2022 USMC/USAW Junior and 16U National Championships

Fargo Team Preview: Can Wisconsin Continue Trending Upward?

Fargo Team Preview: Can Wisconsin Continue Trending Upward?

Wisconsin has been on a steep upward trajectory and it's headed to Fargo with another roster capable of collecting hardware.

Jul 10, 2022 by Andy Hamilton
Fargo Team Preview: Can Wisconsin Continue Trending Upward?

Wisconsin has been trending upward in recent years — perhaps on a steeper trajectory than any other state when it comes to Fargo freestyle statistics. Wisconsin was one of two states to finish among the top five last year in the team race in both the 16U and Junior divisions. From 2011 through 2019, Wisconsin averaged 8.44 All-Americans per year in the men’s freestyle divisions. Last year, it produced 20, including individual champions Koy Hopke and Ben Kawczynski.

It doesn’t appear to be a flash in the pan, either. Wisconsin finished second in freestyle at the 16U Duals and fourth at the Junior Duals. 

2021 Freestyle Team Finishes

16U — fifth  

Junior — fourth   

2021 Fargo All-Americans

16U freestyle

Brett Back — fourth at 145 

Silas Dailey — seventh at 152 

Zachary Eliszewski — eighth at 152 

Koy Hopke — champion at 220 

Charlie Millard — fifth at 145 

Cole Mirasola — fourth at 182 

Connor Mirasola — third at 182 

Liam Neitzel — eighth at 94 

Haakon Peterson — second at 88 

Aeoden Sinclair — third at 160 


Junior freestyle

Matthew Bianchi — third at 145 

Blaine Brenner — sixth at 138

Greyson Clark — eighth at 132

John Gunderson — sixth at 195

Ben Kawczynski — champion at 285 

Luke Mechler — sixth at 160 

Braeden Scoles — fourth at 160

Wyatt Skebba — sixth at 106 

Jared Stricker — fourth at 170 

Clayton Whiting — fifth at 182 

Hammers To Watch 

#19 Greyson Clark (Junior/132) — A three-time Fargo All-American who’s placed twice in freestyle, including last year’s eighth-place finish in the Junior Division. Clark is a three-time state champion.  

HM Zane Licht (Junior/152) — Followed up a state championship season by placing third at the National Recruiting Showcase and fourth at the U17 World Team Trials. 

HM Cole Mirasola (Junior/195) — Placed seventh this spring at the U17 World Team Trials, where he notched wins against Fargo All-Americans Max Vanadia and Sonny Sasso. Ranked 44th on the 2024 Big Board. 

#4 Connor Mirasola (Junior/182) — The #15 prospect on the 2024 Big Board. Coming off a runner-up finish this spring at the U17 World Team Trials. 

#9 Nicolar Rivera (Junior/126) — Taking aim at his third Fargo title after winning his third state title in February. Won a 16U freestyle title in Fargo in 2018 and claimed a 16U Greco title the next year. 

#8 Braeden Scoles (Junior/160) — Ranked the #29 prospect on the 2023 Big Board and one of just three top 30 that has yet to make a college commitment. Won his third state title in February. 

#5 Aoeden Sinclair (16U/182) — Coming off back-to-back undefeated performances at the National Duals. Went 7-0 at the 16U Duals and then followed it up a week later by going 8-0 at the Junior Duals, where he notched five techs, two pins and a victory against Ironman champ Brody Conley. 

Up-And-Coming Prospects Who Need To Be On Your Radar 

Chase Matthias (16U/195) — Turned in a 7-0 performance at the 16U Duals with four shutout techs and a pin. 

Caleb Noble (16U/88) — Went 7-0 at the 16U Duals with three pins, three shutout techs and a forfeit. 

HM Haakon Peterson (16U/94) — Reached the finals in both styles last year in Fargo and took home a Greco title. Also reached the finals this spring at the U17 World Team Trials. Coming off a 7-0 performance at the 16U Duals. 

HM Reid Spurley (Junior/113) — Coming off a 44-0 sophomore season that culminated in his 

Went 5-2 last year in Fargo in the 16U freestyle division.