Complete & Total 16u Freestyle Preview And Predictions
Complete & Total 16u Freestyle Preview And Predictions
The 16u division at Fargo will cement some of the top high schoolers in the country and allow new stars to break out. Here's what you need to know.
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The 16u division in Fargo is where some of the nation's top recruits make a statement and where a whole lot of wrestlers get on college coaches' radars for the first time. Here's a preview of some of the action you could see as well as predictions for who might find success.
The Sub 106 Group
Fargo has three weight classes before the first high school weight of 106 lbs, These weights offer the nation's smallest wrestlers to showcase their skills, and while they tend to provide some of the tournament's smallest brackets, there are still names to keep an eye on.
Javaan Yarbrough placed at the u15 trials this year where Haakon Peterson won a title. That could very well be the final at 88 lbs. At 94 lbs, Mack Mauger will be a force. He'll see some tough competition, but his double finals performance at Cadet Trials suggests he'll be up for the challenge.
The group at 100 lbs is a bit deeper. Expect several of these young studs to be ranked this year.
Names to Watch
88 lbs - Javaan Yarbrough, Ohio
88 lbs - Haakon Peterson, Wisconsin
94 lbs - #14 Mack Mauger, Idaho
94 lbs - Moses Mendoza, California
94 lbs - Tyler Garvin, Maryland
94 lbs - Michael Olson, Minnesota
94 lbs - Cadell Lee, Virginia
100 lbs - Davis Motyka, Pennsylvania
100 lbs - Antonio Mills, Georgia
100 lbs - Seth Mendoza, Illinois
100 lbs - Dru Ayala, Iowa
100 lbs - Everest Sutton, Oregon
100 lbs - Aaron Seidel, Pennsylvania
100 lbs - Christian Castillo, Arizona
100 lbs - Talan Parsons, Michigan
100 lbs - Chase Quenault, New Jersey
100 lbs - Carson Walsh, New Jersey
100 lbs - Mason Rohr, Ohio
100 lbs - Shane McFillin, Pennsylvania
100 lbs - Chase Van Hoven, Virginia
100 lbs - Colin Martin, Virginia
Predictions
88 lbs: Javaan Yarbrough over Haakon Peterson
94 lbs: Mack Mauger over Michael Olson
100 lbs: Chase Van Hoven over Dru Ayala
106 lbs
This bracket gets pretty deep as Isaiah Quintero, Ethan Rivera, and Jameson Garcia are all in the top 20. A number of incoming freshman will be in the rankings after Fargo from this group as well.
Every year, the 106 bracket serves as a launch pad for a bunch of incredible careers, and this year should be no different.
Names to Watch
106 lbs - #7 Isaiah Quintero, California
106 lbs - #8 Ethan Rivera, Florida
106 lbs - #17 Jameson Garcia, Illinois
106 lbs - Louis Gill, Pennsylvania
106 lbs - Carter Nogle, Maryland
106 lbs - Nathan Desmond, Pennsylvania
106 lbs - Noah Nininger, Virginia
106 lbs - Anthony Knox, New Jersey
106 lbs - Sam Herring, Pennsylvania
106 lbs - Elias Navida, California
106 lbs - Sebastian Degennaro, Florida
106 lbs - Carson Doolittle, Iowa
106 lbs - Marcus Blaze, Ohio
106 lbs - Landon Bainey, Pennsylvania
106 lbs - Tahir Parkins, Pennsylvania
106 lbs - Matthew Martino, Idaho
106 lbs - Evan Boblits, Maryland
106 lbs - Jackson BLum, Michigan
106 lbs - Gerald Harris, Oklahoma
106 lbs - Carson Dupill, Virginia
Predictions
Finals: Isaiah Quintero over Ethan Rivera
AAs: Anthony Knox, Jameson Garcia, Nathan Desmond, Louis Gill, Noah Nininger, Sam Herring
113 lbs
This group has five ranked wrestlers including 113-pounders and 106-pounders who are moving up. That group includes Carter Freeman, Vinny Kilkeary, Jaxon Joy, Jack Consiglio, and Logan Lau. The competition for AA honors here will be stiff.
