Final X Preview: Sarah Hildebrandt vs. Haley Augello, 53 kg women
Share:
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Competition portraits of Sarah Hildebrandt and Haley Augello by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors.
Who: Sarah Hildebrandt vs. Haley Augello
What: Final X
Where: Bethlehem, Pa.
When: June 23
Why: Women’s freestyle World Team spot at 53 kg
Tickets: FinalX.tv
Sarah Hildebrandt
How she got to Final X:
This was a weight class without a World medalist from 2017. Hildebrandt earned her spot in Final X by winning the U.S. Open in April, where she beat Haley Augello in the finals. It was her first U.S. Open title.
Background:
This has been the most successful year on the Senior level for Sarah Hildebrandt, who made the decision to drop down to 53 kg from 55 kg. A big part of that decision was making key life changes that brought a more disciplined and focused approach to training and diet, according to her coaches and others. Hildebrandt says making weight at 53 kg is easier than when she was up at 55 kg, because of the systematic way she is approaching her wrestling. The results on the mat have been noticeable.
A native of Indiana, like many now competing on the Senior level, Hildebrandt was a product of the USA Wrestling age-group system. She came into King University as part of a few years of outstanding recruiting classes, and along with her coaches and teammates, helped build the Tornado into a national champion team. Hildebrandt snagged a pair of WCWA college titles and reached the finals all four years. At the same time, she was making two Junior World Teams and representing the USA overseas often.
She made the move to the U.S. Olympic Training Center after college, and continued her improvement there. Although she did not reach her goals at the 2016 Olympic Trials, Hildebrandt tried out for the 2016 World Team at the non-Olympic 55 kg division, made the team and placed 10th in the World. In 2017, she stayed up at 55 kg, where she was second to Becka Leathers at the World Team Trials, and Leathers went on to medal at the Worlds.
In the new season, down to 53 kg, Hildebrandt has been sharp and has wrestled often. She won her match at the Beat the Streets Benefit in LA, took second at the Dave Schultz Memorial behind tough Japanese star Yu Miyahara, competed in both the 2017 and 2018 World Cup, won her third career Pan American title, won a gold medal in Ukraine and added other medals in Russia and Sweden. Her first U.S. Open title was a strong effort against Haley Augello, the returning World team member and her Final X opponent. Hildebrandt has added consistency to her skill set, and comes into Final X at Lehigh with confidence and momentum.
Hildebrandt’s World Championship experience:
2012 Junior World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand – 11th
2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia – EIGHTH
2013 Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria – TENTH
2016 Senior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary - TENTH
Haley Augello
How she got to Final X:
Augello won a gold medal at the Freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Rochester, Minn. in May, defeating Cody Pfau in the finals with two straight technical falls, 10-0 and 11-0.
Background:
A native of Illinois, Augello started her career competing against boys and training at the highly respected Overtime WC there. Her first freestyle event was a win at the UWW Cadet Nationals. Her first international freestyle tournament was the Cadet World Championships, where she won a gold medal. She quickly rose to the top at the U.S. age-group level, and adding a pair of Junior World Teams to her resume.
When Augello chose King University for college, the program had already reached the cutting edge with a loaded room. She has competed in three WCWA national tournaments and won every one of them. While in college, she started racking up Senior-level achievements. In 2016, Augello took an Olympic redshirt year from King and went to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. The move included a drop from 53 kg down to 48 kg for the Olympic Trials, where she beat Victoria Anthony in a rugged three-match battle. The weight had not been qualified, so Augello went to Mongolia Olympic qualifier and made the finals, punching her ticket for the Rio Games. At the Olympics, Augello lost to eventual champion Eri Tosaka of Japan, and lost in the repechage also, finishing ninth.
After the Olympics, Augello returned to 53 kg, where she made her first Senior World team, beating three-time World Team member Whitney Conder in the finals series. She went 2-1 at the Worlds to finish eighth. She will be seeking her third straight U.S. World or Olympic Team at Final X at Lehigh. As has been her pattern going back to her teen years, Augello truly shows up at the big qualifying events. She is highly motivated to get back to the Worlds win a medal. Since winning her Cadet World gold, she has been on four U.S. teams where she fell short of the medal rounds. She has what it takes to medal but needs a win in Final X to get another chance.
After losing to Hildebrandt in the finals at the U.S. Open, she returned strong at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, getting a pair of technical fall wins over a tough Cody Pfau in the finals series. Augello has the strength, technique and self-confidence to return to the top of the pack on the U.S. scene, and has to beat a former teammate to keep earning her chance at the highest level.
