US OPEN W PREVIEW: Weight class changes and new young stars make women’s field interesting
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Competition portrait of Tamyra Stock by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors
United World Wrestling has created 10 weight classes in all styles. Senior women’s wrestling has never had this many weights. With the increase comes additional opportunities, and which has become a theme for women’s wrestling at all levels.
There were some slight changes in the old eight weight classes and two new weights created, which has caused some shuffling among the athletes. In addition, the last U.S. Open was held in December 20l6, and many athletes from that event have changed weights or even retired.
Three athletes who won World medals in 2017 have the opportunity to sit out until Final X events in June: World champion Helen Maroulis at 57 kg, World silver medalist Alli Ragan at 59 kg and World bronze medalist Becka Leathers at 55 kg. These stars are not expected in Las Vegas, but everybody else with high goals at the Senior level should be there and ready to rock. There could be some big changes this year, which will make it a fun and exciting U.S. Open.
50 kg/110 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: No one
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 48 kg: Victoria Anthony, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
First off, this weight class moved up two kilograms to 50 kg, which will include all of the former 48 kg athletes plus some moving down from 53 kg. That fact alone is making this one of the deepest fields in Vegas. The 2017 World Team member is Victoria Anthony, who just missed a medal, taking fifth in the World for the second time in her career. Anthony has won the Russia Cup and Dave Schultz Memorial since then, and continues to be one of the world’s elite at this weight.
Three-time World Team member Whitney Conder is coming down from 53 kg, and already showed her power here by winning the Bill Farrell Memorial a few weeks ago. Conder was actually a champion at the last U.S. Open, but up at 53 kg. She is not the only National Team member to make the drop from 53 kg, as veteran Amy Fearnside is also down. She has won three international medals this season, making her a top contender at the new weight class.
A pair of long-time rivals remain at 48 kg, Erin Golston and Cody Pfau. Both have been on the National Team a number of times, and they have wrestled often, going back and forth in their results. Golston won the last meeting at the Dave Schultz in November. Pfau finished her college career with her third WCWA title and is fresh off a 2018 U23 Trials victory.
High school star Alleida Martinez, a Cadet World medalist, was second at the U23 Trials and fourth at the Bill Farrell as she moved up in age levels. The Doi twins, Marina and Regina, are reportedly retired after a great college career, facing a size difference at 50 kg. Others who might make a run in Las Vegas are Maria Vidales, Sara Allen, Junior World medalist Asia Ray and McKayla Campbell.
53 kg/116.5 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: No one
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion: Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)
Although Whitney Conder has abandoned 53 kg for the time being, there are still some heavy hitters expected in this weight class. 2016 Olympian and 2017 World Team member Haley Augello is looking to keep control of this weight class. She competed on the Women’s World Cup team this winter, and will be ready for Vegas. A multiple WCWA college champion and past Cadet World champion, Augello is a gamer when it comes to major competition.
Her top challenger should be 2016 World Team member Sarah Hildebrandt, a National Teamer who has dropped to this weight class with some impressive results. Hildebrandt has won four international medals at 53 kg since the change, including a gold at the tough Ukrainian Memorial International. A new approach to training is leading to success against top opponents.
The rest of the field trends young, with a bunch of talents from the college community looking to make an impact here. Charlotte Fowler of Campbellsville is fresh off a win at the U23 World Team Trials, and was third at the WCWA Nationals this year. Dejan Treder was the runner-up behind Conder at the last U.S. Open. Gabrielle Weyhrich, a 2018 WCWA runner-up for McKendree, is a past placewinner at the World Team Trials. From the college ranks are Cassidy Jasperson of OCU, Taylor Resuriz of McKendree and Christina Powell of Missouri Valley add quality depth. Virginia high school star Sierra Powell was tough in her runner-up finish at the U23 World Team Trials.
55 kg/121 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: Becka Leathers, Choctaw, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC)
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion: Kelsey Campbell, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
Becka Leathers had a breakthrough season on the Senior level, winning a World bronze medal, and should accept her spot directly into Final X. With Leathers not in Las Vegas, there should be a real dogfight for the top few spots in this weight class. A pair of National Team members have been strong so far this year, Jaccara Winchester and Dominique Parrish.
