2024 Fargo Junior Men's FS Recap: Sibomana-Rodriguez & Burton Hoist Hardware; Tounkara & Diakomihalis Take the Long Way Back to AA Honors

113 Pounds: Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez----NATIONAL CHAMPION

As I wrote on my personal Facebook wall last night (tears in my eyes)....WHEN SOMEONE IS MEANT FOR GREATNESS; IT CANNOT BE STOPPED!!!

And for the 3x New York State medalist/2x finalist/2022 Champion out of Long Beach; it was never a question of "If", but rather "when" his coronation took place!!

Pegged as someone that we felt might be a bigger threat in the Greco-Roman portion of the week-long festivities, NYWN's overall 2026 prospect had different plans and decided to get the party started early, as he'd run a gauntlet through nothing but nationally ranked and/or high placing state medalists en route to becoming the Evil Empire's first Junior National FS titlist since Brian Realbuto did the deed back in 2011 (@145 pounds)!!

Accruing a 7-0 record from Monday thru Wednesday, the Savage Wrestling Academy mentee won not only the stop sign, but the hearts of all of America when last night, he'd emerge with an 8-2 decision in the finale against the #2 wrestler in the country, Ayden Dodd (2x Ohio State placer/2024 runner-up; 2x Fargo All-American/2022 16U Bronze)...

Demonstrating the well-roundedness of his skillset, NYWN's #1 ranked 2026er showcased his offensive prowess in the first period, when he drew first blood at approximately the halfway point (1:30 to go in the stanza) by hitting a slick duck for the takedown and immediately transitioning to a gut for a 2pt exposure to carry a 4-0 lead into the break...

His cushion having been trimmed to 4-2 by virtue of a Dodd TD with just over 2:00 remaining in regulation, there would be no standing in the way of a Dunia coronation as his defense took centerstage down the stretch....

With Dodd in deep on a high-crotch in the last 55 ticks of the money match; Sibomana-Rodriguez refused to relent, as he countered with a 2pt roll through and then added 2 more on the ensuing sequence when he was able to trap and turn the Buckeye State rep with a turk + cross-face to account for his full output!

This victory over Dodd being the pinnacle moment of the tournament on paper for the Marine rising junior; in truth, it was more so the continuation of a collective statement-making effort as previous opponents of Sibomana-Rodriguez had combined to claim five state titles and six prior Fargo All-American distinctions....

Registering his first marquee dub in the round of 64, the Long Islander used a 2pt head-pinch, a takedown, and a 4pt throw to establish an 8-0 lead at the end of 3:00 against 4x Arizona State Medalist/2x Finalist/2023 Champion, Diego Camarillo....When action action resumed in the 2nd, he snapped and spun behind to close out the 10-0 TF!!!

Up next in the round of 32 was a date against this year's Oklahoma State Bronze medalist, Gavin Miller....

A rare case of adversity faced, the NYer trailed 6-1 approximately 90 seconds into the bout; but when momentum shifted; it created an earthquake effect as Dunia exploded for 16 unanswered points, including a duck TD + gut at the onset of the 2nd, later complemented by a feet-to-back takedown and two more gut-wrenches to complete the comeback!!!

Overcoming another slow start (4-0 hole :30 into the 1st period) in his round of 16 contest with 2x Wisconsin State finalist/2024 Champion, Aidan Gruenenfelder, accumulation again was plentiful, as Sibomana-Rodriguez was credited with five takedowns (including a 4-point single-leg finish 1:15 into the 2nd) and a 2pt gut to cruise to the 14-5 decision...HE NEVER TRAILED AGAIN the rest of the tournament!!

The first of his two top-20 triumphs occurred in the quarterfinals as one wild sequence during the opening minute of the 1st period propelled Sibomana-Rodriguez to a 7-0 lead versus #19 ranked Caleb Noble (2024 Illinois State Champion; 2023 Fargo 16U Double finalist/GR titlist)....

Getting penetration on his high-C attempt, he'd lift his highly decorated opponent off the mat and deposit him for a 4-point back-to-back exposure before then adding a 2pt gut and 1pt stepout as the action continued...Another TD + gut as the clock approached 1:00 to go in the stanza polished off the 12-2 TF!!