Names to Watch
113 lbs - #3 Carter Freeman, Iowa
113 lbs - #3 Vincent Kilkeary, Pennsylvania
113 lbs - #10 Jaxon Joy, Ohio
113 lbs - #15 Jack Consiglio, Pennsylvania
113 lbs - #18 Logan Lau, Hawaii
113 lbs - Drew Gorman, Georgia
113 lbs - Reid Spurley, Wisconsin
113 lbs - Brock Mantanona, California
113 lbs - Miles Anderson, Nebraska
113 lbs - Jax Forrest, North Carolina
113 lbs - Billy Greenwood, Colorado
113 lbs - Nick Treaster, Kansas
113 lbs - Marcello Milani, Michigan
113 lbs - Logan Swensen, Minnesota
113 lbs - Draegen Orine, Missouri
113 lbs - Jackson Heslin, California
113 lbs - Koufax Christensen, Iowa
113 lbs - Kale Petersen, Iowa
113 lbs - Dawson Johnson, Wisconsin
113 lbs - Matthew Botello, Massachusetts
Predictions
Finals: Vinny Kilkeary over Logan Swensen
AA: Carter Freeman, Jaxon Joy, Jack Consiglio, Drew Gorman, Brock Mantanona, Nick Treaster
120 lbs
Mason Gibson is the frontrunner here although after Kael Lauridsen's impressive finals performance at the Cadet Trials, this is clearly a competitive weight. Throw in Aden Valencia (who was at 48kg for Cadet Greco in the Dells), #18 Omar Ayoub, and #19 Kamdyn Williams, and you've go the makings of an incredible bracket.
This group also includes several impressive rising freshmen alongside a handful of guys have already seen time in the high school rankings. You won't want to miss this one.
Names to Watch
120 lbs - #2 Aden Valencia, California
120 lbs - #5 Mason Gibson, Pennsylvania
120 lbs - #12 Kael Lauridsen, Nebraska
120 lbs - #18 Omar Ayoub, Ohio
120 lbs - #19 Kamdyn Williams, Pennsylvania
120 lbs - Derek Guanajuato, Arizona
120 lbs - Colby Crouch, Illinois
120 lbs - Tyler Ferrara, New York
120 lbs - Gianni Silvestri, New York
120 lbs - Dalton Perry, Pennsylvania
120 lbs - Adrian Meza, Arizona
120 lbs - Alex Braun, Minnesota
120 lbs - Zan Fugitt, Missouri
120 lbs - Luke Stanich, New Jersey
120 lbs - Moses Mirabal, California
120 lbs - Mason Gutenberger, Montana
120 lbs - Gauge Botero, Pennsylvania
120 lbs - Joseph Simon, Pennsylvania
120 lbs - Jacob Myers, Colorado
120 lbs - Tyson Charmoli, Minnesota
120 lbs - Donny Almeyda, New Jersey
120 lbs - Casen Roark, Tennessee
Predictions
Finals: Mason Gibson over Kael Lauridsen
AA: Aden Valencia, Omar Ayoub, Dalton Perry, Zan Fugitt, Derek Guanajuato, Adrian Meza
126 lbs
Once the seniors come out, a number of these guys are primed for spots in the rankings, and this tournament will go a long way in determining those spots. We'll learn a lot about this group over the weekend.
Names to Watch
126 lbs - Vince Bouzakis, Pennsylvania
126 lbs - Collin Guffey, California
126 lbs - Cash Raymond, Minnesota
126 lbs - Max Gallagher, New York
126 lbs - Ayson Rice, South Dakota
126 lbs - Tyler Wells, Minnesota
126 lbs - Kyler Larkin, Arizona
126 lbs - Landon Robideau, Minnesota
126 lbs - Nathan Taylor, New Jersey
126 lbs - Clayton Giddens, Oklahoma
126 lbs - Logan W. Paradice, Georgia
126 lbs - Kane Naaktgeboren, Iowa
126 lbs - Anders Kittelson, Iowa
126 lbs - Joshua Neiwert, Washington
126 lbs - Gunner Andrick, West Virginia
126 lbs - Dmitri Alarcon, Colorado
126 lbs - Aaron Lucio, Michigan
126 lbs - Devon Magro, Pennsylvania
126 lbs - Hunter Sturgill, Tennessee
Predictions
Finals: Tyler Wells over Kyler Larkin
AA: Clayton Giddens, Vince Bouzakis, Collin Gufey, Cash Raymond, Landon Robideau, Nathan Taylor
132 lbs
Guys like Brock Herman, Christopher Coates, and Zach Hanson have been knocking on the door of the rankings, and incoming freshmen like Ladarion Lockett will make a name for themselves here as well.
