The women’s division of the last chance Olympic Trials qualifier has some intriguing entries. The champion in each weight class qualifies for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on April 19-20 at Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania. 

Athletes already qualified for the Olympic Trials are not eligible to compete at Last Chance.

Below is a look at the six weights and who has the best chance of earning the final Olympic Trials spot based on who is registered. 

Schedule

Saturday, April 6th - Senior Women's Freestyle
10:00 AM EST: Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Consolation Rds.

4:00 PM EST: Consolation through Consolation Semifinals and 3rd Place

6:30 PM:  EST: Finals and 3rd

50 kilograms (110 pounds)

This balanced field with Hawkeyes Sterling Dias and Nyla Valencia both entered. Dias finished second at the recent National Collegiate in the 101-pound division but is moving up nine points to compete in the lightest international division. Valencia didn’t compete during the college season so this will be her first test in over a year. 

Nina Pham was a two-time NAIA champion (2021-22) for Wayland Baptist at 101, while Natalie Reyna-Rodriguez was a four-time All-American for McKendree/Southern Oregon at 109. Charlotte Fowler, a 2021 NAIA national finalist, is also entered. 

53 kilograms (116 pounds)

Ella Jauregui is the favorite, but North Central’s Jaslynn Gallegos and Iowa’s Brianna Gonzalez are entered after completing their college seasons. Gallegos finished as a six-time All-American (one WCWA, five NCWWC) and went 2-2 at the 2020 Olympic Trials. She competed at 109 pounds throughout the college season and is moving back up to 53 kg where she typically competes.

Gonzalez finished second in the 116-pound class at the 2024 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships, falling to teammate Felicity Taylor — an opponent she defeated 9-3 in the regional final. 

King’s Dianna Holmes didn’t compete during the 2024 college season but finished third at 109 pounds during the 2023 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. High school stars Clare Booe and Riley Rayome are also entered. 

57 kilograms (125.5 pounds)

This is Bridgette Duty’s weight to win but she’ll have competition. King University stars Virginia Foard and Montana DeLawder split four matches during the college season with Foard placing second at nationals and DeLawder third. 

Sofia Macaluso skipped the college season but has a 2022 U20 World silver medal on her resume. Watch out for high schooler Karlee Brooks. The future Hawkeye trains at the Elite Accelerator Program in Colorado Springs and finished fifth at the 2023 U17 World Championships. 

62 kilograms (136.5 pounds)

Lauren Louive reached Final X in 2019 and won a U.S. National title in 2020. Skylar Hattendorf, a 2019 U17 World silver medalist, will likely use her arsenal of throws and judo background to advance. 

Ana Luciano, a five-time All-American and national champion for King will be a factor, as will McKendree’s Alexandra Szkotnicki and high school star Cadence Diduch. 

68 kilograms (149.5 pounds)

King’s Cheyenne Bowman finished second at the 2023 U.S. National finals, which would have qualified her for the final Olympic Trials, but she didn’t weigh in so her result doesn’t count. She recently finished second at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships to Iowa’s Marlynne Deede. 

Jackie Cataline has a wealth of senior-level experience, including a third-place finish at the 2016 Olympic Trials. High schooler Jasmine Robinson has a big upside, highlighted by a bronze medal at the 2017 U17 World Championships. 

76 kilograms (167 pounds)

Maddie Sandquist and Cara Broadus, All-American teammates at Sacred Heart, are in contention here. Southern Oregon’s Shenita Lawson finished fourth at the 2024 NAIA Championships while Liliana Vergara fourth last year. King’s Alexa Garcia finished fourth at this year’s National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships at 191 and is moving down.

High schooler Naomi Simon won four Iowa state championships and is ranked #3 nationally at 170 pounds.