Final X Preview: Julia Salata vs. Forrest Molinari, 65 kg women
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Julia Salata graphic by Richard Immel; Forrest Molinari photo by John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com
Who: Julia Salata vs. Forrest Molinari
What: Final X
Where: Bethlehem, Pa.
When: June 23
Why: Women’s freestyle World Team spot at 65 kg
Tickets: FinalX.tv
Julia Salata
How she got to Final X:
This was a new weight class on the international level. Salata earned her spot in Final X by winning the U.S. Open in April, where she beat Forrest Molinari in the finals. It was her first U.S. Open title.
Background:
There is no doubt that Julia Salata has paid her dues, and is now just two wins away from a first U.S. Senior World Team. A Michigan native, Salata won a Junior National title in 2009, and has been competing at a high level ever since. Her high school success led to the opportunity to compete at King University, where she helped build the Tornado into a national champion team. Along the way, Salata won two WCWA individual titles and was a four-time All-American. What became apparent during her college days was a passion for wrestling. She not only wrestled, she coached younger girls, she became a referee on the national level, she was always involved. Julia Salata loves wrestling, period.
Her journey also took her to four age-group World Tournaments for Team USA, two at the Junior level and two at the University level. Salata’s top effort was a bronze medal at the 2014 University Worlds, and she reached a medal match at the 2012 University Worlds with her fifth-place finish. At the same time, Salata competed often in Senior-level events, making the Senior National Team twice and accumulating some medals in foreign competitions.
What Salata could not do was settle on was a weight class, often going up and down from 67 kg and 72 kg, sometimes at both weights during the same season. What is completely different for Salata this year was the drop to 65 kg, her lightest competitive weight in many years. This season, she has shown up with great efforts at her new weight, including winning her first U.S. Senior Open title to qualify for Final X. Over the years, Salata has faced many of the best wrestlers in the world. With her new weight, focus and confidence, it is her goal this year to become one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Salata’s World Championship experience:
2012 Junior World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand – EIGHTH
2012 University World Championships in Kourtane, Finland – FIFTH
2013 Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria – 11th
2014 University World Championships in Pecs, Hungary - BRONZE
Forrest Molinari
How she got to Final X:
Molinari won a gold medal at the Freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Rochester, Minn. in May, defeating high school star Jayden Laurent in the Championship Series in two straight bouts, 4-0 and 3-1.
Background:
A California native, Molinari placed in national USA Wrestling freestyle and folkstyle events in high school, and went on to compete in college for Missouri Baptist, placing third at the 2014 WCWA Nationals. Molinari decided to change schools and went to the top program at the time at King University. She became an important part of a winning team, claiming three more All-American honors for the Tornado, including a national title in 2016. Molinari was known as a tough wrestler with an aggressive style, and she continued to develop her technical abilities as her career advanced.
Part of this development was competing at the major USA Wrestling events at the age-group level. She had her first major international performance at the 2015 Junior World Championships, placing seventh. She was also an All-American at the Senior U.S. Open and placed at the World Team Trials, showing promise at the highest levels.
Molinari has her own burning passion for wrestling which has been shown both on and off the mat. When athletes had an opportunity to compete in more than weight class at the 2016 Olympic Trials, Molinari was one of those who went for it twice, placing fourth at a higher-than-normal 72 kg. When she finished college, she became a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete, where she has been improving her craft.
Her biggest challenge has been health related, and at one time medical people were concerned if she would be able to wrestle again. Molinari went through some grueling recoveries, and came back, stronger and more determined than ever. She also took advantage of the change to 10 weight classes at the Senior level, dropping down to 65 kg where she has had some impressive efforts. She has made two U23 World Teams, and added a Pan American Championships title this year. After a disappointing loss to Salata at the U.S. Open, she powered through the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament to earn a rematch with her former teammate and coach. Her confidence is high, and it should be a real battle in Bethlehem when she faces Salata again.
