Fargo kicks off Saturday with 16U action in both men’s and women’s freestyle, and this year’s men’s freestyle division is loaded in terms of quality and quantity. Here’s a weight-by-weight breakdown of the 16U Fargo contenders along with predictions.

Before diving into these weights, bone up on the separation criteria that will be dictating the brackets. For the uninitiated, Fargo isn’t seeded, but the best wrestlers are separated based on the ten criteria below. Wrestlers meeting criterion #1 will be spread out from other #1s, etc. As a rule of thumb, the wrestlers you see with high criteria are unlikely to meet until later in the tournament. This also means that highly ranked wrestlers with low criteria or no criteria could serve as hand-grenades haphazardly thrown into a bracket to blow it up.

Separation Criteria for 16U Men's Freestyle and Greco-Roman Nationals

1. UWW Cadet and above World placer in and out of style
2. 16U/UWW Cadet and above National champion in style
3. 16U/UWW Cadet and above National placer 2-4 in style
4. 16U/UWW Cadet & above National placer 5-8 in style
5. 16U/UWW Cadet & above National Champion out of style*
6. 16U/UWW Cadet & above National placer 2-4 out of style*
7. 14U National Champion in style
8. 14U National Placer 2-4 in style OR 16U/Junior Folkstyle National Champion
9. 16U/Junior Regional Champion in style OR 16U/UWW Cadet and above National placer 5-8 out of style* OR 16U/Junior Folkstyle National 2-4
10. 14U National Champion out of style*

Now, onto previews and predictions for all 17 weights in Fargo

88 lbs

Caleb Noble, Wisconsin (Tier 7)

Jose Cordero, Tennessee (Tier 8)

Cason Craft, Oklahoma (Tier 8)

Daniel Goodwin, Colorado (Tier 8)

Allen Woo, Illinois (Tier 8)

Charles Esposito, New Jersey (Tier 9)

Judd Hansen, South Dakota (Tier 9)

Carter Kendrick, South Dakota (Tier 9)

Gavin Pongsai, California (Tier 9)

Kaison Schreier, Missouri (Tier 9)

The tournament’s lightest weight still has double-digit wrestlers whose work has earned theme seeding criteria. Of the group, Caleb Noble is the favorite. He was victories over Cordero, Craft, and Woo, three of the four Tier 8 wrestlers. This weight sometimes gets overshadowed by some of the brackets with more familiar names, but it could be extremely important to the team race, particularly for Wisconsin who’s bringing a deep squad this year and hunting for a title.

Prediction: 1) Caleb Noble 2) Daniel Goodwin 3) Cason Craft 4) Jose Cordero 5) Charles Esposito 6) Allen Woo 7) Gavin Pongsai 8) Kason Schreier

94 lbs

HM Haakon Peterson, Wisconsin (Tier 3)

HM Cole Welte, Nebraska (Tier 4)

HM Kole Davidheiser, Pennsylvania (Tier 4)

HM Nathan Rioux, Indiana (Tier 4)

Henry Aslikyan, California (Tier 8)

Mac Crosson, Iowa (Tier 8)

Wyatt Lees, Michigan (Tier 8)

Rider Seguine, Idaho (Tier 8)

Sean Willcox, California (Tier 8)

Ayden Dodd, Ohio (Tier 9)

Saxton Scott, Idaho (Tier 9)

Dean Wainwright, Illinois (Tier 9)

If Caleb Noble can seal the deal for Wisconsin at 88 lbs, he’ll hope to hand the torch to Haakon Peterson at 94 lbs. Peterson, a Fargo runner-up last year, was undefeated at 16U Duals and second at the U17 Trials at 45 kg. This bracket has plenty of guys who could test Peterson, but he’s the favorite.

Haakon Peterson's U17 Semifinal victory over Dominic Deputy

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Cole Welte of Nebraska also made the podium at the U17 Trials while Kole Davidheiser and Nathan Rioux finished 6th and 7th respectively last year at Fargo. Davidheiser did beat Rioux in their round of 16 bout. A total of 12 tiered wrestlers will make for fun scraps from the beginning of the tournament.

Prediction: 1) Haakon Peterson 2) Kole Davidheiser 3) Nathan Rioux 4) Cole Welte 5) Mac Crosson 6) Wyatt Lees 7) Henry Aslikyan 8) Rider Seguine

100 lbs

#20 Carter Pearson, Iowa (Tier 3)

HM Dominic Deputy, Pennsylvania (Tier 4)

HM Slater Hicks, California (Tier 4)

HM Hudson Loges, Nebraska (Tier 4)

HM Lincoln Sledzianowski, Florida (Tier 7)

HM Mikey Ruiz, Texas

Revin Dickman, Indiana (Tier 4)

Lawson Eller, Minnesota (Tier 4)

Ezekiel Witt, Kansas (Tier 6)

Joel Friederichs, Minnesota (Tier 8)

Titan Friederichs, Minnesota (Tier 8)

Julian Rios, Massachusetts (Tier 8)

Michael Romero, California (Tier 8)

Alex Rozas, Louisiana (Tier 8)

Boden Banta, Idaho (Tier 9)

Keanu Dillard, Pennsylvania (Tier 9)

Isaiah Harrison, Colorado (Tier 9)

Emeric McBurney, Ohio (Tier 9)

Tas Storer, California (Tier 9)

Iowa’s Carter Person has had a fantastic spring. He was the ultra-competitive 7-0 at Elite 8 Duals and 3rd at the U17 Trials at 45kg where California’s Slater Hicks was 5th, Pennsylvania’s Dominic Deputy was 6th, and Nebraska’s Hudson Loges was 7th. Revin Dickman and Lawson Eller were 5th and 8th respectively at Fargo last year, and they’re sure to be a factor. 

Keep an eye on Florida’s Lincoln Sledzianowski who had victories over both Hicks and Pearson at 16U Duals last month. He may be ready for a breakout performance on a big stage.

Prediction: 1) Carter Pearson 2) Slater Hicks 3) Lincoln Sledzianowski 4) Dominic Deputy 5) Lawson Eller 6) Hudson Loges 7) Revin Dickman 8) Julian Rios

106 lbs

#3 Aaron Seidel, Pennsylvania (Tier 6)

#6 Seth Mendoza, Illinois (Tier 2)

#10 Isaiah Cortez, California (Tier 4)

HM Zane Donley, Oklahoma (Tier 2)

HM Moses Mendoza, California (Tier 3)

HM Griffin Rial, Colorado (Tier 3)

HM Tyler Dekraker, Virginia (Tier 4)

HM Devon Harrison, Missouri (Tier 4)

HM Jake Knight, Iowa (Tier 4)

HM Liam Neitzel, Wisconsin (Tier 4)

HM Kolter Burton, Idaho (Tier 5)

HM Gabriel Ramirez, Arizona (Tier 8)

HM Dunia Sibomana, New York (Tier 8)

HM Devin Bobzien, California (Tier 9)

HM Jace Hedeman, Iowa (Tier 9)

HM Kody Tanimoto, Texas (Tier 9)

HM Darren Florance, New York

HM Austin Grzywinski, Minnesota

HM Mason Rohr, Ohio

Ryker Graff, Iowa (Tier 6)

Gus Cardinal, Arizona (Tier 8)

Zaidyn Quinonez, Colorado (Tier 8)

Evan Sanati, Virginia (Tier 8)

Liam Davis, Florida (Tier 9)

Cole Gentsch, Illinois (Tier 9)

Tyler Misenheimer, Oklahoma (Tier 9)

Ryan Rider, Iowa (Tier 9)

Rylan Seacrist, Ohio (Tier 9)

Kaiden Triche, Louisiana (Tier 9)

Aaron Seidel is a PIAA champ who’s ranked #3 in the country, but he’s only earned Tier 6 status at USA Wrestling and UWW events. Ten wrestlers have higher tiers than Seidel, this means he’s a massive landmine. He could see someone very good from the round of 16 on.

