Jacarra Winchester after making the finals of the 2023 Senior World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
Olympians Winchester, Augello, World medalists Velte, Lampe among top women’s freestyle stars entered at Senior Nationals – U.S. Olympic Team Trials Qualifier
by Richard Immel, USA Wrestling
Over 180 of the top women’s freestyle wrestlers in the U.S. head to the Lone Star State this weekend for the 2023 Senior Nationals, the largest U.S. Olympic Team Trials qualifier of the season.
The top five finishers in each of the six Olympic weight classes earn a berth to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials next April. 34 women have already qualified for the festivities in State College, Pa., six of which are entered in the Senior Nationals field.
A pair of Olympians will be in the mix in Fort Worth—2020 Olympian and two-time World medalist Jacarra Winchester at 57 kg and 2016 Olympian Haley Augello at 53 kg.
At this time four years ago, Winchester was the reigning World champion at 55 kg with a decision to make on which weight class to pursue for Tokyo. She elected to drop down to 53 kg, ultimately making the Olympic Team, and finishing one win away from an Olympic medal.
It’s a similar situation this Olympic cycle for the Oakland, Calif., native. Winchester is fresh off a silver medal effort at the World Championships at 55 kg, a non-Olympic weight. She appears to be moving up to 57 kg to challenge for the Paris Olympic berth. This weekend’s 57 kg field that includes Pan American champion Xochitl Mota-Pettis, U23 World bronze medalist Alex Hedrick and U17 World silver medalist Cristelle Rodriguez, plus U.S. National Team members Amanda Martinez and Bridgette Duty, will provide a nice barometer for Winchester as she explores her weight class options moving forward.
It's a different story for Augello, who is returning to active competition after a three-year layoff. She finished in ninth place at the Rio Olympic Games at 48 kg and was a Senior World Team member the following year. Now returning to the mats at 53 kg, Augello will have to battle a fresh set of faces as she looks to get back to the Olympic Trials—U20 World bronze medalist Katie Gomez, U.S. National Team member Areana Villaescusa, U.S. Open runner-up Lauren Mason and high school standout Clare Booe to name a few.
In addition to Winchester, there are two women registered who have earned a World medal at the Senior level—Mallory Velte at 68 kg and Alyssa Lampe at 50 kg. Both Velte and Lampe are two-time World bronze medalists and carry a long list of impressive international credentials.
Velte is the clear favorite at 68 kg but will be pushed by a group of up-and-comers looking to make a mark. Two-time U17 World medalist Alara Boyd, U20 World Team member Destiny Rodriguez, two-time U20 Pan American medalist London Houston and Dan Kolov – Nikola Petrov Tournament silver medalist Solin Piearcy are the leaders of the pack chasing Velte.
Things are murkier at 50 kg as Lampe is one of several contenders who could make a run at gold in a rather equitable field. Three-time age-group World champion Emily Shilson, U.S. National Team members Erin Golston and Samara Chavez, U17 World champion Erica Pastoriza, and U20 Pan American champions Sage Mortimer and Mia Palumbo are all expected to perform well in Fort Worth.
Past Senior World Team members Kylie Welker and Abigail Nette are the odds-on favorites to take top prize in the remaining two brackets. Welker has won three age-group World medals, including a U20 World gold in 2021. Nette won this event at 59 kg in 2019 and emerged as the Senior World Team member in 2022.
The 76 kg bracket is the smallest of the event at 14 athletes registered. Those expected to contend with Welker are past Senior Nationals champion Precious Wieser, Bill Farrell Memorial International silver medalist Skylar Grote and U.S. National Team member Brooklyn Hays.
Although the on-paper favorite at 62 kg heading into the weekend, Nette had a somewhat down year in 2023 finishing outside of U.S. National Team status. She will have to fend off a talented set of athletes to reclaim her spot atop the Senior Nationals podium. The list of contenders at 62 kg include Bill Farrell Memorial International bronze medalist Ashlynn Ortega, U17 World silver medalist Skylar Hattendorf, U20 Pan American champion Sarah Savidge, 2022 Senior Nationals champion Nanea Estrella, U23 World Team member Lexie Basham and U.S. National Team member Maya Letona.
If an athlete has previously qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and places in the top five of their weight class at the Senior Nationals, that qualification spot will not be reallocated to another non-qualified athlete. Qualified athletes registered to compete in Fort Worth are Winchester, Mota-Pettis, Velte, Golston, Welker and Nette.
The Senior Nationals will be held Dec. 15-17 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. All three Olympic styles will compete with up to 90 U.S. Olympic Team Trials qualification spots on the line—five per weight class, 30 per style.
Tickets for the event are available for purchase at usawrestlingevents.com. All session tickets are priced at $60 per adult and $40 per child. Those unable to attend in-person can watch the event live online at FloWrestling.com. A FloWrestling subscription is required to view the event.
