BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Minnesota wrestlers played a key role for Team USA at the 2026 U20 World Championships, highlighted by podium finishes in men’s freestyle and women’s freestyle alongside a solid appearance in Greco-Roman.
The Championships spanned eight days of competition—Greco-Roman competed August 16-19, women’s freestyle August 18-21, and men’s freestyle wrapped up August 20-23.
MINNEAPOLIS — A strong contingent of Minnesota high school-age wrestlers turned heads on the national stage last week, capturing four individual titles and securing dozens of All-American honors at the 2026 USA Wrestling Junior and 16U National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota.
The grueling nine-day event (split into six divisions), held annually at the Fargodome, wrapped up Saturday after showcasing the country’s premier young wrestling talent across boys freestyle, Greco-Roman, and girls freestyle disciplines.
Minnesota’s elite showing was punctuated by four national champions who stood atop the podium in their respective divisions, including two multi-title milestones.
Minnesota Junior Nora Akpan repeated as national champion. Juniors Sarah Pulk finished in fifth place and Chloe Wehry finished in sixth place.
In the 16U division, Emma Antoni placed third, and Olivia Martinez placed eighth.
Junior Nora Akpan is the lone Minnesota wrestler to make the finals. Juniors Sarah Pulk finished in fifth place and Chloe Wehry finished in sixth place.
In the 16U division, Emma Antoni placed third, and Olivia Martinez placed eighth.
Three Junior wrestlers are unbeaten for Minnesota and in the championship semifinals: Chloe Wehry, Nora Akpan, and Sarah Pulk.
Two 16U wrestlers are alive in the consolations and have reached the All-American rounds: Emma Antoni and Olivia Martinez.
Four Junior wrestlers and three 16U wrestlers are unbeaten for Minnesota and remain in the championship brackets – Juniors: Chloe Wehry, Nora Akpan, Cassandra Gonzales, and Sarah Pulk. 16U: Emma Antoni, Danica Fuelling, and Olivia Martinez.
Seven Junior wrestlers and seven 16U wrestlers are alive in the consolations – Juniors: Teagan Earley, Ivy Brandenburg, Anica Barze, Bella Carlson, Helena Banteh, Charlize Laban, and Lillian Drews. 16U: Elouise Snook, Azalea Kallal, Roselane D. Verrett, Alexa Guy, Madilyn Pulk, Shelby Strandlund, and Paige Washburn.
Eight Minnesota wrestlers are unbeaten and remain in the championship brackets: Alexa Guy, Emma Antoni, Kylee Nelson, Madilyn Pulk, Danica Fuelling, Shelby Strandlund, Paige Washburn, and Olivia Martinez.
Nine Minnesota wrestlers are alive in the consolations: Elouise Snook, Elizabeth Carlson, Brooklyn Smith, Azalea Kallal, Baylee Ness, Roselane D. Verrett, Giana Palumbo, Emily Sauter, and Chasity Skerik.
Thirteen Minnesota wrestlers are unbeaten and remain in the championship brackets: Teagan Earley, Kayla Pastika, Anica Barze, Lauren Elsmore, Chloe Wehry, Nora Akpan, Cassandra Gonzales, Bella Carlson, Vivian Schroeder, Esperanza Calvillo, Sarah Pulk, Helena Banteh, and Lillian Drews.
Twelve Minnesota wrestlers are alive in the consolations: Ivy Brandenburg, Ava Schultz, Alexandra Thovson, Ellie Westerman, Raya Koski, Taniah Borney, Sam Hinman, Courtney Kotish, Mia Tiller, Belle Suchta, Jinet Demanou, and Ellianna Schendel.
Eight Minnesota Juniors earned All-American status by placing in the top eight. Liam Collins finished in second place. Placing third was Gage Bjerga. Titan Friederichs and Bennett Kujawa placed fourth. Grady Weinbrenner and Caden Grenier placed sixth. Placing seventh was Joel Friederichs. Gabriel Cohn finished eighth.
Ten Minnesota 16U wrestlers earned All-American status. Sawyer Schendel won a national title and, with it, a Triple Crown (1st in folkstyle, freestyle and Greco). Phillip Harris placed third. Placing fourth were Garrett Bjerga, Beckett Edstrom and Elias Motta. Chase Lawrence finished fifth. Placing seventh were Grayson Schroeder, Rex Ayshford, and Adrian Fuchs. Destan Skelly finished eighth.
Eight Minnesota Juniors reached the All-American medal matches. The lone finalist is Liam Collins. Wrestlers in the consolation semifinals are Titan Friederichs, Caden Grenier, Gage Bjerga, Bennett Kujawa, and Grady Weinbrenner. Wrestling for seventh are Joel Friederichs and Gabriel Cohn.
Ten Minnesota 16U wrestlers reached the All-American medal matches. The lone finalist is Sawyer Schendel. Wrestlers in the consolation semifinals are Garrett Bjerga, Chase Lawrence, Elias Motta, Phillip Harris and Beckett Edstrom. Wrestling for seventh are Grayson Schroeder, Rex Ayshford, Destan Skelly and Adrian Fuchs.