2022 USMC/USAW Junior and 16U National Championships

15 Early Junior Freestyle Matches You Won't Want To Miss At Fargo

15 Early Junior Freestyle Matches You Won't Want To Miss At Fargo

Junior men's freestyle gets started tomorrow, and these brackets are loaded! Check out 15 early potential matches you won't want to miss.

Jul 17, 2022 by David Bray
15 Early Junior Freestyle Matches You Won't Want To Miss At Fargo

Junior freestyle is the crown jewel of Fargo, and that division gets started Sunday. There will be no shortage of action, but if you aren't sure where to start, check out these 15 must-see early matches.

Michigan’s Marcello Milani comes in with USA Wrestling credentials that include a National Recruiting Showcase title and a third-place Greco finish last year in Fargo. His path through the 113-pound bracket this year could get started in the round of 64 against two-time Iowa state champ Kade Blume, who went 7-1 last month at the Junior Duals. 

California’s Ray Ray Harris won Greco titles in each of his last two trips to Fargo and his resume includes a USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals title as well. He could collide with Oklahoma state finalist Sam Smith in the second round at 120, provided both can pass their first test. 

Virginia’s Noah Nininger earned All-America honors last year in Fargo and followed that up by placing sixth at the Beast of the East and winning a Virginia state title as a freshman. His path through the bracket could include a round of 64 bout against Illinois state finalist Damian Resendez. 

Idaho’s Tanner Frothinger reached the semifinals at this spring’s U17 World Team Trials before placing sixth at 60 kilograms. He’s capable of making a run through the 126-pound bracket, but he might have to get past Oklahoma state champ J.J. McComas-Rogers in the round of 64. 

This time a year ago, Brandon Cannon was battling to get past an aggressive tumor that temporarily left him unable to walk. His inspiring comeback story included a Preseason Nationals title and a fifth-place finish in December at the Ironman. He’ll get tested out of the gate on Sunday with a round of 128 bout against Ohio state champ Dillon Campbell. 

Wisconsin’s Greyson Clark is a three-time Fargo All-American who placed twice in freestyle, including last year’s eighth-place finish in the Junior division. His bid to return to the podium at 132 begins against Illinois standout Jacob Macatangay, who won a USA Wrestling National Recruiting Showcase title last year. 

Brayden Sonnentag posted a 7-1 record at 126 for Team Wisconsin at last month’s Junior Duals. He’s up at 132 for Fargo. If Sonnentag can get through the first round, he’ll get #18 Omar Ayoub, an Ohio state champ, in the round of 128. 

Oklahoma commit #15 Anthony Santaniello was a New Jersey finalist in his senior year and has looked excellent since then, going a combined 16-0 at Ultimate Duals and NHSCA Duals. He’ll have his toughest challenge of the off-season in Missouri commit #5 Zeke Seltzer in the round of 128 at 138 lbs.

#15 Cam Catrabone and HM Ismael Ayoub could meet in the round of 64 at 138 lbs. This is a national level bout with national ranking implications, and it should take place early tomorrow.

Fargo Greco champ #11 Q’veli Quintanilla could take on Super 32 runner up #8 Koy Buesgens in the round of 32 at 145 lbs. 

PIAA champ Dylan Evans was 3rd at Super 32 while Blair Academy’s Paul Ognissanti had podium finishes at National Preps, Powerade, Ironman, and Beast of the East. These two have a lot of hardware, and they could square off in the round of 32 at 160 lbs.

Two-time Iowa state champ Wyatt Reisz may not have a closet full of freestyle awards, but he’s a proven winner. He could see New Jersey’s Jasaiah Queen, a fifth place finisher at U17 Trials this spring, in the round of 64.

Arizona State incoming freshman Jacob Meissner is moving down from 220 lbs for Fargo. He could see Kinglsley Menifee, a guy who’s regularly in the rankings, in the round of 32.

Michael Dellagatta finished third in New Jersey this year at 175 lbs, but he moved up to 195 lbs for Junior Duals where he was undefeated with a victory over Sawyer Bartelt. He could see Fargo finalist Cody Merrill in one of the most anticipated round of 32 matches of the tournament.

Sawyer Bartelt is ranked 14th at 195 lbs, but he’s made the move up for Fargo. He could see Super 32 placer Caden Ferris in the round of 32.

Illinois state champ Dillan Johnson made a name for himself at Junior Duals. If he advances through the bracket as expected, he’ll have his hands full in the round of 32 with Ohio state champ #8 Nolan Neves who’s been a proven commodity for a while.