CARTER A FARGO ALL-AMERICAN, All Five SHS Athletes compete well at Junior Nationals

The Fargo 16U and Junior National Championships took place on January 11-19th, 2025 at the Fargodome in Fargo, ND. Severance Wrestling Club saw six (6) of its wrestlers on the mat, and two (2) brought home All-American Honors.

There are wrestling tournaments—and then there is Fargo.

The USA Wrestling 16U & Junior National Championships, held each July under the blinding lights of the Fargodome in North Dakota, is the largest, deepest, and most prestigious amateur wrestling tournament in the country. It’s a place where dreams are forged in sweat, heartbreak is measured in seconds, and only the toughest earn the right to be called All-Americans.

This year, Severance Wrestling Club had five wrestlers at the grand stage of Fargo—and each of them left with something bigger than medals. They left with legacy.

For the first time ever, Severance crowned a Fargo All-American: Simon Carter. That accomplishments made Severance High School history—but all five Silver Knight wrestlers battled hard and carried the Severance name onto the mat with pride, courage, and a fierce refusal to back down.

All-American Spotlight: Simon Carter Podiums in Greco

Simon Carter (SO.) Became the first Fargo All-American in Severance High School History on July 19th, 2025. Carter took 6th place in the Junior, 100-pound Greco-Roman Bracket at the famed tournament.

Simon Carter’s (SO.) Greco run in the Junior 100-pound division was his best performance at a national level tournament to date.

After a first-round bye, he took a tech-fall over Casey Koerner (IL) in 39 seconds. In his next match, Carter lost to the eventual champion, Utah’s Kaden Oldroyd (8-0). After that quick and painful loss, Carter then powered through four straight matches looking like a man possessed:

- 9-0 tech over Kevin Bisonaya (IL)

- 11-3 tech over Bobby Lima (OK)

- 8-7 decision over Eli Shea (CT)

- 16-8 tech over Jaxsen Vestal (IA)

He met and fell to Frank Fuentes (CA) by fall in an anticipated Consolation semi’s match and dropped a 7-5 heartbreaker to Symon Woods (IL) that saw Carter pursuing Woods a majority of the 2^nd period with no help in the form of a passivity call. That loss placed him 6th in the bracket, and coming home with a coveted stop sign.

In the earlier freestyle portion of the tournament, Carter made it clear he is an up and coming freestyle competitor at the national level as well, opening with a 47-second tech fall over Rykardo Villafuerte (TX). He dropped a round of 32 match to Symon Woods (IL), but after that loss, and with eerie similarity to his 16U bracket last year, Carter worked like a man possessed through the backside:

- 18-7 tech over Aden Spinelli (IL)

- 13-2 tech over Paxton Laughlin (OH)

- 10-0 tech over Hunter Shirley (WA)

- 12-2 tech over DeVaughn Miller (AL) 

His run ended in the blood round to Aidan Ortega (IL) though, a fall that was the result of a failed reshot attempt early in the 2^nd period.

Carter became the first Fargo All-American in Severance High School history. His performance set a new standard—and left a message: Severance belongs on the national stage.

The Warriors Beside Him

While Carter reached the podium, he stood on the foundation built by four others who poured out their heart in Fargo.

Tatum Garcia (SO., Seen here after winning the CUSAW State Freestyle title) Battled hard in a stacked 16U-120 bracket at Fargo.

Tatum Garcia (SO.) wrestled in the 16U 120-pound freestyle division. After a first-round bye, Garcia dropped his opening bout to Slater Thomas (IA) via 10-0 tech fall. Undeterred, he came back with an 8-7 decision over Peyton Fowler (KY), but then fell to in-state rival Urijah Duran (CO) by 11-0 tech fall. Though Garcia didn’t place, his competitiveness and courage against nationally ranked opponents was clear.

Malia Bornhoft (FR.) competed well at her first Fargo Nationals, and promises to be a fantastic addition to the SHS Women's squad.

Malia Bornhoft (FR.), in the 16U Girls 155-pound freestyle bracket, opened with a bye, then:

- Pinned Leiah Thomas (IA) in 3:38

- Tech falled Isabella Giza (WI) 10-0 in 2:21

- Lost to Matilda Hruby (CO) via fall (1:19) in the round of 16

- Fell to Karsyn Champion (PA) by fall (3:08) in consolations.

As an incoming freshman, Malia’s dominance in early rounds proved she’s ready for national-level competition and has to establish her as a real force at her weight in the upcoming High School season.

Eila Schultz (SO.), seen here after winning her first CHSAA state championship, had a great first round win in the Fargo tournament, and has serious promise to be a force on the national level in coming years.

Eila Shultz (SO.), already a CHSAA state champion—started with a bang, a dominating and exacting 14-1 tech over Gianna Jones (PA). Coming off that great win, she fell to Lilliana Massenzio (NJ) 10-0 and then, after a bye, lost to Sophia Garcia (CA) by fall (2:43).  Eila’s ability to dismantle a quality opponent in round one reinforced her elite potential.

Alisa Gonzales (JR.) wrestled hard at Fargo and will have growing opportunity to be seen at the national level.

Alisa Gonzales (JR.) competed at 170 pounds in the Junior Girls division. She faced a tough first-round matchup and fell to Irelynn Laurin (TN) by fall (0:53), then after a bye, lost again to Lindsey Shipp (WA) by fall (1:21). Though she didn’t advance, her presence continues to anchor and represent the strength of the Severance girls’ program. These athletes may not have stood on the podium, but they stood tall for Severance Wrestling. They did the most challenging thing that a young competitor can do - showing poise, pride, and perseverance on the nation’s toughest stage.

A Bright Future Continues to Grow

What happened in Fargo this July wasn’t just about results. It was about transformation. It was about proving that our Severance wrestlers can roll into wrestling’s most hallowed battleground—and leave with respect.

Severance Wrestling Club sent six of their own, and two brought home hardware. All six brought home a real hunger and fire for the future. The road ahead is lit with possibility, and Severance Wrestling promises to provide elite level talent for years to come.