featured photo courtesy of Bret & Jenni Peterson, WI Wrestle

Fargo, N.D. – Men's freestyle action continued for a second day on Tuesday, with the juniors taking on another standalone session in the morning. By 1:30, the picture became a lot sharper for Wisconsin’s National Team and the top podium contenders here in Fargo.

One of the common themes, from coaches and athletes, is a necessary go-get-it style and mentality to advance through this three-day national event. “They’re being aggressive, they’re not sitting around and waiting for good things to happen, they’re creating their own opportunities,” Head Coach Pat Spray said for those who advanced.

Nine are in the championship quarterfinals. Kellen Wolbert said he’s having fun. The Cowboy commit is serving some wicked chest wraps and double legs. Wolbert, who placed 7th in 2024, said in the last year he’s learned to be more aggressive, and now has a definite willingness to be a little mean (on the mat). “Our room [in Fargo] is really good. Everybody’s locked in, and everyone has that same mentality of being here to win. It’s nice to be around.” That room includes Haakon Peterson (144) and Brady Collins (126) who are also in the quarters, along with Camden Rugg (113) in the consolations.

Peterson had two ranked wins today, taking out Pennsylvania’s No. 3 Camden Baum and then No. 9 Rocco Cassiopi of Illinois. He talked about staying in good position as a key to success, “It makes it hard for opponents to break through," he said. The Michigan commit is positionally sound and definitely knows how to keep the heat on in Fargo. “It's fun being back, it’s been a battle since the second round.”

Declan Koch and Cole Dummer are dialed in at 157, both sitting at 4-0 and headed to the quarterfinals Wednesday morning. Eli Leonard added two more wins Tuesday after opening with a pair of techs on Day 1—he’ll face Ohio’s Brennan Warwick next in the 175-pound quarters. In the round of 16, Leonard had to make a comeback to clinch his spot in the quarters with an 11-9 victory over Oklahoma’s Trae Rios.   

Liam Crook and Sullivan Ramos are both in the championship quarterfinals at 165 pounds. Ramos, who has 3 wins by tech and another by fall, is every bit as explosive as he’s been all year. The Parkside commit has next-level mat awareness and par terre. Crook, after a physical win in the round of 32, said he’s feeling better down a weight at 165, where he feels able to control the center of the mat better. The first-year junior has tunnel vision focus moving forward as he meets Pennsylvania’s Melvin Miller in the quarters.

There’s no skating around the sting of the 285-pound bracket that was a logjam of Wisconsin hammers. After a few hard-fought rounds, Tyson Martin is in the quarterfinals, and Hunter Vander Heiden is in the consolations.

285 wasn’t the only weight with brawls—it was all Wisconsin between Zdanczewicz and Ramos (165), Stevens and Ramsey (144), Kawczynski and Fraley (215), the Vander Heiden twins . . . It stings, and still, it’s a good problem to have. “I don’t remember a time when we’ve had that many kids so deep in the consolidation where we’ve had that many matches,” said Spray. “We have kids that are beating high-level kids in the country, and it’s really fun to watch.”

Furthering Wisconsin’s set of juniors into day three are Max Hay (126), Camden Rugg (113), Liam Nietzel (132), Hunter Stevens (144), Isaiash Guerrero (175), Garrett Kawczynski (215), and Hunter Vander Heiden (285). These seven, like those in the quarters, are well-positioned to break through to the podium. 

Day three will be the proving grounds. “Everybody’s got technique and skill,” Spray said. “Right now, it’s about who can stay locked in mentally and be a dog and go get what they want.” In another conversation, Coach Mesenbrink shared that some of the most elite wrestlers here are able to take feedback in wins and losses and even implement the adjustments from match to match, and that can be highly consequential. “For a lot of these guys, win or lose, it’s just subtle things they need to tweak,” he said. “They’ve all got dynamic offense, so it’s the little things they can fix in the next match or tournament that will help them jump levels.”

For those whose tournament ended today, they have a roadmap to bring back with them. “They’re doing things well,” said Spray. “Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way. Going forward, what’s great about the state, is we all have the same mindset. It’s not about the wins and losses but about the performance itself—what did I do well, where can I improve, etc. It’s kind of their roadmap now.”  

NEXT: The 16U team is competing this evening, from 3 pm – 8 pm, and then both divisions are expected to take on the quarters, semis, medal matches and championship finals as schedule tomorrow. Keep sending support and cheers to Fargo for the National Team!

More from Fargo

• MFS Day 1: Wisconsin 16U freestyle advances strong group to day two in Fargo
• MFS Day 1: Men’s freestyle Monday results, and all of the Wisconsin wrestlers advancing to day two
• Preview: Wisconsin Wrestlers Set for 2025 U.S.M.C Junior Nationals in Fargo
• WFS Day 2: Skenandore Claims 16U Title, 13 Wisconsin Wrestlers Earn All-American Honors at Junior Nationals
• WFS Day 1: Women’s Freestyle advances 24 wrestlers to day two at Junior Nationals

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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.