Video: Bridger Barker in actionIt used to be that the Arizona wrestling contingent flew into Fargo, N.D., every July and returned better off but with very few medals.
Much has changed with the advent of a solid youth program and Team Arizona approach during the summer months.
The Cadet/Junior National Championships in freestyle and Greco Roman, which begin Saturday and run through July 25, are the final chance this summer to show how far Arizona has come in recent years.
Seton Catholic (Chandler) incoming senior Bridger Barker stepped away from Arizona wrestling for a short period. He is back in a big way, but his short time in Idaho lends to a unique perspective on what has become of Team Arizona.
"The biggest thing I see is coaches coming together for the state instead of working with just their own kids," Barker said. "We have a lot of dedicated kids wanting to do big things."
The combo, along with the return of Barker, has given Team Arizona a little pep in its step as the wrestlers prepare for the biggest event of the summer. More than 70 wrestlers from the state are making the annual pilgrimage to Fargo.
The state has already had a very good summer with the Junior dual squad finishing as double All-Americans in Oklahoma while another group pulled more than 138 medals, including 35 titles, in Idaho before 15 more medals were secured at the USA Wrestling Kids Nationals in Wisconsin.
Danny Vega took home two all-American honorsfrom Fargo in 2013 - and he's back for more.
Courtesy photo
Fargo is a different level, and there are many inside the Grand Canyon University and Arizona State wrestling rooms these days who feel Team Arizona might be better prepared than it has ever been to take on that challenge.
"Ultimately we are trying to develop kids,"
Desert Vista (Phoenix) coach David Gonzalez said. "There are different levels of kids and there are some that are ready and prepared to achieve their goals by placing in Fargo."
Barker is one of the top contenders for Arizona along with Danny Vega of
Ironwood Ridge (Tucson), Roman Bravo-Young of
Sunnyside (Tucson), Brandon Courtney of
Desert Edge (Goodyear) and many more in the two age groups.
Barker is making up for some downtime after he was ruled ineligible by the Arizona Interscholastic Association after he enrolled at Seton Catholic once he returned from Idaho.
"It was frustrating to miss out (on competing), but I kept working in the room and it paid off at the end of the season," Barker said.
After winning the NHSCA sophomore title in Virginia Beach, Va., Barker was eligible for the tournament in March and finished third.
"All I was working for every day was Virginia Beach and Fargo," said Barker. "I think I am at the level I need to be. I'm on my way to getting to where I want to be."
The next stop is Fargo, where Team Arizona hopes to keep the streak alive. In 2013, the squad came back with a state record 13 all-Americans and then came back last year with 15, including triple crown winner Vega.
The talent has only developed since last July, meaning no less than 16 all-Americans in 2015 will be expected.
"In the past five years, we have been building a grassroots structure in Arizona to give kids the opportunity to be successful at the national level," coach Tom Wokasch said. "I believe the schoolboy team double all-Americans at national duals and now juniors double all-Americans at national duals has given us feedback that the system is working."
There will be about 40 cadets (born between 1998-2000) and 30 juniors (1995-97) representing Arizona in an attempt to get it down while coaches from all over the Valley and Tucson push, motivate and support the cause of trying move Arizona wrestling up the ranks even more in 2015.
"I think we are going to go Top 10 again and bring back more all-Americans than ever before," said Barker, who missed out on Fargo last year because of an illness. "We are doing everything right to set us up to succeed."
Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic and current Prep Sports Director for 1013 Communications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.
