2026 Fargo Page
2026 Fargo Preview
The Women's 16u squad is headlined by Mia Pardo . Pardo is nationally ranked and had outstanding performances already this spring and summer. This squad is small but I have high expectations for these five!
​
Most Likely to Place:
​
Mia Pardo
-So far this spring Mia has placed at World Team Trials and recorded a 10-0 record up a division at Junior Women's National Duals. I expect another consistent and incredible performance from one of our North Carolina Superstars.
​
Ones to watch:
​
Brianna Palmer
-Brianna wrestled in the Junior division for National duals and wrestled well. I am excited to see her here in here correct age group. When she is attacking legs, she is as good as they come.
​
Brittany Hart
-The graphic says 110. However, she will be at 100 lbs for Fargo. I am excited to see how the State Champ performs on the big stage.
The Women's Junior Crew is loaded. I don't know about y'all but as I read down the names on this list I can't help but see a bunch of stop signs! The expectations for this group are high and they can meet them.
​
Most Likely to Place:
​
Khiry Reese
-Khiry has been beating nationally ranked opponents all year long. She placed at the Beast of the East, NHSCAs, SE Regionals and performed very well at Junior Duals. This should be no different.
​
Addison Gore
-Her performance at Junior Duals proved that she is getting her freestyle legs under her. In my eyes she might be the biggest potential of the whole squad. Why? Her top game. Cradles and bars translate to freestyle too and turns can end matches quickly. Don't doubt Addison Gore. Ever.
​
Iyanna Crawford
-Iyanna was good enough to win Fargo a year ago. She has only gotten better since last year and more importantly, she has gotten healthier. We could see Iyanna wrestling on the stage for a Fargo crown when it is all said and done.
​
Rylynn Keziah
-I have been saying it since January. Why stop now? Rylynn Keziah can win Fargo. She has performed well as SE Regionals and Junior Duals and this makes me even more confident that she will do well here.
​
Nevah Williamson
-Nevah had an outstanding Junior Duals. That type of performance translates really well to success in the Fargodome.
​
Ella Taylor
-Taylor was blood rounder at Fargo a year ago and she has improved considerably in that year. She won a state title and had impressive showings at NHSCAs and Junior Duals. We expect big things from her. Even though the graphic says 230, she will be wrestling 207.
​
Ones to watch:
​
Peyton Smith
-She went unbeaten at Junior Duals for the red team. I am expecting her to do very well with that type of duals performance. She will be wrestling at 115.
The 16u squad is full of hammers. I like our chances with these young bucks. We have been saying it but this next crew is dangerous. Why not show that now?
​
Most Likely to Place:
​
Mason Brown
-Mason has accomplished a lot even prior to stepping on the High School mats. He won a NHSCA title, was a Super 32 finalist, and won Southeast Regionals. This kid is as legit as they come. Expectations are high but that is because he has earned every bit of them.
​
Devin Hord
-Hord is another one of this next crew that we keep saying is going to do serious damage on the national scene for North Carolina. He placed at Southeast Regionals. He also had a win over his Darkhorse teammate, Mason Brown. This kid is going to do damage here. Just wait.
​
Jake Amiott
-Jake put together one heck of 16u Duals performance going 13-1 across both styles. I know he has been in the Sly Fox lab cooking and waiting for this exact event. He has a great feel for Freestyle and Greco, this comfort is going to be an advantage.
​
Braylen Yates
-If you are not with me on the Braylen Yates hype train by now, I don't want you with us! This kid has been nothing short of phenomenal. From winning a NHSCA title to going 13-1 at 16u Duals. This kid has done pretty much everything that could be asked of him. Don't believe us? Ask Willie Saylor who has Braylen 35th on the 2029 Big Board nationally.
​
Aaron Ruiz-Angel
-Aaron wrestled really well in Fargo last year. His leg attacks are as good as they come. I personally believe he is going to turn out another great performance and put the nation on notice.
​
Ones to watch:
​
Cam Johnson
-Yes. He is Tye and Mac's brother. However, Cam is his own person. He has never been fully dedicated to wrestling and split time playing other sports. Despite that he turned out wins over state placers this spring. I am excited to see what Cam looks like in Fargo after being locked in on wrestling the past few months.
