U.S. Open Preview – Two-time World champion Gray leads talented women’s field
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by Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
Adeline Gray, on the way to a victory at the 2014 World Championships. Gray has won two World titles and four World medals and is ranked No. 1 in the world at her weight.
The United States has placed third in the last two World Championships in women’s freestyle, and is looking to climb even higher this year. The program features numerous past World medalists, as well as two Olympic medalists. The big prize in 2015 is a spot on the U.S. World Team, which will compete in a World Championships in American soil in Las Vegas, Nev. in September.
Two-time World champion Adeline Gray (75 kg) headlines the field, which includes past World champions Elena Pirozhkova (63 kg), Clarissa Chun (48 kg) and Iris Smith (75 kg). Gray and Pirozhkova boast four career World medals. Chun won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games and Randi Miller (69 kg) won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics.
Other World medalists in the mix are World silver and bronze medalist Helen Maroulis (55 kg) and two-time World bronze medalist Alyssa Lampe (48 kg). Add in young stars who are pushing the veterans, and the U.S. Women’s program is looking good heading into the Open this year.
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
The United States is loaded at this weight, with at least three athletes who are capable of winning World medals. Coming in at No. 1 the last two years has been two-time World bronze medalist Alyssa Lampe, who placed fifth in the 2014 Worlds. Lampe has losses this season to the other two top stars, two-time Junior World champion Victoria Anthony and 2008 World champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Clarissa Chun.
Lampe is wrestling with more confidence lately, after a silver at the Mongolia Open. She has split her two bouts with Anthony, who won the most recent battle at the Cerro Pelado in Cuba. Anthony has won three tournaments so far this season. Chun beat Lampe in their only match, in the Schultz Memorial semifinals, but Chun has three losses to Anthony so far this season. All three have had good performances overseas this season.
2015 University Nationals champion Cody Pfau was also a WCWA Women’s college national champion this year. Pfau beat three-time Junior World medalist Erin Golston at the University Nationals. Golston made Women’s Team USA last year, and boasts a bronze in Sweden this winter. Emily Webster finished a strong college career by winning her fourth career WCWA Women’s college title this year at the lightest weight class.
University Nationals runner-up Marina Doi, who has won World medals on the Cadet and Junior levels, is starting her Senior career this year. Others who will seek All-American status include Allene Somera, Amy Hou and Breonnah Neal. Watch for some young college athletes, or even a tough high school athlete or two, to make a run in Las Vegas this year.
53 kg/116.5 lbs.
Two-time World team member Whitney Conder comes in as the top star here, still seeking her first medal at the World level. She was second at the CISM Military Worlds this fall, and has beaten all of her American opponents so far this year. Last year’s runner-up, Katherine Fulp-Allen, is not expected to compete in Las Vegas due to injury. Making the Women’s national team last year by placing third at the World Team Trials is Carlene Sluberski, a past Junior World Team member who is a college star in Canada. Sluberski won gold at the 2015 Pan American Championships.
Past Cadet World champion, Junior World team member and current WCWA women’s college national champion Haley Augello has a strong season going, with wins over Fulp-Allen and two-time World team member Jessica Medina. Although on the national team at 55 kg last year, Medina has been down at 53 kg this year and has a win over Sluberski.
Amy Fearnside, a University World medalist last summer, won the University Nationals for the second straight year. In the WCWA college nationals, Diaysha Moore scored a semifinal win over Fearnside, before placing second behind Augello. There are a number of other talented college athletes, including Shelby Morrison, Rachel Archer, Hanna Grisewood and Laura Anderson who are potential All-Americans at this weight.
As an Olympic weight class, there could be some tough competitors who have been wrestling at the non-Olympic 55 kg that make a move down this year. With the Olympic Trials just one year away, athletes may make the move down to 53 kg soon.
55 kg/121 lbs.
