FARGO, N.D. – The start of the 2008 Olympic Games are just 18 days away and Ryan Mango can’t wait to travel to Beijing, China, to watch his brother Spenser compete.

But he has a little business to take care of first.

Mango has his sights set on becoming a Junior Nationals champion this week in Fargo.

The two-time state high school champion from Missouri looks poised to do just that. He steamrolled past his first three opponents in the Greco-Roman competition on Sunday. In his third match, he polished off Ohio’s Brandon Gambucci with a body lock and spectacular throw late Sunday afternoon.

Mango is one of four USA Wrestling age-group national champions competing in the Junior Nationals 112-pound bracket in Greco-Roman.

Mango was a double Cadet Nationals champion in 2006 before following with a Cadet Nationals folkstyle title in 2007. He missed this event last year in Fargo after breaking his wrist a couple of weeks before the tournament.

“It feels great to be back here wrestling again,” Mango said. “I was real nervous for my first match, but I’m getting back in the groove now. I’m feeling real good out there.”

Mango won the FILA Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman earlier this year in Akron, Ohio. He placed second at the Junior World Team Trials in May.

The power-packed Junior 112 class also includes Nathan Furches of Kansas, Alan Waters of Missouri and Cody Tyler of Missouri. Furches is a Junior Nationals champion in Greco-Roman, Waters won a Cadet Nationals title in Greco-Roman and Tyler won a FILA Cadet Nationals title in Greco-Roman. Mango beat Waters in the FILA Cadet Nationals finals in April.

“We all know each other pretty well,” Mango said. “Most of us were out at the Olympic Training Center just training with each other. It will be fun to see who comes out on top.”

Also at 112, Cody Pack of California was a Junior Nationals Greco-Roman runner-up. Jamie Clark of Ohio was a FILA Cadet Nationals Greco-Roman runner-up. Clark is a past Cadet Nationals champion in freestyle.

Ryan Mango will travel to his family next month to watch Spenser compete in the Olympics at 55 kg/121 lbs. Spenser is scheduled to compete on the first day of wrestling competition on Aug. 12.

“I’m real excited about the Olympics,” Ryan said. “I can’t wait to see how Spenser does. I’m already proud of him. That would be really sweet to see him come home with a medal, hopefully a gold medal.”

Ryan is hoping to join his brother on the U.S. Olympic Team in 2012.

“That’s our goal,” Ryan said. “2012, we both want to make it. We talk about that all the time.”

Ryan is a top college prospect. He said he hasn’t decided if he wants to follow his brother to the U.S. Olympic Education Center Greco-Roman program at Northern Michigan University or try wrestling folkstyle at the collegiate level.

“I still don’t know if I want to do folkstyle or not,” Ryan said. “I will probably sit down in the next few weeks after this tournament and make a decision.”

Ryan can’t say enough about the impact his big brother has had on him.

“Spenser has done so much for me, not just in wrestling but with everything,” Ryan said. “Every sport he tried, I tried. When he started wrestling, then I jumped right into it the next year. I really look up to him. He’s a great big brother. His support means a lot.”

FARGO, N.D. – There were no significant upsets during the first session at the ASICS/Vaughan Junior Greco-Roman Nationals at the FargoDome on Sunday.

In action on Sunday was Max Nowry of Illinois (105), a returning double champion who won both styles at the Junior Nationals last year. The other eligible returning double champion, David Taylor of Ohio, is not entered in Greco-Roman this year.

Nowry opened with a 5-0, 4-1 win over Blayne Shockley of Missouri.

In addition to Nowry, a returning 2007 Junior National Greco-Roman champion competing this weekend is Kendrick Sanders of Florida (140). Also competing are 2006 Junior National Greco-Roman champion Nathan Furches of Kansas (112), Justin Forrest of Missouri (119) and Eric Grajales of Florida (130). All emerged from the morning session undefeated.

All three 2007 Junior runners-up in the field were also unbeaten in the session, Cody Pack of California (112), Alec Ortiz of Oregon (160) and Tyrell Fortune of Oregon (215).

There were a number of past Cadet Nationals champions in the field today who also were unbeaten in the morning session. These included Alan Waters of Missouri (112), Ellis Coleman of Illinois (130), Andrew Alton of Pennsylvania (140), Carson Fields of Georgia (140), Dirk Cowburn of Pennsylvania (152), Joel Bauman of Minnesota (160), Ethen Lofthouse of Utah (171) and Kyle Caylor of Kansas (215).

Fields scored two pins in the session, stopping Bill Borseth of Iowa and David Calhoun of Florida.

A Cadet National champion who lost a bout in the morning session was Kyle Detmer of Kansas (152), who fell in the second round to Jonathan Urango of California, 2-2, 6-0, 0-4.

Andrew Alton won two matches in the session, as did his twin brother Dylan, who was a Cadet National runner-up last year and is competing at 135 pounds this year. Both Alton brothers had one pin and one technical fall in the session.

2008 FILA Junior National freestyle champion Logan Stieber of Ohio (119), who was also a Cadet National freestyle champion last year, is also in the field. He won his first two bouts, one by pin and the other by technical fall.

This year, the ASICS/Vaughan Junior Greco-Roman Nationals included 790 athletes, representing 44 states and Puerto Rico.

FARGO, N.D. – Something magical happens when the Alton brothers step on the mat at the Fargo Dome.

Pennyslvania twins Dylan and Andrew Alton did plenty of damage last year in this building and they are back for more this year.

Andrew was a double Cadet Nationals champion in 2007, winning titles in both Greco-Roman and freestyle. Dylan also won a Cadet Nationals title in Greco-Roman and placed second in freestyle.

