Weeks before the tournament in Fargo, the wrestlers held a fundraiser to help with expenses involved with the competition. From left to right: Laykr Peska, Kyle Youngbear, Autumn Elsbury, Kinley Jimenez, and Ava Perkins. Perkins did not end up competing at Fargo. PHOTO PROVIDED

FARGO, N.D. — Last week, Autumn Elsbury made headlines by finishing as national runner-up at the USA Wrestling Junior Nationals in Fargo. But she wasn’t the only Trojan to shine on the national stage.

Three other South Tama athletes: Kyle Youngbear, Lakyr Peska, and Kinley Jimenez, also competed in the 16U division of the country’s most prestigious high school wrestling tournament. With different paths for each wrestler, all athletes battled through tough brackets, notched key victories, and represented Team Iowa with grit and pride. Jimenez even returned home as an All-American.

Jimenez capped her Fargo run by placing 8th in the nation and earning All-American honors in the 16U Girls 235-pound division. After an early loss to Khloe Henshaw of Alabama, who pinned her in 1:21 during the Round of 16, Jimenez rebounded in the consolation rounds to secure a podium finish.

Youngbear wrestled his way into Day 2 of the 190-pound 16U Freestyle tournament with two early victories. His tournament came to a close in the consolation Round of 32, falling to Reed Falk of Wisconsin by an 11-0 technical fall in 38 seconds. Falk went on to place deep in the bracket.

Peska also made it to Day 2 after a first-day win in the heavyweight bracket. He was eliminated in the consolation Round of 32 after a razor-thin 2-1 decision loss to Christopher Clark Jr. of Ohio. Peska finished with a 1-2 record to close out his Fargo appearance.

Alongside Elsbury’s runner-up finish, the performances of Jimenez, Youngbear, and Peska showcased South Tama’s depth and ability on a national stage.