Seth Mendoza and Zane Donley both brought stop signs home from Fargo at 100 lbs last summer, Mendoza at 16U and Donley in the Junior division. Isaiah Cortez, Moses Mendoza, Griffin Rial, Tyler Dekraker, Devon Harrison, Jake Knight, and Liam Neitzel have also all placed at either Fargo or U17 Trials in freestyle. This weight is tough.

Seth Mendoza's Fargo title a year ago

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Prediction: 1) Seth Mendoza 2) Aaron Seidel 3) Isaiah Cortez 4) Tyler Dekraker 5) Moses Mendoza 6) Jake Knight 7) Griffin Rial 8) Devon Harrison

113 lbs

#1 Anthony Knox, New Jersey (Tier 2)

#7 Edwin Sierra, California (Tier 3)

#12 Jake Hockaday, Indiana

#16 Elijah Cortez, California (Tier 4)

#20 Cooper Hilton, Tennessee (Tier 4)

HM Nathan Carrillo, California (Tier 3)

HM Isaiah Schaefer, Indiana (Tier 4)

HM Kellen Wolbert, Wisconsin (Tier 4)

HM Timothy Koester, Iowa (Tier 7)

HM Johnny Green, Ohio (Tier 8)

HM Declan Koch, Wisconsin (Tier 8)

HM Christian Fretwell, Florida (Tier 9)

HM Jayden Raney, Kentucky (Tier 9)

HM Elijah Brosius, Pennsylvania

HM Sebastian Degennaro, Florida

HM Carson Dupill, Tennessee

HM Connor Fiser, Iowa

HM Keyan Hernandez, Montana

HM Vincent Paino, New Jersey

HM Musa Tamaradze, Massachusetts

Isaiah Jones, Oklahoma (Tier 6)

Jaxton Packer, Idaho (Tier 6)

Cole Rogers, Montana (Tier 6)

Derek Barrows, Colorado (Tier 8)

Deven Casey, Illinois (Tier 8)

Ryan Meier, Massachusetts (Tier 8)

Koy Orr, Idaho (Tier 9)

Cameron Stinson Jr., North Carolina (Tier 9)

Cody Tanner, Colorado (Tier 9)

Anthony Knox is the top-ranked 113-pounder in the country for a reason. He won Fargo and Super 32 titles in the last year and knocked off Cadet World silver medalist Luke Lilledahl at Who’s Number One. He does have a tendency to change weights before tournaments in pursuit of better competition, so who knows if he ends up at 113 lbs this weekend.

Anthony Knox's 2022 Fargo final against Sam Herring

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Edwin Sierra checks in at #7 after placing at the single-class California State Tournament and finishing on the podium at the U17 Trials. Despite being ranked #12 in the country, he hasn’t earned a tier, so he’s a complete wildcard.

Other Fargo or U17 Trials freestyle placers in this bracket include Elijah Cortez, Cooper Hilton, Nathan Carrillo, Isaiah Schaefer, and Kellen Wolbert.

Prediction: 1) Anthony Knox 2) Cooper Hilton 3) Edwin Sierra 4) Jake Hockaday 5) Elijah Cortez 6) Kellen Wolbert 7) Carson Dupill 8) Sebastian Degennaro

120 lbs

#4 Draegen Orine, Missouri (Tier 4)

#9 Marcus Blaze, Ohio (Tier 3)

HM Bo Bassett, Pennsylvania (Tier 1)

HM Sam Herring, Pennsylvania (Tier 3)

HM Jackson Blum, Michigan (Tier 4)

HM Gauge Botero, Pennsylvania (Tier 4)