Names to Watch
132 lbs - Brock Herman, Ohio
132 lbs - Kollin Rath, Pennsylvania
132 lbs - Zach Hanson, Minnesota
132 lbs - Laird Root, California
132 lbs - Cameron Catrabone, New York
132 lbs - Christopher Coates, Missouri
132 lbs - Cross Wasilewski, New Jersey
132 lbs - Ladarion Lockett, Oklahoma
132 lbs - Cameron Milheim, Pennsylvania
Predictions
Finals: Brock Herman over Christopher Coates
AA: Ladarion Lockett, Laird Root, Kollin Rath, Zach Hanson, Cameron Catrabone, Cameron Milheim
138 lbs
This bracket is filled with nationally recognized names like Tyler Kasak, Mekhi Neal, Jace Roller, Nicholas Kunstek, Ethan Mojena, and Joel Adams. That's a dangerous group, but their will certainly be surprise All-Americans who emerge from the 138 bracket as well.
Names to Watch
138 lbs - Mekhi Neal, Maryland
138 lbs - Nicholas Kunstek, Pennsylvania
138 lbs - Tyler Kasak, Pennsylvania
138 lbs - Jace Roller, Oklahoma
138 lbs - Ethan Mojena, Florida
138 lbs - Joel Adams, Nebraska
138 lbs - Coby Merrill, California
138 lbs - Dylan Pile, California
138 lbs - Angelo Posada, California
138 lbs - Emil Necula, Georgia
138 lbs - Jaydon Robinson, Illinois
138 lbs - Claudio Torres, Illinois
138 lbs - Tycho Carmichael, Iowa
138 lbs - Justin Avila, Iowa
138 lbs - Judah Aybar, Maryland
138 lbs - Cade Ziola, Nebraska
138 lbs - Alessio Perentin, New Jersey
138 lbs - Beau Hickman, Oklahoma
138 lbs - Tyler Eise, Colorado
138 lbs - August Hibler, New Jersey
138 lbs - Luke Sipes, Pennsylvania
Predictions
Finals: Joel Adams over Tyler Kasak
AA: Mekhi Neal, Jace Roller, Nicholas Kunstek, Ethan Mojena, Justin Avila, August HIbler
145 lbs
This is another weight that will shape the rankings once the seniors come out. Angelo Ferrari is down from 152, and Pierson Manville is up. Those two headline a solid group.
Names to Watch
145 lbs - William Henckel, Connecticut
145 lbs - Pierson Manville, Pennsylvania
145 lbs - Dylan Evans, Pennsylvania
145 lbs - Angelo Ferrari, Oklahoma
145 lbs - Latrell Schafer, Georgia
145 lbs - Logan Swaw, Illinois
145 lbs - Bas Diaz, Iowa
145 lbs - Paul Ognissanti, Maryland
145 lbs - Brodie Dominique, Ohio
145 lbs - Brett Back, Wisconsin
145 lbs - Charlie Millard, Wisconsin
145 lbs - Hudson Rogers, Idaho
145 lbs - Layton Schneider, Oklahoma
Predictions
Finals: Angelo Ferrari over Pierson Manville
AA: William Henckel, Dylan Evans, Bas Diaz, Logan Swaw, Paul Ognissanti, Brett Back
152 lbs
Zack Ryder has established himself as one of the top young prospects in the class of 2024. He's the favorite here, but he has a tough road to navigate to win this weight.
Names to Watch
152 lbs - #11 Zack Ryder, New York
152 lbs - Braxton Strick, Missouri
152 lbs - Creed Thomas, Georgia
152 lbs - Dominic Bambinelli, Georgia
152 lbs - Jayden Colon, Illinois
152 lbs - Nicholas Fox, Iowa
152 lbs - Wyatt Reisz, Iowa
152 lbs - Wynton Denkins, Ohio
152 lbs - Moses Espinoza-Owens, Utah
152 lbs - Israel Ibarra, Arizona
152 lbs - Bryce Burkett, Minnesota
152 lbs - Max Nevlin, New Jersey
152 lbs - KJ Evans, Oklahoma
152 lbs - Macon Ayers, Virginia
152 lbs - Lars Michaelson, Washington
Predictions
Finals: Zach Rider over Braxton Strick
AA: Creed Thomas, Wynton Denkins, Moses Espinoza-Owens, KJ Evans, Lars Michaelson, Jaydon Colon
160 lbs
This weight doesn't have any ranked guys, but it has a whole lot of opportunity for guys to establish themselves.
