Here we go folks!

Years in the making, we've finally moved FloNationals from folk to FS/GR. We've had stars galore come through FloNationals over the years, and now we're looking forward to building something special in the international styles.

Watch FloNationals 2019 Live on Flo

April 18-20 | 9:00 AM ET

FloNationals serves as this year's Pan Am Trials (Nomad explains that here), and placers earn separation for the Cadet World Team Trials in Akron next month.

The field features over two dozen wrestlers that have made a Fargo/Akron/Flo/NHSCA final.

Below is our Freestyle breakdown with picks and darkhorses.

45KG

Top PreSeeds

1. Marc Anthony McGowan, FL - U15 Pan Am Champ

2. Chris Martino, ID - Fargo 6th

3. Christian Forbes, OK - Fargo 8th

4. Kannon Webster, IL - Junior High State Champ

5. Jaden Pepe, PA - Junior High State Champ

Commentary: One of the top incoming talents, McGowan will be a force for years to come. He already represented the Stars & Stripes when he won U15 Pan Ams last year. Martino and Van Dee are Fargo AA’s that could push McGowan in his first big time HS event.

Willie’s Darkhorse Pick: Kannon Webster, IL

Nomad’s Darkhorse Pick: Jaden Pepe, PA

Willie’s Final: McGowan over Webster

Nomad’s Final: McGowan over Martino

Willie’s Pan Am Team Member: McGowan, FL

Nomad’s Pan Am Team Member: McGowan, FL

48KG

Top PreSeeds

1. Joey Fischer, PA - Fargo Champ

2. Ben Aranda, IL - Central Regional Champ

3. Kelly Dunnigan, NJ

4. Alex Randall, IL

5. Sefton Douglass, WY

Commentary: As a nationally ranked returning Fargo Champ, Fischer is the lead dog of the pack. But I’m watching out for Dunnigan who had a good run in Jersey at the end of the year.

Willie’s Darkhorse Pick: Sefton Douglass, WY

Nomad’s Darkhorse Pick: Dominic Hoffarth, OH

Willie’s Final: Fischer over Aranda

Nomad’s Final: Fischer over Aranda

Willie’s Pan Am Team Member: Joey Fischer, PA

Nomad’s Pan Am Team Member: Joey Fischer, PA

51KG

Top PreSeeds

1. Richie Figueroa, CA - Cadet World Silver

2. Chance Lamer, OR - Akron Champ

3. Joey Cruz, CA - FloNationals Runner-Up

4. Nick Babin, NJ - NJ State Runner-Up

5. Gary Steen, PA - Ironman Runner-Up

Other Contenders:

Max Black, CO - Fargo 5th

Nick Fea, NY - NHSCA FR Champ

Gregor McNeil, CAN - CAN Cadet World Team Member

Cole Bayless, PA

Levi Haines, PA - PA Runner-Up

Eric Roggie, VA - National Prep Runner-Up

Commentary: Loaded weight with the returning World Silver medalist in Richie Figs who just might be the best pound-for-pound wrestler in high school today. Lamer was also a World Teamer last year.

Joey Cruz is very interesting. He pushed Figs to the brink in an OT folk final at FloNationals last year and is down at 51 after wrestling all season at 120. 

Babin was a finalist in Jersey then won NHSCA’s. Steen has done better in folk, but he’s a serious threat as well.

Also in the field is Gregor McNeil, the Canadian Cadet World Team Member, and Levi Haines, the PA runner-up.

Fea was a late addition. He struggled making 106 in the season but looked fantastic at 113 in VA Beach.

Willie’s Darkhorse Pick: Nick Fea, NY

Nomad’s Darkhorse Pick: Gregor McNeil, CAN

Willie’s Final: Figueroa over Cruz

Nomad’s Final: Figueroa over Cruz

Willie’s Pan Am Team Member: Gary Steen, PA

Nomad’s Pan Am Team Member: Levi Haines, PA

55KG

Top PreSeeds

1. Jesse Ybarra, AZ - Fargo Champ

2. Nicolar Rivera, WI - Fargo Champ

3. Sheldon Seymour, PA - Fargo 3rd

4. Jake Rundell, IL - Fargo 5th

5. Zeke Seltzer, IN - Fargo 6th

Other Contenders:

Alex Almeyda, NJ - Fargo Runner-Up

Keegan Slyter, KS - NHSCA Runner-Up

Jackson Arrington, PA - PA Champ

Casey Swiderski, MI - Fargo 8th

Vince Cornella, CO - Doc B Runner-Up

James Joplin, MO - NHSCA Runner-Up

Kaleb Larkin, AZ - NHSCA Runner-Up

Garrett Lautzenheiser, OH - Fargo 8th

Rocco Welsh, PA - PJW Champ

Commentary: Excellent bracket that features not only proven FS performers and a lead pack, but also a field of landmines. There are eight Fargo AA’s in this weight!

