Women's U.S. Open Guide: Entries, Rankings, Accolades, Blockers

2019 world teamer Whitney Conder at the U.S. Open last April. Photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo / WrestlersAreWarriors.com.

by Derek Levendusky, AWW staff writer

FORT WORTH, TX - In just two days, top level women are coming to the Fort Worth Convention Center to pursue their Olympic dreams. The U.S. Open Olympic Trial Qualifier will feature only 6 weight classes this year, down from 10 in the non-Olympic year: 50 kg, 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 68 kg & 72 kg. The top 5 finishers at each weight earn a spot in the Olympic Team Trials in April. However, and this is a big however, this tournament is not like the Bill Farrell qualifier, where a previously qualified wrestler could not block another U.S. competitor from the spot. This time they can.

Below each weight class, you’ll notice “notable nots” and “blockers” listed. The “nots” are some top contenders for the Olympic spot in April that are not competing at the U.S. Open. The “blockers” are those who are already qualified and have the potential to land in the top 5 and “block” a spot at the Olympic Team Trials in April. 68 kilos is the weight class with the most blockers, as Victoria Francis, Alex Glaude and Forrest Molinari are all entered.

Because of the limited weight classes, the groups are loaded with top-ranked wrestlers from multiple weights. We listed them in order of Senior level rankings. You’ll notice those rankings (and at what weight they’re ranked) after each competitor’s name along with some accolades. Senior level rankings are from our own American Women’s Wrestling poll.

*Already qualified for the Olympic Team Trials at State College, PA next April 4-5, 2020.

50 kgs
*Victoria Anthony, AZ (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) #2 Senior Rankings, 2x world teamer, 2x Final X Finalist
Amy Fearnside, CO (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #3 Senior Rankings, University World Medalist, Senior national team member
Alyssa Lampe, VT (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) 2x World Bronze Medalist, 2012 & 2013
Alleida Martinez, CA (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #5 Senior Rankings, 2018 WCWA & NAIA Champ
Emily Shilson, MN (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #6 Senior Rankings, 2018 Cadet World Champion, 2019 U23 world teamer
Asia Ray (Wayland Baptist) #7 Senior Rankings, 2019 WCWA National Champion
Angelina Gomez (Lion WC) #10 Senior Rankings, 2019 WCWA Finalist
Vannessa Ramirez #12 Senior Rankings
Nina Pham (Wayland Baptist) #14 Senior Rankings, #1 NAIA
Raven Guidry (OKC WC) #3 NAIA
Jennesis Martinez (Colorado Mesa WC) #4 NCAA
Madison Angelito (Patriot Wrestling Club) #5 NAIA
Brooke Thurber (Rabid Dawg Wrestling Club) #5 NCAA
Aleeah Gould (Team Tornado Wrestling Club) #6 NCAA
Emma Cochran (Grand View Wrestling Club) #7 NAIA
Natalie Reyna-Rodriguez (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club) #7 NCAA
Sugey Ceja, OH (Tiffin) #8 NCAA
Victoria Borrego, CA #9 NAIA
Katherine Sumner (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club) #9 NCAA
Mariah Anderson (Rise Wrestling)
Mariah Lomas
Ira Jean Navarro
Hannah Petersen
Kory Phillips
Aliyah Rollins
Victoria Smith
Alice Todryk (Rabid Dawg Wrestling Club)
Arelys Valles (Grand View Wrestling Club)
Esther Walker (Warrior Wrestling Club)
Samantha Weeks

Notable “nots”: Erin Golston, Whitney Conder, Haley Augello
Blockers (already qualified): Victoria Anthony

53 kgs
Katherine Shai (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #2 Senior Rankings, 2019 Final X Finalist
Dominique Parrish, CA (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) #2 at 55 kg #2 Senior Rankings at 55 kg, 2019 Final X Finalist, 2019 Miranda Medal Winner
*Areana Villaescusa (Army WCAP) #3 Senior Rankings at 55 kg, Senior National Team
Gracie Figueroa, CA (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #4 Senior Rankings, 2019 WCWA Champ
Alisha Howk, WI (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) #4 at 55 kg Senior Rankings
Tiare Ikei, CO (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #5 Senior Rankings, 2019 US Open Champ
Ronna Heaton, WI (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) #6 at 55 kg Senior Rankings, 2015 Cadet World Champion
Felicity Taylor (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club) #7 Senior Rankings, #1 Ranked NCAA
Jaslynn Gallegos (Blue Chip Wrestling Club) #2 NCAA
Stefana Jelacic, AZ (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club)
Nicole Nastri, WA (Tri-City Tyrants)
Alexis Encinas, CA
Jamayia Blackston
Danielle Garcia
Aleena Gomez (Colorado Mesa WC)
Keely Oyadomari (Warrior Wrestling Club)
Anja Tschohl (Colorado Mesa WC)

