New York USA Wrestling

JUNIORS

Falling just short of earning a second consecutive "stop sign" (2024 16U 112-pounds); the current #6 ranked woman in the nation boasted a 5-1 overall record en route to finishing as the Junior 110-pound runner-up!!!

Her lone imperfection coming in a rematch of last year's finals (won 8-0 by Wylie); it would be #7 ranked Kayla Batres (2x Prep National runner-up; 2024 Super 32 Champion; 2x Fargo 16U National runner-up; 2x U.S. Open Girls Showcase Bronze medalist; Multiple-time age-group Women's Nationals All-American and/or finalist; 2023 Pan-American U15 gold medalist), claiming an 11-1 victory on Sunday afternoon...

Striking for the first point of the match when she induced a stepout :11 into the 1st period; the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girls titlist/2023 Boys DII 6th out of Port Jervis would unfortunately surrender 11 unanswered points; as her Nutmeg State rival [Batres] tallied three takedowns (including a 4-point fireman's in response to the stepout) and then punctuated the bout when after the third TD, she was able to use a split-leg turk to exposure the NY/NJ hybrid for the final two points!

The conclusion to the story in no way negating what was otherwise an extremely impressive body of work for Wylie; in the lead-up to the championship contest; the Section 9 resident toppled a trio of top-25 ranked opponents---#18 Mariah Mills (4x Florida State medalist/2024 Champion; 2x NHSCA National Champion), #23 Addie Morse (3x Oklahoma State finalist/2x Champion; 2x Fargo 4th; 2x USAW Folk All-American/2023 16U National runner-up); & #11 Reanah Utterback (2x Iowa Girls State Champion; 2023 Iowa Boys State 8th; 2x Fargo All-American; Multiple-time USAW Folk National Champion; 3x U.S. Open Girls Showcase All-American/3rd in '24;  2x Super 32 placer) by scores of 9-3, 10-0. and 12-2!!!

In the R16 bout with Mills, Wylie relied on a huge 2nd period; as she closed on a 7-0 run (two takedowns, a pair of induced stepouts, and a pt for unsuccessful challenge from Mills's corner) to overcome a 3-2 deficit at the break...

The quarterfinals witnessed her blow open a 3-0 advantage at the end of 3:00 by exploding for seven points within a span of 20 ticks (spin-behind TD, back-to-back 2pt guts, and an activity clock violation) to terminate the bout with Morse at the 4:35 mark!!

Six 1st period takedowns did the trick in the semis versus the "Hawkeye", Utterback!!

Not to be overlooked would be the combined 22-0 margin she accrued in disposing of Allison LeBlanc (3x Wyoming State medalist/2x runner-up) and Emma Sheppard (2x South Carolina State Bronze medalist) during the early stages of Day #1!

Now sporting a full collection of Fargo medals; her silver in 2025 joins the bronze earned in 2023 and the aforementioned gold a season ago!

Opting to represent Connecticut  (3rd at the '25 Prep Nats on behalf of Greens Farms Academy) instead of his native New York (3x State placer/2x finalist/2024 Champ for Burnt Hills); no matter what singlet the future UPenn Quaker was donning; the Empire State derived immense satisfaction and felt great pride in watching him transform from unseeded entry to top-4 in the nation!!!

Defying the odds to become a first-time Fargo All-American in what was both his Dome debut and scholastic curtain call; Carlin would register a 6-2 overall record en route to serving as the only competitor with NY ties to earn a spot on the podium within the Junior MFS tournament!!

A true "rankings slayer" who knocked off nothing but opponents who are currently and/or were previously in the national polls; the Section II resident reached the 165-pound semifinals by toppling the likes of #12 Steele Meyers  (TX), #10 Kalias Nazario (FL), fellow departing senior, Taye Wilson (KS),  #17 Arment Waltenbaugh (PA), and #5 Lucas Boe (FL) by scores of 10-0, 9-5, 12-2, 9-0, and 6-5...

Putting on a TD clinic against Meyers (2x USAW Folk National medalist/2024 16U Champion; 2x NHSCA AA/2025 National runner-up), the New Yorker converted on four separate occasions to get on and off the mat in a time of 4:50!

The bout with Nazario (3x Florida State finalist/2025 Champion;  2x NHSCA All-American), was an affair of mini runs, as Carlin jumped out to a 3-0 lead after 3:00, but later found himself trailing 5-4 in the 2nd period with approximately 90 ticks remaining in regulation....He'd close on a 5-0 rally!

