You can add National Champion to Joel Adams wrestling resume. On Monday, the Millard South junior-to-be won the 138-pound freestyle United States Marine Corps 16U (Cadet) Junior National Championships in Fargo, ND.  

In the toughest USA Wrestling event in the country Adams trailed 6-5 with :06 seconds left in the championship match. He used a chest lock to show his opponents back to the mat and held on for the 7-6 win. 

“My first thought was, well let’s get back to the hotel and cut some weight for Greco,” Adams said. “My coaches gave me some time to soak it in a little bit. After I got my awards I made sure to find my dad. The simplest way I can put it is how grateful I am.” 

The win puts Adams in rare air for Nebraskan’s. He is just the fifth wrestler from Nebraska to win a Freestyle Cadet Fargo title joining Jakason Burks (Omaha Burke, 2018), Thomas Gilman (Omaha Skutt, 2010 and 2011), Matt Vacanti (Papillion-La Vista, 2004) and Tyronne Martinez (Papillon La-Vista, 1994).  

Wrestling for his club Best Wrestler out of Council Bluffs, Ia. Adams will look to add another national title in Fargo starting on Wednesday when the Greco style tournament begins. 

Adams won the 2021 138-pound Class A Nebraska state title in February. Finishing his sophomore year 43-0. Winning an individual state championship and helping his team to a title are feats for any wrestler. Winning Fargo means a little more. 

“I would rather win one Fargo title than one state title and I would rather win one world title than Fargo title,” he said. It’s definitely not the last thing that I am going to try and chase.”

Adams showed a new hairstyle recently, a buzz cut, but it had the opposite effect of the biblical character Samson. Adams seemed to gain strength from the new doo. 

“I don’t know why I cut my hair. I guess I said a fresh start wouldn’t hurt,” Adams said. “I truly think the buzz cut gives me powers.” 

With the Fargo win Adams recruitment likely will see an uptick. 

He lists North Carolina State, Virginia Tech, Northern Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon State, Nebraska, Virginia, Cornell, Wisconsin, North Dakota State, Air Force, Brown, Arkansas Little Rock, Augustanna and Clarion University as schools that have shown interest in him to date.