Winchester made the National Team last year at 58 kg, but has been successful down in weight. She won a gold at the Ukrainian Memorial and a bronze at the Russia Cup this winter. Parrish, who won her second WCWA national title for Simon Fraser this year, won the U23 World Team Trials in March, and also competed at last year’s U23 World Championships.
Coming off a strong second place finish at the Bill Farrell is Brieana Delgado, an assistant coach at her alma mater Oklahoma City and a past National Team member. A WCWA national champion now in the Army WCAP program, Samantha Klingel won medals at the Bill Farrell and Dave Schultz events this season. Past Cadet World champion Ronna Heaton has also been getting high placements at Senior events all year. Watch out for current college wrestlers including Lauren Mason, Kelly Ann Jimenez, Monica Mendoza and Kailyn Ramos.
57 kg/125.5 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: Helen Maroulis, New York, N.Y. (Sunkist Kids)
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 58 kg: Kayla Miracle, Campbellsville, Ky. (Sunkist Kids)
It would be fair to claim that Olympic champion and two-time World champion Helen Maroulis has been the top women’s wrestler on the planet the last two years. With her gold medal at the 2017 Worlds, Maroulis advances directly to Final X. The field behind her is a little bit young and nowhere as experienced, which makes this perhaps one of the most wide-open weights on the mats in Vegas.
Koral Sugiyama of Campbellsville qualified for the Women’s National team last year at 60 kg, and has been competing lighter this season. She was second in the U23 World Team Trials, won a silver at the Dave Schultz Memorial and was fifth at the WCWA Championships. Alexandra Hedrick was a WCWA runner-up for Simon Fraser and was third at the U23 World Team Trials. An experienced veteran on the circuit has been Arian Carpio, who was fourth at last year’s World Team Trials at 60 kg and has competed overseas often.
One of the top stars on the high school level, Michaela Beck of New York won a gold at the Senior Flatz Open and was fourth at the recent Bill Farrell Memorial. College wrestlers who could land at this weight include Alexia Ward of McKendree, Tygan Nelson of Adrian and Autumn Potkay of Ferrum. With the women’s weights so close to each other, there could be some others who make the change to 57 kg this year from other weight classes.
59 kg/130 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: Alli Ragan (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 60 kg: Jenna Burkert, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)
As a two-time World bronze medalist, Alli Ragan is one of the top stars for the USA at the Senior level, and gets the automatic advancement to Final X. The others who are projected at 59 kg are a nice mix of proven veterans and some young talent. First on that list is 2012 Olympian Kelsey Campbell, who has placed as high as fifth in the World and also won the 2016 Olympic Trials. Campbell confirms that she is making her run at 59 kg this year, and brings a strong resume and extensive savvy to the mats.
Lauren Louive has tremendous experience combined with improving results. She won the Dave Schultz this year, was second at the Bill Farrell and third at the Klippan in Sweden, and just missed making last year’s National Team. Another proven competitor is Megan Black, who was on the 2017 U23 World Team and a multiple-medalist in college. Black won bronze at this year’s Bill Farrell and was third at the WCWA Nationals for McKendree.
Beyond that is some intriguing college talent. Abigail Nette of Emannuel won the 2018 U23 Trials and was third at the WCWA Nationals. Allison Petix of King was a medalist at the U23 Trials the last two years, second this year and third last year. Marizza Birrueta, who made a Junior World team while in high school, was fourth at the Bill Farrell and at the 2017 U23 Trials. Texas high school star Alexandria Liles was second at the Bill Farrell and fourth at the U23 Trials this year, and has competed at the Cadet Worlds. Emma Bruntil has also successfully moved up in age group, with a gold at the Senior Flatz Open in Europe and placements in the last two U23 Trials.
62 kg/136.5 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: No one
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 63 kg: Jennifer Page, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Athletes in the former 63 kg class have two options, dropping to 62 kg or moving up to 65 kg. The 2017 World Team member at 63 kg, Mallory Velte, is reportedly going down to 62 kg. A three-time WCWA national champion for Simon Fraser, Velte won a gold at the Russia Cup and a silver at the Dave Schultz this season.
Her top challenger could be four-time WCWA national champion Kayla Miracle from Campbellsville, who has put together a remarkable year outside of the college season. A past Cadet and Junior World medalist, Miracle was fifth in the 2017 U23 Worlds. She has won gold medals at the Dave Schultz Memorial, the Klippan Cup in Sweden and the 2018 U23 World Team Trials, all at 62 kg.
