2024 Michigan Grappler Fargo Preview

The 2024 US Marine Corps Junior and 16U Wrestling Nationals take place in Fargo North Dakota July 13-20. Thousands of wrestlers come from all over the country for a shot to win one of the biggest tournaments in the world. Team Michigan is bringing another huge roster this year with 205 wrestlers across 16U and Junior boys and girls. We break down the best bets from boys and girls, recap the returning placewinners, and give a full entry list below.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, July 13th - 16U/Jr Girls Day 1 (Through QF)
Sunday, July 14th - 16U/Jr Girls Day 2 (Finals)
Monday, July 15th - 16U/Jr Boys Freestyle Day 1
Tuesday, July 16th - 16U/Jr Boys Freestyle Day 2 (Through QF)
Wednesday, July 17th - 16U/Jr Boys Freestyle Day 3 (Finals)
Friday, July 19th - 16U/Jr Boys Greco Day 1 (Through QF)
Saturday, July 20th - 16U/Jr Boys Greco Day 2 (Finals)

Detailed USA Wrestling schedule can be found here.

Returning Placers from 2023

16U Freestyle 94lbs – Jarrett Smith (Lowell), 1^st
16U Freestyle 106lbs – Wyatt Lees (Detroit CC), 5^th
16U Freestyle 113lbs – Nicholas Sorrow (Hudson), 7^th
16U Freestyle 145lbs – Blake Cosby (Dundee), 8^th
16U Girls 100lbs - Madison Nieuwenhuis (Plainwell HS), 1st
16U Girls 106lbs - Nakayla Dawson 16U (Westland John Glenn HS), 6th
16U Girls 117lbs - Alexis Lazar (N/A), 2nd
16U Girls 144lbs - Rihanna Venegas (Riverview Gabriel Richard HS), 4th
Junior Girls 112lbs - Gigi Bragg (N/A), 6th
Junior Girls 180lbs - Sabrina Nauss (Brighton HS), 1st‍

Michigan Grappler Entries

16U Boys Freestyle - 49
16U Boys Greco - 31
16U Girls Freestyle - 21
Junior Boys Freestyle - 46
Junior Boys Greco - 29
Junior Girls Freestyle – 29

Best Bets – Boys

1. Jackson Blum (Lowell HS), Junior 132lbs: The two-time Grappler Fall Classic champ has placed at just about every tournament he has entered over the last few years, including Super 32 in 2023 and Fargo in 2021 and 2022. After taking 6th and 7th in Freestyle as a Cadet, the Red Arrow will look to place for the first time as a Junior. The 3x MHSAA state champ put together a solid 5-0 performance this year at Junior duals, and should be in a good position to place this year.
‍2. JayDen Williams (Roseville), 16U 157lb: Williams is a big time threat to win both styles this week in Fargo. The two-time state finalist went a combined 16-1 at Junior Duals, going 8-0 in Greco and 8-1 in Freestyle. The catch? He's still just a Cadet. He should be considered a favorite to bring a Stop Sign back to Michigan, potentially in both styles.
‍3. Jarrett Smith (Lowell HS), Junior 106lbs: The Grappler Fall Classic champ could easily be considered the best bet for Michigan this year after winning a Stop Sign last year as a Cadet at 94lbs. He has followed that up this year with a 9-0 record at Junior duals a few weeks ago. Smith also picked up 5 wins in Greco, for an outstanding 14 wins on the week at Duals. Should Smith decide to drop to 100lbs for Fargo, his odds increase even more.
‍4. Nicholas Sorrow (Hudson HS), 16U 120lbs: Sorrow was impressive last year, finishing 7th as a Cadet at 113lbs. Since that podium finish, Sorrow has gone on to win his second MHSAA state title, and he finished 5-1 in Freestyle at Duals. Sorrow's only loss came in a tight match to nationally ranked Zinkin (California).
‍5. Blake Cosby (Dundee HS), Junior 150lbs: Cosby is another returning placer for Michigan, taking 8th last year in 16U at 144lbs. The state champ has built his resume since last summer, knocking off numerous nationally ranked guys throughout the high school season. Cosby's lone loss at Central Regionals came to #1 nationally Maddox Shaw.
‍6. Dale Gant III (Grand Rapids CC HS), 16U 126lbs: Gant was just one match away from placing last year at Fargo, and he is positioned to make another run this season. The state champ won U15 Nationals last season, showing he can compete at the highest level in Freestyle. We like him to pick up his first All American honors in Fargo this year.
‍7. Grayson Fuchs (Detroit CC HS), 16U 132lbs: Fuchs put together a fantastic Freshman campaign, winning a D1 state championship at 126lbs. He followed that up with an undefeated performance at 16U Duals. Last year, Fuchs beat nationally ranked Youngblut to reach the finals at U15 Nationals, proving he can compete with anyone in Freestyle.
‍8. Wyatt Lees (Detroit CC HS), Junior 120lbs: Lees was on a roll last year as a Cadet, reaching the semis at 106lbs. The Shamrock was within 20 seconds of reaching the finals before a late headlock sent Cassioppi (Illinois) to the finals instead. Lees has since picked up a few nationally ranked wins during the high school season and won his second D1 state championship.
‍9. Owen Segorski (Lowell HS), Junior 157lbs: The state champ from Lowell only wrestled 5 matches at Junior Duals in Freestyle, going 4-1, but he did have one of the biggest wins by any Michigan Grappler. Segorski won a wild, match against Iowa-commit Kael Voinovich, proving that Segorski can make some noise in Fargo.
‍10. Santana Ramon (Allen Park HS), Junior 113lbs: Ramon picked up 5 wins in Freestyle at Junior Duals, but Greco is where he can really make some noise. Ramon went 8-1 in Greco, showing that he is definitely capable of reaching the podium in Fargo.