This year, the twins have moved up to the Junior Nationals division with Andrew competing at 140 pounds and Dylan wrestling at 135.

Dylan breezed through his first match early Sunday morning in Greco-Roman.

“It was good to get that first one of the way,” Dylan said. “This is a great tournament to compete in. I love testing myself against some of the best guys in the country. This is as tough as it gets for kids like me who are in high school.”

Dylan’s success in Greco-Roman is impressive when you consider what he focuses on in practice.

“I like freestyle better – I don’t really train at all in Greco,” he said. “I wasn’t going to wrestle Greco this year, but my brother was going to compete in Greco so I figured I would just do it too.”

Dylan said he and his twin brother, who are both 17 years old, push each other in workouts.

“Sometimes we get in brawls and mix it up a little bit,” he said. “But it really helps a lot, having someone to train with all the time. You don’t ever have to go looking for a training partner.”

No, not in preparation for Bison football, but because of the Cadet and Junior Wrestling championships scheduled to run through Saturday, July 26 at Fargodome and the Bison Sports Arena.

Competition kicks off at 9:30 a.m. today with the first session of Cadet Greco-Roman wrestling.

In total, the tournament has had 4,300 entries in its six events and two divisions of wrestling.

Head NDSU wrestling coach Bucky Maughan has been logging hours all week to make sure the largest wrestling tournament in the world starts without a hitch.

“This is the best wrestling tournament for development of talent in the country,” Maughan said. “It takes a lot of work and a lot of volunteers to put it on.”

The tournament, which is entering its 16th year in Fargo, will feature a Cadet division (ages 15-16) of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling and a Junior division (grades 9-12) of freestyle and Greco-Roman along with both a women’s dual championship and women’s wrestling event.

Though entries are down slightly from last year, Maughan said he’s optimistic every year when it comes to tournament time.

“We are always trying to bring in new people every year,” he said. “A lot of people think we’re out in the middle of nowhere, but are always surprised when they come.”

The surprise Maughan speaks of usually sets in when the tournament gets going and all 34 mats at the Fargodome and the Bison Sports Arena are being used for competition at once.

That kind of action also makes an impact beyond the mat.

“The tournament has had a major impact on the city of Fargo,” Maughan said. “I don’t think you’d be able to find an open hotel room in town all week.”

Since 1996, the tournament has been a combined Cadet and Junior championship that has put Fargo on the United States wrestling map.

Pete Isais, Director of National Events for U.S.A. wrestling said the tournament is known worldwide as ‘Fargo’ and attacks a lot of competition and recognition.

“This tournament also kicks off the recruiting season for college coaches around the country.”

Another bragging point for the tournament is that it has a history of producing strong amateur wrestlers at the Olympic and collegiate levels.

“Every wrestler on the United States Greco-Roman and freestyle team going to Beijing has wrestled in this tournament.”

Among those Olympic wrestlers is 18-year old Jake Deitchler of Ramsey, Minn. who won a Junior National Greco-Roman Championship in 2007 at the 145-pound weight class.

Deitchler will not defend his title at this year’s event after qualifying for a spot on the 2008 U.S. Greco-Roman Olympic team that will compete in Beijing in August.

He will, however, attend the championships in Fargo on Tuesday to train and sign autographs.

If you go

- What: 2008 Accelerad Cadet and ASICS/Vaughan Junior National Championships

- When: Today through Saturday, July 26

- Where: Fargodome and Bison Sports Arena

- Info: Admission: Session pass $90 for adults, $60 for ages 17 and under; Single day pass $15 for adults, $10 for ages 17 and under. To volunteer, call (701) 730-8186.

Junior National freestyle

Name State Weight

Max Nowry Illinois 98

David Taylor Ohio 105

Jon Morrison Illinois 112

Jordan Oliver Pennsylvania 119

Nate Moore Iowa 125

Colin Johnston Pennsylvania 135

Michael Mangrum Washington 140

Mario Mason New Jersey 145

Scott Winston New Jersey 160

Junior National Greco-Roman

Name State Weight

Max Nowry Illinois 98

David Taylor Ohio 105

Andrew Long Iowa 112

Kendrick Saunders Florida 140

*Jake Deitchler Minnesota 145

Ty Vinson Montana 171

Ryland Geiger Oregon 189

Marcel Dubose Michigan 215

* – 18-year-old Jake Deitchler will not defend his title after qualifying for a spot on the 2008 U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team. He will compete at the Beijing Games in August.

Junior National Women

Name State Weight

Hanna Martin Oklahoma 95

Helen Maroulis Maryland 109

Micheala Hutchinson Alaska 119

Randi Beltz Missouri 124

Tatiana Padilla California 132

Veronica Carlson Illinois 139

Adeline Gray Colorado 146

Brittany Delgado South Carolina 190

Lakia Henderson Florida 220

Cadet National freestyle

Name State Weight

Hayden Zillmer Minnesota 84

Carson Kuhn Utah 91

Hunter Stieber Ohio 98

Chris Phillips Ohio 171

Cadet National Greco-Roman

Name State Weight

Hayden Zillmer Minnesota 84

Valyen Rauser Montana 91

Jesse Thielke Wisconsin 98

Dylan Ness Minnesota 112

Andrew Campalattano New Jersey 189

Readers can reach Forum reporter Tom Mix at (701) 451-5651

FARGO, N.D. – Harry Lester has captivated fans around the World with his explosive, in-your-face style of wrestling.

He also is one of the classiest and nicest young men you will ever meet.

The two-time World bronze medalist was upset in the semifinals of last month’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials by Jake Deitchler. The 24-year-old Lester came back to place third before taking his shoes off and retiring after what turned out to be his last match.

