Some of the nation’s best high school, college, and senior-level wrestlers converged for two days in Omaha, Nebraska, to compete for Junior & U23 national titles, while battling for spots on the U.S. National Team and spots in the 2021 Senior World Team Trials. This year’s event was full of matches between top-ranked athletes, upsets, and revelations of emerging young stars. There were many outstanding performances, but only Macey Kilty and Emily Shilson, two of the brightest young stars in women’s wrestling, doubled up with national titles in both divisions.

Full Results from USA Wrestling Junior & U23 Nationals

Brackets, teams scores & more inside FloArena

Things didn’t come easy for Emily Shilson in the Junior division, and she can blame that on Washington senior, #7 in national high school rankings, Salyna Shotwell. As good as she’s been on the high school scene—she just won USAW Preseason Nationals two weeks ago—no one foresaw the tournament Shotwell would have last Friday, taking Shilson right to the edge in the finals, a match Shilson had to come from behind to win 4-2. Shotwell had big wins along the way, upsetting Midland WCWA All-American Esther Walker, #1 high school ranked Samara Chavez, and Wyoming Seminary hammer Ava Bayless to make the finals. But in the end, it was Shilson on top, putting out the fire with 4 points in the second period. Shilson would control her U23 final against Chavez with a 10-0 tech fall at the 2:30 mark.

Said Shilson:

I’m glad to have wrestled well and double up. My goal has always been to dominate and keep scoring points. One match didn’t finish early so I’m already back, making adjustments and elevating my game.

62 kg Macey Kilty outscored her opponents 78-2, dominating her way through the two divisions, though #1 ranked high school wrestler Kylie Welker challenged her in the Junior finals, getting the first takedown. Kilty eventually took control and scored 8 unanswered point to win it 8-2.

The Tar Heel Wrestling Club wrestler faced King University All-American Ana Luciano in the U23 finals. It was a common script for the champ, getting the 10-0 tech fall with masterful work from the neutral position, primarily her go-to single leg. Kilty was awarded the O.W. for the event.

And can we talk about Xochitl “XMP” Mota-Pettis? After stunning women’s wrestling at Senior Nationals last month with the upset win over #2 Senior-ranked Alli Ragan, XMP gives us an encore performance with a dominant win over #4 Senior-ranked Abby Nette in the 57 kg U23 finals, getting the 12-1 tech fall at the 2:35 mark. Up 1-0, XMP countered a Nette double and got all her points in one sequence, securing the 2-point takedown and getting 10 straight points on a trap-arm gut. Nette seemed stunned by the sudden turn of events as it all happened in a matter of around 20 seconds. The previous day, XMP took 2nd in the Junior division to McKendree’s Cameron Guerin, falling 8-3 in the finals.

Another impressive performance that a lot of fans were interested in was how #1 ranked Kennedy Blades, a Wyoming Seminary high school junior with scores of national and international accolades, would fare against college wrestlers. She answered some of that the previous week when she pinned Hannah Gladden, the #3 on the U.S. Senior National Team, in an exhibition. It was more dominance in the Junior division as she defeated Colorado Mesa’s Caylee Collins by fall in the opening round in 40 seconds, then took down two college All-Americans en route to the 72 kg Junior national title. First Blades took out Augsburg All-American Marlynne Deede 11-0 at 1:13 in the semis, then methodically and creatively scored on McKendree 2x All-American Joye Levendusky in the finals to earn an 11-0 tech fall at 4:21. The watching crowd applauded the performance, knowing they just saw something special, as Blades has emerged as one of the brightest young stars in women’s wrestling.

High school prep program Wyoming Seminary proved they can stand tall with college programs, placing 3rd in the unofficial team race in the Junior division behind Colorado Mesa and McKendree, who tied for 1st place.