There should be considerable depth here. Past Senior and Junior World team member Jenna Burkert has been competing at this weight class this season, and was fourth at the 2017 World Team Trials at 63 kg. Amanda Hendey, a 2016 U.S. Open champion who has made two Women’s National Teams, is expected to be back after missing time for injury recovery. Another past U.S. Open champion and Cadet World champion Teshya Alo is hoping to be healthy after missing some time for injury. If either or both of them are back and ready, this weight gets way tougher. Add in another National Team member from 60 kg last year in Francesca Giorgio, who is a multiple college All-American at Simon Fraser and you have excellent depth at this weight.
Two young stars who hail from Washington state, 2018 U23 World Team Trials runner-up Brenda Reyna and 2018 WCWA national runner-up Desiree Zavala from Grays Harbor, and you see a youth movement here. Nicole Joseph from King has placed at many USA Wrestling event in addition to being a college All-American. Hawaii high school star Teniya Alo, younger sister of Teshya, placed at the last two U23 World Team Trials.
65 kg/143 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: N/A
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion: New weight class
This weight class is offering a new opportunity for some talented wrestlers seeking to make their first Senior World Team. Forrest Molinari, who had been on Junior and University World Teams, has been thriving at 65 kg, winning the last two U23 World Team Trials, taking gold at the Dave Schultz Memorial and the Flatz Open in Europe, and making the medal rounds at the Klippan Open.
Veteran National Team member Julia Salata has also trimmed down to this weight, after wrestling most of her career at either 69 kg or 75 kg. Salata has a long resume of national and international achievements. She and Molinari are both products of King University, ironically, and both shared this weight class for the U.S. Women’s World Cup team.
We don’t expect to see Jennifer Page, a champion at the last U.S. Open at 62 kg, who was injured at the recent Bill Farrell Memorial. The surprise winner of the Bill Farrell Memorial was Wisconsin high school star Jayden Laurent, who was also a runner-up at the U23 World Team Trials. Laurent was a Pan American Junior champion last year. Junior World bronze medalist Alexis Porter, who just finished a strong career at McKendree as a WCWA runner-up, was second at the Bill Farrell this year.
Watch for past Cadet World medalist Kayla Marano of Emmanuel and multiple college All-American Jessica Key of King to be factors. Another past age-group World Team member is Katerina Lobsinger, now with the U.S. Army WCAP. High school star Cara Broadus of Connecticut, and college underclassmen Cierra Foster and Angela Peralta will be in the mix.
68 kg/149.75
Sitting in Final X: No one
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 69 kg: Elena Pirozhkova, New York, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC)
This weight class has been controlled in recent seasons by Tamyra Stock, who wrestled under her maiden name Mensah coming up the ladder. Stock was a 2017 Senior World Team member and won the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, but did not go to Rio because she did not qualify the USA at her weight class. Stock became the first U.S. athlete of either gender to win back-to-back Yarygin Grand Prix golds, joined by Kyle Snyder the next day. She has wonderful skills and beats many top opponents, but is still working on her consistency.
Two-time Olympian Elena Pirozhkova was the last U.S. Open at 69 kg but she has retired. This weight class should be thick with young talents moving forward. National Team member Niauni Hill won the first WCWA title in history for Lindenwood-Belleville this year. She was second in the 2017 U23 World Team Trials. Alexandria Glaude of McKendree won the 2018 U23 World Team Trials and competed in the 2017 Junior World Championships. Jasmine Bailey, Glaude’s college teammate, was second to her at the U23 Trials, and also was a college All-American.
Others from the college ranks to watch are Anna Naylor, Yvonne Galindo and Skylar Grote. Ashlynn Ortega, finishing up high school at Wyoming Seminary, is a past Cadet World Team member who looks ready for the Senior ranks. We could see some new faces here.
72 kg/158.75 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: N/A
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion: New weight class
This is a new weight class, and should attract athletes who used to be at 75 kg and some who used to be at 69 kg. A pair of past Senior World Team members have seen action at 72 kg, Victoria Francis and Erin Clodgo. Francis wrestled at the 2017 Senior Worlds at 75 kg, while Clodgo made the 2015 World Team at 63 kg. Francis won two medals at this weight in Europe this winter. We last saw Clodgo at the Dave Schultz Memorial in November 2017, where she won a gold medal.