Lester is in Fargo to help coach wrestlers from his native Ohio at the Junior and Cadet Nationals. He is a native of Akron, Ohio. Lester was a Cadet and Junior National champion during his days in high school.

Lester has made the last three U.S. World Teams in Greco-Roman wrestling at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. He was a member of the historic 2007 U.S. squad that won the World Championships team title for the first time in American history.

Lester has trained at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University. He received his college degree in history and geography from Northern Michigan.

Lester sat down for a short interview with USA Wrestling’s Craig Sesker on Saturday morning.

What have you been up to in the last month since the Olympic Trials ended?

I’ve just been kicking back, relaxing, hanging out, fishing, swimming, going to the beach. Just taking it easy basically.

How much of a relief is to be done competing?

It’s a pretty big relief. I don’t have to watch my weight now. I feel good. I just pretty much eat whatever I want now.

It’s been just over a month since you retired. Are you comfortable with that decision?

Oh definitely, I’m comfortable with it. I’m still going to be working out and helping the guys at Northern Michigan. I will be in the room working out. I’m just not going to compete anymore.

What will be your role here in Fargo?

I’m helping coach some of these young kids from Ohio that are wrestling here. I loved it when I came here to wrestle in Fargo. I grew up looking up to guys like Joe Heskett. I just decided instead of sitting at home doing nothing that I would come up here and help some of these young guys.

Is coaching something you want to pursue?

Definitely. I want to stay around wrestling and stay involved with the sport. I would like to coach at a club and do something similar to what Sean Bormet is doing at his club (in suburban Chicago). I want to do something where I can have all age groups and all skill levels come in to train.

You were asked at the Olympic Trials why you would retire at age 24. What led you to that decision?

It was a combination of a lot of factors. The weight cutting, the travel, all the wear and tear on your body. It was time to step away. My body is falling apart. A lot of people said take a year off and then see if you still want to wrestle. Maybe in a year or two I will get that urge to come back, but for now it’s just not there.

When you took your shoes off after finishing third at the Olympic Trials, did you know before the match you were going to do that?

Yes, I did know I was going to do that. It was a rough year and I knew this was probably going to be it. Even if I would have gone to Beijing, this likely would have been it for me after the Olympics.

You were so close to winning a World title last year, how hard has it been to not be on the Olympic Team?

I see all the articles on all the Olympians and all the attention they’ve received. I’ve talked to T.C. (Dantzler) and Dremiel (Byers), and they’re obviously preparing for Beijing. I miss the camaraderie among the guys who were on the World Team with me. But I lost a match and it happened. T.C. is like my older brother – I miss being there with him. Every guy on the U.S. team, I’m pulling for all of those guys to win at the Olympics. I hope they do well.

Your good friend and former teammate Spenser Mango made the Greco-Roman Olympic Team at 55 kg/121 lbs. How excited are you for him and what are his chances at the Olympics?

He’s Showtime, that’s what we call him. I can’t even put into words how excited I am for Spenser. His parents are here and his little brother is here. I can’t wait to see how he does. I think he can win a gold medal. He’s an offensive machine, and he has good defense.

How many doors has wrestling opened for you?

I’ve been to a lot of places I never even dreamed about going to. I’ve met so many great people because of my involvement in this sport. I’ve had so many opportunities and it’s been great. I’ve made friends I’ll have for the rest of my life.

In the match with Jake Deitchler at the Olympic Trials, what do you think the difference was?

I didn’t wrestle my match. I was a little overaggressive and he was good at picking that apart. He just wrestled a great match. I still felt strong throughout the match. I just chased him when I shouldn’t have chased him. He basically turned my strength into my weakness, I guess.

With the success of young guys like Deitchler, in addition to the USOEC program developing so many young guys, how important is that for Greco-Roman wrestling in the U.S.?

That’s what we need in this country. Nothing against the older guys, but we need younger guys to make these teams at a younger age to help our depth and help the quality of our program. These young guys are ready to make an impact right now.

Six returning 2007 Cadet National champions have entered this year’s Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals at the FargoDome and all survived the first session without a loss.

2007 Cadet Greco-Roman national champions who will attempt to repeat include Hayden Zillmer of Minnesota (91), Valyen Rauser of Montana (98), Jesse Thielke of Wisconsin (112), Dylan Ness of Minnesota (130), Andrew Campalattano of New Jersey (189) and Evan Craig of Pennsylvania (285).

Zillmer, who was a Cadet Triple Crown winner in 2007, scored a first-round pin over Brandon Edwards of Montana in six seconds. Craig also had a very quick fall, putting away Thomas Lauer of Ohio in 11 seconds. Also winning by pin in his opening bout was Campalattano, who pinned Logan Barrett of Minnesota in the second period.

Thielke won two matches handily, scoring a pin and a technical fall. Ness scored two technical falls and Rauser.

Rauser is competing in the same weight class as his twin brother Jade Rauser, who was a Cadet National Greco-Roman runner-up last year at a different weight class.

2008 FILA Cadet national champions in the field include Mark Grey of New Jersey (98), Kevin Norstrem of Florida (105), Tony Pena of Colorado (112) and Spencer Brown of Utah (135). Grey, Norstrem and Pena were unbeaten in the session. Brown, however, dropped his second round match, losing to Kory Deberry of Arizona, 7-0, 3-1.

There are nine 2008 Cadet folkstyle national champions who have entered and are seeking Cadet Triple Crowns. Included are Rauser, Thielke and Ness, plus Colton Howell of Missouri (84), Cory Clark of Iowa (91), Drew Lexvold of Minnesota (125), Taylor Massa of Michigan (140), Scott Schiller of North Dakota (189) and Austin Blythe of Iowa (285)

Rauser and Thielke won their folkstyle national titles in different weight classes and have dropped down. Rauser won his folkstyle title at 105 pounds, while Thielke was a folkstyle national champion at 119 pounds.