Notable “nots”: Haley Augello, Sara Hildebrandt, Jacarra Winchester (if she goes this weight)
Blockers (already qualified): Areana Villaescusa

57 kgs
Lauren Louive (New York Athletic Club) #2 Senior Rankings at 59 kg, 2019 Final X Finalist
Kelsey Campbell, AZ (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) #3 Senior Rankings, 2012 Olympian, 2x world teamer
Alexandra Hedrick, CA (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #4 Senior Rankings
Shauna Kemp (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #5 at 55 kg Senior Rankings, 2019 World Beach Bronze
Arian Carpio, AZ (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) #5 Senior Rankings
Sierra Brown Ton (Colorado Mesa WC) #15 Senior Rankings, #6 NCAA
Cameron Guerin, CO (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #6 Senior Rankings, 3rd 2019 US Open, 2019 Junior world teamer
Xochitl Mota-Pettis, TX (Rise Wrestling) #8 at 59 kg Senior Rankings
Koral Sugiyama (Twin Cities) RTC #8 Senior Rankings
Tiana Jackson (Menlo) #9 Senior Rankings, #1 NAIA Rankings
Allison Petix (Team Tornado Wrestling Club) #9 Senior Rankings at 59 kg, #1 NCAA Rankings
Cheyenne Sisenstein (Team Tornado Wrestling Club) #10 Senior Rankings, #2 NCAA
Gabrielle Skidmore (Twin Cities RTC) #10 at 55 kg Senior Rankings, #5 NCAA
Alexia Ward (McKendree Bearcat WC) #12 Senior Rankings, #3 NCAA
Phoenix Dubose (Team Tornado Wrestling Club) #12 Senior Rankings at 55 kg
Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa WC) #14 Senior Rankings, #4 NCAA
Niya Teresa Gaines (Lion WC) #15 at 59 kg Senior Rankings, #8 NCAA
Sierra Brown Ton (Colorado Mesa WC) #15 Senior Rankings at 57 kg, #6 NCAA
Cindy Zepeda (Colorado Mesa WC) #7 NCAA
Emily Se, Lion WC #10 NCAA
Brittany Wynn, CA
Audrie Lee, VA (Wrestling Prep)
Rebecca Drown
Jessica Fresh
Isabella Gonzalez (Grand View Wrestling Club)
Alexandra Herle (Lion WC)
Annmarie Hidalgo
Monica Mendoza
Hailey Schiermeyer (Warrior Wrestling Club)
Gabrielle Weyhrich (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club)
Brittany Wynn

Notable “nots”: Jenna Burkert, Alli Ragan
Blockers (already qualified): None

62 kgs
Maya Nelson, CO (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) #2 at 65 kg Senior Rankings, 2017 Junior World Champion
Desiree Zavala #3 Senior Rankings
Michaela Beck (New York Athletic Club) #3 at 59 kg Senior Rankings, 2018 US Open Finalist
*Macey Kilty, WI (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Academy) #3 at 65 kg Senior Rankings, 2018 Cadet World Champ
Julia Salata (New York Athletic Club) #4 at 65 kg Senior Rankings, 2019 Pan Am Champ
Alexis Porter (New York Athletic Club) #7 Senior Rankings, 4x WCWA All-American
Alara Boyd (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club) #8 Senior Rankings, 2x Cadet world medalist
Emma Bruntil (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club) #9 Senior Rankings
Angela Peralta #9 at 65 kg Senior Rankings
Brianna Csontos, NY (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #10 Senior Rankings, 2018 Junior Pan Am Champ
Jennifer Page, CO (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) 3x Senior national teamer, 2014 U.S. Open Champ & 2013 Junior World Bronze
Teshya Alo, HI (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) 2016 US Open Champ
Lauren Mason #2 NCAA
Zoe Nowicki (Adrian) #5 NCAA
Dalia Garibay, Colorado Mesa WC #9 NCAA
Tanalei Louis, Warrior Wrestling Club #9 NAIA
Viktorya Torres, Victory Wrestling – Central WA
Gabrielle Lord-Klein, Twin Cities RTC
Shanayah Marshall
Mattison Parker
Andrea Schlabach
Marlee Smith, Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club
Ismileyna Valles, Patriot Wrestling Club