HM Thomas Verrette, Colorado (Tier 6)

HM Mason Gutenberger, Montana (Tier 8)

HM Manuel Saldate, Nevada (Tier 8)

HM Wyatt Medlin, Illinois (Tier 9)

HM Eren Sement, Pennsylvania (Tier 9)

HM Caio Aron, Texas

HM Matthew Botello, Massachusetts

HM Ty Edwards, Illinois

HM Nathan Fish, Wyoming

HM Jarvis Little, Tennessee

HM Leo Maestas, California

Matthew Martino, Idaho (Tier 6)

Trey Wagner, Pennsylvania (Tier 6)

Jacob Herm, Wisconsin (Tier 8)

Jackson Heslin, Connecticut (Tier 8)

Chris Lalonde, Colorado (Tier 8)

Joshua Requena, California (Tier 8)

Geronimo Rivera, Utah (Tier 8)

Adam Butler, Ohio (Tier 9)

Jake Castagneto, Idaho (Tier 9)

Nick Dardanes, Colorado (Tier 9)

Benjamin DeForest, North Dakota (Tier 9)

Presley Johnson, Missouri (Tier 9)

Parker Lyden, Minnesota (Tier 9)

Bishop McCourt wrestlers find themselves at the center of wrestling stories quite often. 120 pounds in Fargo is no different. Cadet world champ Bo Bassett, Fargo finalist Sam Herring, and former Bishop McCort wrestler Tommy Verrette are all entered 120 pounds and we could finally see what some of those scraps in the room look like.

Bo Bassett's 2022 World gold medal match

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That trio is just the start of the death in this bracket. Ironman champion Marcus Blaze is formidable. He could win the whole thing. Missouri’s Draegen Orine is also extremely good and will do his best to take home a stop sign.

Gauge Botero in Jackson bloom have also finished on the podium at either UWW Cadets or Fargo, and all told, there are a couple dozen guys with tiers to their names and half a dozen more honorable mention guys without a tier. 

If Anthony Knox decides to bump up looking for a challenge, this weight turns into a very upsetable apple cart. 

Prediction: 1) Bo Bassett 2) Marcus Blaze 3) Sam Herring 4) Draegen Orine 5) Thomas Verrette 6) Gauge Botero 7) Jackson Blum 8) Eren Sement

126 lbs

#4 Benjamin Davino, Illinois (Tier 3)

#15 Landon Robideau, Minnesota (Tier 3)

HM Elias Navida, California (Tier 4)

HM Zeno Moore, Florida (Tier 8)

HM Chase Van Hoven, Virginia (Tier 8)

HM Billy Townson, California (Tier 9)

HM Joseph Clem, New York

HM Cole Householder, Pennsylvania

HM Colin Kacena, Florida

HM Richard Murillo, California

HM Aiden Simmons, California

HM Miles Velasquez, Oklahoma

HM Brock Weiss, Pennsylvania

Tigran Greyan, California (Tier 8)

Dawson Johnson, Wisconsin (Tier 8)

Cale Seaton, Iowa (Tier 8)

Dean Anderson, Arizona (Tier 9)

Phoenix Contos, Ohio (Tier 9)

Giosue Hickman, Arizona (Tier 9)

James Lindsay, Ohio (Tier 9)

Jake Zaltsman, New Jersey (Tier 9)

Ben Davino and Landon Robideau will be separated in this bracket, and that’s a good thing. If we see that final, circle it as one of the more exciting matches we could have on the stage Monday afternoon. Davino was ultra-consistent in his sophomore campaign. Just this spring, he was a combined 19 at NHSCA Duals and Cadet Duals. He also finished third at the UWW cadet trials at 55 kg. Robideau was also third at Cadet trials, but that was up at 60 kg. Something surprising would have to happen to prevent this final from taking place.

Elias Navida headlines the best of the rest, but Davino vs Robideau is about as sure a final as we have at 16U.

