A year ago, both Carolyn Geckler and Deionna Borders rode All-American status in Fargo, N.D. to a state high school wrestling title in the spring.

Fast forward to 2025 and the two are going home with something more.

Geckler won a 16U national championship in girls freestyle at 120 pounds. Borders took home the big step sign after winning 235 at the Junior level.

Both return to their respective schools knowing they’ve taken the next big step toward world domination.

"Last year kind of showed me there's always room to improve," she said. "There's always someone better than you. You've just got to striving for the top no matter what. ... Honestly, I was not happy with my performance. I think I used that frustration and anger towards my matches this year. I really had a goal. I really wanted to do something this year."

It came with a criteria decision against New Jersey’s Maria Sharp in a rematch of a high school season duel where Sharp got the better of her.

Borders had a little something left in the tank when she exorcised a demon by beating Pennsylvania’s Brenda Banks in the semifinals. Last year, Banks that stopped Borders’ title run.

Not this year and when Chloe Hoselton of Illinois stepped in her way in the finals, Borders made sure there was no doubt with a 7-0 win.

“I used second place as motivation,” Borders said. “I knew I wasn’t done yet. I knew that I could definitely be there with all the hard work I put in and the support from everyone out there.”

The girls had 10 All-Americans in yet another impressive showing.

Mackenzie Carder (2nd, 115), Ella Thomas (4th, 100), Abigail Mozden (4th, 130), Maddie Miller (4th, 207) added Junior placings to Borders’ championship and Team Ohio finished fifth.

Lyric Hetzer (5th, 110), Kiera Depinet (7th, 140), Kylee Tibbs (7th, 155) and Cami Leng (8th, 120) joined Geckler with placings in 16U and Team Ohio was 13th.

The Buckeye State did a little bit more on Sunday in Beach Wrestling with Anna Madi (125) taking home a title.