2024 FargoUSAWWomenHS-Youth

2024 USMC Junior Women’s Nationals finalist biographies

Share:

by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling

Cassidy Benwell (Missouri) celebrates her USMC Junior Nationals semifinals win (Photo by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors)

JUNIOR WOMEN’S NATIONALS BIOGRAPHIES

95 pounds

RED - Kinlee Brandley, Plain City, Utah

Fourth in 2024 Western Junior Regionals… 2024 Utah Junior state freestyle champion… Will be a junior at Fremont High School… Second in 2024 Utah State Championships… Born: January 10, 2006

BLUE - Samantha Bertini, Ludlow, Mass.

Third in 2023 Super 32… Fourth in 2023 U16 Nationals… 2023 Northeast 16U Regional champion… Sixth in 2023 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Seventh in 2022 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Will be a junior at Ludlow High School… Second in 2024 New England Championships… 2024 Massachusetts All-States champion… 2024 Massachusetts D3 States champion… 2023 Massachusetts state champion… Born: November 2, 2007

100 pounds

RED - Katey Valdez, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Current National Ranking: No. 5 at 100

2024 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team… 2023 Preseason Nationals champion… Third in 2023 Junior Nationals… Sixth in 2022 U17 World Championships…  2022 16U Nationals champion… Second in 2022 Preseason Nationals… 2022 Pan American U17 champion… Second in 2022 U17 Nationals… Seventh in 2022 Girls High School Recruiting Showcase… 2022 Girls 16U Folkstyle Nationals champion… Fifth in 2022 Girls Junior Folkstyle Nationals…. 2021 Queen of the Mountain high school champion… Third in 2021 16U Nationals… Seventh in 2021 U15 Nationals… Seventh in 2021 Girls 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Will be a senior at Doherty High School… Did not compete in 2024 high school season due to injury… 2023 Colorado state champion… Third in 2022 Colorado state meet… Born: February 10, 2006… Age: 16

BLUE - Valarie Solorio, Canonburg, Pa.

Current National Ranking: No. 4 at 100

Second in 2023 Junior Nationals… 2023 and 2024 Central Junior Regionals champion… 2023 Northeast Junior Regional champion in freestyle… Eighth in 2023 U20 Nationals… Third in 2022 Preseason Nationals… Second in 2022 U17 Nationals… 2021 16U Nationals champion… 2021 Southeast Regional Junior champion… 2021 Southeast Regional 16U champion… Third in 2021 Florida Junior state freestyle championships… Eighth in 2016 USA Wrestling Novice Folkstyle Nationals.. Graduate of Canon-McMillan High School….2023 and 2024 Pennsylvania state champion… 2022 Florida state champion for Mosely High School… Fourth in 2021 Florida girls states at 100… Will attend the University of Iowa… Born: September 30, 2005…Age: 18

105 pounds

RED - Heather Crull, Richmond, Ind.

Current National Ranking: No. 3 at 105, No. 15 Pound-For-Pound

Third in 2023 U17 World Championships… 2024 U23 Nationals champion… 2024 Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… 2023 Junior Nationals champion… 2023 U17 Nationals champion… 2023 and 2024 Central Junior Regional champion… Second in 2022 Girls 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Third in 2022 Girls Junior Folkstyle Nationals… Seventh in 2021 16U Nationals… Second in 2021 U15 Nationals… Fifth in 2021 U17 Nationals… Third in 2021 Girls 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Will be a senior at Northeastern High School… 2024 Indiana state champion… Second in 2023 Indiana state championships… Second in 2022 Indiana state championships… Born December 19, 2006… Age: 17

BLUE - Aroma Marrufo, Independence, Mo.

Current National Ranking: No. 11 at 110

Fifth in 2024 National High School Recruiting Showcase… Third in 2024 Junior Folkstyle Nationals… Sixth in 2023 Junior Nationals… Fourth in 2023 Central Junior Regionals… Graduate of Fort Osage High School… 2024 Missouri Class 2 state champion… Second in 2023 Missouri Class 2 Championships… Born: January 20, 2006…

110 pounds

RED - Chloe Dearwester, Cincinnati, Ohio

Current National Ranking: No. 1 at 105, No 25 Pound-For-Pound

Third in 2023 Junior Nationals… 2022 and 2023 Junior Duals All-Tournament Team… Second in 2022 Preseason Nationals… Fourth in 2022 Junior Nationals… Eighth in 2022 U17 Nationals… 2022 Journeymen Classic champion… Fifth in 2021 Preseason Nationals… Sixth in 2021 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Graduate of Harrison High School… Four-time Ohio state champion (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)… Will attend Presbyterian College… Born October 11, 2005…

BLUE - Taylor Whiting, Oconto, Wis.