A combination of takedowns and leg-laces did the trick against the Little Rock commit, Wilson (4x Kansas State placer/3x Titlist; 2025 NHSCA 6th; 2x USAW Junior Folk National finalist/2024 Champion) as a pair of TDs sandwiched around deuce leg-laces enabled him to establish an 8-0 advantage less than :40 into the match...He'd tack on another takedown for good measure in the 2nd period on his way to a "superior" outing!

Already enjoying a 2-0 cushion at the break in the R16 with Waltenbaugh (2025 Prep National Bronze;  2023 NHSCA 4th; 2023 Fargo 16U FS 5th), a TD and a pair of turns via turk were responsible for blowing open the match in the 2nd period!!

The calling card came in the quarter when in a back-and-forth contest where the lead switched hands three times in the 2nd period alone; Carlin rose to the occasion and cashed-in on a takedown with just :06 on the clock to steal the 6-5 decision over Boe ((2x Prep National All-American/2025 Champion; 2025 NHSCA National Champion; 2024 Double Fargo 16U finalist/FS National Champion)...

After a semifinal loss to 3x Wisconsin State placer/2025 runner-up, Sullivan Ramos; Carlin went on to split his last two contest; as he secured a sweep of Waltenbaugh (6-3 verdict) in the consolation semis; but was cutdown in the 3rd-place bout by #11 ranked Maximus Dhabolt (2x Iowa State medalist/2025 Champion; 2024 Double Fargo 16U All-American/FS National runner-up; 2x USAW 16U Folk All-American/'24 runner-up)!

Overcoming what we know was the disappoint of an unsuccessful bid to defend his Junior MFS crown; the NY-USAW #1 2026 class rankings prospect was determined to make an impact one way or the other; and he found his salvation. within the realm of the Greco-Roman discipline!!

Darn-near securing a spot on the elevated mat for a second consecutive summer (led his semifinal 5-5 on criteria before surrendering a takedown in the final 10 ticks); the 2x NYSPHSAA DI State Champion more than made everyone proud as he battled to a 6-2 overall record that landed him in the #4 spot on the podium (exceeding his #7 seed)!

The lone member of the 37-person Junior Boys' GR contingent to achieve All-American status on the final day of action from Fargo; over the course of a two-day span; the future University of North Carolina Tar Heel would boasted commanding victories by scores of 13-5, 5:55 fall (up 12-2), and 8-0 against talented opponents such as Atlee DeWitt (2x Iowa State placer), Cole Gentsch (2021 Fargo 16U All-American), and Joshua Enoch (2x Oregon medalist/2024 State runner-up) in the lead-up to the championship round of 4!

However, it would be in the consolations semis where his biggest triumph transpired as he displayed par terre dominant in the form of four gut-wrenches (after receiving the passivity point) in racking up a 9-0 TF over reigning Junior GR titlist/hometown favorite, Nicolas Enzminger (5x North Dakota State placer/3x Defending Champion; 2024 Fargo Double Junior All-American/GR National Champion)! 

Impressive even in his two losses; the Marine rising senior climbed out of a 5-0 hole at the end of the 1st period to tie the contest (led on criteria) when he received the passivity point and turned the eventual champ, New Mexico's Roman Luttrell (4x Mexico State Champion; 2025 USAW Junior Folk National Champion; returning 2x Fargo Greco-Roman Bronze Medalist) with a gut to cut the deficit to 5-3 with 2:29 remaining in regulation; and then when given another opportunity on top (caution against his foe); executed another textbook gut to pull himself in front, with 1:12 to go!!

Unfortunately, as noted above, Luttrell was able to pull off some late heroics to deny the New Yorker of the finals berth!!

In his only other blemish; "King Dunia" would hit a 2pt head-pinch in the 1st period and then tallied a TD late in the match; but it was a 4-point arm-spin :30 into the 2nd period by his 3rd/4th-bout nemesis, Carter Wallis (3x Missouri finalist/2x titlist; 2024 Fargo 16U GR 6th) that proved to be the deciding factor in the 4-4 criteria decision!

Now a 2x Junior GR AA (5th in '24), as well as a 3x combined Fargo All-American; should he choose to do so; Sibomana-Rodriguez has his senior summer to continue to add to his already decorated history in the Roughrider State!

16 & UNDER

"Gigi" proves that seeds are just a number. Coming off line #6, the MW Crusader reeled off FIVE straight victories en route to the finals. The 2025 Section 9 Champion out of Monroe Woodbury came out like a firecracker in the first two rounds, resulting in back-to-back tech falls in :15 and :24 respectively (NOT A MISPRINT)

The first casualty was Chloe Warren of Oregon, an Oregon State Qualifier, and the second, Malia Riojas of Washington, a 2025 State Champion. With the two Northwestern opponents out of the way, next up was Floridian Grace Jawulski.