With just one more elite road block standing in his way to punching his ticket to the money match, Sibomania-Rodriguez turned a 1-1 bout at the intermission into a rather decisive conquest, as he controlled the entirety of the final 3:00, by utilizing all of the tools in his arsenal (duck, throw-by) to register two takedowns, a 2pt gut, and a stepout to account for the last seven points in an 8-1 decision against 2x Indiana State gold medalist/4x Fargo AA, Revin Dickman!!

Not even close to resting on laurels; with one crown in the bank; Sibomana-Rodriguez will be chasing history as he will try to become the first NYer since 2004 [Troy Nickerson] to double up on the Junior level in Fargo!

113 Pounds: Oumar Tounkara

Doing more than his fair share to ensure that Sibomana-Rodriguez had some Empire State company on the podium was a recent addition to the New York Military Academy...

Mounting not just one, but two separate winning streaks en route to an 8th place finish, the 2024 NHSCA Junior National Champion that calls the Bronx his home officially concluded the tournament sporting a 6-3 record; but in reality, he'd actually did his arm raised seven times to earn the first All-American distinction of his scholastic career!

Like the eventual champ [Sibomana-Rodriguez], so the 113-pound field being so deep; there were be no shallow accomplishments for the NYC Beat the Streets inspired stud, as he'd outscore South Dakota's Landon Walker (2x State placer/3rd in '24) and Cody Westlake (2x State Medalist/2024 runner-up) by a combined tally of 23-2 in going unbeaten on day # in Fargo...

Racking up four takedowns + a 2pt gut versus the former (10-0 TF over Walker) and then stockpiling an additional five TDs (including a 4pt single-leg trip to the back) as part of a 13-2 drubbing of Westlake, the "green light only" approach paid dividends again the round of 32 when the former Prep National All-American (while wrestling for St. Benedicts Prep in 2023) squared off with highly credentialed Mason Brayfield (2024 Missouri State 5th; 3x Fargo All-American/2023 Junior GR National runner-up)...

Deep off of the whistle with a double-leg, Tounkara briefly threatened to lock up a cradle, but that would be unnecessary, as in the midst of the ensuing scramble after he deposited the Show-Me State rep on the mat, he'd trap Brayfield on his back for a touch fall in a time of just 23 ticks!!

Ousted from title contention in R16 by the already cited [Revin] Dickman, to culminate one chapter of his Fargo story; version 2.0 of the Tounkara tales were every bit as electrifying, as his path to the blood round took him on a bit of a detour, with stops coming by way of a :38 stick of Bryce Schnelzer (2x Virginia State runner-up) & a 15-2 TF versus Ohio's Lincoln Rohr (2024 State 3rd; 2022 Fargo 16U 6th)....

Expressing no love for the "Lover State" entry, a snap + spin TD handed him a quick 2-0 before he'd be able to put and keep Schnelzer in danger until the early slap of the mat bellowed...

The match with Rohr provided no shortage of clips for the highlight reel, as Tounkara had a bread-and-butter 4pt inside trip to go up 6-0 and then turned defense into offense by connecting with a 4pt standing crotch-lift to make the score 14-2....The Ohio coaching staff unsuccessfully requested a challenge, thus tacking on the extra point!

Having earned himself a rest, Tounkara caught a significant break in the blood round as his would-be opponent, Roman Luttrell (3x New Mexico State Champion; 2023 Fargo 16U Greco-Roman Bronze Medalist) missed weight; thus resulting in a walkover win that clinched top-8!!!

Losses in the consol 4. and 7th/8th matches to Nicolas Enzminger (4x North Dakota State medalist/2x Champion; 2024 USAW Junior Folk Nationals 4th; 2023 NHSCA Freshman National runner-up;) and [Caleb] Noble came in Tounkara's final two outings...

Note: Unbeknownst to those not in attendance, due to some complications/mishandling of a protest of a match not involving him, sandwiched in the middle of the wins over Schnelzer & Rohr, Tounkara emerged with a victory versus the #12 ranked man in the land, Peyton Schoettle (2024 Indiana State Champion; 8th at the 2024 U.S. Open U17 FS)!