Top high school talent from all over the country showed they can not only compete against college women, but in some cases, dominate them. Besides Blades, Shotwell, and Welker, other top high school performances included Texas’ Samara Chavez who was 5th in Juniors but made the finals in U23, Wyoming Sem’s Ava Bayless who was 3rd in Juniors at 50 kg, California’s Tiera Jimerson who was 4th at 59 kg in Juniors, Florida’s Chloe Ogden who was 3rd at 62 kg in Juniors, Wyoming Seminary’s Kendall Bostelman who took 4th in both divisions at 62 kg, Minnesota’s Twin Cities RTC wrestler Katerina Lange who made the finals at 65 kg in Juniors, Spartan Mat Club’s Brittyn Corbishley who took 3rd at 76 kg in Juniors, Minnesota’s Ngao Shoua Whitethorn who took 6th at 55kg in both Juniors & U23s, and Minnesota’s Amor Tuttle who took 8th at 59 kg in Juniors and 3rd at 65 kg in U23s.

The NCAA champion McKendree program and #7 ranked Colorado Mesa were top team performers in the Junior division. McKendree put three into the finals, walking away with one champion in 57 kg Cameron Guerin (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club), while 53 kg Felicity Taylor and 72 kg Joye Levendusky both took 2nd place. Freshman Emmily Patneaud took 5th at 62 kg. Colorado Mesa had seven All-Americans, including 4th place Marissa Gallegos at 53 kg and 76 kg Junior national champion Tristan Kelly.

It was all King University in the U23 division, boasting five finalists and two champions in 55kg Allison Petix and 65 kg Ashlynn Ortega. 53 kg Cheyenne Sisenstein, 62 kg Ana Luciano, and 65 kg Viktorya Torres all took 2ndplace. King ruled the unofficial team race, outpacing 2nd place Emmanuel by 39 points. Emmanuel’s Kayla Marano was the U23 champion at 72 kg.

King head coach Jason Moorman was grateful just to be back on the mat.

It was so refreshing to finally compete! We have had to make many changes to how we approach training due to Covid-19 this year, and these women have handled all of it like champions. Our main focus going into this tournament was to wrestle hard and have fun competing. I think they definitely did a good job of that, and we are very proud of them.

Emily Shilson was also grateful to be on the mats and see the growth of the sport. “We have learned to be grateful for the opportunities to compete,” said the #1 NCAA ranked wrestler. “Never has there been a better time for the wrestling world to experience that than now. The growth of women’s wrestling has been incredible and we all owe Sally [Roberts] at Wrestle Like A Girl along with everyone at USA Wrestling a big thanks for their incredible efforts in supporting this sport.”

Here’s the weight by weight recap of both divisions, including a peek at how our preview picks and dark horses performed.

JUNIOR DIVISION

50kg Juniors
As mentioned, Shotwell was a revelation, including getting the win over #1 high school ranked Samara Chavez in the quarters, but Shilson found a way like champions do. Wyoming Sem junior Ava Bayless was also outstanding, taking out two college All-Americans en route to a 3rd place finish.

My prediction was: “Broken record. Shilson wins. Haven’t seen her lose recently to anyone outside of the top 5 Senior level women, and they’re not here.”

Result: Nailed it, though I was biting my fingernails. My picks: 1/1

My dark horse: “Samara Chavez. She was amazing at Senior Nationals, and will turn some heads here.”

Result: 5th place…Chavez lost to the Cinderella of this weight, Shotwell, in the quarters. My dark horses in top eight: 1/1

All-Americans
1. Emily Shilson (TMWC/Twin Cities RTC)
2. Salyna Shotwell (Ford Dynasty Wrestling Club)
3. Ava Bayless (Wyoming Seminary)
4. Ashley Gooman (Warrior WC)
5. Samara Chavez (Spartan Mat Club)
6. Anja Tschohl (Colorado Mesa WC)
7. Sydney Petzinger (Unattached)
8. Emma Cochran (Grand View WC)

53 kg Juniors
Tiare Ikei looked like the same version of her that won the 2019 U.S. Open, mixing clean shots & finishes with exciting RBY-like acrobatics—did anyone see her cartwheel out of Felicity Taylor’s fireman’s in the finals? This group was absolutely loaded. When the #6 ranked Senior woman finishes 5th, that tells you something about the depth. Howk lost to Ikei on the front side, then Alleida Martinez on the backside, setting up a 3rd place rematch between Martinez & Gallegos that felt like a final. The Menlo 2019 WCWA national champion prevailed 3-2 over the Colorado Mesa star.