A complete schedule for the women’s freestyle competition, as well as entries for each weight class, are provided below. USA Wrestling will announce the seeds for each bracket later this week.
For more information about this event visit usawrestlingevents.com. Stay tuned to TheMat.com and USA Wrestling social media channels for continued coverage of this event and the Road To Paris.
2023 Senior Nationals – U.S. Olympic Team Trials Qualifier
At Fort Worth, Texas, Dec. 15-17
Women’s Freestyle Event Schedule
Friday, Dec. 15
10 a.m. – Prelims, Quarterfinals, Consolations (WFS 50-53-57 kg)
4 p.m. – Semifinals, Consolations (WFS 50-53-57 kg)
Saturday, Dec. 16
10 a.m. – Consolations, Placement Matches (WFS 50-53-57 kg), Prelims, Quarterfinals, Consolations (WFS 62-68-76 kg)
4 p.m. – Semifinals, Consolations (WFS 62-68-76 kg)
7 p.m. – Finals (WFS 50-53-57 kg)
Sunday, Dec. 17
10 a.m. – Consolations, Placement Matches (WFS 62-68-76 kg)
1 p.m. – Finals (WFS 62-68-76 kg)
*All times listed are U.S. Central Time
Women’s Freestyle Athletes Registered (As of Dec. 10)
50 kg (36 entries)
Mariah Anderson, Air Force Regional Training Center
Emma Baertlein, Southern Oregon Regional Training Center
Ava Bayless, Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
Samara Chavez, Team Tornado Wrestling Club
Elizabeth Dosado, Patriot Wrestling Club
Elizabeth Elliott, Pennsylvania
Anaya Falcon, Walnut High School Wrestling
Charlotte Fowler, Boilermaker RTC
Jaslynn Gallegos, Cardinal Wrestling Club
Danielle Garcia, Team Tornado Wrestling Club
Jenna Gerhardt, North Dakota
Erin Golston, New York Athletic Club
Adriana Gomez, Arizona Girls Wrestling
Brianna Gonzalez, Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
Emilie Gonzalez, Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
Aleeah Gould, Army (WCAP)
Alyssa Guardiola, Tennessee
Eden Hernandez, California
Jasmine Howard, Texas
Alyssa Lampe, Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club
Emily Mendez, Victory Wrestling-Central WA
Alexis Miller, Viking Wrestling Club
Sage Mortimer, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Mia Palumbo, Illinois
Erica Pastoriza, Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club
Nina Pham, Army (WCAP)
Vanessa Ramirez, Army (WCAP)
Natalie Reyna-Rodriguez, Southern Oregon Regional Training Center
Kendra Ryan, Cardinal Wrestling Club
Rayana Sahagun, North Dakota
Emily Shilson, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Kaelani Shufeldt, California
Avery Steldt, Combat W.C. School of Wrestling
Ahsia Torres, New Jersey
Arelys Valles, Grand View Wrestling Club
Haley Viars, Virginia
53 kg (28 entries)
Avery Ashley, Firebrand Wrestling Club
Haley Augello, Izzy Style Wrestling
Chloe Ayres, New Jersey RTC
Jenna Baarson, North Dakota
Vayle Baker, West Point Wrestling Club
Josie Bartishofski, Wisconsin
Clare Booe, Wyoming Seminary Wrestling Club
Olivia Chandler, Contenders Wrestling Club
Camille Fournier, Texas
I-Cart Galumette, Florida
Katie Gomez, Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club
Hannah Hall, Colorado
Katherine Heath, Wildcat Elite
Ella Jauregui, California
Marissa Kurtz, Southern Oregon Regional Training Center
Lauren Mason, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Melanie Mendoza, Team Tornado Wrestling Club
Nohea Moniz, Hawaii
Sydney Petzinger, Cardinal Wrestling Club
Shea Reisel, Dubuque RTC
Mateah Roehl, Askren Wrestling Academy
Salyna Shotwell, Bearcat Wrestling Club
Kiely Tabaldo, Royalty Wrestling Club
Caitlyn Thorne, Missouri
Karissa Turnwall, California
Areana Villaescusa, Army (WCAP)
Malia Welch, Avidity Women's Wrestling Academy
Skyla Zimmerman, Idaho
57 kg (36 entries)
Alexandra Baudhuin, Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
Araya Boday, Spire Wrestling Club
Hailey Corona, Wasatch Wrestling Club
Makayla Correa, California
Jaclyn Dehney, Massachusetts Wrestling Association
Montana DeLawder, Team Tornado Wrestling Club
Anna DiCugno, Empire Wrestling Club
Bridgette Duty, Army (WCAP)
Elizabeth Duvall, Rockwall Training Center
Alexandra Fitzgerald, New York
Virginia Foard, Wyoming Seminary Wrestling Club
Marissa Gallegos, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Aireaana Gavere, Bearcat Wrestling Club