Blythe opened with an impressive win, pinning 2007 USA Wrestling Schoolboy national champion Trystan Palmer of Oregon in 57 seconds.

The field included 850 athletes from 40 states, plus Puerto Rico.

The evening session will be begin at 3:30 p.m. Central time.

I am not writing this column from the FargoDome  fly swatter firmly in hand. However, I hope I will give you the flavor flies and all  of a week in the 72-degree (at least inside) world that is the ASICS Vaughan USA Wrestling Cadet and Junior National Championships in Fargo, N.D.

For wrestling fans, unlike Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, USA Wrestling truly has the real midsummer classic. Held July 19-26 at the Dome, one of high school wrestling’s shrines, perhaps 3,000 wrestlers of high school age will compete on as many as 24 mats to get the best competition possible anywhere  any time.

This year, I’ll be starting a new attendance streak, too. Last year, I was unable to attend the event; the first Juniors I’ve missed since 1978. This year, though, everything is in order and I’m looking forward to seeing some folks that I only get to see a couple of times a year these days.

Ready to solve the problems of the wrestling world? Cast your ballots below.

What five states will be the most impressive (in alphabetical order)?

1. Illinois ‘ New year, same old M.O. Want proof of how tough Illinois state tournament is? Of the 20 Illinois wrestlers who became placewinners in the FILA Cadet Nationals in April  remember, this was a NATIONAL tournament  15 did not place in the state tournament this year. Granted, 127.75-pound freestyle champion, Tony Ramos of Carol Stream Glenbard North High, is a two-time state champion, but the state’s two Greco-Roman champions, Josh Castellano (138.75) of Bensenville Fenton High and Mark Stenberg (152) of Lockport High, have barely tasted any success at Champaign. Stenberg advanced to the state meet for the first time this year, finishing sixth, while Castellano has yet to earn a state medal. I’m guessing that would be surprising to the state champions and placewinners they pounded en route to their titles.

So what do the Penny Savers have on paper? Who cares? A new group of no-names will exit the Dome with another load of hardware.

2. Iowa Waverly-Shell Rock High and Iowa City West High, the state’s two Class 3A powers, demonstrated plenty of star power this year and should comprise the heart of this team’s accomplishments. You’ve heard the names: West’s Nate Moore (130), Dylan Carew (135), Nick Moore (140), Derek St. John (145-152) and Grant Gambrall (171-189) who’s had one of the hottest springs anywhere and WSR’s Cody Caldwell (119), Mark Ballweg (135), Dylan Wrage (189) and Eric Thompson (285). The Hawks are in the team title scenario if most of these guys show. Add Matt McDonough (135) of Marion Linn-Mar High and Trent Weatherman (152) of Ballard Huxley to the mix, too.

3. New Jersey  The Shore Gang will have the usual Blair Academy contingent: Chris Villalonga (125), Austin Ormsbee (130-135), Mario Mason (145-152) and Corey Peltier (171) are all solid medal or title threats. If defending champion Scott Winston (160) of Jackson Memorial High and Dan White (130) of Hightstown Peddie School, who has twice finished third, return, a top-five freestyle trip is likely.

4. Ohio  Monroeville High’s young guns, brothers Hunter (112) and Logan Stieber (119), Cam Tessari (125-130) and Chris Phillips (171), are around for another two or three years to terrorize opponents. Lakewood St. Edward High’s Gus Sako (103) and Jamie Clark (112) should be in the hunt as well, along with heavyweights John Hiles of Columbus DeSales High, Orlando Scales of Cincinnati Elder High and Jeremy Johnson of Broadview Heights Brecksville High. Wrestlers like Chris Kline of Westerville North High and St. Paris Graham High’s Zach Neibert and Brian Stephens used Fargo success as a springboard to winter victories. Who will follow them this year?

5. Pennsylvania  Keystone state performances in recent history have had an up-and-down quality to them, but it’s hard to imagine another state matching their young guns. Twin brothers Dylan (135) and Andrew Alton (140) of Mill Hall Central Mountain High, Josh Kindig (135) of Schuylkill Haven Blue Mountain High and Marshall Peppelman (145) of Harrisburg Central Dauphin High are four of the best sophomores you’ll find anywhere. All four move up from the Cadet to the Junior level this year, so it will be interesting to watch their progress. And with the state’s Fargo contingent having racked up a combined 649 victories last year ‘ a comfortable margin over any other state  you know there’s plenty behind them. (Thanks, trackwrestling, for providing those figures.)

Why do these five states have a shot?

1. California  Lightweights Cody Pack of Quincy High, Zach Zimmer of Fresno Clovis West High and David Klingsheim of Brentwood Liberty High have been there and done that. So has Hunter Collins (171) of Gilroy High. No state, it seems, has been hurt more by not getting the most big names to the Dome. Some underclassmen that may be ready: state champions Vlad Dombroski (140) of Sacramento Natomas High and Roger McCovey (285) of Crescent City Del Norte High, Tyler Sheridan (145) of Concord DeLaSalle High and Drew Meulman (215) of Mountain View St. Francis High.

2. Missouri  This state has learned a lot about performing when the bright lights are on. Gone, however, are the upper-weight stars of previous years. Can Craig Wilson of Farmington High reach the finals again? How will Kansas City Oak Park High standouts Mac Bailey (135) and Elijah Madison (285) keep up as their weight classes get tougher? Will four-time state champions Colin Pierce of Kearney High and Tyler Holloway of Brookfield High elevate their Cadet success to the Junior level? Some successful newcomers: Cody Brewer (103) of Oak Park, Alan Waters (119), Kaleb Friedley (125-130) and John Eblen (171) of Kansas City Park Hill High and Greg Amos (145) of Wentzville Holt High.