​
Bennett Evans
-The Harrisburg Wrestling Club (shoutout to them for their new facility) coaches have been telling us that this kid is going to be the real deal. We can't wait to watch.
​
James Stephens
-James was so impressive all season long and quickly became one of my most anticipated to see live at the state tournament. Fargo is no different for me in that regard.
​
Chris Gaither
-Freestyle and Greco are his style. He is very good in Folk too but he really shines here. Go check his instagram if you need further evidence. He has been making real improvements for a solid year and I think they pay off here.
​
Mitchell Rowland
-He has a great 16u Duals all the way up at 165 after wrestling 138 at the state tournament. Mitchell has been very good for a long time and is finally back to himself after an injury a few years ago. Consider that he didn't have as much freestyle experience as the others, that should make you even more impressed with his 16u Duals. He is going to turn some heads int he dome.
​
Manny Kahsai
-He didn't wrestle the duals this year but he did a year ago and wrestled well. Over the course of the past year he steadily improved and was right there as one the best around his weight. I am interested to see the gains he has made over the past few months.
​
​
The Juniors. This squad has a mix of veteran talent and first time juniors that can really make some noise. We know that the Junior division is tough as nails but we feel like we have a tough squad that can compete with anyone in the country.
​
Most Likely to Place:
​
Carson Raper
-He was a monster at Junior duals going unbeaten in Freestyle and only having one loss in Greco. He realistically place in both styles. He is that tough. He has been competing everywhere from the duals, to Vegas to Southeast Regionals to prepare for this moment. The kid is talented. However, his grit and toughness stands out more.
​
Mac Johnson
-Mac looked incredible at the Freestyle state tournament. Just utterly dominating everyone. Last year in Fargo he had some outstanding moments and just failed to close out the matches the way he needed too. I believe he has figured that out and is going to sending some fools for some air time. Mac is that good and that close to a breakout performance that the country would be talking about.
​
Tye Johnson
-Tye's run at the Freestyle state tournament was ridiculous. He beat Campos, Kostoff and Belmont back to back to back. It was insanely good. Not only were the wins impressive but he looked great doing it. That Tye Johnson can make a deep run here in the Fargodome and show the country who he is.
​
Bentley Sly
-There is no secret sauce. Bentley Sly has proved time and time again why he was regarded as the best wrestler in the state regardless of weight last year. He placed top four at Ironman, he placed top four at Super 32, he was a blood rounder here two years ago, last year he beat several nationally ranked wrestlers and yet, despite all those accomplishments, he is back and ready to put it on the line again. What reason does he have to wrestle? He already won his fourth title and he already is committed to wrestle for App State? He could have easily decided not to wrestle here but he wants that Fargo AA that has eluded him so far. Bentley is one of the best kids in the country and we always believe he will get it done.
​
Joshua Stonebraker
-Honestly, two years in a row I watched Stonebraker wrestle Bentley as good as anyone in the country has. In Fargo last year, Rhett was raving so much about how this kid wrestles. He has a great combination of slick leg attacks and hard-nosed grit. He turned out an unbeaten record in Freestyle at Junior Duals. Which is an indication that he is ready to go here.
​
Ones to watch:
​
Ayden Sumners
-Ayden made quick work of the Freestyle state tournament. I truly just love watching this kid compete. He gets to legs and wrestles a high octane pace. This could be a breakout tournament for him on the national scene.
​
Hayden Smith
-Hayden is so much fun to watch in Freestyle and Greco. A few times last year, he just sent it. I can't wait to see the adjustments that he has made from the duals to this point.
​
Mason Hollar
-Speaking of fun to watch. I would bet money that Mason has at least one big four or five point move doing this tournament. The South Caldwell state champion is going to be one that you should set match alerts for.
​
Nash Mullis
-Nash quietly had a great performance in Greco and Freestyle at Junior Duals. I really like the way he is wrestling right now and if he gets on a roll, he will surprise some people.
​
Keyshon Morrison
-The big dog. He has been rolling this spring and summer with wins over state champs and good national tier opponents. We could see him put the country on notice over the course of the week.