Best Bets – Girls

1. Sabrina Nauss (Brighton HS), Junior 235lbs: Nauss is one of the Best Bets for the entire tournament, regardless of state, age, style, or division. The Brighton Bulldog has won Fargo four times now, tied with Taylor Massa for fourth all-time in Michigan. One more championship would give her 5, putting her in a tie with Andre Metzger. Only Brent Metcalf (7) and Adam Coon (6) would have more.
‍2. Kaili Manuel (Romeo HS), 16U 148lbs: It's been an outstanding year for Manuel already, winning MUSAW, Central Regionals, Folkstyle Nationals, and in April, she won a U17 National Championship to make the age level world team. We don't see her slowing down for Fargo. We will take Manuel to bring a Stop Sign back to Michigan.
‍3. Madison Niuewenhuis (Plainwell HS), Junior 100lbs: Niuewenhuis can (and likely has) beat anyone in the country. She already has a Stop Sign and a Super 32 belt, looking to earn another Fargo national championship this year. Niuenwenhuis dropped one tough match at Junior Duals to #1 Valdez (Colorado), but that is a match the 2x state champ would like to have back. Hopefully we get to see that match in the finals at Fargo. We will take Niuewenhuis to win another national championship, this time as a Junior.
‍4. Alexis Lazar (N/A), 16U 118lbs: Lazar is back as a Cadet this year after finishing as a runner-up a year ago. She was impressive up an age group at Junior Duals a few weeks ago, going 6-1 on the week. Lazar has proven she can compete with anyone, taking 1st in both 16U and Junior at Central Regionals this year.
‍5. Nakayla Dawson (Westland John Glenn HS), 16U 112lbs: Dawson was outstanding at Junior Duals, putting together a perfect 7-0 record on the week. Dawson pinned and teched her way through Central Regionals in May and should be in a good position to bring some hardware back to Michigan with her this year to follow up her 5th-place finish from last year in Fargo.
‍6. Gigi Bragg (N/A), Junior 115lbs: Bragg is another returning Fargo All American, as she took 6th last year at Junior 112lbs. She did not have the Junior Duals tournament she would have liked, but Bragg has consistently proven she can compete for a podium spot. Bragg took 3rd at Folkstyle Nationals this past March and will look to add another All American honor to her resume in Fargo.
‍7. Belicia Manuel (Romeo HS), Junior 145lbs: Manuel went 6-1 at Junior Duals a few weeks ago, with her only loss coming to nationally ranked Perry (Illinois). Manuel has won the Grappler Fall Classic and Folkstyle Nationals, and she has placed at U17 Nationals. Look for her to reach the podium this year in Fargo.
‍8. Kennedy Perez (Livonia Franklin HS), Junior 110lbs: Perez went 9-0 at Junior Duals, winning every match by tech or pin. She took 4th at Folkstyle Nationals and 2nd at Central Regionals and should be well-positioned for a podium finish in Fargo.
‍9. Mackenna Webster (Bronson HS), 16U 148lbs: Webster was the biggest bright spot on this year's 16U Dual team, going 8-0 in the tournament with 6 pins. Webster has already won MUSAW and Central Regionals this year and should be in a solid spot to earn All American honors in Fargo.
10. Rihanna Venegas (Riverview Gabriel Richard), Junior 145lbs: Venegas took 4th last year in Fargo at 144lbs in 16U and will be looking for her first All American honors as a Junior. She pinned her way through Central Regionals this year and was an MHAA state-finalist this past season. Venegas was just one match away from placing at U20 Nationals a few months ago.

