The US Wrestling Federation kicked off its senior nationals on Friday. At the end of the first day of the competition which is being held in Coralville, Iowa, three women wrestlers were crowned champions in 50kg, 53kg and 57kg.
In the 50 kg finals, 2018 World silver medalist Sarah Hildebrandt faced Amy Fearnside, a fellow U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center athlete. Fearnside was fresh off perhaps the biggest win of her career, defeating two-time Senior World medalist Alyssa Lampe in Friday’s semifinals.
Hildebrandt cooled down Fearnside’s red hot day with an 8-0 victory for her second national championship, thanks to three takedowns and a leg lace.
The most dramatic final, however, came at 57 kg, where National Team member Lauren Louive trailed Xochitl Mota-Pettis, who was having a phenomenal tournament, defeating two-time World silver medalist Alli Ragan earlier in the day.
Women’s freestyle finals results
50 kg
1st – Sarah Hildebrandt (NYAC) df. Amy Fearnside (Titan Mercury WC), 8-0
3rd – Alyssa Lampe (Sunkist Kids) df. Samara Chavez (Spartan Mat Club), 10-0
5th – Stefana Jelacic (Sunkist Kids) df. Emily Shilson (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club), injury def.
7th – Charlotte Fowler (Unattached) dec. Trinity Rios (Florida Jets), 9-0
53 kg
1st – Katherine Shai (Titan Mercury WC) df. Ronna Heaton (Sunkist Kids), 10-0
3rd – Alisha Howk (Sunkist Kids) df. Amy Golding (Curby 3 Style Wrestling Club), 10-0
5th – Arelys Valles (Grand View WC) df. Victoria Smith (Unattached), 15-4
7th – Camille Fournier (Spartan Wrestling Club)
57 kg
1st – Lauren Louive (NYAC) df. Xochitl Mota-Pettis (Rise Wrestling), fall 2:47
3rd – Alli Ragan (Sunkist Kids) tech. fall Deanna Prince (Panhandle WC), 10-0
5th – Ngao Shoua Whitethorn (Twin Cities RTC) df. Vayle Baker PA (Twin Cities RTC), forfeit
7th – Jasmine Davis (Panhandle WC) df. Kiarah Cantillo (unattached), 10-0
Women’s freestyle semifinals results
50 kg
Sarah Hildebrandt (NYAC) df. Emily Shilson (Titan Mercury WC), 10-0
Amy Fearnside (Titan Mercury WC) df. Alyssa Lampe (Sunkist Kids), 6-5
53 kg
Katherine Shai (Titan Mercury WC) df. Amy Golding (Curby 3 Style WC), fall 1:45
Ronna Heaton (Sunkist Kids) df. Alisha Howk (Sunkist Kids), 8-2
57 kg
Xochitl Mota-Pettis (Rise Wrestling) df. Vayle Baker (Twin Cities RTC), fall 2:07
Lauren Louive (NYAC) df. Ngao Shoua Whitehorn (Twin Cities RTC), fall 0:29