175-Pounds: Ryan Burton----NATIONAL CHAMPION

New York by residency, New Jersey by education (St. Joe's Montvale), the third time was the charm for the standout who dwells n Section 9!!

Surpassing previous efforts of 3rd in 2022 (16U) and 6th a summer ago (Junior), the 2x NJSIAA State medalist/2024 Champion delivered a comprehensive display that very much should have been put him in the conversation for O.W. honors (went to Pennsylvania's Jax Forrest whose coincidentally has NY roots; LOL), as he racked up a 60-4 margin in terms of points scored/surrendered and bested three top-20 opponents on his way to a 7-0 resume!!!

Facing off against #5 ranked 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐥 (3x Prep National All-American/2x finalist/2024 titlist; 3x Fargo Medalist/2x Finalist/2021 16U FS National Champion) in the main event, Burton would be tested late, but hung on for the 4-2 decision to deny his Penn State bound opponent!!

The contest a 1-0 affair in favor of the 2024 NJ State Champion [Burton] at the end of the 1st period after Henckel was hit for an activity clock violation; the future VT Hokie was able to create separation when he used a body lock to earn a step out :35 into the 2nd period; and then added further insurance by way of a takedown (high-crotch into a whizzer into a limp arm) with 1:50 remaining in regulation to seize a comfortable 4-0 lead...

The scoreboard unchanged until the waning moments, Henckel would prevent the shutout when he tallied a TD of his own in the last :07...But he'd be unable to find an equalizer/bout stealer (was unsuccessful in working for a head-pinch) after the restart on the feet!!!

The triumph over the Blair Academy rising senior [Henckel] being the second consecutive dub earned by Burton against a fellow top-10 opposition; one rounded earlier; he secured the berth in the 'ship by topping #7 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 (2x PIAA State Champion; 4x Fargo All-American; 2022 16U GR National runner-up; 2023 U17 GR World Team member; 2023 NHSCA Freshman National Champion), by a score of 8-2...

All of his damage coming by way of takedowns against the Keystone Stater, a snap + spin, followed by a throw-by was responsible for him taking a 4-0 edge into the break...In the 2nd, he would defend a solid leg-attack from Waters by threatening a crotch-lift before ultimately scooting his way behind to increase the lead the 6-0...The final TD (with the score sitting at 6-2) was courtesy of another throw-by as he picked up another "w" in this ongoing rivalry (had already beat Waters at the BOE and the ETR tournaments during the HS season)!!!

Seeded 29th among the crowd, the only other occasion in which the Iron Horse Wrestling Club trained gem was forced to go the distance was in a round of 32 bout that witnessed him hit a 2pt head-pinch in the 1st period and then further pour it on in the final 3:00 by converting an ankle pick and a high-C for takedowns, while also inducing a stepout + fleeing call to overwhelm 19th ranked Bryce Burkett (#19 ranked; 4x Minnesota State placer/2x Finalist/2024 Champion; 2022 Double Fargo 16U Finalist/GR National Champion)!!!

Despite going mano-a-mano with some real tough customers, Burton never saw the second period in any of his other four outings, as he hoarded bonus point victories in the form of two identical 10-0 shutouts in the rounds of 128 and 64 versus 2024 Arizona State 3rd, Michael Hunter, and NY's own 2x Medalist/2x NHSCA, Johnathan Clohecy (Fulton)...

He'd break out the "Elmer's glue game" during Tuesday's evening session, establishing leads of 11-0 and 8-0 before pinning Christopher Mance III (3x Georgia State Champion; 2024 USAW Junior Folk Nationals 4th; 2x NHSCA All-American/2022 Freshman National runner-up) & Caleb Dennee (2x Wisconsin State runner-up; 2024 U.S. Open U17 Trials) at the 2:30 (outside trip toss) and :40 marks of his quarter and semifinal appearances!!!

Undeniably coming into his own and jumping levels during the 2023-2024 campaign, the stop sign will be a welcomed addition to the brass rings he had procured at the Super 32, the Beast of the East, Escape The Rock, and NJSIAA States!!

With his entire senior year still in front of him; if the past 10 months were simply an opening act; God knows what he has in store for the encore!

