There's a lot of debating in wrestling. Fans and pundits love to weigh in on the toughest events. People will debate the toughest in-season high school tournaments, the toughest off-season folkstyle events, and the toughest classifications within each state. However, the one thing we can all agree on is that the USAW Freestyle/Greco Nationals (Fargo) is the country's toughest freestyle/greco tournament, and there isn't a close second. Let that sink in before you start reading so you can really  appreciate the performances of our Utah wrestlers. 

Ready? Let's dive in. 

 

16U Freestyle All-Americans

 

Geronimo Rivera 

Rivera is emerging as one of the best wrestlers in the state. In 2023 he's placed at Doc B, won a state title, earned All-American honors at NHSCAs, and now Fargo. He placed in a massive 256-man bracket and was seconds away from defeating the eventual champion in an absolute war. After that loss, he bounced back and won three straight to clinch a spot on the podium. 

 

Austin Ellis 

Ellis had a great summer. He had a breakout performance at the 16U national duals and proved he's the real deal by placing in a deep 126lb bracket. He fell in the quarters and won in the blood round to earn All-American status. He is one of if not the best incoming freshmen in his class. He's ready for the high school level, so look out. 

 

Ty Carman

Back in February, Ty Carman was a state placer at 157 pounds. This summer, he was all the way up to 182 pounds and wrestled the best he ever has. He had a record of 5-3 and finished in eighth place. He keeps getting better and has his best years ahead of him. 

 

Trayvn Boger 

Boger added another All-American finish to a stellar 2023. He placed at NHSCA and the US Open before placing in Fargo. He also hasn't even started his sophomore year. Heavyweights nationwide, be on notice because Boger's best wrestling has yet to happen. 

 

Junior Freestyle All-Americans 

 

Cash Henderson 

Henderson is one of the best wrestlers in Utah. He was a Walsh Ironman finalist last season, an NHSCA All-American, and a US Open placer. In Fargo, he was only one point away from reaching the finals for the second consecutive year. After that loss, he won again before falling in the third-place bout to secure a solid fourth-place finish and All-American status. 

 

 

16U Greco All Americans

 

Kaden Oldroyd 

Oldroyd put together a great tournament at 88lbs and picked up a fourth-place finish to become an All-American. Oldroyd showed great resilience after some tough losses at the 16U duals in June. He made the adjustments and put himself on the podium. 

Travyn Boger 

Boger became a double All-American with a seventh-place finish in greco. I'll reiterate that he's still very young, and I expect to see him place higher and higher at these events. 

Ty Carman

Like Boger, Carman became a double All-American as well. His hard work is paying off, and doubling up on hardware on Fargo is a tough thing to accomplish. Carman may not have a state title yet, but he's one of the best in the state. 

 

Austin Ellis 

It was safe to say Ellis was well known throughout the state going into Fargo. Now he's well known in the nation with a double All-American finish. I feel like this piece is becoming redundant but being a double All-American is simply impressive. 

 

Austin Paris

Paris keeps collecting hardware. He had a fantastic freshman season and a fantastic folkstyle off-season and decided to finish up his summer as a Fargo All-American. Paris has a unique style that makes him challenging to wrestle and fun to watch. He's just a sophomore, so look for him to accumulate more hardware on the national scene over the next few years. 

Caleb Jackson

Jackson is an excellent example of how competing often can help a wrestler improve. He wrestles as much as anyone. He competed in the national duals for 16U and Junior age groups and acquired a ton of experience competing against solid opposition. And it paid off with an All-American finish at the most prestigious event in the nation. 

Ben Smith 

No matter who Ben Smith is wrestling, he's going to push the pace and fight in every position. That attitude and great wrestling skills carried him to an All-American finish in greco. Additionally, Smith is a state champion and NHSCA All-American. 

Junior Greco All Americans

 

Hunter Sanchez 

Sanchez wrapped up his high school wrestling career with a Greco-All-American finish. Sanchez finished fifth at junior 106. Hunter was a multiple-time state placer for Mountain Ridge and represented Utah well this summer at the national duals and Fargo.  

 

Layne Kleimann 

Kleimann is no stranger to earning All-American honors. After sitting out the last high school season due to injury, he returned to form in Fargo by securing a fourth-place finish at Junior 126 in Greco. He's one of Utah's most exciting wrestlers. Welcome back to the mat, Layne!