The top star at 55 kg has been two-time World medalist Helen Maroulis, who chose to compete at this weight last year, even though this is a non-Olympic weight. Maroulis won bronze at the 2014 Worlds and silver at the 2012 Worlds, and has been dominant in many international events so far this year. She was unbeaten at the World Cup, and has won five gold medals already this season.
Placing second behind Maroulis at the U.S. Open and World Team Trials is Sarah Hildebrandt, who finished her college career with a second WCWA women’s college nationals title in February and a second Pan Am gold in April. Another WCWA women’s college national champion, freshman Kayla Miracle, dropped down to 55 kg and won the Bill Farrell International. Miracle has two wins over national team member Jacarra Winchester this year, who also won a WCWA women’s college national title. Winchester boasts a win over Hildebrandt at the Farrell International.
Veteran Michaela Hutchison has been nationally ranked for many years, and has competed well when down to 55 kg. High school star Becka Leathers has competed on Cadet and Junior World Teams, and won a bronze medal as a Senior at the respected Klippan Open in Sweden.
University Nationals champion Tarkiya Mensah has shown great improvement, with a win over 2014 University Nationals champion Samantha Klingel, who has returned after a year off the mat. Others to watch are Tanalei Lewis and Tamara Tillman.
58 kg/128 lbs.
Making the World Team the last two years has been Alli Ragan, who had her best effort last year at the World in Uzbekistan with a fifth place finish. She boasts two Junior World medals, has competed well overseas, and since graduating from college has been fully focused on her Olympic quest. Her top challenger may be 2012 Olympic Kelsey Campbell, who has also placed in the top five at the World Championships and is gearing up for another Olympic run. Like Ragan, she has had good international results this year.
Trinity Griffin, the 2014 U.S. Open runner-up, has the experience and talent to challenge for the Open title. Shauna Isbell, who has been among the top stars in recent years, also will be a tough match for anyone in Las Vegas. Melissa Apodaca, who is a past U.S. Open runner-up, competes now for the Marine Corps team and remains a strong threat.
Much of the depth in this weight class comes from the college ranks. Missouri Baptist teammates Montana Drum and Erika Mihalca reached the University Nationals finals, with Drum winning a wide open match. Carla Ponce and Gabrielle Weyhrich, both successful in college and USA Wrestling age-group events, are also tough. Areana Villeaescusa, now a USOTC resident and attend college in Colorado Springs, is an improving young talent. This weight class could include a variety of others, who either jump up from 55 kg or drop down from 60 kg. As an Olympic weight class, it should continue to be very competitive.
60 kg/132 lbs.
The returning World Team member is Jenna Burkert, who was also a member of three Junior World Teams as an age-group wrestler. She has competed a few times this year, with a bronze at the Bill Farrell International her top finish. Burkert was second in the 2014 U.S. Open to Jennifer Page, who was injured shortly after and was unable to compete at the World Team Trials. Page is back on the mats, and will have wrestled in two international events before going to the Open this year, including a gold at the Pan American Championships.
Two-time World team member Leigh Jaynes-Provisor will be in the hunt for the Open title if she enters at this weight class. Two-time World bronze medalist Sally Roberts has been sidelined with injury. Deanna Betterman, who has been fifth in the world twice, is back in training, and could be a threat at a number of weight classes. Veteran Lauren Louive was second at the Bill Farrell International this year, with a big win over Burkert.
Returning to the mat after a break of over a year was college star Rachel McFarland, who won a silver medal at the University Nationals. Brieana Delgado, who just completed her college career, had a strong summer, placing fourth in the World Team Trials process last year. The college ranks include WCWA college national runner-up Jessi Kee, plus young challengers including Olivia Seppinni, Rosemary Flores and Natalia Hinojo.
63 kg/138.75 lbs.
