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Fargo Wrestling 2023 Schedule, Brackets, And Coverage
Once again, it’s Fargo time! The Fargo Dome, an indoor athletic stadium located on the campus of North Dakota State University, has been the home of the 16U (formerly Cadet) and Junior Nationals since 1993. Historically, the first Junior Nationals were held in Iowa City in 1971 and fourteen years later the Cadet division was added and held in Allendale, Michigan.
2023 marks the 30th anniversary that the USA National Championships are being held in the Dome with competition in men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s freestyle beginning July 14th and ending July 23rd. Wrestlers from all fifty states will put their reputations on the line in pursuit of the coveted “STOP SIGN” trophy for individual champions and All-American honors for wrestlers placing in the top 8 in their respective weight groups.
This year, Team Idaho will be sending a large contingent of approximately 130 wrestlers to the Dome. For the past several years, the Gem State has broken the barrier of 100 plus wrestlers, which in year’s past averaged around 45 to 50 (all divisions). According to Chris Owens, Director of Idaho USA Wrestling since 2017, more kids in Idaho are now competing on a national level than anytime in its history sending wrestlers to Fargo. Additionally, with the exponential growth and popularity of women’s wrestling in Idaho, the numbers will continue to increase on an upward trajectory.
The 2023 Team Idaho contingent returns a substantial number of top-level of High School State Champions and placers, 14 returning Fargo All-Americans (all divisions) and several with Folkstyle and United World Wrestling (UWW) All-American honors to their credit.
In the 16U division, returning Fargo All-Americans Saxton Scott (Bonneville), Boden Banta (South Fremont), and Rider Sequine (Post Falls) leads this young group. Other wrestlers with potential to earn their first Fargo All-American honor include Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian), Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls), Logan Shaver (Meridian), Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly), Chaz Ponton (Boise), and Drake Morrison of Malad. All have All-American credentials from other national level competitions, such as the Folkstyle Nationals or National High School Showcase.
This year’s Junior division has 10 returning Fargo All-Americans and several more in the line-up with Folkstyle and UWW World Team trials All-American credentials.
Rated among the top prep wrestlers in the country is 3x State Champion (4A) Mack Mauger of Blackfoot. Since 2020, Mauger has accumulated an impressive list of achievements at the national level. To date, he has earned four Fargo (FS/GR), two Folkstyle National titles, and twice a recipient of the USA Wrestling Triple Crown. Currently, Mauger is the only wrestler in Idaho history to win double Fargo titles twice and is in position to earn a possible state record fifth or sixth title. A member in the Class of 2024, Mauger is in position to earn a rare fourth state title and is committed to compete for the University of Missouri.
A 2022 Fargo finalist in Greco-Roman, Bishop Kelly’s Jadon Skellenger returns to Fargo among the most accomplished wrestlers in Idaho and the nation. This month, he represented Team USA at the U20 Pan American Championships in Santiago, Chile, bringing home the Gold and third Pan Am medal overall in the last few years. His list of accolades is long and impressive. As a sample, Skellenger won the U15 World Championships in Greco-Roman in 2019, has placed or won several national and international competitions, and since 2018 has represented the United States at various international competitions. Also, a member of the Class of 2024, Skellenger is in position to earn a second 4A state title and is committed to compete for Lehigh University.
Maintaining the same national and international presence as Skellenger, Borah High School graduate Aden Attao is currently ranked among the top prep heavyweights entering the collegiate ranks and more recently has made a name for himself at the international level as well. A Gold medalist at the Pan American Championships in 2022, Attao added another this past week in Santiago, Chile, dominating his competition in championship format. Furthermore, Attao took the international scene by storm when he earned a Bronze medal at the 2022 U20 World Greco-Roman Championships in Bulgaria only a month or so after winning double titles at Fargo and another in Folkstyle. After Fargo, Attao will be headed to Corvallis, Oregon to compete for Oregon State University.
Another returning Fargo National Champion is American Fall’s Kolter Burton. Winning an individual title in the Junior Greco division in 2021, Burton has earned a total of five Fargo All-American honors. Additionally, he earned another individual title at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals and has two more All-American honors from this tournament. Rated among the top lightweights in the country, Burton is a 3x State Champion (3A) and in position to earn a rare fourth. Upon graduation, he is committed to compete for Oklahoma State University.
