Even with a bit of time passed since the mats rolled up in Fargo, we’re still buzzing about the outstanding performances from Wisconsin’s wrestlers at the 2025 Junior Nationals! This year’s contingent brought home an impressive 40 All-American honors, a testament to the hard work put in by our athletes, the guidance of a fantastic coaching staff, and the unwavering support of the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation. Their commitment to providing quality opportunities for our young athletes to reach their full potential truly came through.
Beyond the individual accolades, Wisconsin also secured two national titles and had two national finalists, with three teams earning a top-10 placement. These kinds of off-season achievements are exactly what we’re excited to start highlighting more prominently! We’re currently updating our athlete profiles on Wisconsin Grappler to ensure these significant accomplishments are fully recognized. We believe it’s important to showcase the growth and dedication our wrestlers demonstrate year-round. Be on the lookout for this information to hit profiles over the coming weeks!
Highlights from the Mat: Champions and All-Americans
Wisconsin’s success spanned across all divisions, demonstrating the depth of talent we have. Here’s a closer look at some of the standout performances:
National Champions
Harlow Skenandore (140 lbs): Harlow was dominant in 16U Women’s Freestyle, capturing a national title with a perfect 6-0 run. She demonstrated strong focus on getting to her attacks and maintaining awareness of her opponents, emphasizing that trusting in herself, her support system, and her training were key.
Hunter VanderHeiden (285 lbs): Hunter capped off the tournament with a Junior Greco-Roman national title, making quick work of his finals opponent in just 23 seconds! After placing fifth last year, Hunter attributed his significant improvement to hard work and the invaluable support of those around him, particularly his twin brother, Henry, with whom he trains extensively.
National Finalists
Kellen Wolbert (138 lbs): Kellen had an impressive run to the Junior Men’s Freestyle finals, showcasing significant growth. He highlighted the importance of consistency and being intentional in every practice, continually working on small improvements.
Sullivan Ramos (165 lbs): Sullivan was an electrifying presence in Junior Men’s Freestyle, reaching the finals and proving himself one of the most exciting wrestlers to watch. His development, particularly in believing in his own capabilities, has been a major factor in his success. Sullivan also doubled up on All-American honors, placing 3rd in Greco-Roman with a phenomenal 7-1 record.
Double All-Americans
Several Wisconsin wrestlers showcased their versatility and grit by earning All-American honors in both freestyle and Greco-Roman:
Sullivan Ramos (165 lbs): As noted, Sullivan had an outstanding 13-2 cumulative record across both styles.
Kade Splinter (215 lbs): Kade had an incredible week, placing 5th in both 16U Men’s Freestyle and 16U Greco-Roman. This incoming freshman is one to watch this season!
Alexander Penzkover (144 lbs): Alex earned 8th place in 16U Men’s Freestyle and 5th in 16U Greco-Roman.
Martez Sheard (120/126 lbs): Martez secured 8th place in 16U Men’s Freestyle (120 lbs) and 6th place in 16U Greco-Roman (126 lbs).
Reed Falk (190 lbs): Reed placed 7th in both 16U Men’s Freestyle and 16U Greco-Roman.
Lillie Banks (135 lbs) and Dealya Collins (135 lbs): Both earned All-American status in Junior Women’s Freestyle (7th and 8th respectively) after previously achieving the same in the 16U division.
Other Notable All-American Performances
Wisconsin’s roster was packed with talent, with many achieving All-American status for the first time. The dedication to continuous improvement was evident across the board.
In Junior Men’s Freestyle, the team finished an impressive 4th nationally with 7 All-Americans, including Eli Leonard (4th at 175) who credited consistency in his routines, Haakon Peterson (5th at 144) earning his sixth Fargo All-American strip, Brady Collins (6th at 126) who highlighted the increased strength and hand-fighting in the junior division, Declan Koch (7th at 167) who focused on smarter, effective wrestling to break through, and Camden Rugg (8th at 113) who celebrated overcoming previous “blood round” losses.
The 16U Women’s Freestyle team placed 7th nationally, with 7 All-Americans. Beyond champion Harlow Skenandore, Daelin Cody (4th at 120), Layla Risler (4th at 145), Cora Stewart (6th at 110), Autumn King (6th at 207), Cassidy O’Connell (6th at 95), and Erika Sleznikow (7th at 135) all stepped onto the podium. Many of these 16U All-Americans were making their first trip to Fargo, gaining invaluable experience.
In Junior Women’s Freestyle, the team doubled their All-American count from last year, placing 6 individuals on the podium. Taylor Whiting (3rd at 115) emphasized the success of her offensive approach, aiming to continuously score. Brooke Huffman (3rd at 190) demonstrated her power with seven victories by fall, noting the need to wrestle all minutes in the jump to Juniors. Madi Peach (5th at 125) and Riley Hanrahan (5th at 140) also put together strong performances.
In Junior Greco-Roman, beyond champion Hunter Vander Heiden and double All-American Sullivan Ramos, Colton Weiler (5th at 150) and Preston Krueger (6th at 285) also earned All-American honors.
The Heart of Wisconsin Wrestling: Growth and Community
Behind every individual achievement is the collective effort of the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation, the dedicated coaching staff, and a vibrant wrestling community. As 16U Head Coach Tyler Dow observed, the team has significantly improved in scoring from the top position and developing multi-attack sequences. He also highlighted the increased opportunities provided this past year, including more camps and efforts to build camaraderie, which he believes makes it easier for athletes to wrestle with and for each other.
Randy Ferrell, 16U Director, expressed appreciation for the character of the National Team and coaches. He noted that many wrestlers embraced a mentality of battling to the very edge, especially in their finals matches, a testament to their fighting spirit. This growth mindset, coupled with a focus on fighting to the very edge, truly defined Wisconsin’s performance in Fargo. Hear more from Coach Ferrel on our recent podcast.
The tournament experience in Fargo is about more than just wins and losses; it’s about personal growth, building resilience, and fostering a love for the sport within a supportive community. The Wisconsin Wrestling Federation extends its sincere gratitude to every competitor, All-American, coach, athletic trainer, official, and volunteer for representing the state with such excellence. To the parents and the entire wrestling community, your support is invaluable. Coach Kluever and Coach Potratz talked more about this on one of our recent podcast episodes, recapping the 14U National Duals.
As we move forward, the spirit and dedication shown in Fargo will undoubtedly fuel future successes. Keep an eye on our athlete profiles as we update them to reflect these incredible off-season achievements!