Prediction: 1) Ben Davino 2) Landon Robideau 3) Elias Navida 4) Richard Murillo 5) Zeno Moore 6) Brock Weiss 7) Billy Townson 8) Aiden Simmons

132 lbs

#12 Maddox Shaw, Pennsylvania (Tier 4)

#17 Tyson Charmoli, Minnesota (Tier 3)

#20 Brock Mantanona, California (Tier 3)

HM Nolan Fellers, Iowa (Tier 7)

HM Gunner Andrick, West Virginia (Tier 8)

HM Tre Haines, Washington (Tier 8)

HM Adyn Bostick, Arizona (Tier 9)

HM Billy Greenwood, Colorado (Tier 9)

HM Anderson Heap, Florida (Tier 9)

HM Peyton Cox, Illinois

HM Landon Desselle, Tennessee

HM Carter Freeman, Wisconsin

HM Casen Roark, Tennessee

HM Emmitt Sherlock, Maryland

HM Gaven Suica, Pennsylvania

Daniel Heiser, Wisconsin (Tier 7)

Israel Acosta, Washington (Tier 8)

Nathaniel Askew, Georgia (Tier 8)

Ian Hawkins, Illinois (Tier 8)

Trevor Jones, New Jersey (Tier 8)

Nevin Smith, Colorado (Tier 8)

Jackson Tucker, Missouri (Tier 8)

Benjamin Weader, Virginia (Tier 8)

Colby Gray, Missouri (Tier 9)

Daishun Powe, Alabama (Tier 9)

Cory Velasquez, Oklahoma (Tier 9)

U17 4th place finisher Tyson Charmoli and California state champ Brock Mantanona will be on opposite sides of the bracket as both have earned tier 3 status. Whichever of them ends up with Maddox Shaw on his side will have his hands full. The Pennsylvania freshman had a victory over #4 Vincent Robinson during his freshman season. Some combination of those three is likely to end up in the finals.

Brock Mantanona's California state title

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Tennessee state champ Casen Roark has been on the scene a lot and looks poised for a strong showing as does Iowa state champ Carter Freeman. There’s plenty more depth here as well.

Prediction: 1) Maddox Shaw 2) Brock Mantanona 3) Tyson Charmoli 4) Casen Roark 5) Carter Freeman 6) Nolan Fellers 7) Daniel Heiser 8) Billy Greenwood

138 lbs

#7 PJ Duke, New York (Tier 9)

#14 Vince Bouzakis, Pennsylvania (Tier 4)

HM Gabriel Bouyssou, Rhode Island (Tier 4)

HM Garrett Reece, Colorado (Tier 6)

HM Alex Braun, Minnesota (Tier 8)

HM Kane Naaktgeboren, Iowa (Tier 8)

HM Owen Pritchard, Washington (Tier 9)

HM Caden Bellis, New York

HM Wyatt Brock, Ohio

HM Julian Everitt, Pennsylvania

HM Kyle Lew, Texas

HM Gavin Linsman, Missouri

HM Trae Rios, Oklahoma

HM Tyson Sherlock, Maryland

Joseph Jeter, Oklahoma (Tier 6)

Wyatt Krejsa, Indiana (Tier 8)

Grayson Woodcock, Ohio (Tier 8)

Conlan Carlson, Minnesota (Tier 9)

Brandon Dean, New Jersey (Tier 9)

Silas Foster, Indiana (Tier 9)

Jack Garrett, Georgia (Tier 9)

145 lbs

#13 Kollin Rath, Pennsylvania

#20 Collin Gaj, Pennsylvania (Tier 9)

HM Kody Routledge, Oklahoma (Tier 8)

HM Aliaksandr Kikiniou, California (Tier 9)

HM Cade Parent, Georgia (Tier 9)

HM Ty Wilson, Ohio (Tier 9)

