Kendall Wagner Falls One Win Short In Fargo
By Joe Walker
FARGO, ND-Central Mountain Lady Wildcat wrestling standout Kendall Wagner fell just one win short of being an All-American at the 16U National Freestyle Championships in the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University.
The #21 seeded Wagner had an outstanding day on Saturday, as she posted a 4-1 record and defeated two wrestlers that were higher seeds. But on Sunday morning she ran into #3 seeded Elizabeth Madison of Loveland, Ohio in the fifth round of consolations.
Madison took Wagner down to her back and pinned the Bucktail sophomore in 46 seconds of the opening period. Madison was ranked #14 in the country in the latest national rankings by Flowrestling.
The loss eliminated Wagner just one win short of the All-American status the top eight place finishers receive, but still to finish in the top 12 of a 46 national women field at 170 pounds, it was a great tournament in her first try at the national Fargo tournament.
Wagner finished 4-2 in the tournament, but the three sport standout gained valuable experience that will pay off big dividends down the road for the Bucktail junior to be.
In an extra note the state of Pennsylvania is leading the team race with four wrestlers in the championship finals and seven other wrestlers placing for a total of 11 All-Americans. Looks like the Ladies of Pennsylvania want to dominate much like the men have done.
There are five Central Mountain Wildcat wrestlers waiting to try and earn their chances to be All-Americans at Fargo, as the men’s Freestyle and Greco-Roman will be getting started this week. The five Wildcats are Gavin Heverly, Patrick Tarantella, Aiden Kunes, Griffin Walizer and Dalton Perry.
