Perry's Carolyn Geckler is a Fargo All-American; Walsh's Bella Ndigna Mbappe just misses

FARGO, N.D. — The 16U Freestyle National championships can test a wrestler's will.

It’s how athletes respond that shows exactly who they are.

Perry’s Carolyn Geckler rolled into the 118-pound semifinals with big aspirations Sunday in Fargo, N.D. But New York’s Haley Gonzalez caught her 4-2 in the round of four and then Olentangy Orange runner-up Mackenzie Carder beat her 10-6.

Rather than falling into the trap of the semifinal slide, the Pan-American champion took out her frustrations on Wisconsin’s Emjay Neumann with a 6-2 decision to place fifth and earn All-America status.

“Things didn’t always go the way I wanted them to go,” Geckler said. “But I’m glad I was able get the win in that last match.”

The showing ended an incredible summer for the incoming Panthers freshman, who finished a three-month stretch with a U15 national title, the Pan-Am crown and an All-America showing at Fargo.

“It showed me that I can be one of the top-level girls,” Geckler said. “Even though I’m not there yet, I can get there and I’m on the brim of getting there.”

Walsh Jesuit sophomore just misses becoming All-American at Fargo Nationals

The continued growth of Walsh Jesuit’s Bella Ndinga Mbappe continued this weekend when the sophomore finished one match from All-America status.

Ndinga Mbappe took out an Iowa two-time state placer and a two-time regional runner-up from California, but fell in the 118-pound quarterfinal to reach the blood round.

Folkstyle national runner-up Aubree Gutierrez built a sizable lead in the blood round and then pinned the Ohio state placer in 2:37 to move on.

16U/Junior Women Freestyle National Championships Ohio All-Americans

16U Tournament: Second – Deionna Borders, Berea-Midpark, 235; Third – Libertie Nigh,Urbana, 94; Elizabeth Madison, Loveland, 170; Fourth – Mackenzie Carder, Olentangy Orange, 118; Fifth – Carolyn Geckler, Perry, 118; Eighth – Camryn Gresham, Lakota East, 106

Junior Tournament: Second – Chloe Dearwester, Harrison, 110; Fifth – Makennah Craft, Jackson, 100; Alexandria Alli, Wyoming Seminary/Ashley, 170; Eighth – Brianne Graves, Oak Hills, 100; Raegan Briggs, Harrison, 120

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Perry's Carolyn Geckler is a Fargo All-American; Walsh's Bella Ndigna Mbappe just misses