Rachel Watters, who has now made the last two U23 World Championships team, has a wealth of age-group international experience. Now at Oklahoma City for college, Watters competed on three straight Junior World Teams. Alyvia Fiske, who competes for Simon Fraser in college, was second at the 2018 U23 Trials. Tatum Sparks, a 2018 WCWA runner-up for the Univ. of Providence, was a Dave Schultz Memorial runner-up last season.
The rest of the expected pack also come from the college world. Hannah Gladden of the Cumberlands, Morgan Becker of Campbellsville, Andrea Sennett of McKendree and Evonne Evien of Menlo are rising talents who seek to make a big move up at the U.S. Open this year.
76 kg/167 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: No one
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 75 kg: Erin Clodgo, Richmond, Vermont (Sunkist Kids)
The overwhelming favorite at 76 kg is one of the nation’s best wrestlers ever, three-time World champion, five-time World medalist and Olympian Adeline Gray. After missing a season to recover from surgeries, Gray has already shown she is a force at the global level again. Her gold medal win at the Klippan Open in Sweden was over 2017 World champion Yasmin Adar of Turkey. She has won two other international golds, and had a strong effort at the Women’s World Cup. Gray is healthy and motivated, and seeks to come back at an even higher level.
The question at 76 kg could be which of the young talents earn the chance to test Gray. Brittany Marshall, who made the Women’s National Team by placing third at the 2017 World Team Trials, came back and won a WCWA national title for Wayland Baptist. Mariah Harris of Campbellsville, who beat Victoria Francis at the 2017 U23 World Team Trials, was a 2018 WCWA runner-up. The 2018 U23 World Team Trials finals was a battle between McKendree teammates, Korianahe Bullock and Janelle Fuamatu, a series won by Bullock. However, Fuamato has wins over Bullock in the past.
Veteran Anastasia Lobsinger, a 2012 Cadet World bronze medalist, is making waves on the Senior level in recent years. WCWA national champion Paige Baynes of Grays Harbor competed at 190 pounds in college, but wrestled down at 165 pounds last year at the World Team Trials. Kacie Moorehouse has been a Senior and age-group contender in recent seasons. Young Destane Garrick and Precious Bell are also capable of making a dent in the standings.
United World Wrestling has created 10 weight classes in all styles. Senior women’s wrestling has never had this many weights. With the increase comes additional opportunities, and which has become a theme for women’s wrestling at all levels.
There were some slight changes in the old eight weight classes and two new weights created, which has caused some shuffling among the athletes. In addition, the last U.S. Open was held in December 20l6, and many athletes from that event have changed weights or even retired.
Three athletes who won World medals in 2017 have the opportunity to sit out until Final X events in June: World champion Helen Maroulis at 57 kg, World silver medalist Alli Ragan at 59 kg and World bronze medalist Becka Leathers at 55 kg. These stars are not expected in Las Vegas, but everybody else with high goals at the Senior level should be there and ready to rock. There could be some big changes this year, which will make it a fun and exciting U.S. Open.
50 kg/110 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: No one
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 48 kg: Victoria Anthony, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
First off, this weight class moved up two kilograms to 50 kg, which will include all of the former 48 kg athletes plus some moving down from 53 kg. That fact alone is making this one of the deepest fields in Vegas. The 2017 World Team member is Victoria Anthony, who just missed a medal, taking fifth in the World for the second time in her career. Anthony has won the Russia Cup and Dave Schultz Memorial since then, and continues to be one of the world’s elite at this weight.
Three-time World Team member Whitney Conder is coming down from 53 kg, and already showed her power here by winning the Bill Farrell Memorial a few weeks ago. Conder was actually a champion at the last U.S. Open, but up at 53 kg. She is not the only National Team member to make the drop from 53 kg, as veteran Amy Fearnside is also down. She has won three international medals this season, making her a top contender at the new weight class.
A pair of long-time rivals remain at 48 kg, Erin Golston and Cody Pfau. Both have been on the National Team a number of times, and they have wrestled often, going back and forth in their results. Golston won the last meeting at the Dave Schultz in November. Pfau finished her college career with her third WCWA title and is fresh off a 2018 U23 Trials victory.