3. New York  I gave the Empire State a big buildup last year, but the actual performance fell a little short of my expectations. They’ve still got the horses, though. Kyle Dake (130) of Lansing High has had a huge spring and Ian Paddock of Warsaw High, the wrestler who beat him in the state finals, are in the position of having something to prove. So does Steven Keith (112) of Shoreham-Wading River High, who didn’t sit around and mope after being dethroned as state champion. He’s been on fire this spring. So have Donnie Vinson (145) of Whitney Point High and Austin Meys (171) of Clifton Park Shenendehowa High.

4. Oklahoma  This is a big year for some of the states high-profile underclassmen. Three-time state champion Ladd Rupp (119) of Perry High has done it plenty of times under the Dome, but put fellow juniors Joey Sheridan (160) of Tulsa Union High, Dallas Bailey (160) of Catoosa High and Chris Perry (189) of Stillwater High all squarely in the something to prove category.

5. Washington Defending Junior freestyle champion Michael Mangrum (145), who won despite going up three weight classes from the previous year, and Auburn (Wash.) Riverside High teammate Eric Jones (152) have been star power.

There’s more: lightweights Steven Romero of Sunnyside High, Efrain Aguilar of Graham-Kapowsin High and Brian Owen of Spokane (Wash.) University High, middleweights Jim Belleville of Olympia (Wash.) A.G. West Black Hills High and Derek Garcia of Sedro Woolley (Wash.) and former Fargo medalist Eric Starks (171) of Battle Ground High and Jake Swartz (171) of Auburn (Wash.) High.

How have the new rules affected the tournament?

On the plus side, they’ve cut down on the amount of time needed to contest the tournament. USA Wrestling has done an outstanding job in recent years running and managing the tournament in terms of keeping sessions short and spectator-friendly. Despite the fact the tournament goes on for an entire week, it doesn’t have a marathon feel or quality to it.

But they’ve created challenges, too. The new rules have made the Greco-Roman and freestyle disciplines more drastically different from the scholastic style than at any time in wrestling history as we know it. Anything that reduces the everyman quality of the Cadet and Junior Nationals threatens its growth and viability. We’ve seen the numbers from many states decline as travel and competition costs continue to climb. If FILA maintains these rules beyond Beijing, more and more wrestlers may consider the international styles less relevant to their future, making the popular saying, Summer Wrestlers Make Winter Champions, a progressively harder sell.

Still, when it comes right down to it, wrestling is wrestling. Which brings us back to an advantage: The Cadet and Junior Nationals still attract the best of the best. That’s what the best look for, regardless of the style. And that’s why Fargo always will have something unique and important to offer.

What are some of the toughest weight classes?

There are so many possibilities, but we’ll give you five. Some are very familiar with each other; others have never met. All or none of them could actually take place. Whichever of them do will be worth the price of admission. Some may wind up as more than a two-horse race.

112: Based on what’s happened so far this spring, Keith has joined Clark, Tyler Cox of Gillette (Wyo.) Campbell County High, Ryan Mango of St. Louis (Mo.) Whitfield School and Shane Young of Harrison City (Pa.) Penn-Trafford High as Junior favorites.

119: Pencil Ohio standouts David Taylor of Graham and Logan Stieber  arguably the nation’s top junior against the nation’s top sophomore  into a Junior freestyle final for the ages. This could be as exciting as their Walsh Ironman final two years ago, which Taylor won 3-2.

130: A weight class with Moore, Jordan Oliver of Easton (Pa.) High, Eric Grajales of Brandon (Fla.) High, Owen of Spokane (Wash.) University High, Dake, Paddock, and maybe even Ramos, will have the pundits scrambling. Oliver vs. Grajales? Everyone wants it. But since Grajales is a Greco specialist and Oliver goes the other direction, we might see an Oliver-Moore showdown instead. I’d settle for that.

145: Prior to the Olympic Trials, where Jake Deitcher of Anoka (Minn.) made the team at 145.5 pounds, there could have been a matchup between him and another future University of Minnesota star, Mario Mason of Blairstown (N.J.) Blair Academy. Now it will be a separator’s nightmare if Mangrum is here, too. Vinson will make things interesting on the Greco-Roman side. Juniors Belleville and R.J. Pena of Salem (Ore.) Sprague High and sophomores Peppelman, Garcia and Joe Cozart of Brandon High, depending on who’s in, make this a dizzying array of talent.

171: Even if Gambrall were to stay at 189, where he’s been much of the spring, this weight class was star-studded all year. Will it be the old guard, like Gambrall, Starks, Ben Bennett of Rockford (Mich.) High, Brian Roddy of St. Edward, Quentin Wright of Wingate (Pa.) Bald Eagle Area High or Travis Rutt of Jackson (Minn.) County Central High? Or one of the young guns, like Meys, Swartz, Ethan Lofthouse of Hyrum (Utah) Mountain Crest High or Ben Provisor of Stevens Point (Wis.) High? Stay tuned to find out.

Will the tournament decide the Asics Wrestler of the Year?

We�ll see. As you know, the Wrestler of the Year is not announced until the Junior National freestyle finals.

The three most high-profile candidates, among seniors, at least, are Oliver, named Wrestler of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association and the National Wrestling Coaches Association, Jason Welch of Walnut Creek (Calif.) Las Lomas High, who owns W.I.N.’s Junior Dan Hodge Trophy, and four-time Utah champion Jason Chamberlain of Springville High. Taylor and Grajales are two juniors also in the mix.

