The 2024 U.S. Women’s Freestyle Team set a new standard for domestic greatness. And it’s hard to argue otherwise. 

Sarah Hildebrandt (50 kg) and Amit Elor (68 kg) won gold, Kennedy Blades (76 kg) won silver, and Helen Maroulis (57 kg) won bronze — matching the four-medal haul from the 2020 Toyko Olympics.

It was the first time a U.S. women’s team won multiple gold medals in the same Olympics, and it was a Blades takedown away from taking home three of six. Maroulis won her third straight medal after becoming the first American woman to strike Olympic gold, Hildebrandt broke through after six tries, and two 20-year-olds reached the Olympic finals. 

“This is the best-performing team we had on the mat,” said USA Wrestling women’s national team coach Terry Steiner. “I couldn’t be prouder.”

U.S. Olympic Comparison: 2004-2024

*Only one bronze medal was awarded at the 2004 Olympics

Honoring The Past

Yes, this was a historic Olympic Games for the U.S. women. It was a mix of veteran talent and next-generation superstars. 

How did we get here? Steiner says we need to go back to the beginning. 

It’s hard to ignore that women were outcasts in a male-dominated sport. Afsoon Johnston created a flier and went door-to-door and business-to-business asking for support to attend the 1989 World Championships in Martigny, Switzerland.

Most responded, “We didn’t know there was women’s wrestling.”

“I was educating people that there was such a thing as women’s wrestling and that we were a legitimate sport,” Johnston said. “Competing at the World Championships in Sweden was groundbreaking for women’s wrestling.”

That eventually led to women’s inclusion at the 2004 Athens Olympics, but the road was rocky. Sara McMann won a silver medal but says most girls today don’t understand the resistance women of that generation endured. 

“They might get it on a small level but they basically tried to push us out of the room and tried to do what they could do legally to keep us from being there,” McMann said. “Wrestling is hard enough on its own without trying to get pushed out. 

“There is a breed of girls out there of my generation that have a stubbornness and toughness level that is unparalleled. We were not popular. It was not popular in our schools. It was looked down upon.”

Helen's Golden Moment

Perhaps no breakthrough moment was larger or more important than Helen Maroulis winning the 2016 Rio Olympics by knocking off Japan’s 16-time World and Olympic champion Saori Yoshida in the finals. It was the first time an American won gold in women’s freestyle wrestling. She added bronze medals to her haul at the next two Olympics.

“What Helen did in 2016 is immeasurable,” Steiner said. “She gave people that permission. I’m very proud of her and how she took things into her own hands. This was all Helen. 

“There was a time when Helen gave credit to everyone else and I think she knows right now that Helen Maroulis did this and we were all part of her journey and thankful to be a part of it. This was her and she needs to take the credit.” 

The explosive growth of girls' high school wrestling plays a part, as do colleges adding women’s college wrestling. Girls are getting specialized training at a younger age, accelerating their technical skills faster than ever before. 

Terry Steiner At The Helm: U.S. World Championships Results From 2002-2023

*Only one bronze medal was awarded in 2002 and 2003

What's Next?

Reflection and celebration are important, but it’s human nature to ask, “What’s next?” 

The women’s freestyle team completed its most successful four-year stretch. In the past two Olympics, U.S. women have won four medals. They have also finished second to Japan at three consecutive World Championships, earning seven medals each time.

Our attention turns to replacing two Olympic gold medalists who could retire. Hildebrandt, 30, and Maroulis, 32, left the door open for an extended stay, but neither may be at the 2028 Olympic Trials. 

Dom Parrish, 27, and Kayla Miracle, 28, were on this year’s Olympic team but both will be in their 30s in four years. If anything, Hildebrandt and Maroulis proved that high-level success can happen at any age, and both are front runners for Los Angeles. 

“We need people to step up,” Steiner said. “If they are going to retire, we need them involved. We need their knowledge. We need their wisdom and being around and rubbing elbows with the next people up and getting them to that spot. We need help all the way around. 

“You don’t have to look far for motivation. Japan had four gold medals. We don’t have to look far for a kick in the rear knowing we can continue on. We need to enjoy this but we also need to take note that we still have a job to do. Having the next Olympics in Los Angeles means something.”