Names to Watch
160 lbs - Daschle Lamer, Oregon
160 lbs - Hoke Poe Hogan, Georgia
160 lbs - David Mayora, Illinois
160 lbs - Brent Slade, Iowa
160 lbs - Vaughn Spencer, Pennsylvania
160 lbs - Aeoden Sinclair, Wisconsin
160 lbs - Travis Smith, Minnesota
160 lbs - Louie Cerchio, New Jersey
160 lbs - Luke James, Ohio
160 lbs - Talon McCollom, Oklahoma
Predictions
Finals: Aeoden Sinclair over David Mayora
AA: Hoke Poe Hogan, Daschle Lamer, Travis Smith, Talon McCollom, Brent Slade, Luke James
170 lbs
Gabe Arnold is one of the biggest favorites in the 16u division, but he'll see some tough competition. More big men will emerge as big recruits by the end of this tournament.
Names to Watch
170 lbs - #5 Gabriel Arnold, Georgia
170 lbs - Justin Rademacher, Oregon
170 lbs - Nathan Taylor, Connecticut
170 lbs - Cody Merrill, California
170 lbs - Brian Burburija, Florida
170 lbs - Abraham Wojcikiewicz, Illinois
170 lbs - Aidan Ysaguirre, Arizona
170 lbs - Harvey Ludington, New Jersey
170 lbs - Oscar Williams, Oklahoma
Predictions
Finals: Gabe Arnold over Nathan Taylor
AA: Cody Merrill, Brian Burburija, Abraham Wojcikiewicz, Aidan Ysaguirre, Harvey Ludington, Justin Rademacher
182 lbs
Connor Mirasola's Cadet Trials finals appearance makes him the favorite here, but he'll have his hands full with his brother Cole and a number of credentialed opponents.
Names to Watch
182 lbs - Omaury Alvarez, Georgia
182 lbs - Luke Vanadia, Ohio
182 lbs - Cole Mirasola, Wisconsin
182 lbs - Connor Mirasola, Wisconsin
182 lbs - Ryland Whitworth, California
182 lbs - Dominic Thebeau, Illinois
182 lbs - Jude Correa, Massachusetts
182 lbs - Soren Herzog, Minnesota
182 lbs - Noah Blair, Nebraska
182 lbs - Camden McDanel, Ohio
182 lbs - Kingsley Menifee, Virginia
Predictions
Finals: Connor Mirasola over Omaury Alvarez
AA: Cole Mirasola, Jude Correa, Luke Vanadia, Ryland Whitworth, Soren Herzog, Kingsley Menifee
195 lbs
This is an upper classmen-heavy weight, but some of the names on this list will take over soon. Expect to see a number of these guys in the rankings after the seniors come out.
Names to Watch
195 lbs - Max McEnelly, Minnesota
195 lbs - Carter Neves, Ohio
195 lbs - Sonny Sasso, Pennsylvania
195 lbs - Sawyer Bartelt, Florida
195 lbs - Noah Wenzel, Illinois
195 lbs - McCrae Hagarty, Iowa
195 lbs - Adam Haselius, Michigan
195 lbs - Alexander Uryniak, New Jersey
195 lbs - Richard Thomas, Oklahoma
Predictions
Finals: Carter Neves over Sonny Sasso
AA: Max McEnelly, Sawyer Bartelt, Noah Wenzel, McCrae Hagarty, Richard Thomas, Adam Haselius
220 lbs
Koy Hopke has won just about everywhere, and now he has a chance on a very big stage, but he'll have a number of tough guys to get past.
Names to Watch
220 lbs - Koy Hopke, Wisconsin
220 lbs - Nicholas Sahakian, California
220 lbs - Jacob Walker, Iowa
220 lbs - Austin Johnson, Pennsylvania
220 lbs - Parker Ferrell, Virginia
Predictions
Finals: Koy Hopke over Parker Ferrell
285 lbs
A whole lot of seniors will be coming out of the rankings after Fargo, so expect to see some of these names move in soon.
Names to Watch
285 lbs - Aidan Fockler, Ohio
285 lbs - Navarro Schunke, South Dakota
285 lbs - Griffin Empey, Wisconsin
285 lbs - Will Sather, Minnesota
Predictions
Finals: Navarro Schunke over Aidan Fockler