My prediction was: “Marissa Gallegos catches fire and pulls the upset for the title. And it’ll be fun to watch her matches while she’s doing it.”

Result: Gallegos took 4th but did beat Alleida Martinez 9-5 on the championship side. My picks: 1/2

My dark horse: “Camille Fournier.”

Result: She scratched. My dark horses in top eight: 1/2

All-Americans
1. Tiare Ikei (TMWC)
2. Felicity Taylor (McKendree Bearcat WC)
3. Alleida Martinez (TMWC)
4. Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa WC)
5. Alisha Howk (Sunkist Kids WC)
6. Sophia Mirabella (Team Tornado WC)
7. Melanie Mendoza (Team Tornado WC)
8. Emalie Olson (Greater Heights Wrestling)

55 kg Juniors
Menlo freshman Nanea Estrella caught fire, finding a way to win close matches along the way, including a wild quarterfinal match against North Central’s Asia Nguyen-Smith 11-10. Estrella then got by Isabella Amaro by fall in the semi, a match that was still 7-5 Estrella with under 2 minutes left. The Hawaii-based Estrella ran through Vayle Baker on multiple leg shots in the final, adding points with turns and counters for the 11-0 tech fall.

My prediction was: “Asia Nguyen-Smith has an impressive day and wins it all.”

Result: 4th place. Nguyen-Smith lost that wild quarter 11-10 to eventual champ Estrella, a match not without controversy as head coach Joe Norton took to Twitter to voice his grievance on a crucial sequence deep in second. He lost challenge, point, match. My picks: 1/3

My dark horse: “Tateum Park.”

Result: Went out in blood round to Nguyen-Smith. Tough draw. My dark horses in top eight: 1/3

All-Americans
1. Nanea Estrella (American Falls WC)
2. Vayle Baker (Twin Cities RTC)
3. Isabella Amaro (All-Phase WC)
4. Asia Nguyen-Smith (Cardinal WC)
5. Claire DiCugno (Takedown Express WC)
6. Ngao Shoua Whitethorn (Twin Cities RTC)
7. Grace Pauls (Unattached)
8. Nanen Aguilar (Colorado Mesa WC)

57 kg Juniors
In a high-paced finals between Titan Mercury’s Cameron Guerin, the 2019 3rd place Senior Nationals finisher, and Rise RTC’s XMP, the runner-up last month at 2020 Senior Nationals, the latter held the 3-3 criteria lead late in the match. That’s when Guerin hit a 4-pointer in under a minute to go up 7-3. An XMP challenge failed, giving Guerin the eventual 8-3 win and the 2020 Junior national title. #9 Senior ranked Emily Se defeated eventual double All-American Mia Macaluso, a freshman from East Stroudsburg that showed she’s a college-level contender, in the 3rd place match.

My prediction was: “Cameron Guerin gets it done with superior wrestling.” My picks: 2/4

Result: Guerin gets it done with superior wrestling.

My dark horse: “Mia Macaluso can win matches and isn’t unfamiliar with the big stage. Watch her go far in the bracket.”

