Final X Matchup: Alisha Howk vs Jacarra Winchester
Final X Matchup: Alisha Howk vs Jacarra Winchester
A preview of the match between Alisha Howk and Jacarra Winchester 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 55-kilogram match between Alisha Howk and Jacarra Winchester.
Key Credentials
Alisha Howk, 23
— 2023 US Open champion (55 kg)
— 2023 Pan-Am Championships silver medalist (55 kg)
— 2022 U23 World bronze medalist (55 kg)
— 2022 Grand Prix of Spain silver medalist (55 kg)
— 2019 Pan-Am Championships gold medalist (55 kg)
— 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion (55 kg)
— 2018 Junior World teamer - fifth (53 kg)
— 2017 Cadet World teamer (52 kg)
— Two-time Fargo champion (2015, 2017)
Jacarra Winchester, 30
— 2023 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion (55 kg)
— 2022 World teamer - fifth (55 kg)
— 2022 Yasar Dogu champion (55 kg)
— 2021 Pan-Am Championships gold medalist (55 kg)
— 2020 Olympican - fifth (53 kg)
— 2019 World champion (55 kg)
— 2018 World teamer - fifth (55 kg)
— 2015 WCWA champion for Missouri Valley (130 lbs)
— Two-time WCWA tournament finalist (2nd in 2013, 1st in 2015)
Match History
Winchester leads the series 3-0
— 2019 US Open semifinals: Winchester tech Howk, 10-0
— 2021 Captains’ Cup: Winchester tech Howk, 10-0
— 2022 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament semis: Winchester tech Howk, 11-0
How They Reached Final X
Howk reached Final X by winning this year’s US Open. She entered as the three-seed and won by fall over Jenna Beddow (R16), 6-4 over Ella Jauregui (quarters), 8-6 over Marissa Gallegos (semis), and 8-3 over Lauren Mason (finals).
Winchester reached Final X by winning the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. She entered as the one-seed and won by fall over Amanda Martinez (semis) and 11-0 over Areana Villaescusa (finals)
What Can You Expect?
Winchester is consistently among the best wrestlers in the world, which is why she was #81 on FloWrestling’s list of the top 100 greatest American wrestlers of all time. She is a 2019 World champion who has been in a medal match every year she has competed in the World Championships or Olympic Games.
Howk had her breakthrough last year. She won a bronze medal at the 2023 U23 World Championships and was half a second away from reaching the finals when she gave up a late takedown in the semis after holding an 8-6 lead.
This is Winchester’s weight until someone else proves otherwise. Jenna Burkert made the team in 2021 and won a bronze medal at the World Championships, but she is sidelined with an injury this year.
Slowing down Winchester is Howk’s only chance at winning this series. The Oakland, California, native has an arsenal of attacks ranging from a blast double to a knee pick to a leg lace to a gut wrench. She used them all during her previous matches against Howk — and she typically got to them early.
Howk is a student of the sport, though. The Blue Springs, Missouri, native mentioned that she re-committed herself to wrestling after she won the US Open. She will need the best game plan of her life to defeat the dynamic Jacarra Winchester.
Alisha Howk defeated Lauren Mason in the US Open finals
Jacarra Winchester defeated Areana Villaescusa in the World Team Trials Challenge tournament finasl
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.