Ybarrra won one of the best Fargo brackets last summer after placing 1st and 3rd in FS/GR at the Pan Am Trials. 

The next three guys are all coming up in weight significantly. Rivera, Almeyda, and Seymour were all 106’s not too long ago.

Rundell is set up well. He’s the perfect size and is wrestling both styles. He’s my pick to make the Pan Am Team.

Willie’s Darkhorse Pick: Ryan Michaels, PA

Nomad’s Darkhorse Pick: Kaleb Larkin, AZ

Willie’s Final: Ybarra over Rivera

Nomad’s Final: Almeyda over Seymour

Willie’s Pan Am Team Member: Jake Rundell, IL

Nomad’s Pan Am Team Member: Sheldon Seymour, PA

60KG

Top PreSeeds

1. Ryan Franco, CA - 2x Fargo Runner-Up

2. Jesse Mendez, IN - State Champ

3. Joel Vandervere, IL - State Runner-Up

4. Michael Kilic, GA - NHSCA Champ

5. Davin Rhoads, OH - State Champ

Other Contenders:

Ben Alanis, AZ - NHSCA 3rd

Blake Boarman, IN - State Runner-Up

Christian Colman, PA

Caleb Lemmons, FL - State Champ

Mitch Mesenbrink, WI - Folk Nats Champ

Nicco Ruiz, CA

Isaac Salas, CA

Ramon Ramos, AZ - NHSCA Champ

Julian Farber, GA - State Champ

Ian Oswalt, PA - State 5th

Commentary: Deep weight full of young talent. 8 wrestlers who appear on their respective Big Boards. Franco leads the way. He was a Fargo runner-up to Josh Saunders in ‘17 and to Josh Edmond last year. 

Mendez lost in the blood round at all the majors last year as an 8th grader and should be considered a title threat after winning single class Indiana. 

How good is Vandervere? He beat S32 finalist Travis Ford-Melton in state semi’s.

I’m most excited to see Rhoads and Kilic to get a read on them.

Of note - this is one of the few weights where the majority of the heavy hitters are wrestling both styles. The chase for Pan Am points will be awesome and likely come down to Saturday’s final medal session.

Willie’s Darkhorse Pick: Mitch Mesenbrink, WI

Nomad’s Darkhorse Pick: Nicco Ruiz, CA

Willie’s Final: Franco over Mendez

Nomad’s Final: Mendez over Franco

Willie’s Pan Am Team Member: Franco

Nomad’s Pan Am Team Member: Franco

65KG

Top PreSeeds

1. Bobby Perez, CA - Fargo 5th

2. Jackson Dean, DE - Fargo 3rd

3. Vinny Zerban, MO - Fargo 8th

4. Chase Warden, TX - Fargo 5th

5. Jagger Condomitti, PA - Fargo 6th

Other Contenders:

Matt Bianchi, WI

Paniro Johnson, PA - PA State 5th

Micah Norwood, OH - NHSCA Runner-Up

Matt Singleton, GA - NHSCA Champ

Jaxon Smith, GA - Fargo 6th

Gavin Brown, OH - State Champ

Aaden Valdez, AZ

Joey Zargo, NJ - Fargo 7th

Caleb Henson, GA - S32 4th

Luke Mechler, WI

Commentary: Perez had a double AA performance in Fargo last year as a 7th grader. He’s the #1 ranked Junior High wrestler in the country. Dean, Warden and Condomitti were all in the same Fargo bracket last year.

It took Zerban a bit to adjust to his weight, but man, he’s looked sharp winning a state title and OW at NHSCA’s. 

Singleton also won NHSCA’s. He’s talented and gritty, as is his fellow Georgian Caleb Henson (who is moving up from 60KG where he is registered.)

The kid I’m most interested in seeing is freshman Gavin Brown. He could be special.

Willie’s Darkhorse Pick: Paniro Johnson, PA

Nomad’s Darkhorse Pick: Matthew Singleton, GA

Willie’s Final: Bobby Perez over Vinny Zerban

Nomad’s Final: Bobby Perez over Vinny Zerban

Willie’s Pan Am Team Member: Perez

Nomad’s Pan Am Team Member: Perez

71KG

Top PreSeeds

1. John Martin Best, WV - Fargo Runner-Up

2. Cael Valencia, CA - Fargo 3rd

3. Manny Rojas, MI - Fargo Runner-Up

4. Donald Cates, NC - Fargo 3rd

5. AJ Kovacs, NY - State Champ

Other Contenders:

Stoney Buell, MI

Payne Carr, KY

Matt Arcuiolo, PA - PA 3rd

Eric Gibson, PA - PA 3rd

Daniel Patten, OH - OH 5th

Luca Augustine, NJ - Beast 5th

Commentary: Loaded at the top, four of these guys had a single loss at Fargo last year. Best beat Valencia in the semi’s before losing to Carson Manville. Rojas beat Cates in semi’s before losing to Oklahoma’s Tate Picklo. I like Cates and I like him a lot more in FS right now.

