Final four U.S. women to receive draws for UWW Junior Worlds in Brazil

SALVADOR, Brazil –The final four U.S. women wrestlers have weighed in and received their draws for Friday’s competition at the UWW Junior World Championships.


Two members of the 2014 UWW Junior World Team compete on Friday, Cody Pfau (Brush, Colo./Gator OKCU RTC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Becka Leathers (Choctaw, Okla./Gator OKCU RTC) at 55 kg/121 lbs.


Pfau opens with 2015 European Junior bronze medalist Dominika Szynkowska of Poland. Pfau, who was a WCWA college national champion for Oklahoma City, is competing on her third straight UWW Junior World Team. She was fifth at the 2013 Junior World Championships.


“Cody is a physical wrestler. She doesn’t take no for an answer. She is relentless. She goes out there to pound, pound and pound until someone is broken. If it comes to a battle of will or heart, Cody is going to win. We want her to go out and own the match,” said U.S. coach Emma Randall.


Leathers, who will begin her career at Oklahoma City in the fall, opens against Janika Vakkila of Finland, who was fifth in the 2013 Cadet Worlds. Leathers was eighth in the Junior World Championships last year, and was seventh in the 2013 UWW Cadet World Championships.


“Becka brings a lot to her matches. She has been a leader of the group. She is very vocal. She has been around the world. She is seasoned. She has done the hard work. She has a lot of experience. She will put on the line and scrap. She could come out of here with a medal tomorrow. The hard work will pay off,” said Randall.


Mallory Velte (Sacramento, Calif./Simon Fraser), who competes in college for Simon Fraser University up in Canada, has drawn 2014 Junior World champion Lyubov Ovcharova of Russia.


“Mallory is tough. She looked great at the Trials. She is coming off an injury last year. To see her succeed is very good. She has a lot of offense. She is fast, explosive and strong. She is a big 63 kg wrestler. She’s very powerful. We will see a lot of points scored when she is on the mat,” said Velte.


High school star Rachel Watters, Ankeny, Iowa (Gator OKCU RTC), opens with two-time Asian Junior silver medalist Pooja of India. In addition to making the UWW Junior World team this year, Watters was also a Junior Nationals champion in Fargo in July.


“Rachel can flow. It doesn’t matter where she is on the mat, she can scramble for position. She has so much energy and just keeps pushing. Just when you think points may go to the opponent, they come back to Rachel,” said Randall.


The group is motivated to win medals, especially after seeing the tough first day for the American women.


“They had a good camp. They built up to this moment. They are excited and relaxed. They talked about today’s efforts from the girls who competed first and they said that wasn’t good enough. They want to bring home some medals. That’s a good sign. It could be a good day,” said Randall.


UWW JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

At Salvador, Brazil


U.S. Women’s Freestyle draws for Friday


48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Cody Pfau, Brush, Colo. (Gator OKCU RTC)

Vs. Dominika Szynkowska (Poland), 3rd in 2015 European Juniors, 5th in 2012 European Cadets


55 kg/121 lbs. – Becka Leathers, Choctaw, Okla. (Gator OKCU RTC)

Vs. Janika Vakkila (Finland), 7th in 2014 and 2015 European Juniors, 5th in 2013 Cadet Worlds


63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Mallory Velte, Sacramento, Calif. (Simon Fraser)

Vs. Lyubov Ovcharova (Russia), 2014 Junior World champion, 2015 European Junior champion,


72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Rachel Watters, Ankeny, Iowa (Gator OKCU RTC)

Vs. Pooja (India), 3rd in 2014 and 2015 Asian Juniors, 5th in 2013 Cadet Worlds