The barrage of points continue for Gigi as she scored the first 7 straight before Jawulski got on the board late in the first. Jalwuski, a 2025 Florida State Placer (7th), could not withstand the onslaught as Sullivan's power half prowess would end the bout via fall.

With All-American status on the line, Gigi's grit and grind was on notice for all the land to see. Pitted against Kirra Mitchell of Georgia, the Monroe Woodbury youngster gutted out a narrow 4-2 decision and a spot not only on the blocks in her inaugural appearance but a date in the semi-finals. Impressively, Mitchell is ranked #12 in the country and has a laundry list of accolades as to why her rank is so high. Composed throughout the bout, Gigi would strike first with a TD in the opening stanza. Keeping the pressure on, she would add a 1pt step-out to take the 3-0.

 After a TD by Mitchell, which close the gap to 3-2, an unsuccessful challenge on behalf of the Georgia Coaching Staff wrapped up the scoring, ending in a 4-2 victor for the 8th grader.

One female, a neighbor to the South/West, Morgan Hyland of Pennsylvania was the only one preventing Gail from an appearance on the "raised stage" Hyland was on line 2 and an absolute beast....winning each of her first 5 matches via bones (3 Techs/2 Falls). The 2025 State Runner-Up from the Keystone State found herself in a deep 6-0 hole by the end of period 1. Scoring in the first period was a staple for Gigi's success during the tournament and proved vital as Hyland reeled off 4 straight to close the gap. A last ditch effort late in the second, which resulted in an unsuccessful challenge, wasn't enough as our girl from New York held on for the "W"

Unfortunately, the impressive frontside run would come to an end in the finale. Hailey Delgado of Texas would blank our Empire Star, 7-0. Gigi was unable to garnish any type of scoring, not due to her inability, mores o to Delgado's great defense and relentless offensive attacks. After trailing 1-0 at the break, Sullivan pushed the pace and started to scrap with the Texan, with the end result in Delgado scoring on three separate occasions, thus putting the title bout out of reach. 

Hats off the the 2024 New York State Champion, a true pioneer of our sport, and thus proving she belongs on the grandest of stages. Section 9 and New York State has much to be proud of and will enjoy the fact that we have 4 more years of Ms. Sullivan representing the Evil Empire. 

As any great coach can tell you, wrestle above your seed. I'm unsure if Bellport's Caitlin Maragioglio was told that prior to stepping on the mats in Fargo. Regardless, she sure in hell silenced any doubters as she finished in 6th place, in a DEEP 125lb bracket consisting of 82 competitors. 

Maragioglio's SIX wins were most by any  female competitor from the Empire State. Her "Fargo" journey started against a pair of Northeasterns, Kaylee Dayhoff (Pennsylvania) and Cecilia Verrilli (Connecticut). After finding herself in a 2-0 hole against Dayhoff, Caitlin went on the offense....scoring the final 10 points. Deja Vu in round 2.....finding herself in a 4-0 deficit, the gruesome gal from Suffolk County would score another 10 straight points before the final mat slap at 3:#1 in the match.

A recurring theme in the round of 16 would prove pivotal Caitlin would encounter her first defeat of the tournament after falling behind 8-0. Although the Sunshine Stater Arianna Ruiz would put our Empress on the backside, she would falter in her next two bouts and not place. 

Back to Maragioglio and her backside journey towards AA STATUS. Three wins stood in front of Caitlin and her place on the blocks. Leaving no doubt, she would become NY's second AA after reeling off 4 straight wins, including a fall, tech fall and 2 decisions, with both wins via decision after falling behind 4-0 off the jump.  

Back-to-back losses in the consi-semis and 5th/6th place bout ended her majestic 6-3 overall run and a springboard into next season wrestling for the powerhouse Clippers.

Section 9 Stand Up! Charlie Wylie (Port Jervis), Gigi Sullivan (Monroe Woodbury)....make room for Warwick's Victoria Alvarado. Seeded 4th at 145lbs, Alvarado boasted a 4-3 record and finishing 6th. VA finished 6th in last year's tournament under the Fargo lights.

