Forming a Freestyle Women’s U23 World Team is difficult, but explaining how to form an U23 World Team during an Olympic year can be more difficult. Here’s what you need to know.
When is the U23 World Championship?
That’s easy. The U23 World Championship will take place from October 21st to 27th in Tirana, Albania.
What are the U23 World Championships?
This is a senior level competition for under 23s.
How does an American qualify for the U23 Women’s Freestyle World Championships?
Hold tight. This will require some explanation.
We’ll use the 150-pound weight class as a guide, since that’s our deepest home weight.
The U23 nationals were held April 12-13 in Spokane, Washington. Tristan Kelly dominated the bracket to win the 76kg bracket, but he still has a long way to go before he makes the U23 World Team.
As it stands today, Kelly is fourth in the pecking order.
USA Wrestling wants to send its best team to the U23 World Championships to reward age-appropriate wrestlers who competed well at the April 19-20 Olympic Trials. The top four wrestlers in the six Olympic weights are members of the United States National Team.
Below is our current Team USA at 175 pounds.
1. Kennedy Blades (U23 eligible)
2. Adeline Gray (not eligible for U23)
3. Yelena Makoyed (U23 eligible)
4. Kylie Welker (U23 eligible)
The highest-placed, age-eligible member of the Olympic Team National Trials Team has the first spot on the U23 World Team. This means that Blades has the priority, Makoyed has the second position, and Welker has the third position.
The spot on the U23 World Team goes to the U23 National Champion if any age-eligible U.S. team member declines. Kelly gets the job if Blades, Makoyed and Welker refuse.
Bo Giebe – runner-up to Kelly at the Under-23 Nationals – gets the spot if Blades, Makoyed, Welker and Kelly decline.
Kalila Shrive – third place in the U23 National Championship – gets the spot if Blades, Makoyed, Welker, Kelly and Giebe refuse.
While this chart may be true, a lot will have to happen before Kelly becomes a member of the U23 World Team.
Here’s a breakdown of the five remaining Olympic weight classes.
50 kilograms
National team
1. Sarah Hildebrandt (not eligible for U23)
2. Audrey Jimenez (U23 eligible)
3. Sage Mortimer (U23 eligible)
4. Erin Golston (not eligible for U23)
Under-23 Nationals
1. Heather Crull
2. Sterling Dias
3. Makenzie Smith
Current pecking order for the under-23 world team
1. Audrey Jiménez
2. Sage Mortimer
3. Heather Crull
4. Sterling Dias
5. Makenzie Smith
53 kilograms
National team
1. Dom Parrish (not eligible for U23)
2. Haley Augello (not eligible for U23)
3. Areana Villaescusa (not eligible for U23)
4. Felicity Taylor (not eligible for U23)
Under-23 Nationals
1. Elena Ivaldi
2. Jaslynn Gallegos
3. Eden Hernandez
Current pecking order for the under-23 team
1. Elena Ivaldi
2. Jaslynn Gallegos
3. Eden Hernandez
57 kilograms
National team
1. Helen Maroulis (not eligible for U23)
2. Jacarra Winchester (not eligible for U23)
3. Alex Hedrick (not eligible for U23)
4. Abby Nette (not eligible for U23)
Under-23 Nationals
1. Sofia Macaluso
2. Carissa Qureshi
3.Haley Narahara
Current Hierarchical Order
1. Sofia Macaluso
2. Carissa Qureshi
3.Haley Narahara
62 kilograms
National team
1. Kayla Miracle (not eligible for U23)
2. Macey Kilty (U23 eligible)
3. Adaugo Nwachukwu (U23 eligible)
4. Jennifer Page (not eligible for U23)
Under-23 Nationals
1. Adaugo Nwachukwu
2. Marisol Nugent
3. Claire DiCugno
Current Hierarchical Order
1. Macey Kilty
2. Adaugo Nwachukwu
3. Marisol Nugent
4. Claire DiCugno
68 kilograms
National team
1. Amit Elor (U23 eligible)
2. Forrest Molinari (not eligible for U23)
3. Alexandra Glaude (not eligible for U23)
4. Brooklyn Hayes (U23 eligible)
Under-23 Nationals
1.Brooklyn Hayes
2. Nina Makem
3. Riley Amold
Current Hierarchical Order
1. Amit Elor
2.Brooklyn Hayes
3. Nina Makem
4. Riley Amold
What about non-Olympic weights?
Kindness!!! Things were making sense. Why would you ask this?
Okay, keep your hands and feet inside the ride. This can get complicated.
Any age-eligible National Team member (see above) may challenge the U23 national champion at any world weight (55, 59, 65, 72) during the Senior National Team camp, June 23-29. Here are the top three fighters in the U23 National Championship at world weights.
55 kilograms
1. Amani Jones
2. Montana De Lawder
3. Ella Jauregui
59 kilograms
1. Skye Realin
2. YeLe Aycock
3. Larissa Kaz
65 kilograms
1. Aine Drury
2. Alara Boyd
3.Emma Walker
72 kilograms
1. Jasmine Robinson
2. London Houston
3. Aspen Barber
There will be a single-elimination tournament to determine who will challenge the 2024 U23 National Champion if there is more than one challenger by weight.
There will be a best-of-three series between the 2024 Under-23 National Champion and the challenger to determine who will win the spot.
If the 2024 U23 National Champion declines, the challenger tournament finals will be a best-of-three series.
If there are no opponents, the 2024 U23 National Champion will be a member of the 2024 U23 World Team.
If the 2024 Under-23 National Champion declines the opportunity, it will be offered to the athletes ranked #2 and #3 in the 2024 Under-23 Women’s National Championship.
Is there anything else we should know?
USA Wrestling will select the U23 team member if the above process does not work.
Bottom line: We have a long way to go before the 10-member U23 World Team is determined. We will keep you informed.