2012 World champion and four-time World medalist Elena Pirozhkova has been wrestling at 69 kg all season. If she chooses to drop back down for the U.S. Open, she remains the clear favorite. If Pirozhkova stays up, the top wrestler has been Erin Clodgo, who placed second behind Pirozhkova at the U.S. Open and the World Team Trials last year. She beat Pirozhkova in the second bout of their best-of-three series at Trials, a big win for her confidence. Clodgo has extensive international success, including five medals so far this season.
Amanda Hendey just completed her college career at a WCWA college national champion, and has been strong at this weight class. She was fourth at Bill Farrell International this fall. Alexis Porter comes off a big win at the University Nationals. She has competed on past Junior World and Cadet World teams. Shai Mason, second at Universities this year, has been a strong challenger in recent seasons.
The college ranks give this weight class good depth, as seen at both the University Nationals and WCWA college nationals. Monica Ramirez, Cheyenne Youngblood, Mallory Veltre, Forrest Molinari, Rachel Young and Cassandra Herkelman are all capable of All-American efforts at the U.S. Open.
69 kg /152 lbs.
2008 Olympic bronze medalist Randi Miller has made a successful comeback, making the 2014 World Team and beating a number of top international stars. She won gold at the CISM World Championships and the Bill Farrell International in the fall, and added other medals during winter tours.
Competing up at 69 kg this year, Elena Pirozhkova is 1-1 against Miller this year, with the most recent win going to Miller at the Mongolian Open. She has a win over 2014 World champion Aline Focken of Germany on the way to a gold in Cuba. 2013 World Team member Veronica Carlson was second to Miller in a Wrestle-off for the World Team last summer, and is capable of winning this weight class, regardless of who enters.
Julia Salata made the national team last year at this weight, and completed her college career with her second WCWA Women’s national title. She may not compete at the U.S. Open this year. Tamyra Mensah has been consistent this year, with wins at the Nordhagen Classic in Canada and the University Nationals. Kayla Aggio, a Junior World Team member last year, was second at the University Nationals and the WCWA college nationals this season.
Expect some college athletes to make a strong run this year, including Hanna Hall, Michelle Organ, Lisa Gonzalez, Hanna Gladden and Yvonne Galindo.
75 kg/165 lbs.
Two-time World champion Adeline Gray has been dominant, not only against American opponents, but also at the World level. She won all of her bouts at the World Cup this year, and also won gold at the Cerro Pelado International in Cuba.
Winning the 2014 U.S. Open was Jackie Cataline, who took a number of years off from wrestling, but has come back on a mission. This year, she won the Bill Farrell International, the Open Cup of Russia and the Mongolia Open. 2005 World champion Iris Smith continues to be a threat here. She has won four international medals this year, including silvers at the Dave Schultz Memorial and the Open Cup of Russia.
Brittany Roberts missed last season with injury, but has come back strong, with silver medals at the Minnesota Storm Cup and the Bill Farrell International. 2014 Junior World bronze medalist Victoria Francis won a WCWA women’s college title this year, the won the gold at the University Nationals. Lorrie Ramos, a Junior World Team member, has completed her college career, and would be a factor if she enters at the Open. A number of college wrestlers will seek All-American honors, including Niani Hill, Nahiela Magee, Clarc Walker and Kiaya Van Scoyoc.
2014 U.S. Open results
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
1st - Alyssa Lampe, Colorado Springs, Colo. tech. fall Victoria Anthony, Huntington Beach, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 10-0
3rd - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) tech. fall Erin Golston, Lake In The Hills, Ill. (NYAC/USOEC), 12-2
5th - Emily Webster, Sedalia, Mo (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC) dec. Cody Pfau, Brush, Colo. (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC), 14-12
7th -Amy Hou, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC) pin Vanessa Smith, Frisco, Texas (Wayland Baptist), 2:19
53 kg/114.5 lbs.