Perhaps underperforming in her mind, Alvarado 4-3 record doesn't dictate her ability to hang with the best in the country. Her grittiness showed early on, gutting out FOUR straight wins, all via decision and going the distance. Her "notable" frontside win would come against PA's Hayden Manning, a Junior High State Runner-up in 2025. A late 2-pointer would break a 2-2 tie (Alvarado trialing on criteria), and allowing the S9 star to move forward on the bracket.    

Onto Day 2, and another PA foe was on the docket. This time with AA Status on the line. the 2025 New York State Champ left no doubt en route to an 8-2 decision over the 2025 PIAA State Placer Maddison Miller. Kansas' Gray Joyce gave Tori her first loss. Joyce is an absolute buzzsaw and would go onto a runner-up finish. The treacherous Semi-Final loss can be detrimental and halt any momentum. Battling in her final two bouts, Alvarado would drop a 5-3 and 7-2 decisions to two worthy opponents, Allison Garbacz (Illinois) and Jameson Strickland (Pennsylvania), respectively, thus again proving that she is right there with the best in the land.

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. That sums up wrestling in an nutshell. NY's fourth and final All-American was Dundee's Peyton Mullin. A "Fan Favorite" by many Empire State fanatics, Mullin started "Fargo" off with a BANG-BANG....a pair of sub :40 falls, coming off Line #1 and locking up her second straight All-American Honor.

After finishing 6th last year in the Dome, Peyton's dominance going forward rightfully earned her the top seed in the 235lb bracket and a favorite to win her first stop sign. The train was rolling in the semi-finals before disaster hit. Rolling through Iowa's Aniyah Smith in period 1, 8-0, an untimely throw dismantled the loveable Queen Bee's front side run...ending in a fall. A mere two points way from her first finale, and likely a National Championship, Mullin would go on to drop her final two bouts of the tournament, including a last-second takedown in the consi-semis to Texas' Shelby Wells. 

Mullin is a 2x New York State Champion, and the favorite to win TWO more. Again, Peyton is a favorite by many and hard not to root for. She is a pleasure to watch, has phenomenal athletic ability, and a great teammate!!! 

SHE EPITOMIZES THE IDEAL WRESTLER AND I AM GLAD SHE REPRESENTS TEAM NEW YORK!

Former Raiders owner Al Dais said it best

"JUST WIN, BABY"

Bellport's Cam Howard seems to follow those sentiments to the T.....or should I say "W". 

After earning the bronze medal in Fargo is 2024, the Clipper from Suffolk County has quietly risen through the ranks in the past 365 days. He would claim his first NYSPHSAA title in heroic fashion by pinning Pittford's Samson McKissick-Staley, followed by claiming the gold at the NHSCA tournament in Virginia Beach. 

Coming in as the top seed at 157lbs, he knew all eyes on where on him and perhaps the biggest bullseye as well. Seven opponents stood in front of Cam and his quest for the elusive Stop Sign. Points were plentiful in the first 3 rounds, back-to-back-to-back Tech Falls, a 35-3 margin. Howard spent a total of 2:57 on the mat day 1. Joaquin Gaskin of Illinois drew the short straw in R128 while 2025 Nevada State Champion Kayden Hanlon was Howard's second victim.

Rolling into day 2, with the stop sign drawing closer, Howard continued his winning ways with his third tech of tech of the tournament, 11-1 over 2025 Arizona Bronze Medalist Diego Ibarra. His first true test came in the R16 against New Jersey's Nick Schwartz. The Delbarton student-athlete has played the "upset role" in recent past. At the 2025 NJSIAA tournament, Schwartz entered as seed #11. He would go on to finish 6th, defeating the number #3 and #6 on the front side before dropping his semis bout. Howard's offense proved too much however he did go the distance for the first time of the tournament, a 7-2 victory by way of 2 TDs and 3 pushouts.

The train was rolling in the quarterfinals for the now 2x Fargo All-American. A 10-0 blank against Pennsylvania's Nathaniel Replogle locked up a place on the blocks. Howard's onslaught was on full display and the PA grappler had no answer. With the win, Howard gave The Wu-Tang Clan their 4th semi-finalist!!!

Semi-Final foe, Illinois' Justus Heeg found himself in unfamiliar territory early on. The 2025 State Champion from the Illini State found himself in a 5-0 hole after period 1. Howard would concede a last second takedown, winning 5-2. Cam's win completed another immaculate round for Team New York, going 4-0. 

On the grandest of stages, the KD Trained Hammer, Howard, put on an absolute clinic. After going 0-3 in finals matches, The Red Wu-Tang Clan Wearing Howard was not going to be denied. After leading 1-0 at the break (activity clock violation), Cam would secure back-to-back TD's in the second period over the highly touted Asher Bacon of Florida. Ranked 20th in the land, Bacon seemed bit flustered by the Suffolk County Star. 

