Wrestlers Competing at Fargo Nationals

Three Forks wrestlers are battling against the best in the country at this week’s 2023 US Marine Corps Junior and 16U Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota.

Dylan Kamps, Carson Lattimore, Cole Rogers, and Mathias Hogue are representing Montana in the prestigious tournament recognized as the largest wrestling competition in the world.

After finishing fifth as an eighth grader at the 2023 Montana Class B State Wrestling Tournament, Hogue will compete for the first time in Fargo on July 21 and 22 in the 16U 132-pound Greco division.

Hogue said he will not only be supporting his teammates in Fargo as he has done in the past, but he also has the pressure to perform to his highest potential.

“I train year-round and know what I am capable of, so I also expect a lot out of myself. My coaches, practice partners, and family have all helped me get to where I am today, so I want to go and make everyone proud. Regardless of the outcome, it will be an incredible experience to be a first-time Fargo wrestler,” Hogue said.

Rogers will compete on July 21 and 22 in the Junior 120 Greco Division. A two-time state high school champion, he will be wrestling in Fargo for the third time, which includes a fourth-place finish in 2021.

When asked what makes wrestling at Fargo so important, Rogers said it is because you are putting yourself out there in front of all the college coaches and performing through all the chaos.

Rogers also qualified but did not compete in the freestyle competition.

Kamps, who won a state title for the Three Forks High School Wrestling team in 2023, wrestled on Monday in the Junior 152-pound division. Kamps fell 10 to 0 in his opening match to Seth Larson, Georgia’s three-time high school state champion.

Kamps bounced back impressively with a pin in 32 seconds over Carson Alvarez of Oregon. The Keiser University-bound 2023 TFHS graduate was eliminated from the Freestyle tournament after a loss to Grayson Williams of Idaho.

With one win already under his belt in Fargo, Kamps will compete later this week in the 152-pound Greco Division.

Heading to wrestle in Florida next year, Kamps was asked what advice he would give for the future Wolves competing in Fargo.

“Don’t make it too big. Have fun with it, and don’t worry about the results. More comes out of this tournament than what meets the eye,” Kamps said.

Competing Monday in the U16 170-pound Freestyle Division, Lattimore soaked in the atmosphere before his opening match.

“When I first walked in, I was like, this place is huge—thirty mats and thousands of people. I was on deck for my first match and was thinking, settle down. You’ve been training the past ten years for this… it was all a mental game at that point,” Lattimore said. “I’m honored to be here to do my best and make those who have supported me along the way proud.”

After losing his first match 12-2 to Elijah Erskine of Virginia, Lattimore was eliminated after a loss to Charlie Herting of Colorado.