The US Olympic Wrestling Trials took place over the weekend, resulting in six women athletes walking off the mat with a ticket to Tokyo. The first to qualify was Tamyra Mensah-Stock [1] in the 68 kg weight class. Two women made their second Olympic teams to date: Adeline Gray (76 kg) and Helen Maroulis (57 kg). The other three athletes rounding out Team USA on the women's freestyle side were Sarah Hildebrandt (50 kg), Jacarra Winchester (53 kg), and Kayla Miracle (62 kg).
Women's freestyle wrestling was officially introduced to the Olympic program in 2004 [2], and we're excited to see what continued talent the sport showcases this time around. Ahead, read more about these six marvelously strong women set to represent the US in Tokyo.
Sarah Hildebrandt, 50 kg / 110 lbs
Hildebrandt, 27, was the No. 1 seed in the 50 kg weight class [3] going into the team trials finals, and in an interview after her winning match series, said, "I don't even know how to talk about it [4], I just feel like I'm going to keep squealing." She added, "I've been really zeroing in on this and getting so many aspects of my life right, aligning my mind, my body, my soul, my training. I think today I brought a really good Sarah to the stage."
Hildebrandt, from Granger, IN, won a silver medal at the 2018 World Wrestling Championships [5] in the 53 kg weight class. She's also a four-time champion [6] at the Pan American Championships. She said that having time to train in the 50 kg weight class [7] during the COVID-19 pandemic prepared her for trials.
Follow Sarah Hildebrandt on Instagram: @sarhilde [8]
Jacarra Winchester, 53 kg / 116 lbs
Winchester, 28, was the world champion in 2019 in the 55 kg weight class [9], and she said after her trials win that the hard work and hours on the mat has all paid off. "Yeah, I want to win, I want to win a gold medal and everything, but just going out there and fighting . . . it's just the fight that I enjoy," she said when asked what her goals once she gets to Tokyo.
"This is only half the battle [10]. We still got work to do, so buckle up because we are going to the Olympics babyyyyyyyyy," Winchester, who grew up in San Lorenzo, CA, wrote on Instagram.
Follow Jacarra Winchester on Instagram: @jacarra016 [11]
Helen Maroulis, 57 kg / 125 lbs
Maroulis is the 2016 Olympic champion in the 53 kg weight class [12], which made her the first US Olympic gold medalist in women's wrestling. At trials this year, the Rockville, MD, native and 29-year-old secured her second Olympic berth.
Maroulis, who is also the 2015 world champion in the 55 kg weight class [13], suffered a head injury in 2018 and faced complications the following two years. "There were times I thought I had to retire," she said after her victory at trials, "but I just felt like I can't make that final decision until Tokyo 2020."
Follow Helen Maroulis on Instagram: @helen_maroulis [14]
Kayla Miracle, 62 kg / 136 lbs
Miracle is a 2019 world team member and a three-time U23 world team member [15]. The 24-year-old Culver, IN, native said after her trials win that the sport has some "really high highs [16]" and some "low lows," but her support system continues to help her persevere.
Miracle, who won four WCWA National Championship titles [17] during her time at Campbellsville University, also praised the rest of Team USA heading to the Olympics this summer: "We've got a dang good squad going through!"
Follow Kayla Miracle on Instagram: @miraculouskc [18]
Tamyra Mensah-Stock, 68 kg / 149 lbs
Mensah-Stock won the 2019 World Wrestling Championships in the 68 kg weight class [19]. The 28-year-old from Katy, TX, actually won the 2016 Olympic trials, but her weight class hadn't officially earned a quota spot in time (as teamusa.org explains, quotas are typically earned before the athlete representing that weight class is selected, but when Mensah-Stock tried to earn that Olympic quota spot for her weight class [20] after 2016 trials, she fell short).
"I wanted to come back and prove to everybody [21] and myself that I could become an Olympian and I did it. I'm so proud of myself," Mensah-Stock said. She added that there was "no pressure" this time around — she'd already qualified the 68 kg weight class for Tokyo back in 2019 at the world championship event [22]. "I knew I had to represent the US at 68 kg in Tokyo." Watch her emotional interview after her trials match above.
Follow Tamyra Mensah-Stock on Instagram: @mensahtamyrastock [23]
Adeline Gray, 76 kg / 167 lbs
Gray, from Denver, CO, is a five-time world champion and five-time US Open champion [24], as well as a 2016 Olympian. "A second shot is great," she said after her trials victory when asked what it means to get this consecutive trip to the Olympics. "It's such a heartfelt moment to not get what you want out of a tournament, especially at an Olympic games, and I feel like I'm the best one in the weight class, and so to not have that [Olympic] gold medal . . . it stings." She's ready, though, for her comeback.
"This dream and goal is bigger than just me [25]," Gray, 30, wrote on Instagram. "It is fulfilment for so many coaches, family, friends, USA Wrestling support staff and fans. I'll put in the work and the effort. What I ask from you is more positive thoughts and a few dedicated workouts and healthy meals for yourself. This dream of Olympic Gold drives me to work hard, get more sleep, drink more water and foster relationships to help me on my journey. I want to share it. Please take some time for yourself to take just 2% of this dream and work a little harder in whatever you pick."
Follow Adeline Gray on Instagram: @adelinegrey [26]