Result: 4th place for the freshman. My dark horses in top eight: 2/4

All-Americans
1. Cameron Guerin (TMWC)
2. Xochitl Mota-Pettis (Rise RTC)
3. Emily Se (Lion WC)
4. Mia Macaluso (East Stroudsburg)
5. Karoline Ortiz (Missouri Baptist WC)
6. Tatum Pine (Choker Wrestling Club)
7. Mea Mohler (Spartan Mat Club)
8. Jamae Barnes (Colorado Mesa WC)

59 kg Juniors
An old rivalry met in the finals at this weight as Gracie Figueroa and Michaela Beck wrestled for the title. Figueroa and Beck hit several times in the national finals in high school along with running into each other multiple other times, Figueroa owning the series 8-1 since 2014. Beck beat her in one match of a Best of 3 in 2017 at the WTT Cadet Finals. Figueroa would win again this time, a close 4-2 scrap where she would hit her go-to ankle pick for the win.

My prediction was: “Michaela Beck grinds her way to a title.”

Result: Runner-up for Beck. To my defense, Figueroa wasn’t in the field when I wrote the preview! My picks: 2/5

My dark horse: “Paige Respicio shows why she was 3x state champ in Hawaii.”

Result: She sure did, placing 6th in this tough group and earning wins over Jerzie Estrada, Waipuilani Estrella- Beauchamp, and only losing to champ Figueroa 5-2. My dark horses in top eight: 3/5

All-Americans
1. Gracie Figueroa (TMWC)
2. Michaela Beck (Sunkist Kids WC)
3. Jordan Suarez (Texas Panhandle WC)
4. Tiera Jimerson (Northview High School Wrestling)
5. Phoenix Dubose (Team Tornado WC)
6. Paige Respicio (Warrior WC)
7. Waipuilani Estrella- Beauchamp (Warrior WC)
8. Amor Tuttle (Twin Cities RTC)

62 kg Juniors
As mentioned earlier, Kilty earned the title over a tough Kylie Welker. This group featured two #1 high school wrestlers in Welker and Chloe Ogden, who finished in 3rd while defeating Emmanuel All-American Julia Padilla in the quarters.

My prediction was: “Still Macey.”

Result: You saw it. My picks: 3/6

My dark horse: “Emmily Patneaud shows early returns on being in the McKendree program.”

Result: 5th place. Nice tournament. My dark horses in top eight: 4/6

All-Americans
1. Macey Kilty (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Academy)
2. Kylie Welker (Higher Level Wrestling)
3. Chloe Ogden (Lake Highland Prep)
4. Kendall Bostelman (Wyoming Seminary)
5. Emmily Patneaud (McKendree Bearcat WC)
6. Liana Souza (Unattached)
7. Sara Schmoker (Lions WC)
8. Julia Padilla (Lion WC)

65 kg Juniors
Lehigh Valley’s Marisol Nugent was on a mission for the national title, taking out King’s highly-touted recruit freshman Viktorya Torres 6-5 in the semis. Meanwhile, Twin Cities RTC’s Katerina Lange got everyone’s attention on the top side of the bracket when she pinned 2018 Junior Pan Am Champion Brianna Csontos in the opening Round of 16, and then went on a tear to the finals, getting two straight tech falls. In the end, Nugent was the best in the bracket, getting the 14-3 tech fall in the finals over Lange.

My prediction was: “Salome Walker wins it. Nugent shines but falls short in a competitive final.”

Result: Walker dropped to 62 kg and DNP’ed there, falling to my 62 kg dark horse. She would make the podium in U23. That said, once news broke that Bri Csontos had bumped up to this group, I tweeted that she was my new pick. Nugent responded, “Chiiiil.” I stand corrected. My picks: 3/7

My dark horse: “Ellisa Jimenez, one of California’s secrets, can win matches.”

Result: 6th place. Solid day. My dark horses in top eight: 5/7

All-Americans
1. Marisol Nugent (Lehigh Valley WC)
2. Katerina Lange (Twin Cities RTC)
3. Brianna Csontos (TMWC)
4. Viktorya Torres (Team Tornado WC)
5. Piper Staniford (Wyoming Seminary)
6. Ellisa Jimenez (TMWC)
7. Emma Cole (Unattached)
8. Madeline Frick (Colorado Mesa WC)

68 kg Juniors
Grand View’s Alexis Gomez went unchallenged, outscoring her opponents 41-0

My prediction was: “Alexis Gomez dominates the field. Makes it look easy.”