Current National Ranking: No. 3 at 105

Third in 2024 U17 Nationals… Second in 2024 National Girls High School Showcase.. Fourth in 2023 Midlands… Sixth in 2023 Super 32… Sixth in 2023 16U Nationals… 2023 Northern Plains 16U Regionals champion… Seventh in 2023 National Girls High School Showcase… Eighth in 2023 U17 Nationals… Sixth in 2022 Super 32…. Will be a junior at Oconto Falls High School… 2023 and 2024 Wisconsin state champion… Born October 12, 2007…

115 pounds

RED - Zao Estrada, Hilton Head, S.C.

Current National Ranking: No. 2 at 120, No. 20 Pound-For-Pound

Second in 2024 U20 Nationals… Second in 2024 National High School Recruiting Showcase… 2023 Southern Plains Junior Regionals champion… 2024 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team… Third in 2023 Super 32… Second in 2023 Junior Nationals… 2021, 2022 and 2023 National High School Recruiting Showcase champion…. 2023 Southeast Regional champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Fourth in 2022 Junior Nationals… Fourth in 2022 16U Nationals… 2021 16U Girls Folkstyle Nationals champion…  Sixth in 2020 Super 32… 2020 Western States champion in all three styles… Second in 2019 14U Nationals…. Third in 2019 15U Nationals…. 2019 Western Regional Middle School champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Graduate of Agoge Christian Academy…Fourth in 2023 South Carolina boys state championships… 2021 and 2022 South Carolina girls state champion…. Third in 2021 South Carolina state championships competing against boys… Will attend William Penn University… Born: November 25, 2005… Age: 18

BLUE - Cassidy Benwell, Wentzville, Mo.

Current National Ranking: No. 22 at 115

2023 Southern Plains Regionals champion… Graduate of Holt High School… Second in 2024 Missouri Class 2 State Championships… Sixth in 2019 Super 32… 2022 and 2023 Missouri state champion… Born November 10, 2004…

120 pounds

RED - Aspen Blasko, Forest Lake, Minnesota

Current National Ranking: No. 6 at 120

Eighth in 2024 U20 Nationals… 2024 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team… Seventh in 2023 Junior Nationals… Sixth 2023 National High School Recruiting Showcase… Second in 2022 Junior Nationals… Fifth in 2022 16U Nationals… 2022 Junior Duals All-Tournament Team… Fourth in 2022 National Recruiting Showcase… Third in 2022 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Fifth in 2021 16U Nationals… Fourth in 2021 U15 Nationals… Fifth in 2021 U16 Folkstyle Nationals… Eighth in 2021 Junior Folkstyle Nationals… Third in 2020 Preseason Nationals… Graduate of Forest Lake High School… Three-time Minnesota state champion (2021, 2022, 2023)… Born July 7, 2006… Will attend Grand Valley State… Age: 18

BLUE - Savannah Witt, Kintersville, Pa.

Current National Ranking: No. 8 at 125

Seventh in 2024 U20 Nationals… Third in 2024 Tallinn Open (Estonia)… Eighth in 2023 Junior Nationals… Sixth in 2022 Super 32… Eighth in 2022 Junior Nationals… Fifth in 2022 16U Nationals… 2002 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team… Fifth in 2021 Super 32… Fifth in 2021 Super 32… Fifth in 2021 16U Nationals… Will be a senior at Palisades School… 2022 and 2024 Pennsylvania state champion… Second in 2023 Pennsylvania state championships…  Born September 7, 2006…

125 pounds

RED - Rose Kaplan, West Lafayette, Ind.

Current National Ranking: No. 14 at 125

Seventh in 2024 U23 Nationals… Second in 2023 Super 32…. Fourth in 2023 Junior Nationals… 2023 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team… Eighth in 2023 U20 Nationals… 2023 Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… Fourth in 2022 Preseason Nationals… Second in 2022 Junior Folkstyle Nationals… Graduate of West Lafayette High School… 2023 and 2024 Indiana state champion… Second in 2021 and 2022 Indiana State Championships… Will attend Indiana Tech… Born July 15, 2005…

BLUE - Karlee Brooks, Phoenix, Ariz. 

Current National Ranking: No. 1 at 120, No. 16 Pound-For-Pound

2024 National High School Recruiting Showcase champion… Fourth in 2024 U20 Nationals… Fifth in 2023 U17 World Championships… 2023 U17 Nationals champion.. Fourth in 2022 Super 32… Third in 2022 Junior Nationals… Second in 2022 16U Nationals… Third in 2022 U17 Nationals… 2002 National Recruiting Showcase champion… Seventh in 2021 Junior Nationals… Third in 2021 U15 Nationals… Third in 2021 National Recruiting Showcase… Third in 2021 Super 32…Fourth in 2022 Super 32… Graduate of Valiant College Prep… Will attend the University of Iowa… Born: May 27, 2006… Age: 18

130 pounds

RED - Lynn Horn, Blanchard, Okla.