I’d also include Kovacs, the NY state champ, in the mix to reach the finals.

Two darkhorses here. Erik Gibson is the truth. He placed 3rd this year in PA as a Frosh at 138. He’s making a big weight jump here though.

And Arcuiolo. He was also 3rd in PA and is just scratching the surface of his ability. He doesn’t have much FS experience, but he’s one I’m keeping my eye on.

Willie’s Darkhorse Pick: Erik Gibson, PA

Nomad’s Darkhorse Pick: Stoney Buell, MI

@FloWrestling my mom said if I win flo she’ll buy me a puppy... if you want a dark horse I’ll be wrestling my ass off

— Stoney Andrew Buell (@Stoneybuell) April 17, 2019

Willie’s Final: Valencia over Cates

Nomad’s Final: Best over Valencia

Willie’s Pan Am Team Member: Cael Valencia, CA

Nomad’s Pan Am Team Member: John Martin Best, WV

80KG

Top PreSeeds

1. Clayton Ulrey, PA - Fargo 5th

2. Dayton Pitzer, PA - State Champ

3. Jack Darrah, MO - Folk Nats Runner-Up

4. Logan Perkins, FL - State Champ

5. Jake Evans, OH - State 4th

Other Contenders:

Walker Stephenson, SC

Mike Tal-Shahar, FL

Darwin Hull, TX - NE Regional Champ

Christian Carroll, IN

Commentary:

A good deal of talent here but not many with freestyle accolades. Ulrey is the only returning Fargo placer. 

For Pitzer, this could be the beginning of stardom. He’s one of the best freshmen in the country. Trust me, he doesn’t wrestle like a freshman. And he won a PA state title at 182.

Darrah has been knocking on the door and is coming off a Folk Nats finals appearance. He was just 3-2 last year at Fargo but his losses were both to nationally ranked foes.

Willie’s Darkhorse Pick: Walker Stephenson, SC

Nomad’s Darkhorse Pick: Christian Carroll, IN

Willie’s Final: Pitzer over Ulrey

Nomad’s Final: Pitzer over Ulrey

Willie’s Pan Am Team Member: Pitzer

Nomad’s Pan Am Team Member: Pitzer

92KG

Top PreSeeds

1. Silas Allred, IN - Super 32 3rd

2. Nathan Haas, CA - Fargo Runner-Up

3. Kolby Franklin, PA - Fargo Runner-Up

4. Dorian Crosby, PA - Fargo 3rd 

5. John Poznaski, NJ - Fargo 4th

Other Contenders:

Brent Paulus, OH - Fargo 8th

Sam Fisher, VA - Fargo 7th

Mike Misita, NJ - State 7th

Commentary:

Nomad’s favorite weight. Two Fargo finalists and six AA’s in total.

Allred is ranked #2 in the nation after a 1-loss Super 32 and an undefeated Junior year in Indiana. 

Haas was the runner-up last year to Rocky Elam and then went on to win a state title. Poznanski was 4th and Fisher 7th in Haas’ bracket though none of them hit.

Franklin made Fargo finals in both styles, losing to Noah Pettigrew in FS and beating him in GR a few days later. 

Crosby was 3rd in that bracket. His only loss was 11-11 to Pettigrew. He also has wins in his career over Franklin. Paulus was in the bracket and took 8th.

Willie’s Darkhorse Pick: Fisher, VA

Nomad’s Darkhorse Pick: Misita, NJ

Willie’s Final: Allred over Franklin

Nomad’s Final: Franklin over Allred

Willie’s Pan Am Team Member: Kolby Franklin, PA

Nomad’s Pan Am Team Member: Kolby Franklin, PA

110KG

Top PreSeeds

1. Hunter Catka, PA - Akron Runner-Up

2. Kyonte Hamilton, DC - NHSCA Champ

3. Nathan Deasey, AZ - Fargo Champ

4. Braxton Mikesell, WA - Fargo 3rd

5. Remy Brancato, NJ - NHSCA Runner-Up

Other Contenders:

Braydon Erb, IN

Commentary: 

Catka was the the Akron Runner-Up to Kerkvliet last year and looked to be on his way to the Fargo finals until he suffered a severe injury. 

Hamilton is a huge X-factor. He’s a tremendous wrestler, winning NHSCA’s twice in two tries including pinning Fargo champ Deasey. But he has very limited freestyle experience. I wouldn’t be surprised if he upset Catka, but I have no idea what he’s going to look like in par terre.

Deasey beat Mikesell in his path to the Fargo title last year. 

Willie’s Final: Catka over Hamilton

Nomad’s Final: Catka over Hamilton

Willie’s Pan Am Team Member: Nathaniel Deasey, AZ

Nomad’s Pan Am Team Member: Nathaniel Deasey, AZ