Augello’s World Championship experience
2011 Cadet World Championships in Szombathely, Hungary – GOLD
2012 Junior World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand – 16th
2013 Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria – 15th
2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – NINTH
2017 Senior World Championships in Paris, France - EIGHTH
Notes
• Hildebrandt beat Augello, 6-1, in the finals of the 2018 U.S. Open
• This is one of two All-King University matchups in Final X at Lehigh. Augello won three WCWA national titles for King, while Hildebrandt was a two-time WCWA champion there. (The other All-King matchup in Bethlehem is Julia Salata vs. Forrest Molinari at 65 kg).
• Besides being college teammates, Augello and Hildebrandt were also teammates on the 2012 Junior World Team in Pattaya, Thailand and the 2013 Junior World Team in Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Hildebrandt can be followed on Twitter and Instagram @sarhilde
• Augello can be followed on Twitter @hayaugello and on Instagram @haleyaugello
53 kg/116.5 lbs. WOMEN
Sarah Hildebrandt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
College: King University High School: Granger, Ind. (William Penn) Born: Sept. 23, 1993
• 10th in 2016 World Championships
• 2013, 2015 and 2018 Pan American Championships champion
• Second in 2017 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)
• 2018 U.S. Open champion
• 2018 Outstanding Ukrainian Memorial champion
• Second in 2016 Klippan Lady Open (Sweden)
• Second in 2015 and 2016 Dave Schultz Memorial International
• Second in 2014 Phase II World Team Trials
• Third in 2015 and 2016 U.S. Open
• Two-time WCWA national champion for King Univ.
Haley Augello, Lockport, Ill. (New York AC)
College: King Univ. High School: Lockport, Ill. Born: Oct. 17, 1994
• Ninth in 2016 Olympic Games
• Eighth in 2017 World Championships
• 2011 Cadet World champion
• Second in 1st World Olympic Qualifier (Mongolia)
• 2018 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion
• Second at U.S. Open (2013, 2016, 2018)
• 2016 University Nationals champion
• Two-time U.S. Junior World Team member
• Third in 2014 Pan American Championships
• Three-time WCWA college nationals champion for King Univ.
Who: Sarah Hildebrandt vs. Haley Augello
What: Final X
Where: Bethlehem, Pa.
When: June 23
Why: Women’s freestyle World Team spot at 53 kg
Tickets: FinalX.tv
Sarah Hildebrandt
How she got to Final X:
This was a weight class without a World medalist from 2017. Hildebrandt earned her spot in Final X by winning the U.S. Open in April, where she beat Haley Augello in the finals. It was her first U.S. Open title.
Background:
This has been the most successful year on the Senior level for Sarah Hildebrandt, who made the decision to drop down to 53 kg from 55 kg. A big part of that decision was making key life changes that brought a more disciplined and focused approach to training and diet, according to her coaches and others. Hildebrandt says making weight at 53 kg is easier than when she was up at 55 kg, because of the systematic way she is approaching her wrestling. The results on the mat have been noticeable.
A native of Indiana, like many now competing on the Senior level, Hildebrandt was a product of the USA Wrestling age-group system. She came into King University as part of a few years of outstanding recruiting classes, and along with her coaches and teammates, helped build the Tornado into a national champion team. Hildebrandt snagged a pair of WCWA college titles and reached the finals all four years. At the same time, she was making two Junior World Teams and representing the USA overseas often.
She made the move to the U.S. Olympic Training Center after college, and continued her improvement there. Although she did not reach her goals at the 2016 Olympic Trials, Hildebrandt tried out for the 2016 World Team at the non-Olympic 55 kg division, made the team and placed 10th in the World. In 2017, she stayed up at 55 kg, where she was second to Becka Leathers at the World Team Trials, and Leathers went on to medal at the Worlds.
In the new season, down to 53 kg, Hildebrandt has been sharp and has wrestled often. She won her match at the Beat the Streets Benefit in LA, took second at the Dave Schultz Memorial behind tough Japanese star Yu Miyahara, competed in both the 2017 and 2018 World Cup, won her third career Pan American title, won a gold medal in Ukraine and added other medals in Russia and Sweden. Her first U.S. Open title was a strong effort against Haley Augello, the returning World team member and her Final X opponent. Hildebrandt has added consistency to her skill set, and comes into Final X at Lehigh with confidence and momentum.
Hildebrandt’s World Championship experience:
2012 Junior World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand – 11th
2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia – EIGHTH
2013 Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria – TENTH
2016 Senior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary - TENTH
Haley Augello
How she got to Final X:
Augello won a gold medal at the Freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Rochester, Minn. in May, defeating Cody Pfau in the finals with two straight technical falls, 10-0 and 11-0.