Current National Ranking: No. 8 at 135

2023 16U Nationals champion… 2024 Junior Duals All-Tournament Team… 2024 Southern Plains Regional Championships… Third in 2023 Preseason Nationals… 2023 Southern Plains 16U Regional champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Will be a senior at Blanchard High School… Second in 2023 and 2024 Oklahoma state championships… Born: March 24, 2007… Age: 17

BLUE - Samantha Sachs, Glendora, Calif.

Current National Ranking: No. 10 at 130

Fourth in 2024 U17 Nationals… Second in 2024 National Girls High School Showcase… Sixth in 2024 Preseason Nationals… Third in 2023 16U Nationals… Fourth in 2023 U17 Nationals… Third in 2023 NHSCA Nationals… Will be a senior at Glendora High School… Second in 2024 California state championships… Third in 2023 California states… Third in 2022 Preseason Nationals… Born February 8, 2007…

135 pounds

RED - Isis France, Glendale, Ariz.

Current National Ranking: No. 2 at 140

2024 National High School Recruiting Showcase champion… Second in 2024 U17 Nationals… 2023 16U Nationals champion… Third in 2023 Journeymen Classic… Third in 2023 Super 32… 2023 National High School Recruiting Showcase champion… 2022 U15 Pan American champion… 2022 U15 Pan American Trials champion… Third in 2022 16U Nationals… 2022 U15 Nationals champion… Fourth in 2022 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Fourth in 2022 Junior Folkstyle Nationals… Seventh in 2021 14U Nationals… Will be a senior at Wyoming Seminary (Pa.)… Born March 20, 2007… Age: 17

BLUE - Isabella Cepak, South Lyon, Mich.

Current National Ranking: No. 9 at 130

2023 and 2024 Central Junior Regional champion… Seventh in 2024 National High School Recruiting Showcase… Seventh in 2022 16U Nationals… Fifth in 2023 16U Nationals… Will be a senior at South Lyon High School… Second in 2023 and 2024 Michigan state championships…Third in 2022 Michigan state meet… Born July 26, 2007

140 pounds

RED - Haylie Jaffe, Avondale, Pa.

Current National Ranking: No. 4 at 135

2023 U17 World bronze medalist…. Fourth in 2024 U20 Nationals… 2024 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team… 2023 Beast of the East champion… 2023 U17 Nationals champion… Fifth in 2022 Junior Nationals… Third in 2022 16U Nationals… 221 U15 Nationals champion… Graduate of Kennett High School…Second in 2024 Pennsylvania state championships…  2021 and 2023 Pennsylvania state champion… Will attend McKendree University… Born February 26, 2006

BLUE - Aleksandra Bastaic, Highland, Ind.

Current National Ranking: No. 8 at 140

2024 Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… Seventh in 2024 U17 Nationals… Second in 2023 16U Nationals… Second in 2023 16U Central Regionals in freestyle… 2023 Indiana state 16U freestyle champion and second  in the Junior Regionals…. Second in 2022 U15 Pan American Trials… Fourth in 2022 U15 Nationals… Second in 2022 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Will be junior at Highland High School… 2023 and 2024 Indiana state high school champion… Born August 8, 2007… Age: 16

145 pounds

RED - Valerie Hamilton, Gridley, Ill.

Current National Ranking: No. 2 at 145, No. 23 Pound-For-Pound

2022 U17 World silver medalist… 2023 and 2024 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team… 2024 Northern Plains Junior Regionals champion… 2023 and 2024 National Girls High School Showcase champion… 2024 Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… Second in 2023 Preseason Nationals… 2023 Preseason Nationals champion… 2022 U17 Nationals champion… Second in 2021 16U Nationals… Graduate of El Paso-Gridley High School… Second in 2023 Illinois state championships… Born September 30, 2005

Note: Hamilton remains eligible for the Junior Triple Crown. No girl has won a Junior Triple Crown to date.

BLUE - Sarah Henckel, Southbury, Conn.

Current National Ranking: No. 10 at 155

Fourth in 2024 U17 Nationals… Eighth in 2024 U20 Nationals… Third in 2024 National High School Recruiting Showcase… 2024 Journeymen World Classic champion… Third in 2023 16U Nationals… Second in 2023 U17 Nationals… Third in 2023 National High School Recruiting Showcase… 2022 16U Nationals champion… Second in 2022 and 2023 Journeymen Classic… Fourth in 2022 U17 Nationals… 2022 U15 Nationals champion… Second in 2022 Journeymen World Classic… Fourth in 2021 U15 Nationals… Will be a junior at Blair Academy… 2024 Prep School Nationals champion… Born: March 17, 2007… Age: 17

155 pounds

RED - Eduarda Rodrigues, Newport Beach, Calif.