Cameron Guerin, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Alexandra Hedrick, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Katrina Kling, New York City RTC
Alyssa Mahan, Delaware Wrestling
Amanda Martinez, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Sophia Mirabella, Bearcat Wrestling Club
Shelby Moore, Bearcat Wrestling Club
Nichole Moore, Bearcat Wrestling Club
Carolina Moreno, Arizona
Xochitl Mota-Pettis, Rise RTC
Kira Pipkins, New York City RTC
Carissa Qureshi, Orange County RTC
Cristelle Rodriguez, Tiger Wrestling Club
Gabrielle Skidmore, Minnesota Storm
Jennifer Soto, Bearcat Wrestling Club
Sara Sterner, Cardinal Wrestling Club
Chanya Tipmanee, Pioneer Wrestling Club
Joanna Vanderwood, Washington
Evelyne Vazquez, California
Salome Walker, Cardinal Wrestling Club
Samantha Weeks, North Dakota
Jacarra Winchester, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Brooke Zejda, Pioneer Wrestling Club
62 kg (38 entries)
Gianna Anaya, Georgia
YeLe Aycock, Cardinal Wrestling Club
Lexie Basham, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Kendall Bostelman, Cardinal Wrestling Club
Jackie Cataline, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Hailey Chapman, Colorado Mesa Wrestling Club
Morgan Cope, Bearcat Wrestling Club
SaVannah Cosme, Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club
Riley Dalrymple, New York
Claire DiCugno, White River Hornets Wrestling Club
Aine Drury, 10 Year Active Athlete List
Hanna Errthum, Combat W.C. School of Wrestling
Nanea Estrella, Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
Kaidance Gerg, Idaho
Esther Han, Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
Skylar Hattendorf, New York Athletic Club
Maya Letona, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Lauren Louive New York Athletic Club
Ana Luciano Team Tornado Wrestling Club
Nina Makem Minnesota Storm
Leilani Martinez California
Alioz Mason The Factory Wrestling Club
Abigail Nette Army (WCAP)
Marisol Nugent Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club
Ashlynn Ortega New York Athletic Club
Ashlee Palimoo Tiger Wrestling Club
Mattie Papenthien Dubuque RTC
Devin Patton Texas
Gabriella Perez Florida
Laisha Rios Texas
Marisa Roth NMU-National Training Center
Sarah Savidge Army (WCAP)
Andrea Schlabach Grand View Wrestling Club
Bridgette Sotomayor Tiger Wrestling Club
Anna Stephens Eierman Elite Wrestling Club
Viktorya Torres Bearcat Wrestling Club
Sofia Vergara California
Veronica Whitacre CJA Wrestling Club Inc.
68 kg (28 entries)
Kaylynn Albrecht, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Poorna Babu, Pioneer Wrestling Club
Cheyenne Bowman, POUNDERS WC
Alara Boyd, Cardinal Wrestling Club
Caitlyn Davis, South Carolina
Noelle Gaffney, New Jersey
Marilyn Garcia, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Dalia Garibay, Colorado Mesa Wrestling Club
Caroline Gilstrap, Bearcat Wrestling Club
London Housto,n Cardinal Wrestling Club
Tiera Jimerson, Cardinal Wrestling Club
Allyssa Johnson, Grand Forks Gladiators Wrestling Club
Lydia Krauss, Simmons Academy of Wrestling
Jessica Mendez, Lady Devils Women's Wrestling Club
Quilaztli Miguel, Bulldog Wrestling Club
Shean'Areial Miller, Pioneer Wrestling Club
Isabella Mir, Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
Mea Mohler, Texas
Solin Piearcy, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Olivia Pizano, Southern Oregon Regional Training Center
Destiny Rodriguez, Bearcat Wrestling Club
Madison Sandquist, Rise RTC
Temitayo Sanusi, Texas
Shelby Sherman, North Dakota
Tayla Tildsley, Massachusetts
Mallory Velte, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Emma Walker, Tennessee
Liv Wieber, The Factory Wrestling Club
76 kg (14 entries)
Alyssa Arana, San Fernando High School Wrestling
Cara Broadus, KT Kidz Wrestling Club
Rose Cassioppi, Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
Love Daley, Beat the Streets New England - Boston
Marlynne Deede, Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
Skylar Grote, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)
Brooklyn Hays, Utah
Madeline Hodges, Warrior Trained Wrestling
Shenita Lawson, New York Athletic Club
Ruby Rios, Bearcat Wrestling Club
Brianna Seixas, Dubuque RTC
Hannah Sjostrom, North Dakota
Kylie Welker, Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
Precious Wieser, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)