Other returning Fargo All-Americans include Tucker Bowen (Soda Springs), Jaxton Packer (South Fremont), Treygen Morin (Ridgeview), Folkstyle National Champion Hudson Rogers (Meridian), Tanner Frothinger (Eagle), and multi-All-American Shilo Jones of Mountain View. Furthermore, several wrestlers on the roster have Folkstyle All-American honors to their credit and will challenge for spot on the medal stand. They include Hunter Anderson (Rigby), Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge), Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly), Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston), Bowen Brunson (Buhl), Carson Exferd, Grayson Williams (American Falls), Jacob Blandford (Middleton), Ryker Gibson (Marsh Valley), and Carson Gooley (Meridian).
For the second year in a row, the women’s contingent is sending thirty plus (16U/Junior) to Fargo and continues to grow in numbers each year. Leading this group is returning 2x All-American (16U) Joely Slyter of Lewiston. Earning her first All-American honor in 2021, Slyter reached the championship finals in 2022 and is medal contender this year. Other medal contenders with All-American credentials from other national competitions include 14U National Champion Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain), Zoe Fries (Kuna), Kaidance Gerg (Meridian), Clare Waite (Boise), and Oklahoma City University commit Maria Sifuentes (Columbia). Pay close attention to Skyla Zimmerman (Moscow), Kadence Beck (Grangeville), Taylor Hood (Buhl), Savannah Rickter (Bonners Ferry), Sophie Sarver (Mountain View), and Amie Hartman of Mountain Home. All have solid state high school accolades and will challenge for a medal.
In summary, on July 14th Team Idaho will be joining the rest of the country by sending its largest contingent of wrestlers to the Fargo Dome to compete for the coveted “STOP SIGN” championship trophy and All-American honors.
It is my humble opinion that the state of Idaho is a HIDDEN GEM filled with a lot of talent not yet recognized on the national level. This year’s Team Idaho heads to Fargo with several returning All-Americans and talented wrestlers with national and international level experience and several newcomers with great potential to challenge for their first All-American honor. Good luck to all Idaho wrestlers heading to Fargo, WE’RE ONE IDAHO!
Below is the 16U and Junior rosters for Team Idaho (weight-by-weight lists subject to change), as well as a series of historical statistics highlighting the Gem State’s more recent performance on the national stage and Fargo achievements since the 1980s.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALISTS
Jadon Skellenger – U15 World Champion (GR)
Aden Attao – U20 Bronze Medal (GR)
PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jadon Skellenger – Gold Medalists (GR)/2x Silver Medalist (FS/GR)
Aden Attao – 2x Gold Medalist (GR)
RETURNING FARGO ALL-AMERICANS
Joely Slyter – 16U/Junior Girls (FS)
Rider Sequine – 16U (GR)
Saxton Scott – 16U (GR)
Boden Banta – 16U (GR)
Mack Mauger – 4x Fargo Champion – 16U/Junior (FS/GR)
Jaxton Packer – 16U (GR)
Kolter Burton – Fargo Champion – Junior (GR)/5x 16U/Junior (FS/GR)
Tucker Bowen – Junior (FS)
Treygen Morin – 16U (GR)
Tanner Frothinger – 16U (GR)
Jadon Skellenger – Junior (GR)
Hudson Rogers – 2x 16U (GR)
Aden Attao – 2x Fargo Champion/3x Junior (FS/GR)
Shilo Jones – Junior (FS)
2023 TEAM IDAHO – JUNIOR DIVISION ROSTER
100 – Hunter Anderson (Rigby), FS/GR*
100 – Gabriel Rosales (Mountain Home), FS/GR
106 – Daniel Rosales (Mountain Home), FS/GR
106 – Seth Lish (Marsh Valley), FS/GR
113 – Mack Mauger (Blackfoot), FS/GR*
113 – Ryan Nuno (Idaho Falls), FS/GR
113 – Christian Segali (Middleton), FS/GR
120 – Tucker Bowen (Soda Springs), FS/GR*
120 – Jaxton Packer (South Fremont), FS/GR*
120 – Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge), FS/GR*
126 – Kolter Burton (American Falls), FS/GR*
126 – Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly), FS/GR*
126 – Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston), FS/GR*