High school star Alleida Martinez, a Cadet World medalist, was second at the U23 Trials and fourth at the Bill Farrell as she moved up in age levels. The Doi twins, Marina and Regina, are reportedly retired after a great college career, facing a size difference at 50 kg. Others who might make a run in Las Vegas are Maria Vidales, Sara Allen, Junior World medalist Asia Ray and McKayla Campbell.
53 kg/116.5 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: No one
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion: Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)
Although Whitney Conder has abandoned 53 kg for the time being, there are still some heavy hitters expected in this weight class. 2016 Olympian and 2017 World Team member Haley Augello is looking to keep control of this weight class. She competed on the Women’s World Cup team this winter, and will be ready for Vegas. A multiple WCWA college champion and past Cadet World champion, Augello is a gamer when it comes to major competition.
Her top challenger should be 2016 World Team member Sarah Hildebrandt, a National Teamer who has dropped to this weight class with some impressive results. Hildebrandt has won four international medals at 53 kg since the change, including a gold at the tough Ukrainian Memorial International. A new approach to training is leading to success against top opponents.
The rest of the field trends young, with a bunch of talents from the college community looking to make an impact here. Charlotte Fowler of Campbellsville is fresh off a win at the U23 World Team Trials, and was third at the WCWA Nationals this year. Dejan Treder was the runner-up behind Conder at the last U.S. Open. Gabrielle Weyhrich, a 2018 WCWA runner-up for McKendree, is a past placewinner at the World Team Trials. From the college ranks are Cassidy Jasperson of OCU, Taylor Resuriz of McKendree and Christina Powell of Missouri Valley add quality depth. Virginia high school star Sierra Powell was tough in her runner-up finish at the U23 World Team Trials.
55 kg/121 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: Becka Leathers, Choctaw, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC)
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion: Kelsey Campbell, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
Becka Leathers had a breakthrough season on the Senior level, winning a World bronze medal, and should accept her spot directly into Final X. With Leathers not in Las Vegas, there should be a real dogfight for the top few spots in this weight class. A pair of National Team members have been strong so far this year, Jaccara Winchester and Dominique Parrish.
Winchester made the National Team last year at 58 kg, but has been successful down in weight. She won a gold at the Ukrainian Memorial and a bronze at the Russia Cup this winter. Parrish, who won her second WCWA national title for Simon Fraser this year, won the U23 World Team Trials in March, and also competed at last year’s U23 World Championships.
Coming off a strong second place finish at the Bill Farrell is Brieana Delgado, an assistant coach at her alma mater Oklahoma City and a past National Team member. A WCWA national champion now in the Army WCAP program, Samantha Klingel won medals at the Bill Farrell and Dave Schultz events this season. Past Cadet World champion Ronna Heaton has also been getting high placements at Senior events all year. Watch out for current college wrestlers including Lauren Mason, Kelly Ann Jimenez, Monica Mendoza and Kailyn Ramos.
57 kg/125.5 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: Helen Maroulis, New York, N.Y. (Sunkist Kids)
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 58 kg: Kayla Miracle, Campbellsville, Ky. (Sunkist Kids)
It would be fair to claim that Olympic champion and two-time World champion Helen Maroulis has been the top women’s wrestler on the planet the last two years. With her gold medal at the 2017 Worlds, Maroulis advances directly to Final X. The field behind her is a little bit young and nowhere as experienced, which makes this perhaps one of the most wide-open weights on the mats in Vegas.
Koral Sugiyama of Campbellsville qualified for the Women’s National team last year at 60 kg, and has been competing lighter this season. She was second in the U23 World Team Trials, won a silver at the Dave Schultz Memorial and was fifth at the WCWA Championships. Alexandra Hedrick was a WCWA runner-up for Simon Fraser and was third at the U23 World Team Trials. An experienced veteran on the circuit has been Arian Carpio, who was fourth at last year’s World Team Trials at 60 kg and has competed overseas often.
One of the top stars on the high school level, Michaela Beck of New York won a gold at the Senior Flatz Open and was fourth at the recent Bill Farrell Memorial. College wrestlers who could land at this weight include Alexia Ward of McKendree, Tygan Nelson of Adrian and Autumn Potkay of Ferrum. With the women’s weights so close to each other, there could be some others who make the change to 57 kg this year from other weight classes.
