Fargo, N.D. – Wisconsin closed out the Junior National Championships with a big finish in Greco-Roman as Hunter Vander Heiden stole the show at heavyweight, clinching the Junior National Title. An impressive 14 from Wisconsin earned All-American honors in the final leg of the competition:

• Junior All-Americans: Hunter Vander Heiden –Champion (285), Sullivan Ramos – 3rd place (165), Colton Weiler – 5th place (150), Preston Krueger – 6th place (285)
• 16U All-Americans: AJ Woerpel – 3rd place (100), Elliot Havlish – 3rd place (215), Alexander Penzkover – 5th place (144), Kade Splinter – 5th place (215), Martez Sheard – 6th place (126), Aspen Tritz – 7th place (138), Carson Neubert – 7th place (144), Reed Falk – 7th place (190), Eldon Roth – 8th place (94), Josiah Beltran – 8th place (144)

Freedom’s Hunter Vander Heiden made quick work of the heavyweight finals, :23 seconds to be exact, claiming the national title with a snap-and-go-behind into a series of gut wrenches that had the Wisconsin section booming “oh!” as he tech’d Washington’s Kade West. It was a dominant finish to a 6-0 run that included early pins, techs, and a couple hard-fought battles. After placing fifth in 2024, Vander Heiden called the jump to the top “insane,” crediting hard work and the people around him—especially his twin brother, Henry. “I wish it was Henry on the mat across from me,” he said post-match. “His impact is unexplainable . . . we train six days a week together. He’s my ride or die.”

Hunter also thanked his parents and coaches for their role in his growth. For the strength of the heavyweights in Wisconsin, it certainly feels great for Hunter to bring home the big stop sign.

At 165 pounds, Sullivan Ramos became one of the most electric wrestlers to watch this week, going 7-1 in Greco and finishing 3rd overall. His cumulative performance between Greco and freestyle was a phenomenal 13-2, as he doubled up on All-American honors. In a single season, Ramos put the nation on notice.

Colton Weiler scored big points with explosive lifts and guts, putting together an impressive 7-2 performance to claim 5th place overall at 150 pounds. A product of Auburndale, Weiler is part of a strong Greco tradition in central Wisconsin, and he looks forward to continuing to train Greco with Dennis Hall and others he grew up with this fall in Dubuque. He will wrestle for the University of Dubuque as he studies to become a commercial pilot.

Locking up All-American status with a run to the semis, Preston Krueger is now a two-time Fargo All-American. The first-year junior from New London finished in 6th place overall in Greco, going 5-3 in the two-day national event.

The 16U team from Wisconsin had a breakthrough year when we look year over year. They met their double-digit All-American goal (a big feat), placing 10 wrestlers on the podium with a dynamic group of wrestlers, many reaching new heights in both styles.

Claiming 3rd place overall were AJ Woerpel (100) and Elliot Havlish (215). Woerpel said he had to be smart with his positions. As one of the younger wrestlers in this group, he shared that being around the older wrestlers has been valuable both to see how they’re preparing and what they’re doing to get better.

Havlish has got some throws in his toolkit. He bulldozed his way to 3rd place, going 7-1 in Greco with all but one of his victories coming by tech fall or pin. His only loss came to fellow Wisconsin All-American Kade Splinter, who took 5th overall, going 5-2. Splinter had an incredible week, placing 5th in both styles.

Placing All-Americans in 5th, 6th, and 7th were double All-Americans Alex Penzokver (144), Martez Sheard (120), and Reed Falk (190). Penzkover owned the backside of the bracket, going on a tear after a loss in the round of 32 with an 8-2 overall performance. Sheard was 4-3, and Falk was 5-2.  

The middle weight depth of the Wisconsin team is only going to get more dangerous. At 144 pounds was a WI showcase with Carson Neubert (7th) and Josiah Beltran (8th) facing off in the All-American match. Aspen Tritz finished with a win to place 7th at 138 pounds (6-2), while Eldon Roth wrapped up an excellent Fargo debut with an 8th-place finish at 94 pounds (4-2).

In a round that can make or break the day, Wisconsin had a great showing in the blood round.

“It’s called the blood round for a reason,” said 16U Head Coach Tyler Dow. “You win that match, you’re an All-American. It takes smart positional wrestling. I think wrestling in that blood round when we had a lead, we did a really good job of maintaining the lead and not letting those kids come back in those matches, which was really good to see.”

Overall, Dow said the team has done a really good job at scoring on top, and, even since duals, has made improvements in getting to second and third attacks.

A year-over-year look at performances and placements here in Fargo sees Wisconsin Greco on the rise. “We really focused on giving kids more opportunities this last year,” Dow said. “We added camps around the state this spring, and we added the practice the day before duals just to get guys a little bit closer, friend-wise. That kind of thing makes it easier to wrestle with and for each other,” he added. “I think providing that kind of opportunity makes us take the next step.”

This isn’t just for 16U, either. Plenty of juniors, including the Vander Heidens and Ramos, attended camps, as did a mix of the 16U and even 14U wrestlers. The goal is and remains twofold—provide wrestlers more regular opportunities for Greco, as the sport is very style-specific, and to build camaraderie among the athletes. This group of wrestlers, All-Americans, and the state are all moving in the right direction.

The Wisconsin Wrestling Federation congratulates and thanks every competitor, All-American, and coach for representing the state with excellence. As the tournament wraps up, the week wouldn’t be complete without a sincere thank you to the athletic trainers who have been here for every single style—Brandon, Bobby and Max. There were 7 officials representing Wisconsin, as well as a handful of key tournament staff and volunteers. To our coaching staff, we are so grateful for your dedication to the national team and your investment in the lives of our athletes. Parents and wrestling community, thank you. Congratulations to all on a great week in Fargo at Juniors Nationals.

__
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.