Result: Yeah, that happened. My picks: 4/8

My dark horse: Leilani Hernandez.

Result: 2nd place, just couldn’t touch Gomez. My dark horses in top eight: 6/8

All-Americans
1. Alexis Gomez (Grand View WC)
2. Leilani Hernandez (Texas Pride WC)
3. Aaliyah Fisher (Bronco WC)
4. Julia Lhotellier (Lion WC)
5. Jacqueline Carreras (Bronco WC)

72 kg Juniors
As previously mentioned, Blades answered any questions about what level she is at, defeating two college All-Americans en route to the title. Heading into the final, Levendusky and Blades had outscored their opponents 41-0. Blades ended up being the one to pitch the shutout, at the end of the day outscoring her opponents 30-0.

My prediction was: “Look for a Blades vs. Levendusky final.”

Result: Got that right. My picks: 5/9

My dark horse: “Since entering the college scene, Marlynne Deede has been steadily improving and is capable of winning matches at an event like this.”

Result: 3rd place. Deede took care of business on the backside of the bracket after her loss to Blades. My dark horses in top eight: 7/9

All-Americans
1. Kennedy Blades (Wyoming Seminary)
2. Joye Levendusky (McKendree Bearcat WC)
3. Marlynne Deede (Twin Cities RTC)
4. Gianna Anaya (Lion WC)
5. Caylee Collins (Colorado Mesa WC)
6. Destynie Pacheco (Twin Cities RTC)
7. Jordan Roberts (Missouri Baptist WC)
8. Kennadee Vaughn (Bronco WC)

76 kg Juniors
Tristan Kelly shocked college fans with a dominant performance over the #1 ranked NCAA wrestler Yelena Makoyed in the finals 10-0 at the 1:42 mark, a win that was avenged, then unavenged, in the U23 division as they met twice on Sunday. Over the two days, Kelly ended up winning the unplanned Best of 3 series 2-1. Brittyn Corbishley pulled off another shocking win in the 3rd place match, pinning the #1 ranked NAIA wrestler from Wayland Baptist, Kaylynn Albrecht.

My prediction was: “Kaylynn Albrecht takes the title.”

Result: No, she didn’t. My picks: 5/10

My dark horse: “Brittyn Corbishley is a tough bring-it-to-you wrestler, a style that’s needed at an event like this.”

Result: Nailed it. 3rd place in a tough group. My dark horses in top eight: 8/10

All-Americans
1. Tristan Kelly (Colorado Mesa WC)
2. Yelena Makoyed (Cardinal WC)
3. Brittyn Corbishley (Spartan Mat Club)
4. Kaylynn Albrecht (Unattached)
5. Anastasia Hardin (Unattached)
6. Kamilla Montenegro (Choker Wrestling)

U23 DIVISION

50 kg U23
Anyone who follows women’s wrestling knows it’s hard to overstate how deep this group was, even with a late scratch by McKendree national champ Pauline Granados. Even so, it was Shilson again, seemingly cruising through the competition, though she did get scored on first by Ashley Gooman in the quarters. But let’s talk about Samara Chavez, who outperformed her 5th place finish in the Junior division by taking 2nd in U23. Her wins included the #1 NAIA wrestler, Nina Pham, an opponent that was undefeated in college last season before the NAIA Invitational was cancelled, and Maria Vidales, the #2 ranked wrestler in the NCAA. We don’t know yet where Chavez will commit, but wherever she goes, they’ll land a competitor who knows how to win and will make an immediate impact.

My prediction was: “Until I see Emily Shilson lose a match to someone other than Senior level national teamers, I can’t pick against her. Shilson runs the gauntlet and comes out on top.”