A 5-0 shutout capped off an amazing run en route to New York's only Stop Sign of the weekend. Amassing a +55 point differential (62-7) is prime example that being offensive and applying pressure will result in many slashes in the win column. Not to mention impeccable defense, especially in the money match, makes it extremely difficult for opponents to gain any momentum at any point.

A 7-0 performance and a Stop Sign makes the trek back to the East side of Long Island a bit more enjoyable.

.....I will end with this, and I've been on record saying it, Camryn Howard will not loss to another New York Wrestler in his High School Career. 

Between PJ Duke (Final X Winner/Senior World Team Member) then Cam Howard (2025 NYS Champion/NHSCA National Champion/Fargo National Champion) and now Will Soto (2x NYS Champion/NHSCA Champion/Fargo 6th), The KD Training Center has officially arrived. 

The latter, Soto, become the Evil Empire first national finalist 4 days ago. at 106lbs, the Newburgh Sophomore won 6 straight matches, locking up a date with California's Thiago Silva. Will was Soto-Like from the jump, securing the opening TD a mere :10 second into the finale. Unfortunately, the second-seeded Siva stormed back, scoring the final 12 points. After finishing 3rd in 2024, Silva would use a repetitive head-pinch maneuver en route to the tech fall and his first stop sign.

Soto would outscore his adversaries 61-8 in his 6 matches prior. Scoring with ease and fluidness has proven that Soto is one of the best in the country. Currently ranked #1 in NY-USAW's c/o 2027 Big Board, Will would log 4 techs, 1 fall, and a 9-2 decision for his 6 wins. To prove how impressive his wins were, check out the accolades of his opponents

R128: Justin Davis (2025 Oklahoma Bronze)
R64: Carson Davies
R32: Lucas Forman (2024 Fargo FS 6th/GR 8th)
R16: Arav Pandey (2025 NHSCA Runner-Up, 2024 Super 32 Bronze)
1/4's: Cruz Gannon (Ranked #19, 2025 Iowa Runner-Up, 2025 US Open U17 5th, 2024 Fargo FS 7th 
Semis: Michael Bernabe (2x US Open U15 All-American)

The Section 9 Standout led the Wu-Tang Quartet of National Finalists (Soto, O'Brien, Shaffer, Howard) each and every round, setting the trend of scoring points in bunches and getting your hand raised in the end.

New York second national finalist to take the raised stage was 2x New York State Bronze medalist and currently #2 (Behind Howard) in NY-USAW's Class of 2028 Big Board, Finnegan O'Brien.

Squaring off against Arizona's Angel Cejudo was being talked about throughout the FargoDome amongst other grumblings.... Finn knew he would have to muster up one final gritty-like 2 periods in order to claim his first stop sign. Before the finale, Cejudo who is Nephew of 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo, would secure 5 tech falls and a 15-12 slug fest. Finn seems to have Cejudo on the ropes, leading 2-1 after 1. The urge to score and put the match out of reach was the gameplan in period 2. O'Brien was close to a near 2pt exposure and almost putting the championship bout out of reach, instead ended up going the opposite way, giving Cejudo a 3-2 advantage :24 seconds into the final stanza. Perhaps a gut-wrenching sequence proved pivotal as Cejudo locked up one final TD and the victory, 5-2.

The late Stuart Scott's famous line:

"Cooler than the other side of the pillow"

Finn proved even under the highest pressured circumstances, his poise and composure elevated to the highest regard. Not many freestyle matches end in losing scoring bouts, however, FOUR of his SIX wins went the distance with 3 of the 4 being a one score match. 

After opening the tournament with a 10-0 tech blank, the next round he gutted out a 5-4 win over 2025 Kansas State Champion Cael Puderbaugh. After a second 10-0 tech blank in the round of 32, a nail-biter ensued - a 6-4 win over 2025 OHSAA 4th Thomas Lindsey. 

Perhaps his biggest win to date came in the quarterfinal round. Top Seed Blake Nevils of Idaho was cruising through the bracket with FOUR straight techs. The 2025 Idaho State Champion seem to have methodically slowed down the match, leading 2-2 in a cat and mouse type atmosphere. Finn would enable his late-match heroics which sent the FargoDome into immense cheers. Late in the second, O'Brien was very nomadic-like and after a +2 (TD) and +2 (Exposure) sequence with :16 and :08 seconds left respectively, he would secure the DUB and his first All-American honors.