1st - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army/WCAP) dec. Katherine Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (NYAC), 2-0
3rd - Jessica Medina, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Carlene Sluberski, Fredonia, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC), 2-1
5th - Amy Fearnside, Jamestown, N.D. (Titan Mercury WC) pin Laura Anderson, Indio, Calif. (Valdez Wrestling Academy), 3:24
7th - Sarah Allen, Huber Heights, Ohio (Univ. of the Cumberlands) pin Madison Tung, San Marino, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC), 1:33
55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Helen Maroulis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) tech. fall Sarah Hildebrandt, Granger, Ind. (King Univ.), 11-0
3rd - Jacarra Winchester, Marshall, Mo. (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) dec. Hanna Grisewood, Warsaw, N.Y. (King Univ.), 6-0
5th - Rachel Archer, Oklahoma City, Okla. (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC) dec. Cassidy Jasperson, Lufkin, Texas (Ugly Grappling), 9-1
7th - Cara Romeike, Coppell, Texas (Coppell High School) tech. fall Vanessa Gonzalez, Port Hueneme, Calif. (PHOX RAW), 10-0
58 kg/128 lbs.
1st - Alli Ragan, Carbondale, Ill. (NYAC/King Univ.) pin Trinity Griffin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 2:21
3rd - Michaela Hutchison, Lebanon, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC) dec. Othella Feroleto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army WCAP), 6-3
5th - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army/WCAP) dec. Kayla Miracle, Campbellsville, Ky. (Sunkist Kids), 4-2
7th - Melissa Apodaca, Chugiak, Alaska (U.S. Marines) tech. fall Areana Villaescusa, Rio Rico, Ariz. (Rio Rico WC), 11-0
60 kg/132 lbs.
1st – Jennifer Page, Orangevale, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC) pin Jenna Burkert, Colorado Springs, Colo. (NYAC), 1:53
3rd - Brieana Delgado, Oklahoma City, Okla. (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC) dec. Shauna Isbell, St. Charles, Mo. (Titan Mercury WC), 8-2
5th - Kristin Yamasaki, Honolulu. Hawaii (Univ. of the Cumberlands) dec. Beatrize Martinez, Oklahoma City, Okla. (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC), 9-3
63 kg/138.75 lbs.
1st - Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC) dec. Erin Clodgo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 3-0
3rd - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army/WCAP) tech. fall Olivia Seppinni, Sacramento, Calif. (Bearcat WC), 12-1
5th - Shai Mason, Gardena, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC) won by forfeit over Amanda Hendey, San Gabriel, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC/King Univ)
7th - Deanna Betterman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids WC) tech. fall Michele Muscato, Henderson, Nevada (Henderson),14-1
69 kg /152 lbs.
1st - Randi Miller, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army/WCAP) dec. Veronica Carlson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (NYAC/USOEC), Dec 3-1
3rd - Tamyra Mensah, Katy, Texas (Wayland Baptist) tech. fall Brittany David, Brentwood, Calif. (Lindenwood Women`s WC), 12-1
5th - Demi Strub, Oklahoma City, Okla (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC) dec. Amy Spafford, St. Charles, Mo. (Lindenwood Women`s WC), 14-9
7th - DeAngela Castex, Elk Grove, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands) won by forfeit over Angelica Hernandez, El Paso, Texas (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
75 kg/165 lbs.
1st - Jackie Cataline, Eastvale, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC) pin Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army (WCAP), 2:54
3rd - Julia Salata, Canton, Mich. (New York AC/King Univ.) tech. fall Mary Westman, Cattaraugus, N.Y. (Jimmie Wrestling Club), 10-0
5th - Lorrie Ramos, Bristol, Tenn. (Titan Mercury WC/King Univ.) pin Kiaya Van Scoyoc, Lakewood, Wash. (Toro), 5:57
7th - Anastasia Lobsinger, Martinez, Calif. (CYC) dec. Heather O`Connor, Napa, Calif. (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC), 8-2
Outstanding Wrestler – Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (Sunkist Kids), 55 kg
Div. I Team Awards – 1. Titan Mercury, 65; 2. New York AC, 38
Div. II Team Awards – 1. Sunkist Kids, 54; 2. U.S. Army WCAP, 38
The United States has placed third in the last two World Championships in women’s freestyle, and is looking to climb even higher this year. The program features numerous past World medalists, as well as two Olympic medalists. The big prize in 2015 is a spot on the U.S. World Team, which will compete in a World Championships in American soil in Las Vegas, Nev. in September.