Result: Yep. My picks: 6/11

My dark horse: “King’s Jaclyn McNichols is right with the top of the pack, though she might be slightly in the shadows of the national champions in this group. That said, don’t sleep on her.”

Result: 8th place in a deep weight. Applause to anyone making this podium. My dark horses in top eight: 9/11

All-Americans
1. Emily Shilson (TMWC/Twin Cities RTC)
2. Samara Chavez (Spartan Mat Club)
3. Maria Vidales (Lion Wrestling Club)
4. Aleeah Gould (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)
5. Nina Pham (Texas Panhandle Wrestling Club)
6. Ashley Gooman (Warrior Wrestling Club)
7. Kasey Baynon (Lion Wrestling Club)
8. Jaclyn McNichols (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)

53 kg U23
Ronna Heaton! Anyone who saw the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club athlete compete at Senior Nationals, even though she took a forgivable loss to Katherine Shai, knew she was wrestling at a high level. She always seemed to have an answer for Cheyenne Sisenstein’s attacks in the finals, getting the efficient 6-1 win and U23 title. The semis at this weight showed the depth of this weight class, a group that included the #5-#8 Senior-ranked women at 53 kg and the #10 at 57 kg, Cheyenne Sisenstein. The King wrestler took out McKendree’s #7 ranked Felicity Taylor 8-1, and #5 Heaton beat out Junior champ #8 Tiare Ikei by fall at 4:13 in an action-packed match full of back-and-forth scoring. Meanwhile, #6 Senior-ranked Alisha Howk took 5th place.

My prediction was: “This one is hard to pick, because I could go with any one of seven wrestlers. That said, after what I saw at Senior Nationals, I’m going with Ronna Heaton.”

Result: Got it! My picks: 7/12

My dark horse: “Cheyenne Sisenstein could win this whole thing. She’s a fierce competitor who doesn’t care who she’s wrestling and goes out expecting to win. Just the kind of mentality needed to win an event like this. She’s also down from 57 kg, which means she’ll be big for this class.”

Result: 2nd place. Looks like a winner! My dark horses in top eight: 10/12

All-Americans
1. Ronna Heaton (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club)
2. Cheyenne Sisenstein (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)
3. Tiare Ikei (TMWC)
4. Felicity Taylor (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club)
5. Alisha Howk (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club)
6. Victoria Smith (Unattached)
7. Alleida Martinez (TMWC)
8. Anja Tschohl (Colorado Mesa WC)

55 kg U23

It was Petix over a very tough Marissa Gallegos in the finals, 6-2. In years past, Petix, a senior at King, was a two-time U23 runner-up. She took 3rd as a freshman, 2nd as a sophomore, and 2nd as a junior. This time she walks away with the stop sign. Augsburg’s Vayle Baker finished off a stellar weekend by taking 3rd place a day after being a Junior finalist, and King’s freshman Sophia Mirabella proved to be a revelation, placing 6th in Juniors and 4th in U23s. The one-time youth boxer and MMA fighter entered the college scene having never been nationally ranked or even making the podium. This weekend, she went 7-5, including two close losses to #6 Senior-ranked Alisha Howk, 4-0 & 4-2.

My prediction was: “Money on Petix for this one.”

Result: Petix breaks through! My picks: 8/13

My dark horse: Jamayia Blackston

Result: Scratched. My dark horses in top eight: 10/13

All-Americans

1. Allison Petix (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)

2. Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa WC)

3. Vayle Baker (Twin Cities RTC)

4. Sophia Mirabella (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)

5. Melanie Mendoza (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)

6. Ngao Shoua Whitethorn (Twin Cities RTC)

7. Makayla Welch (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)

8. Rebekah Cordova (Texas Panhandle Wrestling Club)

57 kg U23

As previously noted, this was a shocking final, with XMP scoring all her points for the tech fall in one trap arm death trap for Abby Nette. Great 3rd place match too, as 2020 NCAA champ Alexia “Flex” Ward took out Simon Fraser’s Lauren Mason in a 3-2 chess match. East Stroudsburg freshman Mia Macaluso finished off a double All-American weekend by taking 7th place.