126 – Treygen Morin (Ridgeview), FS/GR*
126 – Mikey Ziniti (Jerome), FS
132 – Bowen Brunson (Buhl), FS/GR*
132 – Carson Exferd (Nampa), FS/GR*
132 – Rocky Morris (Marsh Valley), FS/GR
132 – Clark Peterson (Shelley), FS/GR
138 – Tanner Frothinger (Eagle), FS/GR*
138 – Riley Brunson (Buhl), FS/GR
138 – Wylie Stone (Eagle), FS/GR
138 – Gabriel Brown, FS/GR
145 – Shane Sherrill (Sandpoint), FS/GR
145 – Akio Sanders (Nampa), FS
152 – Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly), FS*
152 – Fahad Hillesland (Meridian), GR
152 – Grayson Williams (American Falls), FS*
152 – James Greene (Moscow), FS
160 – Jacob Blandford (Middleton), FS*
160 – Ryker Gibson (Marsh Valley), FS/GR*
160 – Kash Cobb (Weiser), FS
170 – Hudson Rogers (Meridian), FS/GR*
170 – Cole Lockart (Lewiston), FS/GR
170 – Xander Zollinger (Skyline), FS/GR
170 – Cole Nelson (Rigby), FS
182 – Isaiah Twait (Meridian), FS/GR
182 – Jonathan Seamons (Nampa), FS/GR
182 – Carson Hyde (Skyline), FS/GR
195 – Carson Gooley (Meridian), FS/GR*
195 – Wesley Hodges (Mountain Home), FS/GR
195 – Diego Ratliff (Bonneville), FS/GR
195 – Gentry Smith (Post Falls), FS
220 – Preston Colvin (Skyline)
285 – Aden Attao (Borah), FS/GR*
285 – Shilo Jones (Mountain View), FS/GR*
285 – Aiden McGinnis (Mountain View), FS/GR
285 – Brandon Moore (Mountain View), FS/GR
285 – Nathan Willoughby (New Plymouth), GR
2023 TEAM IDAHO – 16U DIVISION ROSTER
94 – Kaden Schaff (Nezperce), FS/GR
100 – Dylan Frothinger (Eagle), FS/GR
106 – Saxton Scott (Bonneville), FS/GR*
106 – Carson Leonard (Rathdrum), FS
106 – Johnny Behm (Shelley), FS
113 – Boden Banta (South Fremont), FS/GR*
113 – Rider Sequine (Post Falls), FS/GR*
113 – Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian), FS/GR*
113 – Logan Loaiza (Post Falls), FS/GR
120 – Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls), FS/GR*
120 – Ethan Schmidt (Mountain View), FS/GR
126 – Collin Morris (Marsh Valley), FS
126 – Sean Hall (Twin Falls), FS/GR
126 – Evan Simms (American Falls), FS/GR
132 – Logan Shaver (Meridian), FS/GR*
132 – Draken Miller (Meridian), FS/GR
132 – Tyson Cobb (Weiser), FS
138 – Roper Higley (Malad), FS/GR
138 – Drake Morrison (Malad), FS/GR*
145 – Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly), FS/GR*
145 – DJ Neider (Idaho Falls), FS/GR
145 – Camron Pedigo (Mountain Home), FS/GR
145 – Tytan Willden (Boise), GR
145 – Brock Armstrong (Hayden), FS/GR
152 – Tanner Ellis (Blackfoot), GR
152 – Chaz Ponton (Boise), GR*
152 – Luke Sarich (Weiser), FS
152 – Damion Hamilton (Post Falls), FS/GR
160 – Jean-luc Guerra (Mountain View), FS/GR
160 – Camden Crespi (Meridian), FS/GR
170 – Trey Smith (Jerome), FS/GR
170 – Blaise Turner (Aberdeen), FS/GR
170 – Kayden Addis (Boise), FS/GR
182 – Brice Cuthbert (Lewiston), FS
195 – Elijah Dilworth (Soda Springs), FS/GR
220 – William Bomba (Sandpoint), FS/GR
285 – Rex Salas (Madison), FS/GR
2023 TEAM IDAHO – 16U GIRLS ROSTER
112 – Xoey Zollinger (Skyline)
112 – Tommy Stone (Eagle)
117 – Makayla Smith (Mountain Home)
117 – Cameron Francis (Kimberly)
117 – Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain)*
122 – Courtney Hunt (American Falls)
122 – Shelby Prather (Potlach)
122 – Keira Zimmerman (Moscow)
122 – Colbi Eckhart (Eagle)
127 – Kyler Scott (Century)
138 – Lochlynn Harned (Rigby)
152 – Zoe Fries (Kuna)*
152 – Elizabeth Hodges
180 – Josslyn Blair (Jerome)
180 – Tierney Prather (Potlatch)
200 – Amie Hartman (Mountain Home)
2023 TEAM IDAHO – JUNIOR GIRLS ROSTER (FS)
100 – Joely Slyter (Lewiston)*
106 – Danielle Holt (Canyon Ridge)
117 – Skyla Zimmerman (Moscow)
117 – Kadence Beck (Grangeville)
117 – Taylor Hood (Buhl)
127 – Kasia Hanks (Burley)
127 – Sophie Sarver (Mountain Home)
132 – Zoe Ortiz (Bonneville)
132 – Destiny Isaacson (Rigby)
132 – Danielle Romriell (South Fremont)
138 – Kaidance Gerg (Meridian)*
138 – Madi Cook (Lake City)
144 – Hallie Stone (Pocatello)
144 – Clare Waite (Boise)*
144 – Maria Sifuentes (Columbia)*
152 – Savannah Rickter (Bonners Ferry)
164 – Maddi Johnson (St. Maries)
*Earned All-American honors (Fargo, Folkstyle, US Open, etc.)
