High School Wrestling: U.S. High School All-Star Team Heading to Russia

Wyoming Sem and several national team members will compete in a showcase dual vs. Russia the day before the Vorobyeva Cup begins.

by Derek Levendusky, AWW staff writer

The United States is sending an all-star team to compete in the Vorobyeva Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia on September 27-29. The Cadet-level event will also feature a showcase dual on the 27th between the United States and Russia with an American squad made up primarily of Wyoming Seminary athletes, though it will also include national team members Sterling Dias and Kylie Welker. The dual will feature 12 total matchups.

“We are excited to meet with Team USA national/world team members for the tournament and training camp,” said Wyoming Sem women’s head coach, Erin Vandiver. “This is going to be a terrific opportunity for the Sem girls. Our team is looking forward to experiencing Russian culture and exploring St. Petersburg. The competition will be very competitive and the training will be intense.”

The dual will be followed by an individual tournament which will include participants from Wyoming Sem and the U.S. Cadet National Team. USA Coach Jessica Medina will lead the national team and Erin Vandiver will coach the Wyoming Sem group that also includes some national team members. In all, the trip will span September 24th-October 4th and will also include a training camp with Russian wrestlers.

“The Wyoming Sem scholar athletes are ready to embrace this challenge,” added Vandiver. “It will be great for the girls to see the Russian training styles and feel their competitive responses. We are very thankful for the support received that makes these trips possible and to be at a place where the impact of global education is understood.”

Here’s the roster.

*Sterling Dias (NV, Body Bar 36-40 kg Cadet Champ, silver medalist at 2019 Worlds)
Belle Foard (Wyoming Sem, 40 kg, Body Bar Cadet runner-up)
*Alex Szkotnicki (MD, 43 kg U15 & Body Bar Cadet Champ, DNP at 2019 Worlds)
Madi Wellen (Wyoming Sem, 49 kg, 8th U15 Trials)
Abby Duke (Wyoming Sem, 49 kg, 2x Fargo AA)
Ava Bayless (Wyoming Sem, 49 kg, 3rd place Body Bar)
*Korina Blades (Wyoming Sem, 57 kg, U15 Champ)
*Skylar Hattendorf (NH, 57 kg Body Bar Cadet Champ, silver medalist at 2019 Worlds)
Elleni Johnson (Wyoming Sem, 61 kg, 6th U15 Trials)
*Mia Macaluso (NY, 61 kg Body Bar 61 kg Cadet runner-up, 2019 Cadet Pan Am Champ & Junior Pan Am Bronze)
*Kylie Welker (WI, 61 kg Body Bar Cadet Champ, bronze medalist at 2019 Worlds)
*Reese Larramendy (Wyoming Sem, 62 kg U15 Champ)
*Amit Elor (CA, 69 kg Body Bar Cadet Champ, bronze medalist at 2019 Worlds)
Dakota Dinielli (Wyoming Sem, 69 kg, 4th U15 Trials)
*Kennedy Blades (Wyoming Sem, 73 kg Body Bar Cadet Champ, DNP 2019 Worlds)
*Tristan Kelly (CO, 73 kg Body Bar Cadet runner-up, 2019 Cadet Pan Am Champ)

*National team members.