Maroulis scores tech fall over Gallays in women’s bout at NWCA All-Star Classic
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by USA Wrestling
File photos of Helen Maroulis from 2014 World Championships.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Two-time World medalist Helen Maroulis (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) put on an offensive show to defeat 2014 World bronze medalist Jillian Gallays of Canada, 10-0 in 2:59 in a special women’s freestyle match prior to the 2014 NWCA All-Star Classic at the Palestra on Saturday night.
Maroulis opened the scoring with a four-point fireman’s carry dump early in the first period, putting Gallays in danger of a fall.
She followed with three straight two-point takedowns to secure the 10-0 technical fall with one second left on the clock. The techniques included an ankle pick takedown, a two-on-one pulldown and a low single leg takedown. Gallays was never close to scoring on Maroulis.
Maroulis recently returned from a training tour in Russia with a small group of U.S. men and women wrestlers. She worked out with Russian men’s athletes and coaches in training sessions there.
“I’ve been working on things I learned over in Russia. One of the big things was my hand fighting. It was great to get back on the mat. I am not in competition shape yet, but I felt great out there. I knew she would be tough. But I had more confidence in the moves I was using,” said Maroulis.
Maroulis was coached in Philadelphia by Assistant National Freestyle Coach Brandon Slay, an Olympic champion who was a two-time NCAA runner-up for Penn.
“Helen is a true honor to coach. Against another recent World bronze medalist, she came out very aggressive and hit a four-pointer wisely when the Canadian was still dry. Helen then kept her foot on the offensive gas pedal, kept attacking and teched a salty opponent in the first period. She can be a World and Olympic champion if she does the right things, which is exciting for Team USA,” said Slay.
Maroulis was a 2014 World bronze medalist at 55 kg, while Gallays won a 2014 World bronze medal at 53 kg. Maroulis also won a 2012 World silver medal. In the final UWW World rankings this season, Maroulis is ranked No. 3 in the world at 55 kg while Gallays is ranked No. 4 in the world at 53 kg.
It was the second straight year that Maroulis competed in a women’s freestyle match at the NWCA All-Star Classic. In 2013, Maroulis scored an 8-0 first-period technical fall victory over Marcia Andrades of Venezuela.
“It was fun to compete here again. I am glad that the fans got to see women’s wrestling again,” said Maroulis.
Maroulis will return to Russia on a tour with the U.S. Women’s National Team, where they will be competing in the Open Cup of Russia in Novocheboksarsk, November 14-15.
“Things have been good. I am trying new moves and learning new stuff. It was great to be back in training again. When I was in Russia, I got to watch the men’s tournaments and picked up a great deal,” said Maroulis.
NWCA ALL-STAR CLASSIC
At Philadelphia, Pa., November 1, 2014
Women’s freestyle bout
Helen Maroulis (USA) tech. fall Jillian Gallays (Canada), 10-0, 2:59
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Two-time World medalist Helen Maroulis (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) put on an offensive show to defeat 2014 World bronze medalist Jillian Gallays of Canada, 10-0 in 2:59 in a special women’s freestyle match prior to the 2014 NWCA All-Star Classic at the Palestra on Saturday night.
Maroulis opened the scoring with a four-point fireman’s carry dump early in the first period, putting Gallays in danger of a fall.
She followed with three straight two-point takedowns to secure the 10-0 technical fall with one second left on the clock. The techniques included an ankle pick takedown, a two-on-one pulldown and a low single leg takedown. Gallays was never close to scoring on Maroulis.
Maroulis recently returned from a training tour in Russia with a small group of U.S. men and women wrestlers. She worked out with Russian men’s athletes and coaches in training sessions there.
“I’ve been working on things I learned over in Russia. One of the big things was my hand fighting. It was great to get back on the mat. I am not in competition shape yet, but I felt great out there. I knew she would be tough. But I had more confidence in the moves I was using,” said Maroulis.
Maroulis was coached in Philadelphia by Assistant National Freestyle Coach Brandon Slay, an Olympic champion who was a two-time NCAA runner-up for Penn.
“Helen is a true honor to coach. Against another recent World bronze medalist, she came out very aggressive and hit a four-pointer wisely when the Canadian was still dry. Helen then kept her foot on the offensive gas pedal, kept attacking and teched a salty opponent in the first period. She can be a World and Olympic champion if she does the right things, which is exciting for Team USA,” said Slay.
Maroulis was a 2014 World bronze medalist at 55 kg, while Gallays won a 2014 World bronze medal at 53 kg. Maroulis also won a 2012 World silver medal. In the final UWW World rankings this season, Maroulis is ranked No. 3 in the world at 55 kg while Gallays is ranked No. 4 in the world at 53 kg.
It was the second straight year that Maroulis competed in a women’s freestyle match at the NWCA All-Star Classic. In 2013, Maroulis scored an 8-0 first-period technical fall victory over Marcia Andrades of Venezuela.
“It was fun to compete here again. I am glad that the fans got to see women’s wrestling again,” said Maroulis.
Maroulis will return to Russia on a tour with the U.S. Women’s National Team, where they will be competing in the Open Cup of Russia in Novocheboksarsk, November 14-15.
“Things have been good. I am trying new moves and learning new stuff. It was great to be back in training again. When I was in Russia, I got to watch the men’s tournaments and picked up a great deal,” said Maroulis.
NWCA ALL-STAR CLASSIC
At Philadelphia, Pa., November 1, 2014
Women’s freestyle bout
Helen Maroulis (USA) tech. fall Jillian Gallays (Canada), 10-0, 2:59
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