Current National Ranking: No. 2 at 155, No. 18 Pound-For-Pound

2023 Junior Nationals champion… 2024 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team… 2023 and 2024 National High School Recruiting Showcase champion… 2023 Preseason Nationals champion… 2023 Western Junior Regional champion in freestyle.. 2023 and 2024 NHSCA Nationals champion… 2022 Brian Keck Preseason Nationals champion… Third in 2022 Junior Nationals… Graduate of Newport Harbor High School… 2023 and 2024 California state champion…  Will attend McKendree University… Born December 6, 2005… Age: 18

BLUE - Ugochi Anunobi, Randallstown, Md.

Current National Ranking: No. 9 at 170

Fifth in 2024 U20 Nationals… Third in 2024 NHSCA Nationals… Sixth in 2023 Super 32…. Third in 2023 Junior Nationals… 2023 Northeast Junior Reginals champion… Graduate of Randallstown High School… 2022 and 2024 Maryland state champion… Will attend Life University… Born: May 28, 2006

170 pounds

RED - Kaylie Hall, Romney, W.Va.

Current National Ranking: No. 6 at 170

2024 NHSCA Nationals champion… Second in 2023 Super 32… Third in 2023 16U Nationals… Fourth in 2022 Super 32… Second in 2022 Journeymen Fall Classic… 2021 Super 32 champion… Will be a senior at Hampshire High School… 2022, 2023 and 2024 West Virginia state champion… Born April 18, 2007

BLUE - Kali Hayden, Broken Arrow, Okla.

Current National Ranking: No. 5 at 170

2023 Southern Plains Junior Regionals champion… Second in 2022 16U Nationals… Third in 2021 Preseason Nationals… Graduate of Union High School… Three-time Oklahoma state champion (2022, 2023, 2024)… Will attend Indian Hills CC… Born: February 27, 2006… Age: 18

190 pounds

RED - Isabella Phillips, Bellingham, Wash.

Current National Ranking: No. 5 at 190

2024 National High School Recruiting Showcase champion… 2024 Western States champion…Sixth in 2023 Junior Nationals… 2023 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team… Second in 2023 Northwest Junior Regionals… Second in 2023 Northwest Junior Regionals… Graduate of Squalicum High School…2024 Washington state champion… Will attend Gannon University… Born June 12, 2006

BLUE - Ella Murphey, Knoxville, Tenn.

Current National Ranking: No. 6 at 190

Second in 2024 National Girls High School Recruiting Showcase… Second in 2024 Junior Folkstyle Nationals… Fourth in 2023 Super 32… 2023 Southeast Junior Regionals champion… Fourth in 2023 Junior Folkstyle Nationals… 2022 Super 32 champion… Seventh in 2022 Junior Nationals… 2022 Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… 2021 Preseason Nationals champion… Graduate of Harden Valley High School… Four-time Tennessee state champion (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)… Will attend Oklahoma City University… Born November 20, 2005

235 pounds

RED - Sabrina Nauss, Brighton, Mich.

Current National Ranking: No. 1 at 190, No. 11 in Pound-For-Pound

2022 and 2023 Junior Nationals champion… 2024 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team… Fourth in 2023 U20 Nationals… 2022 16U Nationals champion… 2022 Junior Duals All-Tournament Team… 2021 Preseason Nationals champion…2021 U16 Nationals champion… Third in 2021 U17 Nationals… 2021 USA Wrestling Girls Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… 2021 USA Wrestling Girls 16U Folkstyle Nationals champion…. 2020 USA Wrestling Preseason high school national champion….2020 National Club Duals Open champion… 2019 14U Girls Folkstyle Nationals champion…. Graduate of Brighton High School… 2022, 2023 and 2024 Michigan state champion… Born: January 2, 2006… Age: 18

BLUE - Tirza Twoteeth, Ronan, Montana

Current National Ranking: No. 6 at 235

Second in 2023 Junior Nationals… 2024 Northwest Junior Regionals champion… Eighth in 2024 National Girls High School Recruiting Showcase… Second in 2024 West Junior Regionals… Third in 2023 Preseason Nationals… Fourth in 2023 National High School Recruiting Showcase…2023 Western Regional champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Seventh in 2023 Junior Folkstyle Nationals… Fourth in 2022 16U Nationals… Sixth in 2022 Junior Nationals… 2022 16U Folkstyle Nationals champion… Eighth in 2022 Junior Folkstyle Nationals… Will be a senior at Ronan High School… 2023 and 2024 Montana State champion… Second in 2022 Montana state championships… Born May, 16, 2006… Age: 18

Read More#