Mavericks wrestlers gain national experience in Fargo

MOSES LAKE — Eli Anderson and Conner Duvall from the Moses Lake Mavericks wrestling program recently returned from Fargo, North Dakota for the 2026 US Marine Corps Junior nationals. 

"I think I performed good," Anderson said. "But I don't think I performed my best; I could have done better in my last match to make it further." 

Anderson competed in the 215-lb class where he was victorious via pinfall in the first round, before falling short in the round of 64 through a technical fall. From there, he bounced back in the consolation round of 64 with another pinfall, before being officially eliminated in the consolation round of 32 via decision.  

Despite the loss, he said his final match was the most fun out of the four he competed in. 

"It was just like a tough match," he said. "Me and the kid, both wanted it, and we were coming out hot, and it was just like a really high-paced match for the whole match, and we're both just going at each other the whole time. It was a really action-packed match, and there was a lot of pressure on it because if you lose, you're out, so we both wanted it just as bad." 

This was Anderson's second time competing in Fargo; his first coming last year. One of the main differences this year was competing in an older age group. Last summer he competed in the16U division, but this year he moved up to the junior division where he competed in the 18U group. 

Aside from this difference, he was still able to prepare more easily than last summer, he said.  

"It was definitely easier to come at it and be like, 'This isn't really any different than last year,'" Anderson said. "It's just different people and some of the same kids because they're coming up with you, and so it's like you still have that mindset that you just got to get the job done." 

Preparation for Fargo began right after spring football, Anderson said. They competed in the Northwest Regional tournament and the Washington State Freestyle tournament, which is where they both qualified for Fargo.  

From there, they spent two weeks with Gonzaga Prep wrestlers in Spokane, seeking a chance to keep improving ahead of the national tournament. Those practices were long and intense as Anderson and Duvall sparred with wrestlers from multiple schools, giving them experience wrestling various types of competitors.  

Anderson and Duvall also leaned on each other during their training.  

"We've usually been practice partners," Duvall said. "Always just putting in work together, so we know each other. We know our wrestling styles, and in practice we push each other, and if there's not practice, we're like, 'Hey, want to go to the room? Want to work out? 'Just always keeping ourselves active." 

While Anderson only competed in freestyle wrestling, Duvall also competed in Greco-Roman wrestling in the 175-lb class, which is a style of wrestling that permits competitors to only use their upper bodies to throw, control and pin their opponents.  

Though he felt his preparation was good, he did not think he performed his best. Despite that, he did observe a lot that he could learn from, making it a good experience overall.  

"The pace and different styles of wrestling. Fargo is just a different level. You see all types of different wrestlers, their styles. That means this helps you widen your perspective," Duvall said.  

Duvall went 0-2 in the freestyle but rebounded in Greco, going 1-2 against the competition.

Results aside, Anderson and Duvall feel this experience will be helpful to their development for their upcoming senior seasons. 

"I have big goals for the school year coming up, and I've seen what I can do in freestyle now that I've gotten more involved in it. I'm definitely looking forward to the next freestyle season," Duvall said.  

For Anderson, he is focused on taking it all in.  

"It's got me thinking more about my senior year and how it's kind of the last thing for everything and how I want to make the most of it all. I'm kind of just taking it day by day, doing the most I can do every day," Anderson said.  

Last summer's tournament gave Anderson a valuable experience to take with him into the following Mavericks season. As a sophomore he came short of placing in the Mat Classic, but in 2026 as a junior he jumped to runner up in the 215-lb finals.  

Following the conclusion of the 2026 Mat Classic, he and Duvall agreed to put their focus on getting even better for the next season.  

"We told each other that we both didn't want to lose again," Anderson said. "We told each other that we're going to lock in and we're going to start doing all the stuff that we could do to be that good and better than everyone else. We just started putting in the extra work and holding each other accountable." 

Both wrestlers expressed their gratitude to their parents, coaches and teammates for their support throughout this process. 

    Conner Duvall from the Moses Lake Mavericks spars with his opponent at the 2026 Fargo Nationals.
  

    A sea of wrestlers from across the United States pack the Fargo Dome for the 2026 Fargo Nationals.
  

    Eli Anderson competed at the Fargo Nationals for the second consecutive year, competing in the 215-lb class.