HM Cameron Clark, Indiana

HM Christopher Crawford, New York

HM Beau Hickman, Oklahoma

HM Christopher Mance, Georgia

HM Cameron Milheim, Pennsylvania

HM Benjamin Smith, Arkansas

HM Benjamin Smith, Maryland

Gabriel Delgado, Nevada (Tier 6)

Owen McMullen, Pennsylvania (Tier 6)

Kyler Knaack, Iowa (Tier 7)

Christopher Acuna, Montana (Tier 8)

Carl J Betz III, New Jersey (Tier 8)

Cooper Driscoll, Ohio (Tier 8)

Eli Leonard, Wisconsin (Tier 8)

Emil Necula, Georgia (Tier 8)

Keenan Sheridan, South Dakota (Tier 8)

Kaleb Shine, Montana (Tier 9)

Carlos Valdez, Idaho (Tier 9)

The two highest ranked guys in this weight are #13 Kollin Rath and #20 Collin Gaj, a pair of Pennsylvania wrestlers who met this year at PIAAs in their freshman campaigns. Rath got the victory. It’s possible these two could meet in the finals, but Rath doesn’t meet criteria for a tier, and Gaj is tier 9. They could meet in the first round for all we know! When brackets come out on Friday evening, search for “Rath” and “Gaj.” That will determine a lot about how this weight shakes out.

Kollin Rath and Collin Gaj's PIAA bronze medal bout

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Prediction: 1) Kollin Rath 2) Collin Gaj 3) Owen McMullen 4) Gabriel Delgado 5) Kyler Knaack 6) Beau Hickman 7) Cooper Driscoli 8) Kody Routledge

152 lbs

#10 Ladarion Lockett, Oklahoma (Tier 3)

HM Travis Grace, California (Tier 4)

HM Alessio Perentin, New Jersey (Tier 4)

HM Bas Diaz, Iowa (Tier 6)

HM Brodie Dominique, Ohio (Tier 8)

HM Claudio Torres, Florida (Tier 8)

HM Mitchell Betz, Indiana (Tier 9)

HM Leister Bowling, Colorado

HM Landen Johnson, Ohio

HM Jake Stoffel, Wisconsin

Bradley Rodriguez-Little, Minnesota (Tier 7)

Anthony Rinehart, Indiana (Tier 8)

Damarion Ross, Iowa (Tier 8)

Joseph Ruiz, New Jersey (Tier 8)

Colin McAlister, Kansas (Tier 9)

Emmitt Munson, Colorado (Tier 9)

Mitchell Younger, Ohio (Tier 9)

Ironman champ Ladarion Lockett is as big a favorite as any in this division, but after that, this bracket opens up quite a bit. Lockett will be the defacto top seed as the lone tier 3 wrestler. After that, New Jersey 4th place finisher Allesio Perentin and Fargo placer Travis Grace have criteria #4, and Iowa third-place finisher Bas Diaz has criteria #6. It’s wide oen from there.

Prediction: 1) Ladarion Lockett 2) Alessio Perentin 3) Bas Diaz 4) Travis Grace 5) Jake Stoffel 6) Bradley Rodriguez-Little 7) Joseph Ruiz 8) Claudio Torres

160 lbs

HM Angelo Posada, California (Tier 8)

HM Aydan Carlson, Minnesota (Tier 9)

HM Jordan Chapman, New Jersey (Tier 9)

HM Merrik Murray, Missouri (Tier 9)

HM Philip Lamka, Michigan

HM Tyrel Miller, Ohio

HM Max Nevlin, New Jersey

HM Evan Rizzo, Ohio

HM Tristan Steldt, Wisconsin

HM Cade Ziola, Nebraska

Justin Avila, Iowa (Tier 8)

Miguel Rojas, Indiana (Tier 8)

Macon Ayers, Virginia (Tier 9)

Maverick McEwen, Montana (Tier 9)

This champ at this weight class will make a name for himself as the highest-tiered wrestlers only meet criteria #8. Angelo Posada, Justin Avila, and Miguel Rojas all fall in that category. Max Nevlin, Tristan Steldt, and Cade Ziola all had strong showings at 16U Duals and could be poised to break out. Honestly, this looks like anyone’s weight.

