U.S. World Team Trials women's freestyle preview at 63 kg/138.5 lbs.

2008 U.S. World Team member Elena Pirozhkova came to the U.S. from Russia when she was young and has developed into a world-class competitor. She was the 2008 University World champion and has had a very successful season, winning her first national title. She won the Dave Schultz Memorial International, Ukrainian Memorial International and Pan American Championships also.

Seeking to shake up the competition is 2009 U.S. Nationals silver medalist Vanessa Oswalt, who had her best performance ever in Las Vegas. Oswalt has struggled with injuries in recent seasons but is now healthy. Oswalt also took the silver medal at the 2009 University Nationals. Veronica Carlson, who placed third at Nationals, is representing Team USA at the FILA Junior World Championships. Carlson beat some top foreign athletes when she won a silver medal at the Dave Schultz Memorial Intenational.

2009 University National champion Melissa Apodaca, WCWA National champion Tessa Plana, Jennifer Germany and Lauren Louive are collegians looking to break through on the Senior level.

2008 World Team member Alaina Berube is not expected to compete because of injury. Randi Miller, who claimed a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics, has not wrestled since Beijing, and has not indicated that she is competing this year.

U.S. Senior Nationals Results at 63 kg/138.5 pounds
1st - Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Vanessa Oswalt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 1-0, 4-2
3rd - Veronica Carlson, Addison, Ill. (New York AC) dec. Jenny Germany, Chula Vista, Calif. (Missouri Valley College), 4-0, 3-0
5th - Melissa Apodaca, Chugiak, Alaska (USOEC) dec. Tessa Plana, Coppell, Texas (OCU Stars), 3-1, 4-0
7th - Lauren Louive, Massilon, Ohio (Cumberlands) dec. Samantha Phillips, Mateca, Calif. (OCU Stars), 2-0, 1-3, 5-0

2009 World Team Trials Qualifiers at 63 kg/138.75 pounds
U.S. Nationals Champion - Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Vanessa Oswalt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Veronica Carlson, Addison, Ill. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Jenny Germany, Chula Vista, Calif. (Missouri Valley College)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Melissa Apodaca, Chugiak, Alaska (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Tessa Plana, Coppell, Texas (OCU Stars)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Lauren Louive, Massilon, Ohio (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
Northern Plains Trials Champion - To be determined
Past U.S. Olympic Team member - Randi Miller, Marquette, Mich. (Gator WC)
08 Henri Deglane (FRA) bronze medalist -Alaina Berube, River Falls, Wis. (New York AC)