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2025 Fargo Preview
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The Women's 16u squad is headlined by Mia Pardo and Ella Taylor. Pardo has been active in freestyle for the past few years and been showcasing great results. Taylor had a great year for Cary High School last year and has built on that this offseason. We also believe that Sofia Salas could turn some heads this weekend. This squad may be small in numbers, but we like their chances of producing wins.
Most Likely to Place:
Mia Pardo
-A consistent Freestyle performer. The big stage should be no different.
Ella Taylor
-Taylor had a great year for Cary and we believe she can carry that momentum into Fargo.
Ones to watch:
Sofia Salas
-Learn her name because most will know it soon. This is the first step is this tournament.
We are loaded, y'all! We know that this is a small contingent but look at those names! We feel great about this squad's ability to perform on the big stage.
Most Likely to Place:
Iyanna Crawford
-She is nationally ranked. Placed at the Women's Showcase and has been on a heater since returning from injury this year. She is probably going to be seeded high her too.
Faith Bane
-Faith is about that life. She wrestles everywhere and is not scared of anyone! She placed high at the Women's showcase in Vegas and has performed well here at Fargo a year ago. Go back and rewatch our Faith interview from last year. After that you will know that she is built for this.
Keira Rosenmarkle
-If you have listened to any of the episode of Carolina Takedown Talk, you know that we think very highly of Keira. She is already a D1 Volleyball commit and is going to showcase elite athleticism in Fargo. She performed extremely well at National Duals and has set the stage for a great performance here.
Ones to watch:
Zoe Pardo
-Zoe shows up and shows out to national events. Don't be surprised if she goes on a run!
Sara Warren
-The graduated senior is ready to cap her high school career with an run at Fargo.
Hadley Perry
-The West Rowan state placer is one that we believe that could develop into a superstar for our state. This could be where that becomes reality.
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This squad is tough!!!!! The 16u crew is coming for nothing but wins. We have state champions and placers up and down the lineup.
Most Likely to Place (Freestyle or Greco):
Carson Raper (Freestyle or Greco)
-We have been saying it for a year plus now that this upcoming crop from middle school is going to do damage on the national level. This kid is one of the class of 2029 that is leading the charge. He has the skill set to place in Greco or Freestyle. Set your alerts for Carson's matches.
Ayden Sumners (Freestyle)
-This kid has been on a mission to perform at this event since the season ended. He hasn't just been talking about it, he has been putting in the work necessary to make it happen. He likes to get after it and score and that translates well to success here.
Ammon Scott (Freestyle)
-Ammon is a superstar that is going to set the world on fire in the next calendar year. He is just now figuring out how to really wrestle. If you watched him at the NCHSAA state tournament and then the NC USA State Tournament, you know exactly what I mean. Don't be surprised if the nation is talking about this kid after the week is over.
Aaron Ellison (Freestyle and Greco)
-Aaron won several matches here a year ago and is primed and ready to do it again. This time we believe he is going bring back a stop sign.
Ryan Thompson (Freestyle)
-By now people know that we are super high on this kid. He has all the tools to have success on this level, and we can't wait to see them on display.
Angel Ruiz-Angel (Freestyle)
-This kid is young but has already been in the state finals and earned an NHSCA All-American honor. This could be just the next step for the standout from Mt. Airy.
Ones to watch:
Connor Reece (Freestyle)
-He is a dog. He was a few freestyle exchanges away from winning more matches at National Duals. If he was able to sure those situations up, then he is dangerous.
Jake Amiott (Freestyle)
-Check his freestyle results from National Duals. Jake the snake is going to ready to go in the freestyle portion. With him training at Sly Fox, you know he is going to be freestyle savvy.
Hayden Smith (Freestyle)
-The White Oak state runner-up has an exciting style that is going to light up the scoreboard. He is never out of match and that is why you should tune in to watch each of his matches.
Campbell Tuffts (Freestyle)
-Cap City Trained! We have it on good authority that Campbell is even better now than he performed in May. We are pumped to watch him get after it.
Drew Teeter (Freestyle and Greco)
-Teeter has the wildest style in all of North Carolina. We will not miss a single one of his matches because of that. Drew has worked hard towards the goal of being here this year and even placed at Northeast Regionals.
Gavin Lopez (Freestyle)
-Lopez is one, if not the best kid to not place at the state tournament yet. He has jumped many levels since that moment and is on fire in the club room right now.
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Here we go!! The Junior squad brings experience from last year's 16u and Junior teams. We are really excited for this crew to let it rip.
Most Likely to Place (Freestyle or Greco):
Bentley Sly (Freestyle)
-Do we really have to state the case? Blood round at this very event last year. NHSCA AA. Super 32 Blood Round. Nationally ranked. It is Bentley. He is going to show up and show out. He has been wrestling everywhere and is not scared to put it on the line no matter what. That is going to pay off at Fargo.
Mac Johnson (Freestyle)
-Mac went 5-2 here a year ago and turned heads on the national scene. We see that happening again. The reattacks are quick and the finishes are strong. Be ready for a strong performance from Mac.
Tye Johnson (Freestyle)
-Tye has proven that he is going to beat elite level guys and we believe he is going to have a breakout performance here. One thing that separates Tye and Mac from others is that they both are dangerous in freestyle positions.
Gabe Rogers (Freestyle)
-The best single in North Carolina. Period. You know it is coming, and you still can't stop it. Do yourself a favor and go look at Gabe's Fargo run last year. It is the definition of grit. The kid had the building buzzing with interest based on that and this year he is going to turn even more heads.
Jack Harty (Freestyle and Greco)
-Jack's hand fighting is up there with the best of the best. His 16u performance a year ago was an indicator that he will be ready for this week. He can perform well in both styles. His short offense and high c are going to score him a bunch of points here.
Jackson Rowling (Freestyle)
-Jackson looked better than he ever had at this event last year and then that state tournament performance was unreal. We think the sky is the limit and he is just getting started.
Troy Shannon (Greco)
-Troy is an absolute beast in both Olympic styles but especially in Greco. He has a ton of experience and isn't afraid to bomb people.
Ones to watch:
Tiaj Thao (Freestyle)
-Dangerous. Dude is dangerous. His style is built for Freestyle, and he can literally beat anyone at any time.
Tyler Watt (Freestyle)
-Great leg attacks always translate. Get ready for some from the Cap City kid.
Jaylen Bethea (Freestyle)
-Hoke County King! We have loved this kid since his sophomore year at the Smoky Mountain Grapple. He is a dog, and we can't wait to see how he has progressed over the past few months.
Joshua Stonebraker (Freestyle)
-He is a private school kid. Which makes him less known than some others but trust us on this one.
Bryce Perry (Freestyle)
-Tough as nails. The state final he had with Sumners was an example of that. He is going to go out and fight for every point.
Andrew Meadows (Freestyle)
-He is ready to translate the Folkstyle skills to Freestyle. Meadows is strong, quick and quickly gained Freestyle knowledge. The 2x state champ is going to be a problem.
Dom Blue (Freestyle)
-OUR BOY, DOM! If you look up exciting in the dictionary, you will find a picture of Dom. If he comes with the same preparedness he did in February, he is going to make some kids from other states cry.
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Noah Michael (Freestyle)
-Fargo last year was where we realized how good this kid really was. Then he goes onto a one loss senior year. We are excited to see the progression since then because he is constantly improving.
Damien Couture (Freestyle)
-He may be a heavyweight, but he is super quick to legs. The senior heads to Ohio soon and has proved every step of the way that Ohio got a good one. If he can hit clean leg attacks, then he is going to do serious damage.