Full Participant List 

Junior Boys Freestyle

106 - Jarrett Smith (Lowell HS)
113 - Cameron Leone (Warren Mott HS)
113 - Ryan Totten (Detroit CC HS)
120 - Brady Baker (Stevensville Lakeshore HS)
120 - Carl Nihranz (Dakota HS)
120 - Wyatt Lees (Detroit CC HS)
126 - Nathan Walkowiak (Detroit CC HS)
126 - Mack Moscovic (Detroit CC HS)
126 - Bodie Abbey (Hartland HS)
126 - Malaki Mosher (Madison HS)
126 - Drew Hansen (Gladstone HS)
132 - Jackson Blum (Lowell HS)
132 - Joshua Vasquez (Grandville HS)
132 - Wyatt DeVasher (Lake Fenton HS)
132 - Conor Mc Alary (Hudsonville HS)
138 - Landon Thomas (St. Joseph HS)
138 - Liam Fitzpatrick (Rockford HS)
138 - Connor Younts (Clinton HS)
138 - Jace Morgan (Rochester HS)
144 - Daniel Gonzalez-Cancel (Ferndale HS)
144 - Garret Schihl (Lutheran North HS)
144 - Buddy Leonard (Alma HS)
150 - Alex Buskirk (Detroit CC HS)
150 - Dontarris Wesby (Arthur Hill HS)
150 - Blake Cosby (Dundee HS)
150 - Lane Button (Wayland HS)
157 - Dayveon Rupert (Battle Creek Lakeview HS)
157 - Owen Segorski (Lowell HS)
165 - Zane Willobee (Gaylord HS)
165 - Gabriel Griffith (Utica HS)
165 - Hunter Fagan-Moyer (Reed City HS)
165 - Kole Katschor (Dundee HS)
165 - Sebastian Martinez (Riverview Gabriel Richard HS)
175 - Michael Baldwin (Arthur Hill HS)
175 - Micah Roper (Oxford HS)
175 - Nolan Rowley (Bath HS)
190 - Adam Bazzi (Stoney Creek HS)
190 - Xavier Stermer (Portage Central HS)
190 - Gavin Turk (Paw Paw HS)
215 - Layne O'Neil (Fowlerville HS)
215 - Cayden Bell (Waverly HS)    
285 - Adin Young (Plainwell HS)
285 - James Mahon (Goodrich HS)
285 - Landon Morris (Lake Orion HS)
285 - Joel Simon (Lakewood HS)
285 - Cal Chapman (Dowagiac HS)