Two-time World champion Adeline Gray (75 kg) headlines the field, which includes past World champions Elena Pirozhkova (63 kg), Clarissa Chun (48 kg) and Iris Smith (75 kg). Gray and Pirozhkova boast four career World medals. Chun won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games and Randi Miller (69 kg) won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics.
Other World medalists in the mix are World silver and bronze medalist Helen Maroulis (55 kg) and two-time World bronze medalist Alyssa Lampe (48 kg). Add in young stars who are pushing the veterans, and the U.S. Women’s program is looking good heading into the Open this year.
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
The United States is loaded at this weight, with at least three athletes who are capable of winning World medals. Coming in at No. 1 the last two years has been two-time World bronze medalist Alyssa Lampe, who placed fifth in the 2014 Worlds. Lampe has losses this season to the other two top stars, two-time Junior World champion Victoria Anthony and 2008 World champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Clarissa Chun.
Lampe is wrestling with more confidence lately, after a silver at the Mongolia Open. She has split her two bouts with Anthony, who won the most recent battle at the Cerro Pelado in Cuba. Anthony has won three tournaments so far this season. Chun beat Lampe in their only match, in the Schultz Memorial semifinals, but Chun has three losses to Anthony so far this season. All three have had good performances overseas this season.
2015 University Nationals champion Cody Pfau was also a WCWA Women’s college national champion this year. Pfau beat three-time Junior World medalist Erin Golston at the University Nationals. Golston made Women’s Team USA last year, and boasts a bronze in Sweden this winter. Emily Webster finished a strong college career by winning her fourth career WCWA Women’s college title this year at the lightest weight class.
University Nationals runner-up Marina Doi, who has won World medals on the Cadet and Junior levels, is starting her Senior career this year. Others who will seek All-American status include Allene Somera, Amy Hou and Breonnah Neal. Watch for some young college athletes, or even a tough high school athlete or two, to make a run in Las Vegas this year.
53 kg/116.5 lbs.
Two-time World team member Whitney Conder comes in as the top star here, still seeking her first medal at the World level. She was second at the CISM Military Worlds this fall, and has beaten all of her American opponents so far this year. Last year’s runner-up, Katherine Fulp-Allen, is not expected to compete in Las Vegas due to injury. Making the Women’s national team last year by placing third at the World Team Trials is Carlene Sluberski, a past Junior World Team member who is a college star in Canada. Sluberski won gold at the 2015 Pan American Championships.
Past Cadet World champion, Junior World team member and current WCWA women’s college national champion Haley Augello has a strong season going, with wins over Fulp-Allen and two-time World team member Jessica Medina. Although on the national team at 55 kg last year, Medina has been down at 53 kg this year and has a win over Sluberski.
Amy Fearnside, a University World medalist last summer, won the University Nationals for the second straight year. In the WCWA college nationals, Diaysha Moore scored a semifinal win over Fearnside, before placing second behind Augello. There are a number of other talented college athletes, including Shelby Morrison, Rachel Archer, Hanna Grisewood and Laura Anderson who are potential All-Americans at this weight.
As an Olympic weight class, there could be some tough competitors who have been wrestling at the non-Olympic 55 kg that make a move down this year. With the Olympic Trials just one year away, athletes may make the move down to 53 kg soon.
55 kg/121 lbs.
The top star at 55 kg has been two-time World medalist Helen Maroulis, who chose to compete at this weight last year, even though this is a non-Olympic weight. Maroulis won bronze at the 2014 Worlds and silver at the 2012 Worlds, and has been dominant in many international events so far this year. She was unbeaten at the World Cup, and has won five gold medals already this season.