Notable “nots”: Kayla Miracle, Alex Liles
Blockers (already qualified): Macey Kilty

68 kgs
*Victoria Francis, CO (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #1 at 72 kg Senior Rankings, 5th 2019 Senior Worlds
*Forrest Molinari, IA (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #1 at 65 kg Senior Rankings, 5th 2019 Senior Worlds
Randi Beltz, Army WCAP, 2019 US Open Champ, #3 Senior Rankings, 2019 US Open Champion
Alyvia Fiske, CA (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #2 at 72 kg Senior Rankings, 2019 US Open Champ, 2019 Final X Finalist
*Alexandria Glaude, CA (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #2 Senior Rankings, 2019 Final X Finalist
Rachel Watters, New York Athletic Club #4 Senior Rankings at 72 kg
Solin Piearcy, Menlo Wrestling Club #4 Senior Rankings at 62 kg, 2019 WCWA National Champion
Ashlynn Ortega, Team Tornado Wrestling Club #5 Senior Rankings, #1 NCAA Rankings
Nahiela Magee, Army WCAP #6 at 72 kg Senior Rankings
Kayla Marano (Lion WC) #6 Senior Rankings
Hannah Gladden, Lion WC #6 Senior Rankings at 76 kg
Joye Levendusky (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club) #8 Senior Rankings at 72 kg, #2 NCAA Rankings (NWCA Coaches’ Poll), Junior national teamer
Alexis Gomez, Grand View Wrestling Club #9 Senior Rankings at 72 kg
Myranda Velazquez (Jamestown WC) #10 Senior Rankings at 72 kg, #1 WCWA Rankings
Skylar Grote, New York Athletic Club, #11 Senior Rankings, Canadian College National Champ
Jackie Surber-Cataline, CO (Catalin's Wildcat Wrestling Club), 2014 & 2016 US Open Champ
Jacqueline Parks #5 NAIA
Hunter Robinson, Grand View Wrestling Club #7 NAIA
Alma Mendoza, Colorado Mesa WC #9 NCAA
Taylor Hites #10 NCAA
Marlynn Deede, Twin Cities RTC
Aine Drury
Ismileyna Valles, Patriot Wrestling Club
Samantha Springer, MA
Daniela Hechavarria, FL (Barons Wrestling Club)
Brighton Hutton
Mahealani Lewis, Warrior Wrestling Club
Rachel Mahlow
Morgan Norris, Blue Chip Wrestling Club
Adrianna Orozco
Sierra Talmadge

Notable “nots”: Jayden Laurent
Blockers (already qualified): Victoria Francis, Alex Glaude and Forrest Molinari

76 kgs
Precious Bell, CA (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #2 Senior Rankings, 2019 Final X Finalist
Dymond Guilford, CA (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) #3 at 72 kg Senior Rankings, 2019 WCWA & NAIA National Champion, #1 NAIA
Korinahe Bullock, IL (McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club) #4 Senior Rankings, U23 Bronze, #1 NCAA
Emily Cue #5 Senior Rankings, #1 NCAA
Brittany Marshall, Cardinal Wrestling Club #8 Senior Rankings
Anna Naylor, CA #9 at 68 kg Senior Rankings, 2x US Open Placer
Leilani Camargo-Naone, Warrior Wrestling Club #10 Senior Rankings, 2018 WCWA Finalist
Andrea Sennett, McKendree Bearcat Wrestling Club #11 Senior Rankings, #3 NCAA
Paige Baynes #13 Senior Rankings, 2018 WCWA National Champion
Jessika Rottier, Rabid Dawg Wrestling Club 2017 WCWA Champ
Nkechinyere Nwankwo, 2018 NAIA Finalist, #1 NAIA
Yelena Makoyed, Cardinal Wrestling Club #2 NCAA
Jesse Kirby, Patriot Wrestling Club #5 NAIA
Jesaphine Lee (Tiffin) #8 NCAA
Alyssa Schrull (Jamestown) #8 NAIA
Mariah Stewart, WA (Simpson) #9 NAIA
Marilyn Garcia
Rachel Allar, IL
Nesa Martinez
Evangelina Toruno
Mayte Villada, Colorado Mesa WC

Notable “nots”: Adeline Gray
Blockers (already qualified): None