featured photo courtesy of Bret & Jenni Peterson, WI Wrestle

Fargo, N.D. – Wisconsin has a really tough group of 16U wrestlers. Today was their second day in action, and it was another afternoon of the younger age group showing just how much development has taken place in Wisconsin in the past few years. Like the Juniors, all of the little details and mental toughness mattered with the intensity of the championship matches in the Round of 32 and 16, followed by four rounds of consolations.

Eight advanced to the championship quarterfinals: Martez Sheard (120), Carson Neubert (138), Samuel Gehring (150), Easton Kammerud (165), Tomm Heiser (175), Reed Falk (190), Kade Splinter (215), and Leland Havens (285). Kammerud, a first-year 16U, was the 14U champ in 2024 and a 3rd place All-American at the US Open this spring.

Falk, who made his Fargo debut last year, said he’s improved a lot and called out his slide by and gut-wrench as some of what’s working well. Havens, Splinter and Kammerud are all first-years in this division and proving themselves able to withstand the test here in the FargoDome.

This entire team is as battle-tested as they get at this age. Almost all of the wrestlers advancing to day three (and some that didn’t) were part of the history-making title Wisconsin claimed at National Duals in Utah last month. 16U Head Coach Newton Smerchek said he sees that same camaraderie and competitiveness carrying over here in Fargo, now with a much larger group.

AJ Woerpel (100), Mason Moody (113), Zahn Beal (120), and Alexander Penzkover (144), all part of that title team, have advanced and start tomorrow in the consolations.

Several coaches shared the same highlight when asked about the team—they’re in great shape and wearing opponents down, and they’re mentally tough. “We’re wrestling really well,” 16U Head Coach Newton Smerchek said. “We’re wearing people down, and we're able to come back and win in tough matches to move forward. We’re doing a really nice job, and we’ll see what we do tomorrow.”

Tomorrow morning, both divisions start together at 10 am and are expected to take on the quarters, semis, medal matches, and championship finals as scheduled throughout the day.

More Fargo Blogs:

• MFS Day 2: Juniors: Wisconsin sends 9 to the quarterfinals, consolation battles set for final day of men's freestyle
• 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.