FARGO: Girls Edition

The ladies closed out the action at Fargo on Saturday afternoon after three intense days that began on Thursday at the Fargodome in North Dakota. Kesi Tsarni won a 16U National Title at 140 pounds, and Summer Mutschler placed fourth at 110 pounds. They were the only Maryland Girls to reach the Fargo podium.

KESI TSARNI – NATIONAL CHAMP!

Tsarni, who came into Fargo ranked 20th in the nation by High School on SI at 140 pounds, was third at Fargo in 2025 at this weight and ascended to the top spot of the podium at 140 pounds at this edition of Fargo.

“I spent every day leading up to Fargo visualizing what it was going to be like inside the dome, wrestling on the mat so that when I stepped inside, everything was familiar to me because I had already lived it inside my head,” offered Tsarni. “This is also my favorite tournament of the year so I was already coming in with so much energy and excitement. My placement last year showed me how far I could go as a freshman, but this year I knew to close that gap fully and finish it all the way.”

Tsarni was set up opposite Oklahoma’s Middle School sensation, Ki’Morah Cathey, in her final. Cathey was a third-place finisher at the U15 Women’s Nationals. Tsarni got her scoring started on a Go-behind then went to work on a Gut Wrench to build a 4-0 advantage. Another takedown from a single leg to a spin behind added two more to end the first frame up 6-0.

Shortly after the whistle opened the second period, Tsarni hit a Fireman’s Dump to the back, from which Cathey would not recover, suffering an ending by fall 14 seconds into the round, 2:14.

“My finals match was a dream,” Tsarni continued. “I can’t describe the excitement I had knowing I was only one match away from taking it all home. Cathey dominated her side of the bracket just as I did, so I was prepared for a close, head-on-head match.

“Then I walked down the stairs, through the smoke, they announced our names, and I pinned her in the second period from a fireman’s dump. Finally being able to celebrate such a big win after a long time coming was so rewarding, especially when I get to make coaches, parents, family, and teammates at home proud and celebrate alongside them.”

Tsarni ran into her semifinal foe, No. 23 Jenny Gautreau of Pennsylvania, in the finals of the Phil Portuese Northeast Regional and won by a 12-0 technical fall. At Fargo, Gautreau was dispersed with a first period fall, 1:21. A quarterfinal 10-0 tech came over Utah’s Avery Colvis.

A round of 16 tech fall of Montana’s Charlee Lund, 10-0, came after Tsarni opened with a 48 second pin and an 11-0 technical fall in 47 seconds.

“It was only until a few hours later, after wrestling, I realized I had gone through Fargo without one point scored on me, winning with three pins and three techs,” Tsarni said. “I was pleasantly surprised, and I think this was able to happen because I was so focused on the actual wrestling that results like that naturally came along with it. I controlled each match with my own pace and just wrestled like me.

“Ever since I saw my older sister Nebi do it, it has been my dream to win Fargo. Now, I get to be a part of a legacy with the girl I love most. I am beyond grateful for everyone who has supported me and believed in me. I could never find a way to fully show my appreciation to my coaches, who prepared me and always believed in me when I couldn’t, and my parents, who pushed me, always supported me, spent countless hours on me, and were the ones who made this entirely possible.

“Lastly, I have so much love for my best friends and teammates who never had a doubt in my dreams and encouraged me to reach them and showered me in love while they celebrated with me. I’m so happy I could come home and make Maryland proud.”

MUTSCHLER GOES FROM BROKE TO 4TH

In 2025, Summer Mutschler did not reach the awards stand at Fargo in the 16U Division. The step up to the Junior Realm offers its own set of challenges and Mutschler was game, as she came up big with a fourth place showing at 110 pounds.

Mutschler handled her business on the Fargo mats by winning the bouts she was expected to, something that is not always that simple at Fargo, where upsets are rolled out with stunning regularity.

“It feels great to become an All-American after not placing last year,” remarked Mutschler. “I worked hard, and it paid off. But I’m not done yet, so I’ll be heading back to the lab.”

Mutschler blitzed the first three ladies she encountered with two tech falls and a 43 second pin. This set her up with a round of 16 meeting versus No. 21 Sydney Stifter (Missouri), whom she stuck with 19 seconds remaining, 5:41.

A quarterfinal setback to No. 3 Sarissa Tucker of Virginia sent Mutschler packing to the consolation bracket where she used three consecutive wins to gain access to the third-place match.

Texas’ No. 26 Aro Ogle-Garza was Mutschler’s blood round rival, and she was taken out by fall in 3:54. Another pin was given to Missouri’s Kayleigh Milam in 4:17 before Mutschler received a forfeit from No. 2 Julia Horger (Pennsylvania).

“I felt strong all tournament,” said Mutschler. “My coaches at Spalding helped improve my technique, and I trusted my training. I’m thankful for my family, coaches, and teammates. I’m excited to get back to work and continue to believe in the process.”

The bronze showdown presented a challenge in No. 8 Eva Zimmerman from Utah. This was a rematch from the Women of Ironman, and the gap has been closed, leaving Mutschler looking forward to the round three as the 15-10 score favored Zimmerman when it was all said and done but Mutschler competed and hung with her.

“Zimmerman dominated me in the Ironman finals, and that motivated me to keep getting better,” Mutschler said. “I definitely closed the gap, and I’m looking forward to getting back to practice so next time I can come out on top.”

SHINING BRIGHT WITHOUT MEDALS

Three Junior Girls posted 3-2 records with Daegan Bishop reaching the blood round at 207-pounds. One of Bishop’s losses was to No. 2 Deionna Borders (Ohio). Bishop beat Nebraska’s Shaylee Calloway directly after Calloway hung a loss on No. 14 Charlie Timms (Nevada).

Kelani Ramos (105 pounds) and Sophia Hodges (140) both suffered losses to nationally ranked ladies. Ramos was a victim of two Wisconsin opponents, No. 16 Dilynn Albrecht and No. 32 Cassidy O’Connell. Hodges fell to a Wisconsin lady as well in No. 8 Harlow Skenandore but her second loss came to Oklahoma’s No. 27 Kelcie Luker.

Darielle Wood was the lone 16U Girl to go 3-2. Denna Momeni was 2-2 in the 145-pound 16U Bracket with losses to two in the national report, No. 24 Delaney Dixon (New York) and No. 35 Kimberly Munoz (Pennsylvania).

Junior Ladies putting up 2-2 tallies were Olivia Crosby (95 pounds), Irie Carmack (125), Alexis Nicholas (130 pounds), Maya Williams (145), and Naima Harvey-Bowen (155 pounds). Harvey-Bowen’s first match resulted in her authoring an upset on criteria, 5-5, against No. 26 Joanna Henry of Texas.

BEACH BOUND BADDIES

The Boys’ Beach Wrestling Showcase was canceled due to extreme heat, but the ladies were able to take to the sand and four from Maryland made noise.

The star on the sand for the locals was Madalyn Johnson as she captured the 100-pound gold by winning a best of three series with New York’s Valeria De Los Santos.

Placing third was Sophia Babayev, who had a 105-pound round robin bracket. Harvey-Bowen’s third place finish at 155 came in a regular bracket. Williams was fourth at 145 in a round robin situation.

Full Brackets and results can be found here:

https://www.usabracketing.com/events/c971e3ce-7cc9-44f2-badc-b2edca088c89