Final X Matchup: Jennifer Page vs Michaela Beck
Final X Matchup: Jennifer Page vs Michaela Beck
A preview of the match between Jennifer Page and Michaela Beck 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 59-kilogram match between Michaela Beck and Jennifer Page.
Key Credentials
Jennifer Page, 30
— 2023 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion (59 kg)
— 2023 US Open runner-up (62 kg)
— 2023 Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov Tournament bronze medalist (62 kg)
— 2022 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion (62 kg)
— 2022 US Open runner-up (62 kg)
— 2021 Pan-Am Championships gold medalist (65 kg)
— 2017 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion (63 kg)
— 2014 US Open champion (60 kg)
— 2013 Junior World Championships bronze medalist (63 kg)
— 2012 Junior World teamer (67 kg)
— 2012 WCWA champion for Oklahoma City (143)
Michaela Beck, 23
— 2023 US Open champion (59 kg)
— 2023 Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov Tournament silver medalist (59 kg)
— 2022 Bill Farrell Memorial International champion (59 kg)
— 2021 U23 World teamer (59 kg)
— 2019 Junior World teamer (59 kg)
— 2018 Pan-Am Championships bronze medalist (57 kg)
— 2018 US Open runner-up (57 kg)
— 2016 Junior National champion (125 pounds)
Match History
Page leads the series, 1-0
— 2019 US Nationals: Page teched Beck, 11-0
How They Reached Final X
Beck reached Final X by winning this year’s US Open. She entered as the three-seed and won 9-4 over Charlotte Kouyoumtjian (R16), 10-0 over Sarah Savidge (quarters), 4-4 over Abby Nette (semis), and 5-3 over Maya Nelson (finals).
Page reached Final X by winning the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. She entered as the two-seed and won 12-1 over Lexie Basham (quarters), 7-0 over Alex Hedrick (semis), and 11-4 over Maya Nelson
What Can You Expect?
What happens when two of the strongest pound-for-pound wrestlers in the country square off?
You get Jennifer Page vs Michaela Beck at Final X in Newark, New Jersey.
Beck is a mainstay at 59 kilograms who had her domestic breakthrough at the US Open. She won four matches in a row to take the title, including a 4-4 win over 2022 World teamer Abby Nette in the semis — an opponent she had never defeated before. The New York native defeated 2021 World teamer Maya Nelson, 5-3, in the finals.
Page reached the US Open finals, too — but at 62 kilograms. She has been a consistent force at this weight for years and made the move down to 59 when she finished second in Las Vegas. The 30-year-old veteran proved her effectiveness at the lower weight by outscoring three opponents at the World Team Trials, 30-5.
These two at the 2019 US Nationals with Page earning an 11-0 tech. That was almost three years ago, though. The match was at 62 kg and Final X will be three kilograms lighter this time around.
Who can control the center?
The answer will determine who wins this series. Page imposed her will at the World Team Trials by effectively pushing her opponents around the mat. Beck might be the strongest wrestler she faces at this weight, so expect this to be a dogfight in the middle.
That should lead to lots of under hooks, collar ties, head snaps, go-behinds, sweep singles, snatch singles, and if someone gets on top, gut wrenches.
This series will have a flavor all its own.
Watch Michaela Beck's finals match against Maya Nelson at the 2023 US Open
Watch Jennifer Page's finals match against Maya Nelson at the 2023 World Team Trials
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.