IDAHO HISTORY AT 16U/JUNIOR NATIONALS (Since 1980)
4x NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (ALL DIVISIONS)
Mack Mauger (FS/GR), 2021 – ’22
Hayden Tuma (FS/GR), 2010 – ’13
3x NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (ALL DIVISIONS)
Ridge Lovett (GR), 2016 – ’18
Boe Rushton (FS/GR), 1996 – ’98
2x NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (ALL DIVISIONS)
Aden Attao (FS/GR), 2022
Jon Jay Chavez (GR), 2013, ‘14
Annaliese DeAragon (Women’s FS), 2009, ‘10
Tanner Hall (FS), 2009, ‘10
Shawn Jones (GR), 2005, ‘06
Jared Lawrence (GR), 1995, ‘96
Zac Taylor (FS/GR), 1989, ‘92
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (JUNIORS)
Kolter Burton (GR), 2021
Jaron Chavez (GR), 2017
Dorian Sapien (GR), 2014
Trevor Rupp (GR), 2010
Kirk Smith (FS), 2006
Clayton Foster (FS), 2006
Adam Hall (FS), 2006
Nick Smith (GR), 2004
Brock Zollinger (GR), 2001
Jake Rosholt (FS), 2000
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (16U)
Kaden Ramos (GR), 2018
Jonathon Fagen (GR), 2017
Brelane Huber (Women’s FS), 2017
Matthew Park (GR), 2014
Cierra Foster (Women’s FS), 2014
DOUBLE NATIONAL CHAMPION – FS/GR (ALL DIVISIONS)
Mack Mauger (16U/Junior), 2021, ‘22
Aden Attao (Junior) 2022
Boe Rushton (16U), 1996
ALL-AMERICAN HONORS (5 or More)
Ridge Lovett (FS/GR), 2015 – ’19 (10x)
Hayden Tuma (FS/GR), 2010 – ’13 (7x)
Shawn Jones (FS/GR), 2002 – ’06 (7x)
Christopher Martino (FS/GR), 2018 – ’21 (6x)
Clayton Foster (FS/GR), 2004 – ’06 (6x)
Adam Hall (FS/GR), 2003 – ’06 (6x)
Kolter Burton (FS/GR), 2021 – ’22 (5x)
Kirk Smith (FS/GR), 2005 – ’07 (5x)
Josh Strait (GR), 2002 – ’06 (5x)
Brock Zollinger (FS/GR), 2000 – ’02 (5x)
Jared Lawrence (FS/GR), 1995 – ’96 (5x)
4x ALL-AMERICANS
Mack Mauger (FS/GR), 2021 – ‘22
Brelane Huber (Women’s FS), 2017 – ’19
Jaron Chavez (FS/GR), 2013 – ‘17
Drake Foster (FS/GR), 2012 – ’13
Casey George (FS/GR), 2008 – ‘11
Brock Banta (FS/GR), 2007 – ’10
Nick Smith (FS/GR), 2001 – ’04
Clint Wolfley (GR), 1997 – ‘00
Boe Rushton (FS/GR), 1995 – ’98
3x ALL-AMERICANS
Aden Attao (FS/GR), 2021 – ’22
Hudson Rogers (FS/GR), 2021 – ’22
Kyle Rice (FS/GR), 2019 – ’21
Derek Mathews (FS/GR), 2019 – ’21
Destin Summers (FS/GR), 2015 – ‘19
Kase Mauger (FS/GR), 2016 – ‘17
Megan Houser (Women’s FS), 2015 – ’16
Ryan Klemp (FS/GR), 2013 – ’15
Chase Lemons (FS/GR), 2013 – ‘14
Michael Cook (FS/GR), 2010 – ’14
Blaine Invernon (GR), 2011 – ’13
Chase Call (GR), 2010 – ’13
Jared Johnshoy (FS/GR), 2010 – ‘12
Lily DeAragon (Women’s FS), 2011 – ’12
Gaylen Edmo (FS/GR), 2010 – ‘11
Colby Kloetzer (FS), 2007 – ’10
Tanner Hall (FS/GR), 2009 – ‘10
Trevor Rupp (FS/GR), 2009 – ‘10
Annaliese DeAragon (Women’s FS), 2008 – ‘10
Eric Smith (FS/GR), 2000 – ’02