Placing second behind Maroulis at the U.S. Open and World Team Trials is Sarah Hildebrandt, who finished her college career with a second WCWA women’s college nationals title in February and a second Pan Am gold in April. Another WCWA women’s college national champion, freshman Kayla Miracle, dropped down to 55 kg and won the Bill Farrell International. Miracle has two wins over national team member Jacarra Winchester this year, who also won a WCWA women’s college national title. Winchester boasts a win over Hildebrandt at the Farrell International.
Veteran Michaela Hutchison has been nationally ranked for many years, and has competed well when down to 55 kg. High school star Becka Leathers has competed on Cadet and Junior World Teams, and won a bronze medal as a Senior at the respected Klippan Open in Sweden.
University Nationals champion Tarkiya Mensah has shown great improvement, with a win over 2014 University Nationals champion Samantha Klingel, who has returned after a year off the mat. Others to watch are Tanalei Lewis and Tamara Tillman.
58 kg/128 lbs.
Making the World Team the last two years has been Alli Ragan, who had her best effort last year at the World in Uzbekistan with a fifth place finish. She boasts two Junior World medals, has competed well overseas, and since graduating from college has been fully focused on her Olympic quest. Her top challenger may be 2012 Olympic Kelsey Campbell, who has also placed in the top five at the World Championships and is gearing up for another Olympic run. Like Ragan, she has had good international results this year.
Trinity Griffin, the 2014 U.S. Open runner-up, has the experience and talent to challenge for the Open title. Shauna Isbell, who has been among the top stars in recent years, also will be a tough match for anyone in Las Vegas. Melissa Apodaca, who is a past U.S. Open runner-up, competes now for the Marine Corps team and remains a strong threat.
Much of the depth in this weight class comes from the college ranks. Missouri Baptist teammates Montana Drum and Erika Mihalca reached the University Nationals finals, with Drum winning a wide open match. Carla Ponce and Gabrielle Weyhrich, both successful in college and USA Wrestling age-group events, are also tough. Areana Villeaescusa, now a USOTC resident and attend college in Colorado Springs, is an improving young talent. This weight class could include a variety of others, who either jump up from 55 kg or drop down from 60 kg. As an Olympic weight class, it should continue to be very competitive.
60 kg/132 lbs.
The returning World Team member is Jenna Burkert, who was also a member of three Junior World Teams as an age-group wrestler. She has competed a few times this year, with a bronze at the Bill Farrell International her top finish. Burkert was second in the 2014 U.S. Open to Jennifer Page, who was injured shortly after and was unable to compete at the World Team Trials. Page is back on the mats, and will have wrestled in two international events before going to the Open this year, including a gold at the Pan American Championships.
Two-time World team member Leigh Jaynes-Provisor will be in the hunt for the Open title if she enters at this weight class. Two-time World bronze medalist Sally Roberts has been sidelined with injury. Deanna Betterman, who has been fifth in the world twice, is back in training, and could be a threat at a number of weight classes. Veteran Lauren Louive was second at the Bill Farrell International this year, with a big win over Burkert.
Returning to the mat after a break of over a year was college star Rachel McFarland, who won a silver medal at the University Nationals. Brieana Delgado, who just completed her college career, had a strong summer, placing fourth in the World Team Trials process last year. The college ranks include WCWA college national runner-up Jessi Kee, plus young challengers including Olivia Seppinni, Rosemary Flores and Natalia Hinojo.
63 kg/138.75 lbs.
2012 World champion and four-time World medalist Elena Pirozhkova has been wrestling at 69 kg all season. If she chooses to drop back down for the U.S. Open, she remains the clear favorite. If Pirozhkova stays up, the top wrestler has been Erin Clodgo, who placed second behind Pirozhkova at the U.S. Open and the World Team Trials last year. She beat Pirozhkova in the second bout of their best-of-three series at Trials, a big win for her confidence. Clodgo has extensive international success, including five medals so far this season.