5th seed Gage Bjerga of Minnesota was the lone competitor to conquer in order to get to the raised stage. Like Nevils, he found himself trialing the 2025 Minnesota State Champion as the match was coming to a close. Under 30 seconds remaining, it happened again.....proving that regardless of how much time is on the clock, you can score and score, in tune of 4 points in the final :28 seconds, giving Team New York their second Fargo National Finalist of the day. 

It was an honor watching Finn and his energy on full display. What seemed like heart-wrenching situations to many....Finn remained cooler than Will Smith in the Fresh Prince of BL-AIR.

While on MorWrestling's Podcast prior to the NYS Tournament, I went on record saying that Landyn Shaffer has arrived and would be the only wrestler in the 132lb class that would challenge eventual State Champion Chris Noto. Unfortunately, Shaffer was the #4 seed and not on the bottom side of the bracket, and set up a the highly anticipated semi-final rendezvous with Noto. An 8-4 defeat was right in line with my prediction.

Fast forward months later and Landyn Shaffer has been on a tear. At the end of March, The Gorilla Grappler would finish 4th at the NHSCA Nationals and then follow that up with a NYS Freestyle Championship over fellow GG and Fargo All-American Maverick Beckwith.

Once the brackets were released for Fargo, and Shaffer was on line 22, I was thoroughly expecting another breakout performance. "Killer Bones" did not disappoint, running the gauntlet and would become New York's 3rd finalist in 16u.

Perhaps being overlooked by many outside the confines of the Evil Empire, Shaffer started winning, continued to win, and completely conquered the bottom side of the bracket. A 6-0 record on the lower half consisted wins over nationally ranked/highly credentialed wrestlers including #3 Seed/#18 Nationally Weston Borgers of Ohio, 2x Super 32 MS All-American Joseph Whitford of Utah and #2 seed Riker Ohearon of Utah. Ohearon was a 2025 Utah State Champion, 2025 NHSCA Freshman National Champion, and 2025 USAW 16u Folkstyle National Champion.

Needless to say, any future national rankings that don't include the Deposit Hancock Junior is completely preposterous. I'm hard pressed to find another New Yorker, outside of PJ Duke or Cam Howard, that has accomplished more this offseason and whose stock has skyrocketed more than Shaffer. 

His silver medal performance on the raised stage concluded against Top Seed Jovani Solis of Florida, 6-1. The 3x defending FHSAA Champion, Solis, was just too much for Landyn. Perhaps the experience may have played as toll, as Solis has been in the raised stage before, in 2024 in 16u Greco finals. 

Watch out for them Gorillas moving forward....

#HomeGrown
#DoubleDuece

2x New York State Champion Maverick Beckwith of Norwich (Section 4) was one of two Gorilla Grapplers (Shaffer) that left Fargo with All-American honors. Beckwith had arguably the longest journey of all wrestlers from the Evil Empire.

The Tornado Junior wrestled a total of 10 times over the course of 2 days, going 8-2 en route to a 7th place finish. Wrestling up a weight from his original 138lbs, he left no doubt in the mind of fans that he was capable of making a deep run. Once the tournament started there was 144 wrestlers in the 144lb weight class spanning the country. 

Know for his dominance in the top position, many wondered how he would fare with "life on his feet" under the bright lights. Mav would start off rolling winning four straight matches. Notables wins coming against Ross Davis (2025 Missouri State Runner-Up) and Cash McFate (2025 US Open GR 8th)

His first "L" came from eventual Runner-Up Lincoln Robideau of Minnesota. In a battle of State Champions, Robideau's offensive prowess proved too much for the native New Yorker, resulting in a 11-0 tech. 

BACKSIDE WARRIOR ENGAGED; Taking the "win and advance" mantra literally, It was THREE straight matches that went the distance with his arm getting raised in each and the journey became a bit sweeter after the third as he secured All-American status and a spot on the blocks. More impressively, Beckwith defeat two state placers (Jackson Paulsen - 2025 Missouri State 4th and James Anderson - 2025 Oklahoma State 4th) and one Prep Nationals placer (Hunter Avalos - 2025 Prep Nationals 7th),

After losing to eventual Bronze Medalist Pennsylvania's Greyson Music, 8-2, his tournament would conclude in dominating fashion. A 7-2 triumph over Wisconsin's Alexander Penzkover stamped a gutsy outing for the current #4 ranked wrestler in NY-USAW's c/o 2027 Big Board. 

