2024 Fargo 16U Men's GR Recap: Ferrara Rallies For Top-6 Finish

113: Ryan Ferrara---6th Place

Becoming the first Section 4 wrestler regardless of age-group to earn All-American distinction in the Greco-Roman discipline since 2019 [Dante Rigal; 16U 6th @113], the 2x NYSPHSAA DI State placer/2022 runner-up for the Forks' Blue Devils relied on a four-match consolation winning streak among the 132-pound field en route to being the Evil Empire's lone 16 & Under AA on the final day of competition in Fargo...

The owner of a 7-3 record in GR [7-2 in matched wrestled] to raise his week-long total to 10 (went 3-2 in FS), New York Wrestling News' #8 overall 2026 prospect displayed a lethal headlock throughout his climb back to the podium, as his rally featured respective victories by scores of 14-5, 5-0, 8-0, and 10-0 against a company of elite foes such as: Isaiah Jackson (2023 PIAA State Qualifier), Gunner Butt (2x Indiana State placer), Raidyn Pugsley (2024 Idaho State runner-up), and Keagan Sieracki (2x Texas State medalist/2024 runner-up)!!!!

The bout with the Keystone Stater [Jackson] being the spark that ignited his fiery run towards glory, Ferrara busted open a 6-4 lead in the 2nd period when he connected with a headlock to increase his cushion to 10-4 less than :20 into the 2nd period....In the final 20 ticks, he struck for another 4-pointer to secure the tech in a time of 3:58 !!!

All of his accumulation in the match-up with Butt occurring in the initial 40 seconds of the opening stanza, Ferrara was able to defend a TD [Butt slipped a headlock and was behind the NYer] and then mounted a counter-attack to generate a 1pt stepout a little less than half a minute into the 1st period....However, it would be his activity off of the restart that really put the "w" on ice, as he'd utilize an over/under to pancake the Hoosier State entry from feet to back for the 4-pointer!!!

Already up 2-0 (stepout, passivity +1) at the end of 2:00 in his blood round match with Pugsley, Ferrara exploded for six immediate points at the onset of the 2nd period, tossing the wrestler from Idaho with a headlock for 4; and then transitioning to a high-gut the an additional 2 to complete the TF at the 2:24 mark!!!!

The fireworks coming in droves at the back end of his consolation quarterfinal with the Texan [Sieracki], Ferrara was not content to cruise to a 4-0 decision [3 stepouts and a passivity +1], as he'd strike with throws for values of 4 (headlock) and 2 just moments apart to runaway with a more commanding 10-0 blanking!!!

Both of his losses [in the round of 16 and the consolation semis] suffered at the hands of the same opponent---2024 Missouri State titlist, Jet Brown; unfortunately in the second of their meetings, the KD Trained pupil appeared to sustain a noticeable injury that resulted in him not only defaulting the remainder of this match; but also forfeiting the 5th/6th contest!!!

Prior to the R16 loss, Ferrara kicked off his GR tourney outing by collecting three straight TF triumphs (27-0 margin) at the expense of Jordan Loya (ID), Iowa's Hayden Hutt (2024 USAW 16U Folk Nationals 6th), & Wyoming Seminary freshman/PA rep, Matthew Dailey to account for the entirety of his impressive body of work!!!

Now enjoying a semblance of bragging rights at the family dinner table over older brother/3x NYS Champion, Tyler, Ryan succeeded in achieving a feat that eluded his decorated sibling!!! :-)
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‍Team NY Men's 16U GR Breakdown