(Rob Sherrill is one of the top high school wrestling analysts in the country and a long-time columnist of W.I.N. He also publishes the American High School Wrestling Yearbook. To order a copy, e-mail him at centermatpress@hotmail.com.)

This competition produces great stories of champions, many who go on to glory in college wrestling, and ultimately at the World and Olympic levels.

The tournament is scheduled for July 19-26 and is expected to feature outstanding wrestlers in every weight class.

The ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals features high school wrestlers in grades 9-12. This year, the Junior division could be one of the strongest in many years, featuring numerous talented athletes who are proven winners.

There were two double champions in 2007, winning both the freestyle and Greco-Roman titles, and both are eligible to return this year, Max Nowry of Illinois (98) and David Taylor of Ohio.

2007 Junior National freestyle champions who are eligible to return are Nowry and Taylor, plus Jon Morrison of Illinois (112), Jordan Oliver of Pennsylvania (119), Nate Moore of Iowa (125), Colin Johnston of Pennsylvania (135), Jason Chamberlain of Utah (135), Michael Mangrum of Washington (145), Mario Mason of New Jersey (145) and Scott Winston of New Jersey (160).

Returning Junior National Greco-Roman champions who are eligible to compete in Fargo are Nowry and Taylor, plus Andrew Long of Iowa (112), Kendrick Sanders of Florida (140), Jake Deitchler of Minnesota (145), Ty Vinson of Montana (171), Ryland Geiger of Oregon (189) and Marcel Dubose of Michigan (215).

Deitchler shocked the nation by qualifying for a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman and is not expected to attend the Junior Nationals, as he will be training to compete at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Each year, ASICS recognizes the nation’s top high school athletes with its All-American Team. Members of the ASICS First Team who were Junior Nationals champions last year include Taylor, Moore, Chamberlain, Mangrum, Geiger and Dubose.

For the first time ever, USA Wrestling may crown a Junior Triple Crown winner. Last year was the first year that USA Wrestling hosted a Junior folkstyle national tournament, creating the opportunity for an athlete to win USA Wrestling national titles in all three styles. No athlete was able to win a gold medal in all three styles in 2007. This year, a new set of Junior folkstyle champions were crowned in Cedar Falls, Iowa in April. Will 2008 be the first year that there is a Junior Triple Crown winner?

Many of last year’s Cadet National champions are expected to move up into the Junior ranks this year and challenge for titles.

USA Wrestling has official state team standings in all the divisions held in Fargo. Last year, the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup champion in Junior freestyle was Illinois, followed by Iowa, New Jersey, Minnesota and Missouri. In Junior Greco-Roman, capturing the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup was Minnesota, with New York, Illinois, California and Oregon rounding out the top five.

Another strong indication of the strength of the state teams are the results from the 2008 Junior National Duals, held in June in Oklahoma City, Okla. For the second straight year, Illinois won the team title in both styles at the Junior National Duals. In freestyle, Iowa was second, New Jersey third, Minnesota was fourth and Oklahoma finished fifth. In Greco-Roman, California was second in the Greco-Roman division, with Minnesota in third, Iowa in fourth and Kansas in fifth.

The women’s freestyle division will be held early in the week with the championships set for Monday, July 21. This tournament, in its eighth year, has grown in size and quality every season, and promises to be very competitive again this year.

Returning Junior National women’s champions include Hanna Martin of Oklahoma (95), Helen Maroulis of Maryland (109), Micheala Hutchison of Alaska (119), Randi Beltz of Missouri (124), Tatiana Padilla of California (132), Veronica Carlson of Illinois (139), Adeline Gray of Colorado (146) and Brittany Delgado of South Carolina (190) and Lakia Henderson of Florida (220)

Padilla is a three-time winner at the Junior Nationals, and is seeking to join Maryland’s Nicole Woody as the only four-time winner of this event in the women’s division.

The Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup champions in women’s freestyle last year was California, followed by Texas, Michigan, New York and Florida.

Unlike the men, the Women’s National Junior Duals are not held prior to the Junior Nationals, but are alongside the individual tournament in Fargo. California is the returning team champion, with Texas in second, Michigan in third and Florida in fourth.

The Accelerade Cadet Nationals are for wrestlers who are 15 and 16 years old, some of the best young talents in the country.

2007 Cadet freestyle national champions are eligible to return are Hayden Zillmer of Minnesota (84), Carson Kuhn of Utah (91), Hunter Stieber of Ohio (98) and Chris Phillips of Ohio (171).

2007 Cadet Greco-Roman national champions who may come back to defend their titles include Zillmer, plus Valyen Rauser of Montana (91), Jesse Thielke of Wisconsin (98), Dylan Ness of Minnesota (112) and Andrew Campalattano of New Jersey (189).

The Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup champions in Cadet freestyle last year was Pennsylvania, followed by Ohio, New Jersey, Missouri and Minnesota. In Greco-Roman, capturing the 2007 Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup was Pennsylvania, with Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and California in the top five.

The 2008 Cadet National Duals were held in June in Kansas City, Mo., and showcased many of the stars expected in Fargo. Oklahoma was the champion in freestyle, with Pennsylvania in second, New Jersey in third, Missouri in fourth and Wisconsin in fifth. In Greco-Roman, Wisconsin won the team title, with Minnesota in second, Pennsylvania in third, Missouri in fourth and New York in fifth.

This is the conclusion of the quest for a Cadet Triple Crown, awarded to any athlete who wins USA Wrestling Cadet national titles in freestyle, Greco-Roman and folkstyle the same year. Now in its sixth year, only three athletes have ever won the Cadet Triple Crown. Last year, Hayden Zillmer of Minnesota became the third Triple Crown winner, joining Taylor Moore of Missouri in 2003 and Zach Sanders of Minnesota in 2004.

