Women's Weekly: Audrey Jimenez Has A Decision To Make
Women's Weekly: Audrey Jimenez Has A Decision To Make
Pound-for-pound #1 Audrey Jimenez narrowed her college choices, two major college tournaments close out the year, and the National Duals are near.
Who is the best pound-for-pound high school wrestler in the country right now? There’s only one right answer: Audrey Jimenez.
The Tuscon, Arizona, native had an impressive 2023 by winning the Senior US Open, competing in Final X, winning two age-level World silver medals, and winning her FloWrestling’s Who’s Number One match. And she still has one semester left of high school.
Jimenez considered graduating early but will stay for her senior season at Sunnyside High School where she petitioned the Arizona Interscholastic Association to compete in the boys’ division.
“Ever since girls’ high school wrestling was sanctioned my freshman year, I haven’t been allowed to wrestle boys at state,” Jimenez said. “I’ve been able to wrestle boys through the entire high school season except for sectionals and state.
“Wrestling is wrestling but I felt like I would be a bit more challenged against the boys. With the help of my coaches and supporters, I was able to win the appeal for me to be able to wrestle boys, as well as Everest (Leydecker).”
The 18-year-old is still training for the 2024 Olympic Trials in April where she will likely be the top seed in the challenge tournament. The winner faces 2023 World medalist Sarah Hildebrandt in a best-of-three series for the 50 kg spot at the Paris Olympics.
Before that, Jimenez must decide on her post-high school plans. She has made several college visits and says one school is in the lead.
“I would say my number one choice right now is Columbia,” Jimenez said. “I’ve visited a few schools since I visited Columbia last year but I’m trying to figure out my balance between education and wrestling. My coach always tells me that wrestling won’t be there forever.
“If I was able to go to a D1 program or an Ivy League school, that’s saying something. I want to impact the younger people in my community to do the same.”
She mentioned Lehigh as her second choice and also mentioned William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where she attended the Iowa vs Iowa State dual in Ames as part of her visit.
Columbia currently does not offer wrestling as an intercollegiate sport so Jimenez would train at the New York Regional Training Center while she gets her degree. Lehigh is exploring adding a Division I women’s wrestling program in the next two years.
Audrey Jimenez won the 2023 US Open as a high school junior
Midlands Championships: December 29, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
A women’s division will compete at the prestigious Midlands Championships for the second year in a row. North Central, McKendree, Aurora, Presbyterian, Northern Michigan, Stevens Point, and Albion plan to send full teams, while Lock Haven and Carthage will have representation.
Several elite high school wrestlers — including Rianne and Amelia Murphy and Madison Niuwenhuis — are entered.
Click here for brackets and results
Soldier Salute: December 29-30, Coralville, Iowa
Men’s and women’s divisions will compete simultaneously at the second annual Soldier. Army WCAP, Cornell, Indiana Tech, Iowa, Life, North Carolina, Texas Wesleyan, Tiffin, William Jewel, William Penn, Umqua, and Dubuque are scheduled to participate in addition to several unattached wrestlers.
Click here for brackets and results
2024 NWCA National Duals: January 5-6, Cedar Falls, Iowa
The NWCA Multidivisional National Duals return to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for the first time since 2011. Six separate divisions and 95 teams will be represented at the event held on January 5-6.
Women's divisions include the NCAA and NAIA.
Life University earned the top seed in the NAIA women’s division with Menlo, Grand View, and Southern Oregon rounding out the top four.
Click here for brackets and results
NAIA Women’s Freestyle Seeds
1. Life University
2. Menlo
3. Grand View
4. Southern Oregon
5. Providence
6. Texas Wesleyan
7. Campbellsville
8. William Penn
Other NAIA teams include:
Cumberlands
Missouri Valley
Eastern Oregon
Oklahoma City
Doane
Indiana Tech
Baker
Missouri Baptist
Potential Quarterfinal Matchups If Seeds Hold
Life vs William Penn
Menlo vs Campbellsville
Grand View vs Texas Wesleyan
Southern Oregon vs Providence
NAIA Women’s Freestyle Team Champions
2023: Southern Oregon
2022: Life University
2021: Canceled (COVID)
2020: Menlo
The top eight seeds for the NCAA division have not been released, but participating teams include:
Adrian
Aurora
Colorado Mesa
Elmira
Emmanuel
Gannon
Iowa
King
Lock Haven
McKendree
New Jersey City
North Central
Presbyterian
Sacred Heart
Tiffin
NCAA Women’s Freestyle Team Champions
2023: King
2022: King
2021: Canceled (COVID)
2020: McKendree
Women’s Spotlight: Maddie MacKenzie and Eduarda Rodrigues
All-American Maddie MacKenzie likes to have fun -- until it's time to work. MacKenzie discusses her experience at Simon Fraser, supporting her teammates, growing wrestling in Canada, work-life balance, and making people laugh.
Eduarda Rodrigues turned a successful jiu-jitsu career into a successful wrestling career. Find out how Rodrigues went from a wrestling neophyte to a Fargo champion in less than two years, and how she plans to continue growing within the sport.