Final X Special Wrestle-off between Maroulis and Mota-Pettis set for August 12 at U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado

Helen Maroulis and Xochitl Mota-Pettis in wrestling stance. Photos by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors


The site and date for the Final X Special Wrestle-off between 2022 World silver medalist Helen Maroulis (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) and 2023 U.S. Open champion Xochitl Mota-Pettis (Humble, Texas/Rise RTC) has been determined.


Maroulis and Mota-Pettis will compete for the 57 kg women’s freestyle berth on the 2023 Senior World Team in a best-of-three series on Saturday, August 12 at the Air Force Academy Cadet Fieldhouse at the U.S. Air Force Academy, just north of Colorado Springs, Colo.


On June 7, Maroulis received a delay of her 57 kg women’s freestyle Final X series for medical reasons. Maroulis was scheduled to face Mota-Pettis in Final X at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Saturday, June 10.


Maroulis followed all of the proper procedures under the Athlete Selection Procedures, 2023 Senior World Team, 2023 Senior Pan American Games – Women’s Freestyle, 1.2.2, which includes the following:

Only a 2022 Senior World Championship medalist who earned an automatic berth into Final X or a 2022 Senior Women’s Freestyle World Championship medalist who relinquished their automatic berth by who wins the 2023 U.S. Open in the same weight category, can request a delay of the Final X for medical reasons. This request must be submitted as set forth below at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled weigh-in time (no request for delay will be allowed or granted otherwise).


The Final X Special Wrestle-off at 57 kg in women’s freestyle will be held alongside the 2023 U15 Pan American Team Trials, also at Air Force Academy Cadet Fieldhouse that weekend. At this time, only the time for the Special Wrestle-off has yet to be determined.


This will be held during the weekend of the USA Wrestling Board of Directors meeting and the annual State Leaders Conference, both hosted in Colorado Springs, Colo.


The winner of this Final X Special Wrestle-off will represent the Team USA at the Senior World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Sept. 16-24. The other 29 berths on the Senior World Team were determined in Final X.