featured photo of Danny Heiser by Bret & Jenni Peterson

The Junior and 16U National Championships kick off this Saturday in Fargo, and Team Wisconsin is ready to roll! Here’s what you need to know and watch for in 2024:

It’s the largest event in the World
This isn’t news to Fargo veterans but—if you’re new to the event—Fargo is the actual largest tournament in the world. There were 7,134 combined participants in 2023, and USA Wrestling anticipates that number to be challenged again this year.

Over 300 athletes will represent Team Wisconsin across six national events, covering two age groups and three disciplines: 16U and Juniors in women’s freestyle, men’s freestyle, and Greco-Roman—contested in that order. Every single athlete qualified to represent the state team. (Check out our preliminary rosters).

The event schedule, which saw significant changes in 2023, remains nearly identical this year. Both divisions (16U and Juniors) will compete on the same days: women’s freestyle July 13-14, men’s freestyle July 15-17, and Greco-Roman July 19-20. The only update is that the first day of men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman will see juniors compete in the morning and 16U in the afternoon. Our Fargo schedule and user guide are available here.

Returning All-Americans
Wisconsin boasts 23 returning All-Americans, leading the team of battle-tested wrestlers back to the FargoDome (2023 summary posted here). While there are several returning junior AAs, one of the most evident shifts this year is the wave of 16U All-Americans that will look to make a mark in the junior field. Here’s a breakdown of the returners by discipline:

Women’s freestyle: Seven All-Americans return, including 16U finalists Brooke Huffman and Carley Ceshker. Three more 16U All-Americans, Ava Peters, Taylor Whiting and Angie Bianchi, will compete as juniors. Brooke Huffman and Lillie Banks remain in the 16U division and will aim to improve on their 2023 performances. Rachel Schauer, who finished 5th in 2023, is the only returning junior.

Men’s freestyle: Nine All-Americans return, including three-time Fargo champ Koy Hopke and two-time junior All-American Charlie Millard. 16U Fargo Champ Kellen Wolbert is back in the mix after an injury sidelined him last year. All of the 16U All-Americans from last year, including finalist Danny Heiser, will now compete as juniors. Greco All-Americans Jacob Herm and Declan Koch will focus their energies solely on freestyle this year. All of the guys mentioned above were part of the championship dual team in Tulsa, with Wolbert clinching the pin to seal the victory for Wisconsin.

Greco-Roman: Seven All-Americans return to Greco competition including 2024 US Open champ Brett Back, who placed 4th last year. Minnesota commit Brayten Casey, registered at 120 pounds, seeks his third podium appearance after finishing 6th in 2023 and 2nd in 2022.

Nationally ranked wrestlers and 2024 state champions
Team Wisconsin is strengthened by nationally-ranked wrestlers, WIAA state champions, and wrestlers who have excelled on national stages this spring and summer, looking to earn stop signs.

All of these guys were mentioned in the returning AA section, but hitting the top charts in FloWrestling’s rankings are Koy Hopke (No. 22 P4P, No. 6 at 285), Kellen Wolbert (No. 17 at 138) and Charlie Millard (No. 4 at 157).

2024 WIAA state champions in the mix are William Du Chemin, Liam Neitzel, Carter Freeman, Kellen Wolbert, Jacob Herm, Wyatt Duchateau, Charlie Millard, Liam Crook and Jake Stoffel in division 1; Shane Rochon, Colton Hush, Danny Heiser, Gage Losiewicz, Owen Wasley, Ian Smith and Koy Hopke in division 2; Aidan Gruedenfelder, Wyatt Unser, Dawson Johnson, Ian Crapp, Tristan Steldt and David Malin in division 3.

Nationally ranked girls include Taylor Whiting (No. 5 at 105), Carly Ceshker (No. 5 at 140), Brynn Engel (No. 8 at 95), Rachel Schauer (No. 8 at 170), Brooke Huffman (No. 8 at 190), Angela Bianchi (No. 14 at 115), Lillie Banks (No. 14 at 135), Ava Gardner (No. 18 at 105), Ava Peters (No. 18 at 110), Riley Hanrahan (No. 19 at 130), Brooke Corrigan (No. 20 at 100), Dealya Collins (No. 20 at 125), Harlow Skenadore (No. 28 at 145), and Madison Burns (No. 30 at 235).

All but one of the women’s WIAA state champions will compete this weekend: Ava Gardner, Taylor Whiting, Angie Bianchi, Emjay Neumann, Lillie Banks, Carley Ceshker, Harlow Skenandore, Hailie Krueger, Rachel Schauer, Brooke Huffman and Madison Burns.

With a strong lineup of returning All-Americans (23), nationally ranked wrestlers (17), and 2024 state champions (33), Team Wisconsin is set to make a significant impact in Fargo as these talented athletes seek stop signs. 

Good luck to all our wrestlers—let’s make 2024 another trip to remember!

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Daily recaps will be posted to the WWF blog, and you can follow updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

The Wisconsin Wrestling Federation, guided by USA Wrestling, provides quality opportunities for its members to achieve their full human and athletic potential. Wisconsin Wrestling Federation will strive to be USA Wrestling’s best state organization.