59 kg/130 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: Alli Ragan (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 60 kg: Jenna Burkert, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)
As a two-time World bronze medalist, Alli Ragan is one of the top stars for the USA at the Senior level, and gets the automatic advancement to Final X. The others who are projected at 59 kg are a nice mix of proven veterans and some young talent. First on that list is 2012 Olympian Kelsey Campbell, who has placed as high as fifth in the World and also won the 2016 Olympic Trials. Campbell confirms that she is making her run at 59 kg this year, and brings a strong resume and extensive savvy to the mats.
Lauren Louive has tremendous experience combined with improving results. She won the Dave Schultz this year, was second at the Bill Farrell and third at the Klippan in Sweden, and just missed making last year’s National Team. Another proven competitor is Megan Black, who was on the 2017 U23 World Team and a multiple-medalist in college. Black won bronze at this year’s Bill Farrell and was third at the WCWA Nationals for McKendree.
Beyond that is some intriguing college talent. Abigail Nette of Emannuel won the 2018 U23 Trials and was third at the WCWA Nationals. Allison Petix of King was a medalist at the U23 Trials the last two years, second this year and third last year. Marizza Birrueta, who made a Junior World team while in high school, was fourth at the Bill Farrell and at the 2017 U23 Trials. Texas high school star Alexandria Liles was second at the Bill Farrell and fourth at the U23 Trials this year, and has competed at the Cadet Worlds. Emma Bruntil has also successfully moved up in age group, with a gold at the Senior Flatz Open in Europe and placements in the last two U23 Trials.
62 kg/136.5 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: No one
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 63 kg: Jennifer Page, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Athletes in the former 63 kg class have two options, dropping to 62 kg or moving up to 65 kg. The 2017 World Team member at 63 kg, Mallory Velte, is reportedly going down to 62 kg. A three-time WCWA national champion for Simon Fraser, Velte won a gold at the Russia Cup and a silver at the Dave Schultz this season.
Her top challenger could be four-time WCWA national champion Kayla Miracle from Campbellsville, who has put together a remarkable year outside of the college season. A past Cadet and Junior World medalist, Miracle was fifth in the 2017 U23 Worlds. She has won gold medals at the Dave Schultz Memorial, the Klippan Cup in Sweden and the 2018 U23 World Team Trials, all at 62 kg.
There should be considerable depth here. Past Senior and Junior World team member Jenna Burkert has been competing at this weight class this season, and was fourth at the 2017 World Team Trials at 63 kg. Amanda Hendey, a 2016 U.S. Open champion who has made two Women’s National Teams, is expected to be back after missing time for injury recovery. Another past U.S. Open champion and Cadet World champion Teshya Alo is hoping to be healthy after missing some time for injury. If either or both of them are back and ready, this weight gets way tougher. Add in another National Team member from 60 kg last year in Francesca Giorgio, who is a multiple college All-American at Simon Fraser and you have excellent depth at this weight.
Two young stars who hail from Washington state, 2018 U23 World Team Trials runner-up Brenda Reyna and 2018 WCWA national runner-up Desiree Zavala from Grays Harbor, and you see a youth movement here. Nicole Joseph from King has placed at many USA Wrestling event in addition to being a college All-American. Hawaii high school star Teniya Alo, younger sister of Teshya, placed at the last two U23 World Team Trials.
65 kg/143 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: N/A
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion: New weight class
This weight class is offering a new opportunity for some talented wrestlers seeking to make their first Senior World Team. Forrest Molinari, who had been on Junior and University World Teams, has been thriving at 65 kg, winning the last two U23 World Team Trials, taking gold at the Dave Schultz Memorial and the Flatz Open in Europe, and making the medal rounds at the Klippan Open.
Veteran National Team member Julia Salata has also trimmed down to this weight, after wrestling most of her career at either 69 kg or 75 kg. Salata has a long resume of national and international achievements. She and Molinari are both products of King University, ironically, and both shared this weight class for the U.S. Women’s World Cup team.
We don’t expect to see Jennifer Page, a champion at the last U.S. Open at 62 kg, who was injured at the recent Bill Farrell Memorial. The surprise winner of the Bill Farrell Memorial was Wisconsin high school star Jayden Laurent, who was also a runner-up at the U23 World Team Trials. Laurent was a Pan American Junior champion last year. Junior World bronze medalist Alexis Porter, who just finished a strong career at McKendree as a WCWA runner-up, was second at the Bill Farrell this year.