Molinari’s World Championship experience
2015 Junior World Championships, Salvador, Brazil – SEVENTH
2017 U23 World Championships, Bydogoszcz, Poland – 16th
Notes
• Salata beat Molinari 5-0, in the finals of the 2018 U.S. Open
• This is one of two All-King University matchups in Final X at Lehigh. Salata won two WCWA titles for King, while Molinari was a one-time WCWA champion there. Molinari started her career at Missouri Baptist and transferred to King. The other all-King finals in Bethlehem is Sarah Hildebrandt vs. Haley Augello at 53 kg.
• Salata and Molinari were teammates on King’s 2015 WCWA national champion team at different weights. After her college career, Salata has served as an assistant coach at King, and therefore has coached Molinari at the college level.
• Molinari competed at two different weight classes at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and actually placed higher at the larger weight class, taking fourth in the Trials at 75 kg/165 lbs.
• Salata can be followed on Twitter and Instatgram @JSalata
• Molinari can be followed on Twitter @mynameis_jungle and Instagram @forrest_aka_snowflake
65 kg/143 lbs. WOMEN
Julia Salata, Bristol, Tenn. (New York AC)
College: King University High School: Canton (Mich.) Born: April 2, 1993
• 2018 U.S. Open champion
• Second in 2014 World Team Trials
• Third in 2012 U.S. World Team Wrestle-off
• Second in 2017 U.S. Open
• Third in 2014 Pan American Championships
• Third in 2014 and 2016 U.S. Open
• Third in 2014 University World Championships
• Four-time University Nationals champion (2012-2014, 2017)
• 2018 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion
• Two-time Junior World Team member
• Two-time WCWA national champion for King (2014-15)
Forrest Molinari, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC/OTC)
College: King Univ., Missouri Baptist High School: Benicia, Calif. Born: Sept. 4, 1995
• 2018 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion
• Second at 2018 U.S. Open
• 2017 and 2018 U23 World Team Trials champion
• 2018 Pan American Championships champion
• 2018 Dave Schultz Memorial champion
• Third in 2017 U.S. Open
• Third at 2017 Pan American Championships
• 2015 Junior World Team member
• Fourth in 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials
• 2016 WCWA national champion for King Univ.
• Three-time WCWA All-American
Who: Julia Salata vs. Forrest Molinari
What: Final X
Where: Bethlehem, Pa.
When: June 23
Why: Women’s freestyle World Team spot at 65 kg
Tickets: FinalX.tv
Julia Salata
How she got to Final X:
This was a new weight class on the international level. Salata earned her spot in Final X by winning the U.S. Open in April, where she beat Forrest Molinari in the finals. It was her first U.S. Open title.
Background:
There is no doubt that Julia Salata has paid her dues, and is now just two wins away from a first U.S. Senior World Team. A Michigan native, Salata won a Junior National title in 2009, and has been competing at a high level ever since. Her high school success led to the opportunity to compete at King University, where she helped build the Tornado into a national champion team. Along the way, Salata won two WCWA individual titles and was a four-time All-American. What became apparent during her college days was a passion for wrestling. She not only wrestled, she coached younger girls, she became a referee on the national level, she was always involved. Julia Salata loves wrestling, period.
Her journey also took her to four age-group World Tournaments for Team USA, two at the Junior level and two at the University level. Salata’s top effort was a bronze medal at the 2014 University Worlds, and she reached a medal match at the 2012 University Worlds with her fifth-place finish. At the same time, Salata competed often in Senior-level events, making the Senior National Team twice and accumulating some medals in foreign competitions.
What Salata could not do was settle on was a weight class, often going up and down from 67 kg and 72 kg, sometimes at both weights during the same season. What is completely different for Salata this year was the drop to 65 kg, her lightest competitive weight in many years. This season, she has shown up with great efforts at her new weight, including winning her first U.S. Senior Open title to qualify for Final X. Over the years, Salata has faced many of the best wrestlers in the world. With her new weight, focus and confidence, it is her goal this year to become one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Salata’s World Championship experience:
2012 Junior World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand – EIGHTH
2012 University World Championships in Kourtane, Finland – FIFTH
2013 Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria – 11th
2014 University World Championships in Pecs, Hungary - BRONZE
Forrest Molinari
How she got to Final X:
Molinari won a gold medal at the Freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Rochester, Minn. in May, defeating high school star Jayden Laurent in the Championship Series in two straight bouts, 4-0 and 3-1.
