Final X Matchup: Audrey Jimenez vs Sarah Hildebrandt
Final X Matchup: Audrey Jimenez vs Sarah Hildebrandt
A preview of the match between Audrey Jimenez and Sarah Hildebrandt at Final X on Saturday, June 10.
Final X, presented by Tezos, is Saturday, June 10 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and will be streamed LIVE on FloWrestling. Final X determines the 2023 U.S. Senior World teams in all three Olympic disciplines: men’s and women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman.
Below is a women’s freestyle preview of the 50-kilogram match between Audrey Jimenez and Sarah Hildebrandt.
Key Credentials
Audrey Jimenez, 17
— 2023 US Open champion (50 kg)
— 2023 U20 World Team Trials champion (50 kg)
— 2022 U20 World silver medalist (50 kg)
— 2022 U17 World teamer (49 kg)
— 2021 U17 World bronze medalist (49 kg)
— Ranked #1 in the girls' high school pound-for-pound rankings
Sarah Hildebrandt, 29
— 2022 World bronze medalist (50 kg)
— 2021 World silver medalist (50 kg)
— 2020 Olympic bronze medalist (50 kg)
— 2019 World teamer (53 kg)
— 2018 World silver medalist (53 kg)
— 2016 World teamer (55 kg)
— Two-time WCWA champion (2014-15) and four-time finalist (2012-15) for King
Match History
This is the first meeting between Jimenez and Hildebrandt.
How They Reached Final X
Jimenez reached Final X by winning this year’s US Open. She entered as the three-seed and won 10-0 over Eliana Martinez (R16), 10-0 over Ava Bayless (quarters), 13-2 over Erin Golston (semis), and 10-10 over Alyssa Lampe (finals).
Hildebrandt reached Final X as a returning 2022 World bronze medalist. She recently won the Pan-Am Championships with three 10-0 technical superiorities.
What Can You Expect?
Hildebrandt is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in US history. She is listed at #72 on FloWrestling’s list of the top 100 greatest American wrestlers of all time. And she keeps getting better.
The 29-year-old is fresh off a dominating Pan-American Championships where she teched the field and didn’t surrender a point. Hildebrandt moved down from 53 kg to 50 kg after the 2019 World Championships and has won three straight medals as a result. She won a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics, silver at the 2021 World Championships, and bronze last year.
Jimenez is a young up-and-comer who broke through at the US Open by defeating two-time World bronze medalist Alyssa Lampe in the finals, 10-10. The Tuscon, Arizona, native was down 8-0 halfway through the second period before scoring a takedown and three turns to take an 8-8 criteria lead. Jimenez scored the deciding takedown with five seconds remaining.
Hildebrandt enters as the overwhelming favorite based on results and because she is at the peak of her powers. She teched Lampe in straight matches at last year’s Final X, while Jimenez defeated her in a shootout this year. Hildebrandt’s leg lace is second-to-none, so the best chance for Jimenez is to keep it on the feet as much as possible.
Jimenez needs to use her quick setups to score early and often. She turned veterans Lampe and Erin Golston, so she’ll need to do the same on the biggest stage against one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Audrey Jimenez defeated Alyssa Jimenez during the finals of the US Open
Sarah Hildebrandt torched the field at the Pan-Am Championships, including this 10-0 tech in the finals
Final X is the Beat the Streets New York Benefit
It is the second straight year Final X will serve as the Beat the Streets New York Annual Benefit. This year’s event will be the 13th BTSNY Annual Benefit. These unique and electrifying annual events help BTSNY raise more than $1 million each year to support local youth wrestling programs which empower young people in New York City. The BTSNY Annual Benefit after-party will follow the conclusion of Final X. Benefit tickets and sponsorship packages (Final X plus exclusive after-party celebration access), that also provide the best wrestling-event seats, are available at give.btsny.org/beatthestreetsbenefit2023. For more information on ticket packages, email Katrin Pokalyukhin at katrin@btsny.org. Event-only tickets for Final X without access to the BTSNY after-party celebration are available on Ticketmaster.