​Fargo, North Dakota — Day three of the 16U and Junior Freestyle National Championships wrapped up on June 12 at the FargoDome, located on the North Dakota State University campus. The three-day event brings together top wrestlers from around the country as they compete for a trophy shaped like a stop sign, a symbol many have come to associate with this national stage. Fans can follow live coverage here, with updates highlighting the best high school wrestling talent the United States has to offer.
The competition continues to showcase a wide range of weight classes and emerging stars, with athletes advancing through rounds as the brackets tighten. Notable performances have included a number of standout wrestlers from Ohio and beyond, who have earned high placements and captured the attention of fans and coaches alike. The event features concurrent 16U and Junior divisions, creating an intense, fast-paced atmosphere as competitors push toward the championship rounds.
In the 100-pound class, Ryker Leonard from St. Edward has demonstrated strong technique and strategic control. At 120 pounds, Loc Webber from Dublin Coffman has shown resilience and steady aggression, while 132-pounder Blaze Van Gundy, also from Dublin Coffman, has delivered solid offense and defense. Urijah Lopez from Perrysburg has competed skillfully in the 138-pound slot, with Blaze Van Gundy maintaining a prominent presence in the same weight, and Cole Speer from Brecksville has turned in notable performances at 144 pounds. In a weight class featuring several high-caliber wrestlers, Brecksville’s Zack Aquila and St. Paris Graham’s Jakob Hoke have both made their mark during the day’s matches at 175 pounds.
Other weight classes have seen strong showings from talent across the state lines. Cameron Smith of Perrysburg has competed at 88 pounds, Jaxon Holtz of Brecksville has been a steady contender at 94 pounds, Parker Workman from Cincinnati Princeton has wrestled at 100 pounds, Anthony Bergeron from Granville has appeared at 126 pounds, Gavin Cantera from Southeast and Anthony Oscar representing Clear Fork have both competed at 144 pounds, Lincoln James from Bellevue has wrestled at 150 pounds, and Tommy Rowlands from Bishop Watterson has appeared at 157 pounds. These performances reflect the depth of Ohio’s wrestling pipeline and the caliber of athletes gathering in Fargo for the national championships.
A photo caption from the event shows Brecksville’s Jaxon Holtz, on the bottom, advancing to the round of 16 at the 16U Freestyle National Championships in Fargo on Day 3, with the 16U and Junior divisions running concurrently. The day’s schedule included three main session times: morning at 11 a.m., an afternoon session at 4 p.m., and an evening session at 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. Flowrestling provides subscription-based coverage of the event, while brackets are published on usabracketing.com for fans who want to track results in real time. Local athletes are highlighted in bold in the rosters and results, and it’s worth noting that weight classes can change slightly at weigh-ins.
The Team Ohio roster features a number of area wrestlers who have earned recognition for their performances. In the 100-pound division, Braden Haley of Walsh Jesuit, Zach Young of Brecksville, and Ryker Young of St. Edward are listed. At 106 pounds, contenders include Ricky Molasso-Mate of Upper Arlington and Seth McFarland of Elyria, among others. The 113-pound group features Jackson McDonald of West Branch and Cayden McCullogh of St. Mary’s Memorial, with additional competitors such as Chris Nameth of Buckeye and Bennett Wachter of Elyria contributing to a deep lineup. The 120-pound class includes Colin Bagdonis of Perrysburg, Brayden Studer of Tiffin Columbian, Reed Hamey of Northwestern, and several other strong wrestlers. The 126-pound cohort features Ed Vitu from Columbus St. Francis DeSales, Connor Bagdonis of Perrysburg, and Collin Bartos of Buckeye, with Derion Williams from Trinity, Bradley Bauman of St. Edward, and Loc Webber of Dublin Coffman also making notable appearances. In the 132-pound group, Taegan Gilmore of Medina and Boston Noland of Moeller have been among the standout competitors, joined by Brady Todd from Worthington Kilbourne and Connor Niehaus of Harrison in a roster that demonstrates substantial depth at this level.
As the championships progress, fans and coaches alike will be watching closely to see which wrestlers rise to the top in Fargo, earning national titles and recognition that can propel their careers forward. The event continues to be a showcase of young talent, dedication, and the enduring appeal of freestyle wrestling as a proving ground for future collegiate and international competition.