Wrestling: Yates, Raper excel in North Dakota – Salisbury Post

Wrestling: Yates, Raper excel in North Dakota

Published 2:07 am Monday, July 13, 2026

Carson Raper. Rhett Hoy photo.

Staff report

FARGO, N.D. – Carson Raper, a rising sophomore at South Rowan, and Braylen Yates, a rising sophomore at East Rowan, did very well on a national stage in the 16U Junior Nationals held over the weekend in the Fargodome.

Yates wrestled at 175, while Raper wrestled at 113.

Yates finished fourth (out of a field of 128 wrestlers) to earn All-America honors.

Yates dominated his first three matches before winning a close quarterfinal. He lost a 4-0 decision to a Minnesota wrestler in the semifinals and a 6-2 decision to an Illinois wrestler in the third-place match.

Raper won his first two matches by technical fall before losing to a Missouri wrestler in the Round of 32.

Raper bounced back in the consolation bracket to win two more matches. He lost a 12-10 decision to a Florida wrestler to end his run in the tournament. Raper was the youngest in his weight class.

Raper won a 4A NCHSAA championship last winter, while Yates was a state runner-up in 5A.

They have big futures.