The Gorillas showed out in Fargo this year. Nate "The Prophet" Leonard is doing something special in Section 4. Just another prime example that club wrestling will only enhance and progress wrestlers towards the top of the peak. #HomeGrown

It is safe to say that offseason wrestling combined with training at a club pays its dividends. Two clubs, Gorilla Grapplers and KD Training Center seem to be at the forefront, producing high quality wrestlers with accolades a mile long. We also have KD6, Curby, Savage, Pit Crew, Superior, Hammer, Cellar Dwellers, and Vougars.

Let's not forgot about the Journeymen Wrestling Club, based out of our state capital, Albany. JWC started back in 2004 by Hall of Famer Frank Popolizio. Arguably one of the most accomplished clubs in NYS History that has produced some immaculate talent to include:

Hunter Meys (State Champion) 
Austin Meys (State Champion) 
Zach Clemente (State Champion)
Michael Chaires (State Champion/National Runner-Up 
Nick Gwiazdowski (State Champion/NCAA Champion)
Stevo Poulin (State Champion/NCAA All-American)
Jake Ashcraft (NCAA D3 Runner-Up)
Jesse Porter (World Team Member)
Matt Riddle (UFC/WWE)
Alexis Porter (World Bronze)
Alexis Bleau (World Bronze)
Tyler Barnes (Fargo FS/GR Runner-Up)
Dennis Bermudez (UFC)

Now it is 2025 and let's add James Capasso to that elite category. JP wrapped up a gutty and gritty freestyle portion under the lights in Fargo resulting in his first All-American honors. 

On the front side, the Scottie Junior won his first two bouts via bonus, Tech and Fall against wrestlers from Michigan and Pennsylvania. The first "L" came in the R16. Ohio's Jakob Hoke (2025 Ohio JH 3rd) would take him down via tech,  

After the loss, that AA status on the horizon got a little bit harder. For those who followed JP on his backside journey, it was nothing short of a heart pounding-dramatic script from a movie. 

After dispensing Ben Marques (NJSIAA State Qualifier) of New Jersey, 13-5, Capasso found himself in a deep 8-2 hole at the break against #2 seed Isaac Barrientos (2025 Illinois State 5th). I would love to know what was said during the :30 break between JP and the coaches because he was a different wrestler in the second ERUPTING for 8 straight points, and holding Barrientos scoreless, en route to an intense 10-8 victory. 

In the "Money Match" with AA honors on the line, the momentum seemed to be rolling for the native New Yorker, up 6-2 at the break against Pennsylvania's Nolan Koehler (2025 PIAA State Qualifier). After 8 straight points by Koehler early in the second, put the 2025 NYS Qualifier/JWC trained pupil in familiar territory. At this point, many on-lookers knew JP was capable for yet another comeback, with greater stakes on the line. After mounting a comeback, with the score notted at 10 a piece, a stepout with :04 seconds remaining proved to be the GAME WINNER! 

After locking up his spot on the blocks, Capasso dropped his final two bouts of the tournament, falling to 5-3 overall and an 8th place finish. JP would go 1-2 in the Greco portion as well. 

Chenango Valley's Anthony Valls was a trio of All-Americans in Greco. Valls, currently ranked 10th in the c/o 2027 NY-USAW's Big Board, is back from injury that sidelined him for the entire scholastic season. 

After a double gold at the Jeff Blatnick NYS FR/GR Championships, he set his sights on the grandest stage of them all. In freestyle, the CV Junior finished a respectable 4-2 overall, with 2025 PIAA Bronze Medalist Max Dinges supplying the final blow. 

Unphased, Valls kept the train chugging on all tracks, giving Section 4 their third Fargo All-American and New York's first of third Greco All-American. Going 6-2 overall, his final step would be on the 5th place block. 

Winning FIVE on the frontside locked up that All-American status. He defied all odds with that 5-0 performance from line #9. Possibly anticipating a date with the #1 seed, Corey Brown of Maryland, was halted due to #16 seed Dominic Olson of Nebraska. The 2025 Nebraska State Silver Medalist, Olson, was not enough for our Evil Empire Grappler, resulting in an 8-0 tech blank in 2:16. Valls would also defeat two other State Champions, Eli Carter (Alabama) and Jesse Landtroop (Oregon). 

His sixth and final Greco win, 10th overall for the tournament, was against yet another State Champion, Aiden Jalajel of Oklahoma, 9-5 in the 5th/6th place bout. His confidence has blasted through the roof of the FargoDome. With the barrage of high quality wins, Anthony's national level success cannot ignored, thus giving the 2024 NYS Runner-Up more respect and recognition that he rightfully deserves.

