Photo by Jim Thrall/MatFocus.com
Alex Taylor never forgot and it made him a 16U freestyle national champion in Fargo in the very same tournament he finished second at in 2023.

Tennessee state champ Ryder Smith found out the hard way that once Taylor finds motivation he doesn’t stop until he achieves his goal.

It came in a highly entertaining 11-7 championship final at 215 pounds and ended with Taylor’s hand raised.

“There wasn’t a day in practice that I didn’t think about (that loss in the 2023 finals),” Taylor said. “I’ve been looking for that (next championship) match because that’s not how I wrestle. Everything I’ve done is to get back here and get first.”

The loss was an 11-0 technical superiority by Florida’s Michale Mocco last year, which made this year’s win all the more special.

Liston Seibert (2nd, 120), Eli Esguerra (4th, 150) Zack Aquila (4th, 157), Loc Webber, Coffman, 5th), Jake Hughes (7th, 150), Brennan Warwick (7th, 157), Austin Bickerton (8th, 113) and Chandler Moore (8th, 285) were also All-Americans in 16U.

Ayden Dodd (2nd, 113), Ethan Powell (3rd, 100), Carson Thomas (3rd, 190) and Gage Yackee (4th, 190) picked up stop signs in the Junior freestyle tournament.

By the way, if you thought there was pressure for Taylor, you don’t know the Mount Vernon standout.

“Honestly, that’s how I’ve been my whole life,” he said. “I need to win the match. I’m used to it. That pressure is there and that’s what makes me next level with all these kids. I can take all that pressure and use it as motivation.”

Taylor isn’t done either.

He’ll go after a Greco-Roman title this weekend where he finished third a year ago.

“Let everyone try to chase,” Taylor said. “No one is able to beat me when I’m at my best. I’m just going to do the same thing and win Greco.”

Oh, don’t be surprised to see Taylor back in the FargoDome in 2025 with that same bull’s-eye on his back.