Background:
A California native, Molinari placed in national USA Wrestling freestyle and folkstyle events in high school, and went on to compete in college for Missouri Baptist, placing third at the 2014 WCWA Nationals. Molinari decided to change schools and went to the top program at the time at King University. She became an important part of a winning team, claiming three more All-American honors for the Tornado, including a national title in 2016. Molinari was known as a tough wrestler with an aggressive style, and she continued to develop her technical abilities as her career advanced.
Part of this development was competing at the major USA Wrestling events at the age-group level. She had her first major international performance at the 2015 Junior World Championships, placing seventh. She was also an All-American at the Senior U.S. Open and placed at the World Team Trials, showing promise at the highest levels.
Molinari has her own burning passion for wrestling which has been shown both on and off the mat. When athletes had an opportunity to compete in more than weight class at the 2016 Olympic Trials, Molinari was one of those who went for it twice, placing fourth at a higher-than-normal 72 kg. When she finished college, she became a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete, where she has been improving her craft.
Her biggest challenge has been health related, and at one time medical people were concerned if she would be able to wrestle again. Molinari went through some grueling recoveries, and came back, stronger and more determined than ever. She also took advantage of the change to 10 weight classes at the Senior level, dropping down to 65 kg where she has had some impressive efforts. She has made two U23 World Teams, and added a Pan American Championships title this year. After a disappointing loss to Salata at the U.S. Open, she powered through the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament to earn a rematch with her former teammate and coach. Her confidence is high, and it should be a real battle in Bethlehem when she faces Salata again.
Molinari’s World Championship experience
2015 Junior World Championships, Salvador, Brazil – SEVENTH
2017 U23 World Championships, Bydogoszcz, Poland – 16th
Notes
• Salata beat Molinari 5-0, in the finals of the 2018 U.S. Open
• This is one of two All-King University matchups in Final X at Lehigh. Salata won two WCWA titles for King, while Molinari was a one-time WCWA champion there. Molinari started her career at Missouri Baptist and transferred to King. The other all-King finals in Bethlehem is Sarah Hildebrandt vs. Haley Augello at 53 kg.
• Salata and Molinari were teammates on King’s 2015 WCWA national champion team at different weights. After her college career, Salata has served as an assistant coach at King, and therefore has coached Molinari at the college level.
• Molinari competed at two different weight classes at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and actually placed higher at the larger weight class, taking fourth in the Trials at 75 kg/165 lbs.
• Salata can be followed on Twitter and Instatgram @JSalata
• Molinari can be followed on Twitter @mynameis_jungle and Instagram @forrest_aka_snowflake
65 kg/143 lbs. WOMEN
Julia Salata, Bristol, Tenn. (New York AC)
College: King University High School: Canton (Mich.) Born: April 2, 1993
• 2018 U.S. Open champion
• Second in 2014 World Team Trials
• Third in 2012 U.S. World Team Wrestle-off
• Second in 2017 U.S. Open
• Third in 2014 Pan American Championships
• Third in 2014 and 2016 U.S. Open
• Third in 2014 University World Championships
• Four-time University Nationals champion (2012-2014, 2017)
• 2018 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion
• Two-time Junior World Team member
• Two-time WCWA national champion for King (2014-15)
Forrest Molinari, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC/OTC)
College: King Univ., Missouri Baptist High School: Benicia, Calif. Born: Sept. 4, 1995
• 2018 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion
• Second at 2018 U.S. Open
• 2017 and 2018 U23 World Team Trials champion
• 2018 Pan American Championships champion
• 2018 Dave Schultz Memorial champion
• Third in 2017 U.S. Open
• Third at 2017 Pan American Championships
• 2015 Junior World Team member
• Fourth in 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials
• 2016 WCWA national champion for King Univ.
• Three-time WCWA All-American
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