Overall, going 10-4 over the course of a week against some of the toughest, grittiest, and hard-nosed competition in the country is a massive accomplishment and instantly make Anthony a serious state title contender next season.

***His two losses in Greco: Ohio's Tommy Wurster (#5 Seed/2025 Fargo FS National Champion/2025 Fargo GR Runner-Up/2025 Ohio State Runner-Up) & Maryland's Corey Brown (#1 Seed/2025 Maryland State Champion/2024 Fargo FS Runner-Up)*** 

As an public advocate for the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA), I will continually prove my point that the strength of the CHSAA and the continued success at states does solidify the fact that if the CHSAA remains with one representative is completely erroneous. 

Jake Nieto, Now Fargo All-American Jake Nieto, fall into that unruly and unheralded category this past season. 

Fargo All-American.....but not NYS Qualifier, am I the only one seeing this....or just the only one with balls to say it. Without going off on a tangent, Nieto's time to shine under the Fargo lights was quite dominant. Given his nomadic nature, and relentless attacking style, it is no surprise that all 5 of his wins came via bonus points, 4 techs and 1 fall. His 3 losses were to the Champion, Bronze medalist, and 5th place finisher. Nothing to hang his hat on.

Starting out of the gate blazing, Jake tech 2025 Florida State Qualifier Joseph Scott and pinning 2024 USAW Greco Runner-Up Jax Zamarripa of Texas.

After dismantling Oklahoma's Brooks McCollom by way of a tech fall in a mere :43 seconds, the first challenge was in the quarterfinals against eventual Champion Caden Yanarella. Don't let the 11-0 tech damper Nieto's performance. As many know, points can rack up quickly and in the blink of an eye. The Pennsylvania native was a 2025 PIAA 3A State Qualifier and would finish 3-2 in freestyle.

On the backside, two victories stood between 2024 NYS Qualifier and the exclusive blocks that wrestlers have bene clawing and fighting to stand on all week long. The Savage trained pupil was very SAVAGE like in those two bouts, scoring back-to-back techs (21-2 margin) against 2025 Wisconsin State Qualifier Aspen Tritz and 2025 Nebraska State Runner-Up Kameron Green Jr. of Nebraska. Those efforts resulted in his first AA distinction in his early career.

Jake is currently ranked #7 in the c/o 2027 NY-USAW Big Board

he has aMASSed quite the resume as he enters his junior season, Another opportunity to reach the PEak of the mountain, climbing over QUAlity wrestlers along the way. 

New York finished with 16 All-Americans in total. There were repeat All-Americans, first-timers who the New York fan base expected and then there were some first-timers that left the Evil Empire wide-eyed and nodding our heads in approval.

Schalmont Junior Hans Wiederkehr was the 16th and final All-American for the Wu-Tang Clad contingent. Of the 16th, I am hard pressed to find another wrestler who had a more daunting and grueling trek towards the final stop on the podium. 

Wiederkehr would finish 1-2 in freestyle and it seemed as if he got his feet wet, nerves out of the way, and actually settled down once Greco started. "Hans Guber" found himself with his back against the wall immediately. After a :22 fall in R64 it was the "win or go home" mantra for the Schalmont HWT. In any normal tournament, it is difficult to wrestling back to the placement round after losing in round 1. Fargo is not any normal tournament, it is arguably the toughest national tournament, regardless of style, in the country. 

As an on-looker, some clicked once the WB's started. A determination like no other and a drive to finish as strong as he possible could. What seemed as an insurmountable climb to the podium turned into win after win after win after win after win after win....YES! SIX STRAIGHT VICTORIES with the next better than the last. Those Fargo lights got brighter after each round and Hans' confidence and momentum followed suit.

In those 6 wins, the "money match"/Blood Round Contest against Oregon State 4th Skylar Folau was perhaps the most electrifying. From the opening takedown, Hans smelled blood in the water and was not to be denied. Chasing the clinching "Dub", it was an immaculate feet-to-back 4 pointer that nearly sealed the deal. It didn't take a full period and Wiederkehr wrapped up the 8-0 tech and All-American Honors. 

Although the newly crown Fargo AA dropped his final two bouts of the tournament, he would finish a respectable 8th place, a spot on the blocks, and an eye-opening week-long experience of a lifetime.

With 2025 NYS D2 285lb Champion Hamza "Hamzilla" Merrick now graduated, I think a new "zilla" will be in the hunt for a 2026 state title, HANS "HANZILLA" WIEDERKEHR!!! 

TEAM NY STATUS REPORT