The 2025 U.S. Marine Corps Junior & 16U National Championships known simply as “Fargo” kick off today in Fargo, North Dakota, marking the pinnacle of high school wrestling competition for boys in both the Junior (18U) and 16U divisions.
Team Missouri has arrived with talented young wrestlers ready to make their mark. Missouri is no stranger to success at Fargo with the state regularly producing many All-Americans and even national champions at this event. With competition underway in men’s freestyle (and Greco-Roman to follow), here’s an overview of the tournament and who to watch from Missouri.
Missouri Wrestlers’ roster is deep, but a few names stand out as must-watch competitors as the tournament gets underway. In both the Junior (high school age) and 16U (cadet) divisions, these wrestlers are poised to make some noise:
• Jordan Bell (113 lbs, Junior Freestyle): A two-time Missouri state champion from St. Pius X, Bell is making his third Fargo appearance and is “determined to turn third time into championship time”. He dominated the Class 3 state finals with a technical fall to secure his second consecutive state title earlier this year. Bell’s speed and technique make him one of Missouri’s best lightweights, and he’ll be aiming for his first Fargo All-American finish, or even a national title in the Junior 113 bracket.
• Trey Craig (190 lbs, Junior Freestyle): A standout upper-weight wrestler from Christian Brothers College (CBC), Craig is a multi-time state finalist and now a Fargo veteran. He earned a 3rd Place state medal at 190 lbs in Class 4 this season and was a state runner-up in a lower weight previously. Known for his strength and aggressive style, Craig even scored a tech-fall victory in Fargo last summer.
• Colin Rutlin (150 lbs, 16U Freestyle & Greco): One of Missouri’s top cadet (16U) wrestlers, Rutlin is a two-time state finalist for CBC and a returning Fargo All-American. In fact, he placed at Fargo in 2024 and followed that up by making the Class 4 state finals at 144 lbs this year. Rutlin is among Missouri’s leaders in pins, which makes him a threat in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman.
• Peyton Westpfahl (175 lbs, Junior Freestyle): A name well-known in Missouri, Westpfahl just graduated from Liberty High School as a two-time Class 4 state champion. He capped his senior year with a dominant 17-1 technical fall in the state finals to claim his second title. Westpfahl is ranked #15 nationally at 175 lbs and will continue his career at Mizzou in the fall.
• Chance Ruble (150 lbs, Junior Freestyle & Greco): Only a sophomore at Seckman High School, Ruble is already a national champion. Last summer, as a 15-year-old, he battled through Fargo to win the 2024 16U Greco-Roman national title at 150 lbs, and also earned All-American honors in Freestyle. Now wrestling up in the Junior division, Ruble will test himself against older opponents. Don’t be surprised if this young phenom makes another deep run.
• David Gleason (157 lbs, Junior Freestyle): A recent graduate of Staley High School, is a two-time Missouri state champion and one of the top 160-pounders in the nation. He overcame an injury that sidelined him as a sophomore, coming back to compile a 76-4 record over his junior and senior seasons and capture back-to-back state titles. Gleason is committed to wrestle for the University of Missouri. Given his resume, Gleason enters Fargo as a podium favorite in the Junior 157 lb bracket. Missouri fans will be rooting for him to add a Fargo medal to his high school accolades.
…and many more! The Missouri roster is filled with other top wrestlers across both age groups from lightweights like Wyatt Dannegger (100 lbs) in 16U, to upper-weights hammers like Jameson Lyons (215 lbs) in Juniors, and numerous others. With over 100 Missouri boys entered between Freestyle and Greco, expect plenty of top-notch performances and upsets.
Follow the Action: Brackets & Live Stream
Wrestling fans can follow the live brackets and results through USA Bracketing, which will have updated brackets, match scores, and mat assignments in real time for all divisions.
For those who want to watch the matches, live video streams of every match are available on FloWrestling. FloWrestling’s Fargo coverage includes live updates and match replays.
Missouri Wrestling will be providing updates on standout performances, so stay glued to the brackets and cheer on Team Missouri as they battle the nation’s best.
