A 15-year-old Alexys Zepeda was unaware of what she would accomplish when she traveled to Fargo, North Dakota, in 2018. The Gervais, Oregon, native entered the Cadet Tournament hoping to place and outscored five opponents 53-4 on her way to the title. 

Then, on a whim, she entered the Junior division the day before.

“After winning Cadets I thought, I might as well,” Zepeda said. “More mat time.”

She outscored five more opponents 47-0 for a second Fargo title. Add it all up and Zepeda took down 10 of the nation’s best 122-pounders by a 100-4 count. 

Her opponents were tough, too. 

Nanea Estrella is a US Open champion and NAIA Championship finalist.

Cameron Guerin is a four-time NCWWC (NCAA) champion for McKendree.

Alisha Howk has wrestled in Final X and is a U23 World silver medalist.

Kevin Black — Howk’s coach and owner of Victory School of Wrestling — is still impressed by Zepeda’s 2018 Fargo run. 

“Alexys had one of the greatest Fargo tournaments in the history of girls wrestling at the Fargo Dome,” Black said. “She dominated both age groups and came in almost unknown. She beat us pretty soundly in the finals. She represents the growth and development of women’s wrestling in the United States.  

“Since then, we’ve seen numerous middle school and freshmen girls come on the scene at Women’s Nationals or in Fargo who are really good and they take out some good Cadet and Junior national team and World team members.  The upperclassmen can’t take things for granted. It’s the same with our senior-level girls and the upcoming teenagers ready for senior-level success.”

Below is a breakdown of Zepeda’s Fargo run with links to all her matches. 

Cadet Women — 122

1. Alexis Zepeda (OR)
2. Nanea Estrella (HI)
3. Maggie Palmore (MD)
4. Melanie Mendoza (CA)
5. Amor Tuttle (MN)
6. Lana Perez (HI)
7. Sofia Macaluso (NY)
8. Aki Choates (GA)

R32: Zepeda over Juliana Baugher (TX), 10-0
R16: Zepeda over Jazmin Mercado (WA), FALL 4:19
Quarters: Zepeda over Aki Choates (GA), 12-2
Semis: Zepeda over Lana Perez (HI), 11-0
Finals: Zepeda over Nanea Estrella (HI), 10-0

Junior Women — 122

1. Alexys Zepeda (OR)
2. Alisha Howk (WI)
3. Cameron Guerin (WA)
4. Amanda Walker (PA)
5. Payton Stroud (WA)
6. Makayla Welch (MN)
7. Ainslie Lane (OK)
8. Kortney Atchley (IL)

R32: Zepeda over Tatiyana Miller, FALL :43
R16: Zepeda over Ashley Whetzal (VA), 10-0
Quarters: Zepeda over Ainslie Lane (OK), 11-0
Semis: Zepeda over Cameron Guerin (WA), 10-0
Finals: Zepeda over Alisha Howk (WI), 8-0