Cadet World champ Kilty: "The big part was my mental game. I changed my mindset on how I train."

In 2016, Macey Kilty won a Cadet World bronze medal at 49 kg. The last two years have been a time of considerable growth for Kilty, not only in her wrestling but also physically. She jumped numerous weight classes, entering the 2018 Cadet Worlds at 69 kg. This time around, Kilty found all the right answers and made all the right moves on the big stage. She dominated her first three matches to reach the finals, with a pair of falls and a technical fall. In the finals, against Julia Fridland of Sweden, Kilty scored three takedowns to emerge with a 7-3 victory. She joined teammate Emily Shilson as Cadet World champions, the first time the USA had two Cadet Women gold medalists the same year. (Podium photo of Macey Kilty by Martin Gabor, UWW).