2024 Junior Girls Freestyle Fargo Finals (Full Video)

Event: 2024 Junior Girls Freestyle Fargo FinalsLocation: FargoDome, Fargo, North DakotaOrganizer: USA WrestlingStyle: Freestyle Wrestling (Olympic Style)

Key Highlights:

• Premier girls’ high school wrestling event in the country, featuring top-ranked athletes and future college stars.

• Freestyle wrestling rules applied, emphasizing high-paced action, exposure-based scoring, and rapid turns for technical falls.

• Team race was highly competitive, with California, Pennsylvania, and Illinois leading in champions and overall placings.

• Several returning champions defended their titles, while newcomers made statements with dominant performances.

• Many competitors are future college stars, with some already committed to top women’s wrestling programs.

• Fast-paced finals with multiple tech falls and pins, showcasing the talent pipeline for women’s freestyle wrestling in the U.S.

• The growth of girls' wrestling nationally was evident, with more states sending elite competitors than ever before.

95 lbs Finals: Samantha Bertini (MA) vs. Kinley Brandley (UT)

• Winner: Samantha Bertini (MA)

• Bertini secured an early takedown with a headlock.

• Brandley attempted to counter but got caught again.

• Bertini pinned Brandley to claim the title.

• Bertini, previously ranked as high as #3, is expected to move up in the rankings.

100 lbs Finals: Katie Valdez (CO) vs. Valerie Solorio (PA)

• Winner: Katie Valdez (CO)

• Solorio took an early lead, controlling hand fights and using an underhook to prevent Valdez from getting deep ties.

• A challenged call reversed a takedown attempt from Solorio, keeping the score 4-0.

• Valdez hit a big move late in the match, scoring two points to take a 4-4 lead on criteria.

• Solorio suffered a head injury, and trainers did not clear her to continue.

• Valdez won via injury default but showed strong wrestling throughout.

105 lbs Finals: Heather Croll (IN) vs. Aroma Marufo (CA)

• Winner: Heather Croll (IN)

• Croll took control early with takedowns and a tight gut wrench for exposure.

• Marufo struggled with Croll’s top pressure and tilts.

• First-period technical fall (11-0).

110 lbs Finals: Taylor Whiting (WI) vs. Chloe Dearwester (OH)

• Winner: Taylor Whiting (WI)

• Whiting dominated on top with leg laces, securing multiple turns.

• She tech-falled Dearwester to claim the championship.

• Whiting, a sophomore from Wisconsin, is a rising star.

115 lbs Finals: Zo Estrada (SC) vs. Cassidy Benwell (MO)

• Winner: Zo Estrada (SC)

• Estrada dominated in neutral, using her length and speed.

• She attacked from multiple angles, scoring takedowns and turns.

• Technical fall victory, bringing South Carolina a Fargo champion.

120 lbs Finals: Aspen Blasco (MN) vs. Savannah Witt (PA)

• Winner: Aspen Blasco (MN)

• Blasco controlled the ties and finished takedowns efficiently.

• Used a power half to turn Witt for the fall.

• Strong showing from Blasco, who was emotional after the win.

125 lbs Finals: Carly Brooks (AZ) vs. Kaplan

• Winner: Carly Brooks (AZ)

• Brooks dominated with precise attacks, scoring an early takedown and transition into turns.

• Tech fall victory (10-0) in the first period.

• Arizona’s first Fargo champion of the event.

130 lbs Finals: Samantha Sachs (CA) vs. Lyn Horn

• Winner: Samantha Sachs (CA)

• Horn had dangerous upper-body attacks but struggled to score.

• Sachs stayed disciplined, avoiding risks and scoring key takedowns.

• 3-1 decision victory for Sachs.

135 lbs Finals: Isabella Ceg (MI) vs. Isis France (AZ)

• Winner: Isis France (AZ)

• High-scoring back-and-forth match.

• France kept pushing the pace, scoring a crucial takedown in the second period.

• 13-8 final score, making her a two-time Fargo champion.

140 lbs Finals: Haley Jaffe (PA) vs. Alexandra Beich (IN)

• Winner: Haley Jaffe (PA)

• Jaffe dominated with down-block reattacks and strong positioning.

• First-period technical fall victory.

145 lbs Finals: Valerie Hamilton (IL) vs. Sarah Hinkle (CT)

• Winner: Valerie Hamilton (IL)

• World silver medalist Hamilton controlled the match.

• Scored a takedown and defended well to secure a 3-0 win.

155 lbs Finals: Duda Rodriguez (CA) vs. Ugonna Anunobi (MD)

• Winner: Duda Rodriguez (CA)

• Anunobi scored first with a big throw (4 points).

• Rodriguez chipped away, scoring multiple takedowns and turns.

• Technical fall win (13-6).

170 lbs Finals: Callie Hayden (OK) vs. Kaye Hall (WV)

• Winner: Callie Hayden (OK)

• Hayden controlled the match early with a big headlock and takedowns.

• Quick first-period technical fall victory (10-0).

• Oklahoma fans erupted as Hayden celebrated.

190 lbs Finals: Isabella Phillips (WA) vs. Ella Murphy (TN)

• Winner: Isabella Phillips (WA)

• Phillips pushed the pace, tiring Murphy out.

• Strong defensive positioning and relentless attacks led to a 9-0 victory.

Final Thoughts:

• California dominated the team race.

• Exciting mix of quick tech falls and close battles.

• Big wins for states like Oklahoma, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.

• The level of women’s wrestling continues to rise, with many wrestlers committing to top college programs.