The ASICS/Vaughan Junior and the Accelerade Cadet Nationals brings together hundreds of wrestling volunteers, including referees, pairing officials, coaches, state leaders and tournament operation workers, all who provide the opportunity for more than 4,000 athletes to pursue their dreams.

Follow the action each day in Fargo on TheMat.com (www.themat.com).

SCHEDULE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
ASICS/Vaughan Women’s Junior Nationals – Monday, July 21 at 3:00 p.m.
Accelerade Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals – Monday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Women’s National Duals – Tuesday, July 22 (event begins at 9:00 a.m.
ASICS/Vaughan Junior Greco-Roman Nationals – Tueday, July 22 at 3:00 p.m.
Cadet Freestyle Nationals – Friday, July 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Junior Freestyle Nationals – Saturday, July 26 at 9:00 a.m.

What five states will be the most impressive (in alphabetical order)?

1. Illinois — New year, same old M.O. Want proof of how tough Illinois’ state tournament is? Of the 20 Illinois wrestlers who became placewinners in the FILA Cadet Nationals in April — remember, this was a NATIONAL tournament — 15 did not place in the state tournament this year. Granted, 127.75-pound freestyle champion, Tony Ramos of Carol Stream Glenbard North High, is a two-time state champion, but the state’s two Greco-Roman champions, Josh Castellano (138.75) of Bensenville Fenton High and Mark Stenberg (152) of Lockport High, have barely tasted any success at Champaign. Stenberg advanced to the state meet for the first time this year, finishing sixth, while Castellano has yet to earn a state medal. I’m guessing that would be surprising to the state champions and placewinners they pounded en route to their titles.

So what do the Penny Savers have on paper? Who cares? A new group of no-names will exit the Dome with another load of hardware.

2. Iowa —Waverly-Shell Rock High and Iowa City West High, the state’s two Class 3A powers, demonstrated plenty of star power this year and should comprise the heart of this team’s accomplishments. You’ve heard the names: West’s Nate Moore (130), Dylan Carew (135), Nick Moore (140), Derek St. John (145-152) and Grant Gambrall (171-189) — who’s had one of the hottest springs anywhere — and WSR’s Cody Caldwell (119), Mark Ballweg (135), Dylan Wrage (189) and Eric Thompson (HWT). The Hawks are in the team title scenario if most of these guys show. Add Matt McDonough (135) of Marion Linn-Mar High and Trent Weatherman (152) of Ballard Huxley to the mix, too.

3. New Jersey — The Shore Gang will have the usual Blair Academy contingent: Chris Villalonga (125), Austin Ormsbee (130-135), Mario Mason (145-152) and Corey Peltier (171) are all solid medal or title threats. If defending champion Scott Winston (160) of Jackson Memorial High and Dan White (130) of Hightstown Peddie School, who has twice finished third, return, a top-five freestyle trip is likely.

4. Ohio — Monroeville High’s young guns, brothers Hunter (112) and Logan Stieber (119), Cam Tessari (125-130) and Chris Phillips (171), are around for another two or three years to terrorize opponents. Lakewood St. Edward High’s Gus Sako (103) and Jamie Clark (112) should be in the hunt as well, along with heavyweights John Hiles of Columbus DeSales High, Orlando Scales of Cincinnati Elder High and Jeremy Johnson of Broadview Heights Brecksville High. Wrestlers like Chris Kline of Westerville North High and St. Paris Graham High’s Zach Neibert and Brian Stephens used Fargo success as a springboard to winter victories. Who will follow them this year?

5. Pennsylvania – Keystone state performances in recent history have had an up-and-down quality to them, but it’s hard to imagine another state matching their young guns. Twin brothers Dylan (135) and Andrew Alton (140) of Mill Hall Central Mountain High, Josh Kindig (135) of Schuylkill Haven Blue Mountain High and Marshall Peppelman (145) of Harrisburg Central Dauphin High are four of the best sophomores you’ll find anywhere. All four move up from the Cadet to the Junior level this year, so it will be interesting to watch their progress. And with the state’s Fargo contingent having racked up a combined 649 victories last year — a comfortable margin over any other state — you know there’s plenty behind them. (Thanks, trackwrestling, for providing those figures.)

Why do these five states have a shot?

1. California — Lightweights Cody Pack of Quincy High, Zach Zimmer of Fresno Clovis West High and David Klingsheim of Brentwood Liberty High have been there and done that. So has Hunter Collins (171) of Gilroy High. No state, it seems, has been hurt more by not getting the most big names to the Dome. Some underclassmen that may be ready: state champions Vlad Dombroski (140) of Sacramento Natomas High and Roger McCovey (HWT) of Crescent City Del Norte High, Tyler Sheridan (145) of Concord DeLaSalle High and Drew Meulman (215) of Mountain View St. Francis High.

2. Missouri — This state has learned a lot about performing when the bright lights are on. Gone, however, are the upper-weight stars of previous years. Can Craig Wilson of Farmington High reach the finals again? How will Kansas City Oak Park High standouts Mac Bailey (135) and Elijah Madison (285) keep up as their weight classes get tougher? Will four-time state champions Colin Pierce of Kearney High and Tyler Holloway of Brookfield High elevate their Cadet success to the Junior level? Some successful newcomers: Cody Brewer (103) of Oak Park, Alan Waters (119), Kaleb Friedley (125-130) and John Eblen (171) of Kansas City Park Hill High and Greg Amos (145) of Wentzville Holt High.

