Bill Hinchley dedicated over four decades to the sport of wrestling, making significant contributions as an official, administrator, and leader. He served as President of the Owatonna Wrestling Association and spent 30 years as the CEO for Minnesota USA Wrestling. A dedicated mat official for over 40 years, Hinchley was widely recognized for his officiating excellence, receiving the US Wrestling Officials Association Lifetime Achievement Award and being named USA Wrestling Official of the Year in 2007. He was inducted into the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015 .
MN/USA Wrestling
Minnesota Shines at Fargo with Four Titles, Dozens of All-Americans
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.
Fargo Session 16 Report – 16U and Junior Girls Freestyle Medal Matches
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.
Fargo Session 15 Report – Minnesota 16U and Junior Girls Freestyle
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.
Fargo Session 14 Report – Minnesota 16U and Junior Girls Freestyle
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.
Fargo Session 13 Report – Minnesota 16U and Junior Girls Freestyle
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.
Fargo Session 12 Report – Minnesota 16U Girls Freestyle
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.
Fargo Session 11 Report – Minnesota Junior Girls Freestyle
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.
Fargo Session 10 Report – 16U and Junior Boys Greco-Roman Medal Matches
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.
Fargo Session 9 Report – Minnesota 16U and Junior Boys Greco-Roman
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.