Young and talented women's freestyle roster set for 2019 Cadet World Championships in Bulgaria

The 2019 U.S. Women’s Freestyle Cadet World Team is set to compete in Sofia, Bulgaria, at the Cadet World Championships, July 29-Aug. 4.

Leading the squad is returning Cadet World medalist Sterling Dias, who won a bronze last year at 40 kg. Since then, she won the USA Wrestling 16U and Junior Folkstyle Nationals, and earlier this week, she claimed her second-straight 16U Fargo title at 94 pounds.

Dias is set to compete at 40 kg in Bulgaria. She is the only team member with Cadet World experience. 

By her side is 2019 U15 World champion Alex Szkotnicki, who is competing at 43 kg. She broke out onto the national scene this year, winning spots on the U15 and Cadet World Teams as well as tallying a runner-up finish at 16U Folkstyle Nationals. At Fargo, Szkotnicki took fifth at 94 pounds.

She won her U15 World title in June, showing her prowess on the international stage as well.

Two of the most anticipated up-and-comers will represent the USA at the upper weights in Bulgaria with Amit Elor registered at 69 kg and Kennedy Blades set at 73 kg.

Both athletes eased their ways onto the World Team, dominating the Trials in May.

Elor, a native of Walnut Creek, Calif., has won every USA Wrestling tournament she has competed in, dating back to 2016.

Last year, she earned a gold medal at the U15 Pan American Championships in Mexico.

After falling short to Macey Kilty in the World Team Trials last year, Blades worked her way onto the 2019 squad and appears to be serious trouble for her competition.

With a second place finish last year at Trials, Blades earned the opportunity to compete at the 2018 Cadet Pan American Championships, where she won a gold medal in Guatemala.

Most recently, Blades, who attends Wyoming Seminary, secured her second 16U Fargo championship, winning at 164 pounds. Days later, she picked up her first Junior Fargo title.

Putting together a similar performance is Fargo was Sage Mortimer, who will compete for the Red, White and Blue at 46 kg. Mortimer won her second-straight 16U Fargo title and followed it up with her first Junior championship.

For years, Mortimer has been a strong threat on the national scene. Last year, in addition to winning her first Cadet Fargo title, Mortimer became the first female to All-American in Greco-Roman at Fargo, taking seventh in the Junior division. She also finished second in Junior women’s freestyle.

Other names to watch out for include Kylie Welker at 61 kg and Adriana Dorado Marin at 53 kg.

After taking some time off from wrestling due to an injury, Welker is back on the mat and ready to take on the world.

In 2016, Welker was a U15 Pan Am bronze medalist. So far this season, she has won a spot on the World Team as well as the 16U Folkstyle Nationals and the USA Wrestling Tour of America: Dominate in the Dells.

Dorado Marin has had national success, winning a 16U Fargo title last year and taking third at the same tournament last week.

Newer to the scene and representing at the World Championships are Cristelle Rodriguez at 49 kg, Skylar Hattendorf at 57 kg and Lillian Freitas at 65 kg.

The women’s freestyle portion of the tournament is set for July 31-Aug. 2. Fans can watch the action live on Trackwrestling.com and follow along on Twitter @USAWrestling.

2019 CADET WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

at Sofia, Bulgaria, July 29-Aug. 4

Monday, July 29
10:30 a.m. – Qualification rounds (MFS 48, 55, 65, 80, 110 kg)
5:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremony
6 p.m. – Semifinals (MFS 48, 55, 65, 80, 110 kg)

Tuesday, July 30
10:30 a.m. – Qualification rounds (MFS 45, 51, 60, 71, 92 kg)
10:30 a.m. – Repechage (MFS 48, 55, 65, 80, 110 kg)
5:30 p.m. – Semifinals (MFS 45, 51, 60, 71, 92 kg)
6 p.m. – Finals (MFS 48, 55, 65, 80, 110 kg)

Wednesday, July 31
10:30 a.m. – Qualification rounds (WFS 43, 49, 57, 65, 73 kg)
10:30 a.m. – Repechage (MFS 45, 51, 60, 71, 92 kg)
5:30 p.m. – Semifinals (WFS 43, 49, 57, 65, 73 kg)
6 p.m. – Finals (MFS 45, 51, 60, 71, 92 kg)

Thursday, Aug. 1
10:30 a.m. – Qualification rounds (WFS 40, 46, 53, 61, 69 kg)
10:30 a.m. – Repechage (WFS 43, 49, 57, 65, 73 kg)
5:30 p.m. – Semifinals (WFS 40, 46, 53, 61, 69 kg)
6 p.m. – Finals (WFS 43, 49, 57, 65, 73 kg)

Friday, Aug. 2
10:30 a.m. – Qualification rounds (GR 48, 55, 65, 80, 110 kg)
10:30 a.m. – Repechage (WFS 40, 46, 53, 61, 69 kg)
5:30 p.m. – Semifinals (GR 48, 55, 65, 80, 110 kg)
6 p.m. – Finals (WFS 40, 46, 53, 61, 69 kg)

Saturday, Aug. 3
10:30 a.m. – Qualification rounds (GR 45, 51, 60, 71, 92 kg)
10:30 a.m. – Repechage (GR 48, 55, 65, 80, 110 kg)
5:30 p.m. – Semifinals (GR 45, 51, 60, 71, 92 kg)
6 p.m. – Finals (GR 48, 55, 65, 80, 110 kg)

Sunday, Aug. 4
4 p.m. – Repechage (GR 45, 51, 60, 71, 92 kg)
6 p.m. Finals (GR 45, 51, 60, 71, 92 kg)

Women’s freestyle roster
40 kg: Sterling Dias (Las Vegas, Nev./Slam WC)
43 kg: Alexandra Szkotnicki (Riva, Md./Southern Maryland WC Wolfpack)
46 kg: Sage Mortimer (Mapleton, Utah/Champions WC)
49 kg: Cristelle Rodriguez (Fresno, Calif./Red Wave Wrestling)
53 kg: Adriana Dorado Marin (Denver, Colo./Betterman Elite)
57 kg: Skylar Hattendorf (Hooksett, N.H./Maine Trappers)
61 kg: Kylie Welker (Franksville, Wisc./Burlington WC)
65 kg: Lillian Freitas (Modesto, Calif./Pitman Wrestling)
69 kg: Amit Elor (Walnut Creek, Calif./Bay Area Titans WC)
73 kg: Kennedy Blades (Broadview, Ill./Izzy Style WC/Wyoming Seminary)

National Developmental Coach – Jessica Medina, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – Erin Vandiver, Kingston, Pa.
Coach – Brent Barnes, Lake Stevens, Wash.

Medical – Dr. David Haight, Tampa, Fla.
Medical – Elizabeth Del Rae, Kempton, Pa.

Referee – Cody Goessl, Medford, Wisc.
Referee – Josh Grube, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Referee – Fidel Albelo, Miami, Fla.

USA Wrestling communications – Taylor Miller, Colorado Springs, Colo.