Junior Greco

106 - Jarrett Smith (Lowell HS)
113 - Cameron Leone (Warren Mott HS)
113 - Santana Ramon (Allen Park HS)
120 - Brady Baker (Stevensville Lakeshore HS)
120 - Carl Nihranz (Dakota HS)
120 - Alekh Marion (Kalamazoo Central HS)          
120 - Wyatt Lees (Detroit CC HS)
126 - Drew Hansen (Gladstone HS)
132 - Conor Mc Alary (Hudsonville HS)
132 - Braden Cooper (Clawson HS)
138 - Landon Thomas (St. Joseph HS)
144 - Brysen Ealy (Utica HS)
144 - Buddy Leonard (Alma HS)
144 - Hunter Thomson (Utica HS)
150 - Alex Buskirk (Detroit CC HS)
150 - Blake Cosby (Dundee HS)
150 - Lane Button (Wayland HS)
150 - Dontarris Wesby (Arthur Hill HS)
157 - Dayveon Rupert (Battle Creek Lakeview)
165 - Gabriel Griffith (Utica HS)
165 - Hunter Fagan-Moyer (Reed City HS)
165 - Zane Willobee (Gaylord HS)
175 - Michael Baldwin (Arthur Hill HS)
175 - Micah Roper (Oxford HS)
190 - Xavier Stermer (Portage Central HS)
190 - Waylon Lamkin (Fowlerville HS)
215 - Layne O'Neil (Fowlerville HS)
285 - Adin Young (Plainwell HS)
285 - Landon Morris (Lake Orion HS)
285 - Joel Simon (Lakewood HS)
285 - Cal Chapman (Dowagiac HS) 

Junior Girls Freestyle

105 - Anna Buurma (Fowlerville HS)
110 - Kennedy Perez (Westland John Glenn HS)
110 - Anna Pontzious (Utica Eisenhower HS)
115 - Gigi Bragg (N/A)
115 - Anna Williamson (Mattawan HS)
125 - Jamie Cook (Dewitt HS)
125 - Faith Burgess (Grand Blanc HS)
125 - Hannah Blyveis (Gaylord HS)
135 - Miriam Hopson (Rockford HS)
135 - Terra Booe (Allendale HS)
135 - Margaret Buurma (Fowlerville HS)
135 - Emily Medford (Waterford Kettering HS)
140 - Sydney Thompson (Eaton Rapids HS)
140 - Emma Pendell (Montague HS)
140 - Brynn Brower (Grand Haven HS)
145 - Belicia Manuel (Romeo HS)
145 - Rihanna Venegas (Riverview Gabriel Richard HS)
155 - Hailee Budrick (Rockford HS)
170 - Isabelle Wisenbaugh (Grand Haven HS)
170 - Victoria Carter (Waverly HS)
170 - Madison Ward (Niles Brandywine HS)
190 - Halle Spears (Midland HS)
190 - Gabriella Allen (Marcellus HS)
190 - Heaven Cole (Loy Norrix HS)
235 - Sabrina Nauss (Brighton HS)
235 - Payton Burmeister (Grand Ledge HS)
235 - Braelyn Flemming (Spring Lake HS)‍

16U Boys Freestyle

88 - Austin Witt (Lakewood, 8^th)
88 - Dakota Harmer (Lakewood, 8^th)
94 - Dylan Nieuwenhuis (Plainwell, 8^th)
100 - Donovan Quinn (St. Johns, 8^th)
106 - Merrick Kustarz (Utica HS)
106 - Layne Martin (Rockford HS)
106 - Jordan Zambon (Riverview Gabriel Richard HS)
106 - Carson Blum (Lowell, 8^th)
113 - Mason Katschor (Dundee HS)
113 - Ryan Totten (Detroit CC HS)
113 - Deacon Morgan (Rochester HS)
113 - Steven Vaughn (Davison HS)
120 - Haydn Nutt (Dundee HS)
120 - Conner Haslett (Lapeer HS)
120 - Jamison Gregory (Detroit CC HS)
120 - Nicholas Sorrow (Hudson HS)
120 - Matthew Quigley (Traverse City West HS)
120 - Mason Haines (Dundee HS)
126 - Braydon Tougas (Hartland HS)
126 - Joelan Coyer (Stevensville Lakeshore HS)
126 - Dale Gant III (Grand Rapids CC HS)
126 - Micah Curtiss (Shepherd HS)
132 - Gavin Lewis (Oxford HS)
132 - Kieran Beach (Gaylord HS)
132 - Grayson Fuchs (Detroit CC HS)
138 - Bryce Morrison (Hamilton HS)
138 - Wyatt Burns (Dundee HS)
138 - Ryan Woods (Belding HS)
144 - Nathaniel Carter (Clarkston HS)
144  - Austin Gyorkos (Plainwell HS)
144 - Kingston Laurain (East Lansing HS)
144 - Dallas Korponic (Hartland HS)
150 - Tobias Pacheco (Davison, 8^th)
150 - Eli Roe (Beaverton HS)
150 - Bryson Boucher (Lakewood HS)
157 - Grady Rousse (Traverse City Central HS)
157 - JayDen Williams (Roseville HS)
157 - Jacob Hodge (Howell, 8^th)
157 - Julius Pacheco (Davison HS)
165 - Frederick Hammond (LakeVille HS)
175 - Brock Foster (Fowlerville HS)
175 - Lucas Vail (Lakeview HS)
190 - Braylen Meeuwsen (East Kentwood, 8^th)
215 - Leland Korona (Gaylord HS)
215 - Liam O'Neil (Fowlerville, 8^th)
285 - Nicholas Brasseur (Gladwin HS)
285 - Tyler Meeuwsen (East Kentwood HS)