Watch for past Cadet World medalist Kayla Marano of Emmanuel and multiple college All-American Jessica Key of King to be factors. Another past age-group World Team member is Katerina Lobsinger, now with the U.S. Army WCAP. High school star Cara Broadus of Connecticut, and college underclassmen Cierra Foster and Angela Peralta will be in the mix.
68 kg/149.75
Sitting in Final X: No one
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 69 kg: Elena Pirozhkova, New York, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC)
This weight class has been controlled in recent seasons by Tamyra Stock, who wrestled under her maiden name Mensah coming up the ladder. Stock was a 2017 Senior World Team member and won the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, but did not go to Rio because she did not qualify the USA at her weight class. Stock became the first U.S. athlete of either gender to win back-to-back Yarygin Grand Prix golds, joined by Kyle Snyder the next day. She has wonderful skills and beats many top opponents, but is still working on her consistency.
Two-time Olympian Elena Pirozhkova was the last U.S. Open at 69 kg but she has retired. This weight class should be thick with young talents moving forward. National Team member Niauni Hill won the first WCWA title in history for Lindenwood-Belleville this year. She was second in the 2017 U23 World Team Trials. Alexandria Glaude of McKendree won the 2018 U23 World Team Trials and competed in the 2017 Junior World Championships. Jasmine Bailey, Glaude’s college teammate, was second to her at the U23 Trials, and also was a college All-American.
Others from the college ranks to watch are Anna Naylor, Yvonne Galindo and Skylar Grote. Ashlynn Ortega, finishing up high school at Wyoming Seminary, is a past Cadet World Team member who looks ready for the Senior ranks. We could see some new faces here.
72 kg/158.75 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: N/A
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion: New weight class
This is a new weight class, and should attract athletes who used to be at 75 kg and some who used to be at 69 kg. A pair of past Senior World Team members have seen action at 72 kg, Victoria Francis and Erin Clodgo. Francis wrestled at the 2017 Senior Worlds at 75 kg, while Clodgo made the 2015 World Team at 63 kg. Francis won two medals at this weight in Europe this winter. We last saw Clodgo at the Dave Schultz Memorial in November 2017, where she won a gold medal.
Rachel Watters, who has now made the last two U23 World Championships team, has a wealth of age-group international experience. Now at Oklahoma City for college, Watters competed on three straight Junior World Teams. Alyvia Fiske, who competes for Simon Fraser in college, was second at the 2018 U23 Trials. Tatum Sparks, a 2018 WCWA runner-up for the Univ. of Providence, was a Dave Schultz Memorial runner-up last season.
The rest of the expected pack also come from the college world. Hannah Gladden of the Cumberlands, Morgan Becker of Campbellsville, Andrea Sennett of McKendree and Evonne Evien of Menlo are rising talents who seek to make a big move up at the U.S. Open this year.
76 kg/167 lbs.
Sitting in Final X: No one
Dec. 16 U.S. Open Champion at 75 kg: Erin Clodgo, Richmond, Vermont (Sunkist Kids)
The overwhelming favorite at 76 kg is one of the nation’s best wrestlers ever, three-time World champion, five-time World medalist and Olympian Adeline Gray. After missing a season to recover from surgeries, Gray has already shown she is a force at the global level again. Her gold medal win at the Klippan Open in Sweden was over 2017 World champion Yasmin Adar of Turkey. She has won two other international golds, and had a strong effort at the Women’s World Cup. Gray is healthy and motivated, and seeks to come back at an even higher level.
The question at 76 kg could be which of the young talents earn the chance to test Gray. Brittany Marshall, who made the Women’s National Team by placing third at the 2017 World Team Trials, came back and won a WCWA national title for Wayland Baptist. Mariah Harris of Campbellsville, who beat Victoria Francis at the 2017 U23 World Team Trials, was a 2018 WCWA runner-up. The 2018 U23 World Team Trials finals was a battle between McKendree teammates, Korianahe Bullock and Janelle Fuamatu, a series won by Bullock. However, Fuamato has wins over Bullock in the past.
Veteran Anastasia Lobsinger, a 2012 Cadet World bronze medalist, is making waves on the Senior level in recent years. WCWA national champion Paige Baynes of Grays Harbor competed at 190 pounds in college, but wrestled down at 165 pounds last year at the World Team Trials. Kacie Moorehouse has been a Senior and age-group contender in recent seasons. Young Destane Garrick and Precious Bell are also capable of making a dent in the standings.
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