let’s run this one back again. These two have split matches in the past and don’t shy away from going at each other when they meet. Both have stood atop of the podium in Fargo and would love to make a return. If they happen to end up against each other, expect them to let it fly.

Watch Reno vs. Schriever from 2017:

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120: Julian Tagg vs. Trevor Mastrogiovanni

These two are the highest ranked guys in the weight class with Tagg sitting at #2 and Mastro at #3. Tagg uses an incredible amount of motion on his feet which, if he uses it right, can result in a ton of points. This matchup could be one of the best of the tournament.

126: Patrick McKee vs. Michael Colaiocco

It’s the last stop on his high school tour so you know that Patrick McKee is coming out firing. The returning champ has proved time and time again that he’s legit. Colaiocco is very long and could use that length to cause some problems for McKee by tying him up and slowing down his offense.

132: Decatur vs. Bartlett vs. D’Emilio

This triangle of devastation will be entertaining. Jordan Decatur and Dylan D’Emilio are a pair of scrappy Ohio boys who have the offense to take the whole thing home like they’ve done in the past. Beau Bartlett has proven to get better each time out and rises to the level of his competition. Anything can happen here honestly—each one has the ability to win the title.

Watch Bartlett take out 2016 Fargo champ Gavin Teasdale:

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138: Frankie Tal-Shahar vs. Jaden Abas

Both of these guys will be looking to bounce back from disappointment. Abas, who was a finalist here in 2016, didn’t have a great showing last year as he went 2-2. Tal-Shahar had an upsetting finish at Cadet trials where he finished as the runner-up. I love how both these guys wrestle. Abas is always impressive to me and Tal-Shahar puts up a fight against everyone. 

145: Kendall Coleman vs. Victor Voinovich

This clash of styles is going to be good. Voinovich is a very mature youngster who has a methodical pace. Coleman is highly active. Of the two, Coleman is the attacker and aggressor. While Voinovich will look to set things up from a tie, Coleman is coming from space. It will be a great match and I expect it to be close because despite bringing different styles to the mat—they are both very stingy.

152: Anthony Artalona vs. Brayton Lee

The name alone should give you fully inform you that this is a match you don’t want to miss if it happens. Artalona is chasing some Fargo history and Lee is the type of guy that loves standing in the way of that. Just be ready to watch an instant classic.

Watch Artalona defeat Gfeller to win his third straight freestyle title:

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170: Carter Starocci vs. Dustin Plott

Plott really showed that he’s a force when he was giving college guys all they could handle and beating some of them at the U.S. Open this year in Las Vegas. Starocci claimed titles in both styles last year so he’s back looking for more big stop signs. The way that we’ve seen Plott perform as of late makes him the favorite, but honestly, you can’t count Starocci out because he’s proved to be in the same tier of talent.

182: Wittlake vs. Krattiger vs. Jessen

Another three-way race to the top here. Travis Wittlake has been up and down when it comes to his weight lately and it looks like he’s going to step up to the bigger guys here again. Jared Krattiger is strong. He’s also been wrestling well as of late. Jack Jessen is a stud. In all honesty, this weight is loaded. I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of them or none of them walk away with the big stop sign at the end.

285: Cassioppi vs. Parris vs. Hutmacher

Throw a big ol' steak in the center and just let 'em go at it. Two of these guys—Anthony Cassioppi and Nash Hutmacher—were at the top of the podiums last year. Now you throw them in the same bracket with the manchild that is Mason Parris, who is making his first appearance in Fargo, and you’ve got a recipe for the best disaster ever. Parris has been prepping with Greco world team member Adam Coon so don’t be surprised if you see him lock up a little upper body trick. But with how Parris has performed on his feet in folkstyle, I think he will transition nicely. However, Cassioppi probably isn’t the type to try anything like that against. He’s been pretty phenomenal with losses only coming to Gable Steveson. In the end, this bracket will be one of the best to watch over the entire weekend.

Watch Parris dominate on the FloNats stage:

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