Minnesota wrestlers performed well at the 2025 USA Wrestling Air Force Special Warfare 16U and Junior Folkstyle Nationals, held from March 14 to 16 at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines, Iowa.
In the Junior Girls division, Minnesota took fourth place in the state team standings with 150.5 points, behind Iowa, Missouri, and Indiana. Caley Graber from Minnesota was awarded the Outstanding Wrestler award in the Junior Girls Folkstyle Nationals.
Minnesota’s Junior Girls individual placers included Ivy Brandenburg, who took eighth place at 105 pounds; Caley Graber, who won first place at 120 pounds; Nora Akpan, who won first place at 135 pounds; Cassandra Gonzales, who took second place at 155 pounds; Esperanza Calvillo, who took third place at 155 pounds; and Emily Novak, who took second place at 170 pounds.
In the Junior Boys division, Minnesota placed ninth in the state team standings with 145.5 points. The state’s individual placers included Jackson Thorn, who took third place at 100 pounds; Christian Jelle, who took second place at 138 pounds; Connor Peterson, who took fifth place at 138 pounds; and Eli Roiko, who took eighth place at 215 pounds.
Minnesota wrestlers also performed well in the 16U Girls and 16U Boys divisions. In the 16U Girls division, Ella Henning took second place at 115 pounds, Alexandra Thovson took fourth place at 120 pounds, Trista Gessler took fourth place at 125 pounds, Chloe Wehry took second place at 135 pounds, and Sarah Pulk won first place at 170 pounds.
In the 16U Boys division, Dalton Humeniuk took fifth place at 150 pounds, Tyler Ruff took third place at 190 pounds, and Andrew Olson won first place at 285 pounds.
Results: 16U Boys | 16U Girls | Junior Boys | Junior Girls
Girls photos courtesy of Andy Pulk:
