Sometimes, it feels like incoming Husker freshman Cade Ziola has won everything at the high school level — he’s the first Nebraskan to ever win at both Ironman and Who’s Number One to go along with three Class B state titles and numerous wins at regional tournaments.
In his last high school tournament this week before officially joining the Huskers, Ziola added Fargo Freestyle National Champion to his impressive list of accolades. Ziola blitzed through the 215-pound field in Fargo, ND to secure his first
Stop Sign.
@CadeZiola is the first junior men's freestyle champion from Nebraska since 2011.
— Nebraska Wrestling (@HuskerWrestling) July 17, 2025
A historic high school career ends with a 15-4 tech fall in the 215-pound national finals. pic.twitter.com/KdJTy3PPIT
The 3-seed, Ziola went 7-0 over three days to win the title. He either won by technical fall or pinfall in all of his matches — outscoring his competition 84-15 along the way. The closest match he was in, Ziola pinned 2-seed Kai Calcutt in the second period while up 9-5 in the semis. All of his six other wins came by tech fall — 10-0, 10-0, 17-4, 10-0, 13-2, and a 15-4 win over Michael Boyle of Ohio in the finals.
Here’s a video highlighting his journey this week — cornered by his dad Tim Ziola and Husker assistant coach Tervel Dlagnev — watch it.
The CHAMP is here!
— Mike Sautter (@MikeSautter_) July 17, 2025
Cade Ziola ends his historic High School career with the 2025 215-pound Junior Freestyle National Championship. pic.twitter.com/CH0mu5q1nA
After falling in the Fargo final a year ago at 190 pounds, I can only imagine how sweet that Stop Sign felt to earn. I for one can’t wait to see him in a Husker singlet.
An intriguing prospect for a heavyweight, Ziola isn’t your typical plodding type — he’s the next generation of heavy. He’s fast, strong, has incredible reach, and he can scramble like a middleweight — he sits the corner incredible well when opponents get to his legs, and he’s always a threat to slap on a cradle. However, the most potent trick in his bag has to be his ankle picks.
Cade Ziola ankle pick
— NEwrestle (@NEBwrestle) July 15, 2025
Watch #Fargo2025 LIVE on @FloWrestling pic.twitter.com/po2IrS0l1m
Cade Ziola with a slick drag single in the early rounds of #Fargo pic.twitter.com/tBAPrYF7Fm
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) July 14, 2025
The Greco-Roman portion of the tournament starts this morning, but the best indicator of college success lies in freestyle. We’ll be updating you after the Greco portion is over, but not in as much depth.
Other Husker commits and signees that competed this weekend in Fargo were incoming freshman Abdi Unle of Omaha Bryan, and 2026 commits Davis Parrow, Mason Petersen and Niko Rotella.
Parrow found the podium at 150 pounds, going 7-3 throughout the week. A state champion out of Minnesota, Parrow will likely be a 157-pounder for the Huskers.
Incoming freshman Unle went 4-2 at Fargo, falling short of the podium. He won his first three matches via tech before falling to #15 Mason Jakob of Tennessee 13-10. Unle went on to win an 11-0 match on the back side before falling short of the podium with an 8-4 loss in his second consolation match.
A recent in-state commit out of Columbus, Petersen won his first three matches by either tech or pin, but he lost his round of 16 match 10-6 — against the same opponent that went on to beat Parrow 8-5 in the quarterfinal round. Petersen went on to win a match on the back side before losing his second. Likely a 157-pounder as well in college, Petersen comes in as one of many middle-weight prospects for the Huskers in the class of 2026.
A state finalist for Omaha Skutt this past season, Rotella lost his first match via pinfall while up 6-2. He went on to win his next two matches on the back side via tech before another pinfall loss. Rotella likely projects at 165 for the Huskers.
How Did Nebraska’s Big Target Do?
If you didn’t know, Nebraska is in the Top-3 for the #2 prospect in the 2026 class Bo Bassett after he decommitted from Iowa. It’s between the Huskers, Penn State and Oklahoma State. His teammate at Bishop McCort High School Jax Forrest, who just became the youngest person to ever make the Senior-level World Team for Team USA at 61 kg as a high-schooler is the top prospect in the class — he’s committed to and trains at Oklahoma State. Bassett is also from Pennsylvania, so the close-to-home angle goes to the Nittany Lions.
Bo Bassett has a new top 3. #FRL
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) June 23, 2025
Presented by Nike Wrestling @AthletePS pic.twitter.com/M0NUiLAhXp
I know it’s a long shot that he comes to Lincoln, but Bassett didn’t include the Huskers on his list of three for nothing — he’s seriously considering the Huskers. And believe you me, he would be a program-altering kind of commit. The kid isn’t just an incredible wrestler, he brings with him a spotlight and a huge social media following.
Bo Bassett moves on to the #Fargo semis! pic.twitter.com/kjJ3VCpDX1
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) July 16, 2025
This week at Fargo, Bassett blitzed through the field collecting seven wins with two via pinfall and five by tech — he outscored his opponents 69-1. He won his final bout via pinfall in just 83 seconds.
#1 Bo Bassett (PA) caps off his #Fargo2025 run with a pin in the 144 lbs final.
— Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) July 17, 2025
The top uncommitted prospect in the country — and he looked the part. pic.twitter.com/2UJUa2X6bg
In-State Standouts
Junior Division
The state of Nebraska saw two total Fargo All-Americans (including Ziola) and a number of guys who got close to the podium but fell short. Focusing solely on guys who are not committed to other schools, here are the highlights.
At 120 pounds, the state of Nebraska’s only other placer was three-time undefeated state champion Zaiyahn Ornelas who made it to the quarterfinals where he lost to #15 Mason Jakob, the same guy who beat Unle in the round of 16 — Jakob went on to place fourth. Ornelas won his first match on the back side before dropping two straight to finish in 8th place with his 5-3 record on the week.
Another potential Husker target is Preston Wagner out of Fremont who took an official visit a year ago. A double Fargo All-American last year in the 16U division at heavyweight, Wagner won his first two matches this week in the Junior division before dropping an 8-0 decision. Wagner then won four straight on the back side before losing in the blood-round. With his 6-2 record in freestyle, Wagner fell short of the podium but looked good in the process.
Ranked #19 at 113 pounds by FloWrestling, Cruzer Dominguez of Creighton Prep made it to the quarterfinals, falling to eventual champion #8 Rylan Seacrist 14-3 via tech — Dominguez then lost in the blood round, finishing with a 4-2 record on the week.
Also at 113 pounds, Cole Caniglia of Creighton Prep also went 4-2 with all four wins via tech.
A two-time Class D state champion out of Burwell, Brody Jensen won his first three matches at 120 pounds to make the round of 16 before suffering two straight losses, ending his tournament.
16U Division
The state of Nebraska didn’t have a placer in the 16U division, but there were some standouts.
Leading the back were both Carter Booze of Columbus and Cayson Boltjes of Sydney. Both Booze and Boltjes lost their opening matches before winning five straight on the backside.
Both Kameron Green of Creighton Prep and Kaleb Griffith of Mt. Michael Benedictine went 4-2 on the week, while Syracuse State Champion Brock Goebel went 2-2.
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