Amanda Hendey just completed her college career at a WCWA college national champion, and has been strong at this weight class. She was fourth at Bill Farrell International this fall. Alexis Porter comes off a big win at the University Nationals. She has competed on past Junior World and Cadet World teams. Shai Mason, second at Universities this year, has been a strong challenger in recent seasons.
The college ranks give this weight class good depth, as seen at both the University Nationals and WCWA college nationals. Monica Ramirez, Cheyenne Youngblood, Mallory Veltre, Forrest Molinari, Rachel Young and Cassandra Herkelman are all capable of All-American efforts at the U.S. Open.
69 kg /152 lbs.
2008 Olympic bronze medalist Randi Miller has made a successful comeback, making the 2014 World Team and beating a number of top international stars. She won gold at the CISM World Championships and the Bill Farrell International in the fall, and added other medals during winter tours.
Competing up at 69 kg this year, Elena Pirozhkova is 1-1 against Miller this year, with the most recent win going to Miller at the Mongolian Open. She has a win over 2014 World champion Aline Focken of Germany on the way to a gold in Cuba. 2013 World Team member Veronica Carlson was second to Miller in a Wrestle-off for the World Team last summer, and is capable of winning this weight class, regardless of who enters.
Julia Salata made the national team last year at this weight, and completed her college career with her second WCWA Women’s national title. She may not compete at the U.S. Open this year. Tamyra Mensah has been consistent this year, with wins at the Nordhagen Classic in Canada and the University Nationals. Kayla Aggio, a Junior World Team member last year, was second at the University Nationals and the WCWA college nationals this season.
Expect some college athletes to make a strong run this year, including Hanna Hall, Michelle Organ, Lisa Gonzalez, Hanna Gladden and Yvonne Galindo.
75 kg/165 lbs.
Two-time World champion Adeline Gray has been dominant, not only against American opponents, but also at the World level. She won all of her bouts at the World Cup this year, and also won gold at the Cerro Pelado International in Cuba.
Winning the 2014 U.S. Open was Jackie Cataline, who took a number of years off from wrestling, but has come back on a mission. This year, she won the Bill Farrell International, the Open Cup of Russia and the Mongolia Open. 2005 World champion Iris Smith continues to be a threat here. She has won four international medals this year, including silvers at the Dave Schultz Memorial and the Open Cup of Russia.
Brittany Roberts missed last season with injury, but has come back strong, with silver medals at the Minnesota Storm Cup and the Bill Farrell International. 2014 Junior World bronze medalist Victoria Francis won a WCWA women’s college title this year, the won the gold at the University Nationals. Lorrie Ramos, a Junior World Team member, has completed her college career, and would be a factor if she enters at the Open. A number of college wrestlers will seek All-American honors, including Niani Hill, Nahiela Magee, Clarc Walker and Kiaya Van Scoyoc.
2014 U.S. Open results
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
1st - Alyssa Lampe, Colorado Springs, Colo. tech. fall Victoria Anthony, Huntington Beach, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 10-0
3rd - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) tech. fall Erin Golston, Lake In The Hills, Ill. (NYAC/USOEC), 12-2
5th - Emily Webster, Sedalia, Mo (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC) dec. Cody Pfau, Brush, Colo. (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC), 14-12
7th -Amy Hou, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC) pin Vanessa Smith, Frisco, Texas (Wayland Baptist), 2:19
53 kg/114.5 lbs.
