what: US Olympic Trials
weight:50kg (women's freestyle)
when: April 19th-20th
where: Penn State University (Bryce Jordan Center)
How to watch:peacock
2024 Olympic Games Watch Party
It's hard to imagine a scenario in which Sarah Hildebrandt isn't selected for the 2024 Olympic team. She was an undisputed superstar at 50kg since Hildebrand dropped her weight from 53kg after the 2019 World Championships.
The 30-year-old started her career weighing 55 kg, then dropped to 53 kg, and finally to 50 kg. Since she moved to the international lightest weight class, she has never lost to a domestic opponent.
Hildebrandt's number of medals is also impressive. She has won five world medals at the senior level, including a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics. It's on top of one of the best leg laces in the world. Hildebrandt will make her pay for the takedown by ending the match early.
The Granger, Indiana, native will miss her first Challenge tournament since winning a medal at the 2023 World Championships. With his second win, Hildebrandt is now two wins away from making his second Olympic team.
Sarah Hildebrandt's World Championships and Olympics
Her top challenger may be a high school superstar. Audrey Jimenez recently won the Arizona Boys State Championship just days before winning the bronze medal at the Pan American Championships in Acapulco, Mexico.
Jimenez is an up-and-coming young player who broke out by defeating two-time World Championship bronze medalist Alyssa Lampe 10-10 in the US Open final. The Tuscon, Ariz., native trailed 8-0 midway through the second period, but scored a takedown and three to take an 8-8 lead. Jimenez landed the decisive takedown with five seconds left.
Hildebrandt had a two-game shutout victory over Jimenez in last year's Final X (8-0, 11-0), so this is an opportunity for the next generation to show progress in the best-of-three series. .
Veteran Erin Gholston must compete against a group of college stars to win the challenge tournament. The 31-year-old has been one of the most consistent and reliable wrestlers in the division for over a decade. She has excellent leg attacks and strong attack power. He needs all of those elements to earn the right to face Hildebrandt in the final.
Sage Mortimer has continued to improve since receiving Golston's technique at last year's U.S. Open and Bill Farrell Memorial International. Mortimer had lost 3-2 to Golston at the U.S. Championship in December, but he applied a left headlock in the semifinals. The Springville, Utah, native earned an upset victory over former King teammate Samara Chavez in the final. Mortimer is a dangerous wrestler who never leaves the match.
Chavez, Kendra Ryan (North Central), Kaelani Shafred (Lock Haven), Mia Palumbo (William Penn), Emily Gonzalez (Iowa), Eva Bayless (Iowa), Stefana Jelacic (Lourdes). represents a group of candidates who just finished their season. college season. Jelacic (101) and Palumbo (109) won the NAIA title, while Gonzalez (101) and Bayless (109) won the NCWWC championship.
Iowa State's Neera Valencia missed the college season due to injury, but looked sharp in her last chance to qualify for the Olympic Trials.
The Challenge Tournament will look more like a collegiate national championship with a mix of NAIA and NCAA divisions. Several wrestlers have a chance to win the challenge tournament, but once Hildebrand gets there, it's an uphill climb to defeat him.