My prediction was: “Love Guerin, but going Nette. And it’s very close.”

Result: Guerin got injured in her finals match the day before. After a loss in this division to teammate Flex Ward 5-1, she defaulted out the rest of the day. Nette loses final. My picks: 8/14

My dark horse: “Who else? Gotta go XMP. She did it at Senior Nationals. She could do it again here. If she does, maybe she shouldn’t be the dark horse next time?”

Result: XMP wins it all! My dark horses in top eight: 11/14

All-Americans

1. Xochitl Mota-Pettis (Rise Wrestling)

2. Abigail Nette (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club)

3. Alexia Ward (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club)

4. Lauren Mason (Unattached)

5. Amanda Martinez (Cardinal Wrestling Club)

6. Karoline Ortiz (Missouri Baptist Wrestling Club)

7. Mia Macaluso (East Stroudsburg)

8. Serena Cervantes (Hill Country Wrestling Club)

59 kg U23

Desiree Zavala outscores her opponents 31-0 in this weight class, getting the tech fall over Campbellsville alum, 4x WCWA All-American Koral Sugiyama at 1:38 in the finals. Clean leg shots and tight laces buttoned it up for Zavala. Sugiyama had a great run to the finals, getting the 16-6 tech fall over Junior national champion Gracie Figueroa in the semis.

My prediction was: “Gracie Figueroa gets by Zavala.”

Result: Missed that one. My picks: 8/15

My dark horse: “Can you call Jerzie Estrada a dark horse? Well, either way, she can be a comeback story. Watch Midland’s Paige Respicio too.”

Result: Respicio 5th place, Estrada 7th place. My dark horses in top eight: 12/15

All-Americans

1. Desiree Zavala (Texas Panhandle Wrestling Club)

2. Koral Sugiyama (Unattached)

3. Emily Se (Lion Wrestling Club)

4. Sophia Smith (Unattached)

5. Paige Respicio (Warrior Wrestling Club)

6. Gracie Figueroa (TMWC)

7. Jerzie Estrada (Unattached)

8. Sadie Tackett (Lion Wrestling Club)

62 kg U23

This was Kilty…and everyone else. That being said, King’s Ana Luciano had a great run to the finals, getting two tech falls until Kilty put her on the losing end of one. 

My prediction was: “Look for someone else to pick against Kilty. With this field, I’m not doing it. And just maybe she’s got a new chip on her shoulder after that close finals loss at Senior Nationals. I don’t think she gives up a point in either division. Kilty: Lots of points, The field: 0”

Result: Kilty lots of points, The field 0. My picks: 9/16

My dark horse: “I’d say Ana Luciano, but it’s hard to call a 2x All-American a dark horse. Let’s go with Salome Walker.”

Result: Ana Luciano 2nd, Salome Walker 8th. My dark horses in top eight: 13/16

All-Americans

1. Macey Kilty (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Academy)

2. Ana Luciano (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)

3. Waipuilani Estrella- Beauchamp (Warrior Wrestling Club)

4. Kendall Bostelman (Wyoming Seminary)

5. Emmily Patneaud (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club)

6. Phoenix Dubose (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)

7. Alyssa Aceval (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)

8. Salome Walker (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club)

65 kg U23

Two King teammates battled it out in the finals, as #3 Senior-ranked Ashlynn Ortega showed why she’s so highly regarded with an 11-0 win over freshman rising star Viktorya “Tory” Torres. High school star Amor Tuttle also showed why she gets so much attention, placing 3rd with an 11-0 win at 1:51 over 2018 Junior Pan Am Champion Brianna Csontos. The previous day’s Junior champ Marisol Nugent placed 6th in this group.

My prediction was: “Ashlynn Ortega. That’s all.”