Background:
A native of Illinois, Augello started her career competing against boys and training at the highly respected Overtime WC there. Her first freestyle event was a win at the UWW Cadet Nationals. Her first international freestyle tournament was the Cadet World Championships, where she won a gold medal. She quickly rose to the top at the U.S. age-group level, and adding a pair of Junior World Teams to her resume.
When Augello chose King University for college, the program had already reached the cutting edge with a loaded room. She has competed in three WCWA national tournaments and won every one of them. While in college, she started racking up Senior-level achievements. In 2016, Augello took an Olympic redshirt year from King and went to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. The move included a drop from 53 kg down to 48 kg for the Olympic Trials, where she beat Victoria Anthony in a rugged three-match battle. The weight had not been qualified, so Augello went to Mongolia Olympic qualifier and made the finals, punching her ticket for the Rio Games. At the Olympics, Augello lost to eventual champion Eri Tosaka of Japan, and lost in the repechage also, finishing ninth.
After the Olympics, Augello returned to 53 kg, where she made her first Senior World team, beating three-time World Team member Whitney Conder in the finals series. She went 2-1 at the Worlds to finish eighth. She will be seeking her third straight U.S. World or Olympic Team at Final X at Lehigh. As has been her pattern going back to her teen years, Augello truly shows up at the big qualifying events. She is highly motivated to get back to the Worlds win a medal. Since winning her Cadet World gold, she has been on four U.S. teams where she fell short of the medal rounds. She has what it takes to medal but needs a win in Final X to get another chance.
After losing to Hildebrandt in the finals at the U.S. Open, she returned strong at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, getting a pair of technical fall wins over a tough Cody Pfau in the finals series. Augello has the strength, technique and self-confidence to return to the top of the pack on the U.S. scene, and has to beat a former teammate to keep earning her chance at the highest level.
Augello’s World Championship experience
2011 Cadet World Championships in Szombathely, Hungary – GOLD
2012 Junior World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand – 16th
2013 Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria – 15th
2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – NINTH
2017 Senior World Championships in Paris, France - EIGHTH
Notes
• Hildebrandt beat Augello, 6-1, in the finals of the 2018 U.S. Open
• This is one of two All-King University matchups in Final X at Lehigh. Augello won three WCWA national titles for King, while Hildebrandt was a two-time WCWA champion there. (The other All-King matchup in Bethlehem is Julia Salata vs. Forrest Molinari at 65 kg).
• Besides being college teammates, Augello and Hildebrandt were also teammates on the 2012 Junior World Team in Pattaya, Thailand and the 2013 Junior World Team in Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Hildebrandt can be followed on Twitter and Instagram @sarhilde
• Augello can be followed on Twitter @hayaugello and on Instagram @haleyaugello
53 kg/116.5 lbs. WOMEN
Sarah Hildebrandt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
College: King University High School: Granger, Ind. (William Penn) Born: Sept. 23, 1993
• 10th in 2016 World Championships
• 2013, 2015 and 2018 Pan American Championships champion
• Second in 2017 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)
• 2018 U.S. Open champion
• 2018 Outstanding Ukrainian Memorial champion
• Second in 2016 Klippan Lady Open (Sweden)
• Second in 2015 and 2016 Dave Schultz Memorial International
• Second in 2014 Phase II World Team Trials
• Third in 2015 and 2016 U.S. Open
• Two-time WCWA national champion for King Univ.
Haley Augello, Lockport, Ill. (New York AC)
College: King Univ. High School: Lockport, Ill. Born: Oct. 17, 1994
• Ninth in 2016 Olympic Games
• Eighth in 2017 World Championships
• 2011 Cadet World champion
• Second in 1st World Olympic Qualifier (Mongolia)
• 2018 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion
• Second at U.S. Open (2013, 2016, 2018)
• 2016 University Nationals champion
• Two-time U.S. Junior World Team member
• Third in 2014 Pan American Championships
• Three-time WCWA college nationals champion for King Univ.
Read More#
Bouzakis, Jaffe, Robinson to go for women’s freestyle bronze at U17 World Championships, Brooks back in repechage
Bouzakis, Jaffe, Robinson advance to semifinals at U17 Worlds in women’s freestyle in Istanbul
USA wins women’s freestyle team title at U20 Pan American Championships, led by seven champions
Foley wins silver medal at U17 Pan American Beach Championships in Mexico City, Mexico