Jake Rosholt (FS), 1998 – ’01
Pat Larson (FS/GR), 1994 – ‘95
2x ALL-AMERICANS
Joely Slyter (Women’s FS), 2021, ‘22
Alyssa Randles (Women’s FS), 2021, ’22
Dedrick Navarro (FS), 2021 – ’22
Rylan Rogers (FS), 2019 – ’22
Marissa Jimenez (Women’s FS), 2019, ’21
Preston Owens (FS/GR), 2019
Kaden Ramos (FS/GR), 2018
Ezekial Williamson (GR), 2016, ’18
Jonathon Fagen (FS/GR), 2017
Kade Lincoln (GR), 2014 – ’16
Sierra Pesnell (Women’s FS), 2015, ’16
Taylor Owens (GR), 2013 – ‘15
Seth McLeod (FS/GR), 2014, ’15
Derek Ramos (FS/GR), 2015
Koral Sugiyama (Women’s FS), 2013 –’15
Jon Jay Chavez (GR), 2013, ’14 (National Champ/2x Cadet AA – CA)
Cierra Foster (Women’s FS), 2014
Dorian Sapien (FS/GR), 2014
Mathew Park (FS/GR), 2014
Casey Cobb (FS/GR), 2012 – ’13
DeVaughn Sapien (FS/GR), 2012
John Kenyon (FS/GR), 2012
Adam Dewey (FS/GR), 2010 – ’12
Preston Gentry, 2004 – ’06
Dan Erekson (FS/GR), 2005
Paul Gentry (GR), 2003 – ‘04
Brandon Rupp (GR), 2002 – ‘04
Andy Patrick (FS), 2002 – ’03
Talon Vickers (FS/GR), 2001
Louis Bean (FS/GR), 2000 – ’01
Tony Hook (GR), 1999 – ’01
Tracy Vail (FS), 1993 – ’94
Zac Taylor (FS/GR), 1989 – ’92
Brett Bingham (FS/GR), 1986
Glenn Amador (FS/GR), 1985
MEDAL COUNTS/STATISTICS (SINCE 1980)
JUNIOR DIVISION
Individual Titles – Freestyles (9)
Individual Titles – Greco-Roman (16)
Total Medals – Freestyle (59)
Total Medals – Greco-Roman (76)
Total Medals – Freestyle/Greco-Roman (135)
16U (CADET) DIVISION
Individual Titles – Freestyle (3)
Individual Titles – Greco-Roman (10)
Total Medals – Freestyle (61)
Total Medals – Greco-Roman (87)
Total Medals – Freestyle/Greco-Roman (148)
JUNIOR WOMEN’S DIVISION
Individual Titles – Freestyle (2)
Total Medals – Freestyle (16)
16U (CADET) WOMEN’S DIVISION
Individual Titles – Freestyle (2)
Total Medals – Freestyle (13)
TOTAL FARGO MEDALS – ALL DIVISIONS (312)
16U (Cadet) Freestyle (61)
16U (Cadet) Greco-Roman (87)
Junior Freestyle (59)
Junior Greco-Roman (76)
16U (Cadet) Women’s Freestyle (13)
Junior Women’s Freestyle (16)
MOST COMBINED MEDALS AT CHAMPIONSHIPS – 24 (2021)
16U Greco-Roman (7)
16U Freestyle (3)
Junior Greco-Roman (7)
Junior Freestyle (3)
16U Women’s Freestyle (2)
Junior Women’s Freestyle (2)
10 OR MORE ALL-AMERICANS AT CHAMPIONSHIPS (ALL DIVISIONS)
(24) 2021
(21) 2022
(15) 2010, ’12, ‘13
(14) 2006
(13) 2004, ‘05, ‘17, ‘19
(12) 2011, ‘14
(11) 2015, ‘16
(10) 2000
MOST ALL-AMERICANS AT CHAMPIONSHIPS (PER DIVISION)
(4) 16U (Cadet) Freestyle, 2000
(7) 16U (Cadet) Greco-Roman, 2021
(5) Junior Freestyle, 2005, ‘22
(7) Junior Greco-Roman, 2021, ‘22
(2) 16U (Cadet) Women’s Freestyle, 2015, ‘21
(2) Junior Women’s Freestyle, 2009, ’16, ’21, ‘22
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