Result: Dominated. My picks: 10/17

My dark horse: “I’ve heard great things about high schooler Amor Tuttle. Maybe we’ll see it this weekend.”

Result: Sure did! 3rd place. My dark horses in top eight: 14/17

All-Americans

1. Ashlynn Ortega (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)

2. Viktorya Torres (Team Tornado Wrestling Club)

3. Amor Tuttle (Twin Cities RTC)

4. Brianna Csontos (TWWC)

5. Skie Rice (Cougar Wrestling Club)

6. Marisol Nugent (Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club)

7. Kayla Munoz (Colorado Mesa WC)

8. Emma Cole (Unattached)

68 kg U23

Skylar Grote did what everyone expected to do in this small group, being on the mat for a total of 48 seconds.

My prediction was: “Skylar Grote.”

Result: Grote got it done. My picks: 11/18

My dark horse: “I just don’t see Grote losing this.”

Result: No dark horse.

All-Americans

1. Skylar Grote (New York Athletic Club)

2. Samantha Bush (Grand View Wrestling Club)

3. Julia Lhotellier (Lion Wrestling Club)

72 kg U23

Kayla Marano, ranked #3 in the NCAA, didn’t really have anyone to challenge her in this group, especially when Joye Levendusky bumped up to 76 kg. Her teammate Ophelia Lara had a nice tournament, making the finals, but didn’t really pose a threat to Marano, who scored the 11-0 technical superiority at 4:15.

My prediction was: “This one will come down to Levendusky vs. Deede.”

Result: Levendusky bumped up to 76 kg. Deede ran into Marano in semis. My picks: 11/19

My dark horse: “Gianna Anaya was a top 25 wrestler in high school and is now in a solid college program at Emmanuel. Maybe the freshman could pull an upset?”

Result: Anaya got injured in Consis and had to forfeit out. My dark horses in top eight: 15/18

All-Americans

1. Kayla Marano (Lion Wrestling Club)

2. Ophelia Lara (Lion Wrestling Club)

3. Marlynne Deede (Twin Cities RTC)

4. Caylee Collins (Colorado Mesa WC)

5. Destynie Pacheco (Twin Cities RTC)

6. Gianna Anaya (Lion Wrestling Club)

76 kg U23

After suffering an early round loss to Colorado Mesa’s Tristan Kelly at Senior Nationals last month, Guilford wasn’t going to fail to miss the finals this time. Facing off with rival Precious Bell in the title match, Guilford got the fall at 3:25. After going up 8-0, Bell threw Guilford to make it 8-4, but then Guilford pancaked Bell as she transitioned to her feet recovering from a shot for the pin & U23 title. McKendree’s Joye Levendusky put together a solid two days. After taking 2nd in Juniors at 72 kg, she took 3rd at 76 kg in U23s, getting a 14-4 tech fall in Consi Semis over 76 kg Junior champ Tristan Kelly. Colorado Mesa’s Kelly finished her outstanding two days with a 10-0 tech fall over Yelena Makoyed, her second win over the opponent during the weekend. 

My prediction was: “Guilford gets this one done. Not easy though. If she wrestles Makoyed, it’s going to be close.”

Result: Guilford gets it. Makoyed slipped to 6th. My picks: 12/20

My dark horse: “Myranda Velazquez. Sneaky skills. Upset potential.”

Result: 8th place. Tough draw for Velazquez. Got injured in consi loss to Nwankwo and forfeited final match. My dark horses in top eight: 16/19

All-Americans

1. Dymond Guilford (TMWC)

2. Precious Bell (TMWC)

3. Joye Levendusky (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club)

4. Nkechinyere Nwankwo (Unattached)

5. Tristan Kelly (Colorado Mesa)

6. Yelena Makoyed (Cardinal Wrestling Club)

7. Kamilla Montenegro (Choker Wrestling Club)

8. Myranda Velazquez (Unattached)

Follow Derek on Twitter and catch more women's wrestling coverage at the appropriately named American Women's Wrestling website.