Prediction: 1) Angelo Posada 2) Justin Avila 3) Cade Ziola 4) Miguel Rojas 5) Jordan Chapman 6) Evan Rizzo 7) Tyrel Miller 8) Philip Lamka

170 lbs

HM Peyton Westpfahl, Missouri (Tier 4)

HM Adrien Reyes, California (Tier 6)

HM Bryce Burkett, Minnesota (Tier 8)

HM Hudson Rogers, Idaho (Tier 8)

HM Liam Byrne, Oregon (Tier 9)

HM Brent Slade, Iowa (Tier 9)

HM Marcell Booth, Minnesota

HM Ricky Ericksen, Illinois

HM Aiden Peterson, Ohio

HM Isaac Sheeren, Texas

John Murphy, Minnesota (Tier 7)

Sir Friday, Arizona (Tier 8)

Luke Hancock, Kansas (Tier 8)

Espyn Sweers, Wisconsin (Tier 8)

Gavin Blondeaux, Nevada (Tier 9)

Luis Mendoza, Washington (Tier 9)

Jarrel Miller Jr, Ohio (Tier 9)

Artem Skyba, Pennsylvania (Tier 9)

Missouri’s Peyton Westpfahl is the lone returning podium finisher from a year ago. He finished 5th at his state tournament, and while he’s the only one with Fargo credentials, this weight has a lot of parity. Aiden Reyes finished 6th in a brutal single-class California tournament, and is the next highest tiered wrestler, followed by John Murphy from Minnesota. A whole bunch of 8 and 9 tiered wrestlers will pepper this bracket and make it competitive from the round of 16 on.

Prediction: 1) Adrien Reyes 2) Peyton Westpfahl 3) Aiden Peterson 4) Bryce Burkett 5) Brent Slade 6) Marcell Booth 7) Ricky Ericksen 8) Luke Hancock

182 lbs

#5 Aeoden Sinclair, Wisconsin (Tier 3)

HM De'Alcapon Veazy, Indiana (Tier 4)

HM Matt King, Washington (Tier 9)

HM Karson Tompkins, Texas (Tier 9)

HM William Ward, North Dakota (Tier 9)

HM Rocco Dellagatta, New Jersey

HM Cason Howle, South Carolina

HM Kaiden Kintner, Washington

HM Caleb Marzolino, Pennsylvania

Adonis Bonar II, Nebraska (Tier 8)

Coby Merrill, California (Tier 8)

Joseph Muhlstein, Minnesota (Tier 8)

Landon Spence, Virginia (Tier 9)

Adam Waters, Pennsylvania (Tier 9)

Samuel Watkins, Kansas (Tier 9)

Aeoden Sinclair has been racking up ranked wins all year and has moved himself to the #5 spot in the national rankings. He’s a pretty massive favorite. Sinclair finished 3rd in a deep 80 kg bracket at the U17 Trials where De’Alcapon Veazy, who’s also in this field, finished 8th.

Aeoden Sinclair's Junior Duals victory over Ironman champ Brody Conley

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Rocco Dellagatta doesn’t have a tier, but he’s not to be overlooked amid the tiered guys like Adonis Bonar, Coby Merrill, and Joseph Muhlstein. Sinclair looks poised to win it all, potentially against Veazy in the final, but the rest of the podium is anyone’s guess.