1st - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army/WCAP) dec. Katherine Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (NYAC), 2-0
3rd - Jessica Medina, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Carlene Sluberski, Fredonia, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC), 2-1
5th - Amy Fearnside, Jamestown, N.D. (Titan Mercury WC) pin Laura Anderson, Indio, Calif. (Valdez Wrestling Academy), 3:24
7th - Sarah Allen, Huber Heights, Ohio (Univ. of the Cumberlands) pin Madison Tung, San Marino, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC), 1:33
55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Helen Maroulis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) tech. fall Sarah Hildebrandt, Granger, Ind. (King Univ.), 11-0
3rd - Jacarra Winchester, Marshall, Mo. (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) dec. Hanna Grisewood, Warsaw, N.Y. (King Univ.), 6-0
5th - Rachel Archer, Oklahoma City, Okla. (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC) dec. Cassidy Jasperson, Lufkin, Texas (Ugly Grappling), 9-1
7th - Cara Romeike, Coppell, Texas (Coppell High School) tech. fall Vanessa Gonzalez, Port Hueneme, Calif. (PHOX RAW), 10-0
58 kg/128 lbs.
1st - Alli Ragan, Carbondale, Ill. (NYAC/King Univ.) pin Trinity Griffin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 2:21
3rd - Michaela Hutchison, Lebanon, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC) dec. Othella Feroleto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army WCAP), 6-3
5th - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army/WCAP) dec. Kayla Miracle, Campbellsville, Ky. (Sunkist Kids), 4-2
7th - Melissa Apodaca, Chugiak, Alaska (U.S. Marines) tech. fall Areana Villaescusa, Rio Rico, Ariz. (Rio Rico WC), 11-0
60 kg/132 lbs.
1st – Jennifer Page, Orangevale, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC) pin Jenna Burkert, Colorado Springs, Colo. (NYAC), 1:53
3rd - Brieana Delgado, Oklahoma City, Okla. (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC) dec. Shauna Isbell, St. Charles, Mo. (Titan Mercury WC), 8-2
5th - Kristin Yamasaki, Honolulu. Hawaii (Univ. of the Cumberlands) dec. Beatrize Martinez, Oklahoma City, Okla. (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC), 9-3
63 kg/138.75 lbs.
1st - Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC) dec. Erin Clodgo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 3-0
3rd - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army/WCAP) tech. fall Olivia Seppinni, Sacramento, Calif. (Bearcat WC), 12-1
5th - Shai Mason, Gardena, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC) won by forfeit over Amanda Hendey, San Gabriel, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC/King Univ)
7th - Deanna Betterman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids WC) tech. fall Michele Muscato, Henderson, Nevada (Henderson),14-1
69 kg /152 lbs.
1st - Randi Miller, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army/WCAP) dec. Veronica Carlson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (NYAC/USOEC), Dec 3-1
3rd - Tamyra Mensah, Katy, Texas (Wayland Baptist) tech. fall Brittany David, Brentwood, Calif. (Lindenwood Women`s WC), 12-1
5th - Demi Strub, Oklahoma City, Okla (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC) dec. Amy Spafford, St. Charles, Mo. (Lindenwood Women`s WC), 14-9
7th - DeAngela Castex, Elk Grove, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands) won by forfeit over Angelica Hernandez, El Paso, Texas (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
75 kg/165 lbs.
1st - Jackie Cataline, Eastvale, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC) pin Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army (WCAP), 2:54
3rd - Julia Salata, Canton, Mich. (New York AC/King Univ.) tech. fall Mary Westman, Cattaraugus, N.Y. (Jimmie Wrestling Club), 10-0
5th - Lorrie Ramos, Bristol, Tenn. (Titan Mercury WC/King Univ.) pin Kiaya Van Scoyoc, Lakewood, Wash. (Toro), 5:57
7th - Anastasia Lobsinger, Martinez, Calif. (CYC) dec. Heather O`Connor, Napa, Calif. (OKCU Gator Women`s RTC), 8-2
Outstanding Wrestler – Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (Sunkist Kids), 55 kg
Div. I Team Awards – 1. Titan Mercury, 65; 2. New York AC, 38
Div. II Team Awards – 1. Sunkist Kids, 54; 2. U.S. Army WCAP, 38
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