190 Pounds: Elijah Diakomihalis---6th

Cementing his legacy as a Dome warrior, the 3x NYS DI medalist/2x finalist/2024 Champion for the Hilton Cadets followed up the 16U National crown he earned in the summer of 2023 by battling his way to a noble top-6 finish in his return to Fargo as a first-year junior entry!!

Five of his seven victories (7-3 resume) coming at the expense of state champion peers, New York Wrestling News' #4 rated 2025 Big Boarder was dominant out of the gate, as he opened up on a three-match winning streak, posting back-to-back 10-0 tech falls in the rounds of 128 and 64; and then etching a 6-4 decision in the round of 32 against blue chip company comprised of Mason Ellis (3x Alabama State medalist/2x Champion; 2023 NHSCA Junior 6th;  2022 Fargo Double 16U AA/3rd in GR), William Wagner (2024 Virginia State Champion; 2024 NHSCA Sophomore 8th); & Max Matthias (2x Wisconsin State bronze medalist; 2023 USAW 16U Folk National Champion; 2024 U.S. Open U17 7th)....

Three crotch-lifts (as well a double-leg TD and a head-pinch) were the weapons of choice in the Ellis match; while a swing-single for the TD assisted by countless leg-laces were the culprits in the clash with Wagner...

Receiving a true test from his Badger State nemesis, the Cornell verbal commit was able to do the bulk of his work during the opening minute of the 1st period, as he registered a stepout, a 2pt counter crotch-lift, and one more 2pt exposure to jump out to a 5-0 lead...One takedown apiece in each of the two stanzas enabled Matthias to stay in the fight; but there was never really a moment when the dub seemed in question!!

Relegated to the consolation bracket after a heartbreaking 3-3 criteria loss (gave up a 1pt reversal in the final :03) in the round of 16 to Gunner Henry (3x Indiana State medalist/2024 runner-up; 2023 NHSCA Sophomore National Champion; 2023 Super 32 8th), the S5er regained his winning touch, peeling off victories in each of his next four trips to the mat, including 10-6, 12-2, and 14-3 masteries in consol 8 #1, the blood round, and the consolation quarters over State champs from PA, MN, and AZ---Andrew McMonagle, John Murphy (2x Minnesota State placer/2024 Champion; 2023 Fargo 16U 4th), and Aidan Ysaguirre (2024 Arizona State Champion; 2023 Fargo Junior FS 8th; 2023 NHSCA Sophomore 7th)...

The skirmish with McGonagle about as evenly matched as we'd expect, the New Yorker was able to capitalize off of two takedowns, two induced stepouts, and a caution +1 for fleeing to build a 7-2 lead with 2:31 to go in regulation...

But wrestling in front his future home crowd [committed to ND State], the Keystone titlist climbed back into contention when he got as close as 7-6 via a TD + gut with 2:10 remaining...

"Lij" came on strong down the homestretch (last 1:00), icing the win with a counter TD (threatened a crotch-lift before scrambling behind) and another stepout in the final 60 ticks!!

All squared at 2-2 apiece in the battle against the Gopher [Murphy], the third of the decorated sibling royalty broke open the showdown in the last 90 seconds of the 1st, finishing a TD and then putting on a clinic from par terre (gut-wrench, three laces) to stay alive...

His seventh and ultimately hindmost triumph being an onslaught of offense versus Ysaguirre, Diakomihalis had a 4pt standing gut on the edge of the mat to draw initial blood and then further created separation via a double-leg + two leg-laces at the end of the 1st (11-2 at the break)....The terminator was earned when Diakomihalis dove in on a high-C, but the switched off to a double for the TD :47 into the 2nd!

Losses in the consolation semis and 5th/6th bout were sustained at the hands of top-15 rivals---Carson Thomas (#15; 2x Ohio State finalist/2024 Champion; 2023 Fargo 16U FS 4th; 2024 U.S. Open U17 3rd; 2023 NHSCA Sophomore National Champion; 2023 Super 32 5th) and Anders Thompson (#10; 4x Montana State placer/3x Finalist/2024 Champion; 2024 U.S. Open U17 GR 4th; 2023 USAW Junior Folk Nationals 3rd; 2023 Super 32 5th; 2022 NHSCA Sophomore 4th)!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________‍‍

‍Team NY Men's Junior FS Breakdown

‍