Prediction: 1) Aeoden Sinclair 2) De’Alcapon Veazy 3) Rocco Dellagatta 4) Coby Merrill 5) Joseph Muhlstein 6) Matt King 7) Caleb Marzolino 8) William Ward

195 lbs

HM Dreshaun Ross, Iowa (Tier 6)

HM Michael Mocco, Florida (Tier 8)

HM Brennan Carey, Missouri (Tier 9)

HM Cole Carter, Alabama (Tier 9)

HM Mason Ellis, Alabama (Tier 9)

HM Carson Gooley, Idaho (Tier 9)

HM Cole Langford, Oregon (Tier 9)

HM Vincenzo Lavalle, New Jersey (Tier 9)

HM Tucker Bellanca, Pennsylvania

HM Aiden Cooley, Texas

HM Kruz Goff, Oklahoma

HM Chase Matthias, Wisconsin

HM Owen Pummel, Ohio

HM Jason Singer, Pennsylvania

Mark Marin III, California (Tier 8)

Tyson Martin, Wisconsin (Tier 8)

Gabino Perez, Illinois (Tier 9)

Ilijah Sanchez, Wisconsin (Tier 9)

This weight lacks a true favorite. It has 12 tiered wrestlers, but only Dreshaun Ross, a champ at U15s, is higher than 8. Michael Mocco and Tyson Martin were third at U15s respectively. Vincenzo Lavalle finished 3rd in New Jersey during his freshman campaign and is part of a 2025 class in Jersey that’s looking incredibly strong.

Prediction: 1) Dreshaun Ross 2) Vincenzo Lavalle 3) Michael Mocco 4) Mark Marin III 5) Aiden Cooley 6) Kruz Goff 7) Jason Singer 8) Chase Matthias

220 lbs

#16 Nicholas Sahakian, California (Tier 3)

HM Brayden Hill, Kansas (Tier 8)

HM Brady Vaughan, Michigan (Tier 8)

HM Melvin Whitehead, Nevada (Tier 8)

HM Clayton Frehn, Kansas (Tier 9)

HM Rylan Kuhn, Missouri (Tier 9)

HM Ean Winchester, Pennsylvania (Tier 9)

HM Caleb Cunningham, Ohio

HM Elijah Vansickle, Florida

James Bechter, Ohio (Tier 8)

Chase Baker, Washington (Tier 9)

Adam Farha, California (Tier 9)

Jason Young, Virginia (Tier 9)

Nicholas Sahakian isn’t ranked by accident. He was 4th at the U27 trials and split matches with PJ Casale at Journeymen. On top of that, he finished 3rd in California during his freshman season. His toughest competition could include Recruiting Showcase finalist Melvin Whitehead and Missouri champ Rylan Kuhn.

Prediction: 1) Nicholas Sahakian 2) Melvin Whitehead 3) Brady Vaughan 4) Rylan Kuhn 5) Brayden HIll 6) James Bechter 7) Ean Winchester 8) Adam Farha

285 lbs

HM Sampson Stillwell, Missouri (Tier 4)

HM Willie Cox, Alabama (Tier 9)

HM Kaden Darwin, Washington (Tier 9)

HM Aaron Ries, Ohio (Tier 9)

HM Logan Latham, Texas

HM Jacob Levy, Georgia

HM Adam Stanley, California

Milan Colvin, Kansas (Tier 8)

Wyatt Schmitt, Illinois (Tier 8)

Connor Aney, Washington (Tier 9)

Avaugn Dorvil, Minnesota (Tier 9)

Kamahao Grace, Missouri (Tier 9)

Sampson Stillwell’s sixth place finish at U17 Trials earned him the highest tier at the weight. He’ll have eight other tiered wrestlers to contend with, but he’s still the favorite. Willie Cox and Adam Stanley had podium finishes at NHSCAs this year while much of the rest of the field proved themselves at U16 Duals or USAW Regionals.

Prediction: 1) Sampson Stillwell 2) Adam Stanley 3) Wyatt Schmitt 4) Willie Cox 5) Milan Colvin 6) Aaron Ries 7) Kaden Darwin 8) Avaugn Dorvil