Kourtney Barnes is heading to the “Super Bowl” of high school wrestling.

After taking second place at the Northwest Regional Championships in Centralia, Washington, on March 29, the Wrangell sophomore secured an automatic bid to the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota.

Known simply as “Fargo” in the wrestling community, the July 10-18 tournament is the largest in the nation, featuring as many as 30 mats running simultaneously under the gaze of several NCAA scouts.

The tournament serves as the gatekeeper to the national stage, drawing the most elite talent from across Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Usually, states are restricted to a specific number of entries per weight class, making the selection process for Team Alaska incredibly competitive. Because Barnes earned her way via the regional podium, she does not count against Alaska’s state limit. She has essentially created a bonus spot for her state through her own merit.

To stand on that podium, Barnes had to navigate a multi-state gauntlet that often swallows athletes from smaller, more isolated programs. She managed to do so in convincing fashion in her 130-pound weight class, as her first three victories came by way of pin.

“It was impressive,” her father, Mike Barnes, said. “The one girl who beat her looked like she had cut weight to compete at that class. She honestly looked like she was about 140 pounds during that match. It was the first time I had ever seen Kourtney get outmuscled by another female.”

Kourtney assumed all the blame for her one loss.

“I got overconfident and sloppy,” she said. “I just thought I was going to win, and I went for a single leg shot and I didn’t follow through, and she got me on my back.”

Kourtney said that won’t happen again.

She is focused on her training as she prepares for the next big test before Fargo: the 2026 USA Wrestling U.S. Open in Las Vegas, scheduled for April 22-26.

“I think the Vegas tournament will be every bit as tough as Fargo,” her dad said. “There will be so much national talent there. I definitely think it’s the perfect lead-up to Fargo. All the top wrestlers will be there.”

In a community where travel to any competition requires a plane or a boat, and the local talent pool is a fraction of the size of larger schools down south, reaching this level requires a specific type of discipline.

“It’s not the easiest for her,” her dad said. “While her friends are running around and having fun, she’s training. But she realizes the sacrifice is necessary. She’s committed.”

“I just need to stay focused,” Kourtney said. “It can be hard when you’re surrounded by people who aren’t in the same sport as you and they don’t understand.”

One person who has seen and fostered her competitive wrestling spirit is her high school wrestling coach, Jack Carney.

“Kourtney is dedicated. She’s been training almost year-round since eighth grade. That year, she came up to work out with the high school team before her season started,” he said.

“She attends summer camps and tournaments, shows up ready to work hard at every regular season practice, wrestles club season and dedicates time to help with the middle school team in her off-season.”

Carney noted the magnitude of the Fargo tournament.

“Fargo is one of the biggest, most prestigious tournaments in the country. Athletes who make a top-eight finish are considered All-Americans, which is a high honor. Last year, there were over 8,500 wrestlers,” he said. “College recruiters will be there to scout athletes to fill their programs. Since 2020, around 40 new female programs have been started at the collegiate level alone.

“This is a big deal for someone like Kourtney. I’m excited for her to have the opportunity to compete, win matches and get that kind of exposure.”