16U Greco-Roman

88 - Dakota Harmer (Lakewood, 8^th)
94 - Dylan Nieuwenhuis (Plainwell, 8^th)
100 - Donovan Quinn (St. Johns, 8^th)
106 - Layne Martin (Rockford HS)
106 - Merrick Kustarz (Utica HS)
106 - Carson Blum (Lowell, 8^th)
120 - Nicholas Sorrow (Hudson HS)
120 - Matthew Quigley (Traverse City West HS)
120 - Jamison Gregory (Detroit CC HS)
120 - Conner Haslett (Lapeer HS)
126 - Dale Gant III (Grand Rapids CC HS)
126 - Joelan Coyer (Stevensville Lakeshore HS)
126 - Micah Curtiss (Shepherd HS)
132 - Kieran Beach (Gaylord HS)
138 - Ryan Woods (Belding HS)
138 - Bryce Morrison (Hamilton HS)
144 - Austin Gyorkos (Plainwell HS)
144 - Nathaniel Carter (Clarkston HS)
150 - Tobias Pacheco (Davison, 8^th)
150 - John Kaminski (Warren Mott HS)
157 - Jacob Hodge (Howell, 8^th)
157 - Julius Pacheco (Davison HS)
165 - JayDen Williams (Roseville HS)
165 - Frederick Hammond (LakeVille HS)
175 - Lucas Vail (Lakeview HS)
175 - Brock Foster (Fowlerville HS)
175 - Lucas Vail (Lakeview HS)
190 - Braylen Meeuwsen (East Kentwood, 8^th)
215 - Jacob Everett (Lakewood, 8^th)
215 - Leland Korona (Gaylord HS)
215 - Liam O'Neil (Fowlerville, 8^th)
285 - Nicholas Brasseur (Gladwin HS)
285 - Tyler Meeuwsen (East Kentwood HS)

16U Girls Freestyle

100 - Madison Niuewenhuis (Plainwell HS)
106 - Aubree McClain (Hudson HS)
106 - Anna Buurma (Fowlerville HS)
112 - Celine Frank (Oxford, 8^th)
112 - Nakayla Dawson (Westland John Glenn HS)
118 - Cheyenne Frank (Oxford HS)
118 - Eva Zimnicki (West Bloomfield HS)
118  - Alexis Lazar (N/A)
124 - Analise Henry (Shepherd HS)
130 - Avery Lynch (Plainwell HS)
130 - Kerra White Pigeon (Shepherd HS)
136 - Megan Brower (Grand Haven HS)
136 - Paisley Denault (Clarkston HS)
142 - Ava Angelo (Romeo HS)
142 - Kylee Malloy (Olivet HS)
142 - Nanda Kibi (Plymouth HS)
148 - Katalina Thompson (Eaton Rapids HS)
148 - Kaili Manuel (Romeo HS)
148 - Mackenna Webster (Bronson HS)
235 - Sydney Smith (Portage Central HS)

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