3. New York — I gave the Empire State a big buildup last year, but the actual performance fell a little short of my expectations. They’ve still got the horses, though. Kyle Dake (130) of Lansing High has had a huge spring and Ian Paddock of Warsaw High, the wrestler who beat him in the state finals, are in the position of having something to prove. So does Steven Keith (112) of Shoreham-Wading River High, who didn’t sit around and mope after being dethroned as state champion. He’s been on fire this spring. So have Donnie Vinson (145) of Whitney Point High and Austin Meys (171) of Clifton Park Shenendehowa High.

4. Oklahoma — This is a big year for some of the state’s high-profile underclassmen. Three-time state champion Ladd Rupp (119) of Perry High has done it plenty of times under the Dome, but put fellow juniors Joey Sheridan (160) of Tulsa Union High, Dallas Bailey (160) of Catoosa High and Chris Perry (189) of Stillwater High all squarely in the “something-to-prove” category.

5. Washington — Defending Junior freestyle champion Michael Mangrum (145), who won despite going up three weight classes from the previous year, and Auburn (Wash.) Riverside High teammate Eric Jones (152) have been star power. There’s more: lightweights Steven Romero of Sunnyside High, Efrain Aguilar of Graham-Kapowsin High and Brian Owen of Spokane (Wash.) University High, middleweights Jim Belleville of Olympia (Wash.) A.G. West Black Hills High and Derek Garcia of Sedro Woolley (Wash.) and former Fargo medalist Eric Starks (171) of Battle Ground High and Jake Swartz (171) of Auburn (Wash.) High.

How have the new rules affected the tournament?

On the plus side, they’ve cut down on the amount of time needed to contest the tournament. USA Wrestling has done an outstanding job in recent years running and managing the tournament in terms of keeping sessions short and spectator-friendly. Despite the fact the tournament goes on for an entire week, it doesn’t have a marathon feel or quality to it.

But they’ve created challenges, too. The new rules have made the Greco-Roman and freestyle disciplines more drastically different from the scholastic style than at any time in wrestling history as we know it. Anything that reduces the “everyman” quality of the Cadet and Junior Nationals threatens its growth and viability. We’ve seen the numbers from many states decline as travel and competition costs continue to climb. If FILA maintains these rules beyond Beijing, more and more wrestlers may consider the international styles less relevant to their future, making the popular saying, “Summer Wrestlers Make Winter Champions,” a progressively harder sell.

Still, when it comes right down to it, wrestling is wrestling. Which brings us back to an advantage: the Cadet and Junior Nationals still attract the best of the best. That’s what the best look for, regardless of the style. And that’s why Fargo always will have something unique and important to offer.

What are some of the toughest weight classes?

There are so many possibilities, but we’ll give you five. Some are very familiar with each other; others have never met. All or none of them could actually take place. Whichever of them do will be worth the price of admission. Some may wind up as more than a two-horse race.

112: Based on what’s happened so far this spring, Keith has joined Clark, Tyler Cox of Gillette (Wyo.) Campbell County High, Ryan Mango of St. Louis (Mo.) Whitfield School and Shane Young of Harrison City (Pa.) Penn-Trafford High as Junior favorites.

119: Pencil Ohio standouts David Taylor of Graham and Logan Stieber — arguably the nation’s top junior against the nation’s top sophomore — into a Junior freestyle final for the ages. This could be as exciting as their Walsh Ironman final two years ago, which Taylor won 3-2.

130: A weight class with Moore, Jordan Oliver of Easton (Pa.) High, Eric Grajales of Brandon (Fla.) High, Owen of Spokane (Wash.) University High, Dake, Paddock, and maybe even Ramos, will have the pundits scrambling. Oliver vs. Grajales? Everyone wants it. But since Grajales is a Greco specialist and Oliver goes the other direction, we might see an Oliver-Moore showdown instead. I’d settle for that.

145: Prior to the Olympic Trials, where Jake Deitchler of Anoka (Minn.) made the team at 145.5 pounds, there could have been a matchup between him and another future University of Minnesota star, Mario Mason of Blairstown (N.J.) Blair Academy. Now it will be a separator’s nightmare if Mangrum is here, too. Vinson will make things interesting on the Greco-Roman side. Juniors Belleville and R.J. Pena of Salem (Ore.) Sprague High and sophomores Peppelman, Garcia and Joe Cozart of Brandon High, depending on who’s in, make this a dizzying array of talent.

171: Even if Gambrall were to stay at 189, where he’s been much of the spring, this weight class was star-studded all year. Will it be the old guard, like Gambrall, Starks, Ben Bennett of Rockford (Mich.) High, Brian Roddy of St. Edward, Quentin Wright of Wingate (Pa.) Bald Eagle Area High or Travis Rutt of Jackson (Minn.) County Central High? Or one of the young guns, like Meys, Swartz, Ethan Lofthouse of Hyrum (Utah) Mountain Crest High or Ben Provisor of Stevens Point (Wis.) High? Stay tuned to find out.

Will the tournament decide the Asics Wrestler of the Year?

We’ll see. As you know, the Wrestler of the Year is not announced until the Junior National freestyle finals.

The three most high-profile candidates, among seniors, at least, are Oliver, named Wrestler of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association and the National Wrestling Coaches Association, Jason Welch of Walnut Creek (Calif.) Las Lomas High, who owns W.I.N.’s Junior Dan Hodge Trophy, and four-time Utah champion Jason Chamberlain of Springville High. Taylor and Grajales are two juniors also in the mix.

(Rob Sherrill is one of the top high school wrestling analysts in the country and a long-time columnist of W.I.N. He also publishes the “American High School Wrestling Yearbook”. To order a copy, e-mail him at centermatpress@hotmail.com.)