Kennedy Blades selected as USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week

Kennedy Blades (Broadview, Ill./Wyoming Seminary) has been selected as USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week on Nov. 24, 2020.

Blades went 7-0 at the Sunshine Preseason Duals in Florida over the weekend, helping her team, Wyoming Seminary, to a first-place finish in the girls’ division.

Entering the event ranked No. 1 in the nation at 164 pounds, Blades competed at 167 pounds and 180 pounds. Of her seven wins, four came over nationally ranked opponents, including a victory over No. 2 Sabrina Nauss, when Blades bumped up to wrestle at 180 pounds.

Her other ranked wins came at matches at 167 pounds, where she beat No. 5 (at 180) Dasia Yearby, No. 6 (at 180) Katja Osteen and No. 15 (at 180) Marthine Laguerre.

Additionally, all seven of her victories were either a technical fall or pin. Below is a quick look at her results.

180 - Kennedy Blades (Wyo. Sem.) over Sabrina Nausse (Michigan Revolution) Fall 1:16
167 - Kennedy Blades (Wyo. Sem.) over Aliana Barnoski (Lady Outlaws ) Fall 1:10
167 - Kennedy Blades (Wyo. Sem.) over Dasia Yearby (Florida Tidal Wave) TF 10-0
167 - Kennedy Blades ((Wyo. Sem.) over Jayla Harrison (Riot Performance) Fall 1:07
180 - Kennedy Blades (Wyo. Sem.) over Katja Osteen (Somar Raiders ) TF 10-0
167 - Kennedy Blades (Wyo. Sem.) over Aliana Barnoski (Lady Outlaws ) Fall 0:42
167 - Kennedy Blades (Wyo. Sem.) over Marthine Laguerre (SOWA) Fall 0:21

Overall, Wyoming Seminary went 9-0 on the weekend, collecting the team title.

Each week USA Wrestling will select an Athlete of the Week based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling from youth programs through the senior level. Twitter fan votes also play a part in decision.

To nominate a wrestler for this honor please send the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments and career accolades to USA Wrestling Manager of Communications Taylor Miller at tmiller@usawrestling.org.