U.S. World Team Trials women's freestyle preview at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Share:
by Megan Myers
After moving up a weight class this spring, high school star Helen Maroulis claimed her first U.S. Senior National title. She was a runner-up in 2008. The 2008 Junior World bronze medalist also qualified to compete for Team USA at the 2009 Junior World Championships. Maroulis placed eighth at the 2008 World Championships at 112 pounds.
She will be a tough competitor to defeat in the final-round series as she has been getting more experience on the international level this season. Maroulis placed third at the Pan American Championships and represented the U.S. at the Women's World Cup in China.
Veteran wrestler Leigh Jaynes will be battling to take back the top spot. Jaynes placed second at the U.S. Nationals, losing to Maroulis in the finals. She was a member of the 2007 World Team, and won a U.S. Nationals title that year. Her funky style causes problems for many opponents.
2007 Junior World champion Whitney Conder placed third at the U.S. Nationals and will be another tough competitor for the wrestlers at the top.
WCWA College Nationals champion Michaela Hutchison is among the other top young stars in this division. She also claimed the University National title this year.
WCWA Nationals runner-up Ashley Hudson, FILA Junior National champion Trinity Plessinger, University Nationals runner-up Amy Whitbeck and national placer Beth Johnson will all be looking to climb in the standings.
2009 U.S. Senior Nationals Results - 55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (New York AC) dec. Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-0, 1-1
3rd - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Beth Johnson, Garden City, Kansas (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 3-0, 2-0
5th - Michaela Hutchison, Soldotna, Alaska (OCU Stars) dec. Ashley Hudson, Wildwood, Mo, (OCU Stars), 4-1, 4-4, 2-1
7th - Trinity Plessinger, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC) dec. Courtney Martell, New Haven, Vermont (Missouri Valley College), 2-1, 3-3
2009 World Team Trials Qualifers - 55 kg/121 pounds
U.S. Nationals Champion - Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Beth Johnson, Garden City, Kansas (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Michaela Hutchison, Soldotna, Alaska (OCU Stars)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Ashley Hudson, Wildwood, Mo. (OCU Stars)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Trinity Plessinger, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC)
University Nationals Runner-up - Amy Whitbeck, Duanesburg, N.Y. (USOEC)
She will be a tough competitor to defeat in the final-round series as she has been getting more experience on the international level this season. Maroulis placed third at the Pan American Championships and represented the U.S. at the Women's World Cup in China.
Veteran wrestler Leigh Jaynes will be battling to take back the top spot. Jaynes placed second at the U.S. Nationals, losing to Maroulis in the finals. She was a member of the 2007 World Team, and won a U.S. Nationals title that year. Her funky style causes problems for many opponents.
2007 Junior World champion Whitney Conder placed third at the U.S. Nationals and will be another tough competitor for the wrestlers at the top.
WCWA College Nationals champion Michaela Hutchison is among the other top young stars in this division. She also claimed the University National title this year.
WCWA Nationals runner-up Ashley Hudson, FILA Junior National champion Trinity Plessinger, University Nationals runner-up Amy Whitbeck and national placer Beth Johnson will all be looking to climb in the standings.
2009 U.S. Senior Nationals Results - 55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (New York AC) dec. Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-0, 1-1
3rd - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Beth Johnson, Garden City, Kansas (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 3-0, 2-0
5th - Michaela Hutchison, Soldotna, Alaska (OCU Stars) dec. Ashley Hudson, Wildwood, Mo, (OCU Stars), 4-1, 4-4, 2-1
7th - Trinity Plessinger, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC) dec. Courtney Martell, New Haven, Vermont (Missouri Valley College), 2-1, 3-3
2009 World Team Trials Qualifers - 55 kg/121 pounds
U.S. Nationals Champion - Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Beth Johnson, Garden City, Kansas (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Michaela Hutchison, Soldotna, Alaska (OCU Stars)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Ashley Hudson, Wildwood, Mo. (OCU Stars)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Trinity Plessinger, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC)
University Nationals Runner-up - Amy Whitbeck, Duanesburg, N.Y. (USOEC)
Read More#
Six talented U.S. athletes to compete in first 2025 Beach World Series event in Monterrey, Mexico, May 12-13
U.S. to send powerful team to Senior Pan American Championships in Monterrey, Mexico, May 8-11
U.S. Beach Nationals return to Carolina Beach, N.C., May 10 with berths on U.S. World Teams up for grabs
U23 Pan American Championships team set to compete in Queretaro, Mexico, April 10-12
