2025 Senior World Team Trials Challenge

2025 Women's Freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament Preview

2025 Women's Freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament Preview

A full preview of the women's freestyle competition at the 2025 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 16-17 in Louisville, Kentucky.

May 12, 2025 by Kyle Klingman
2025 Women's Freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament Preview

The 2025 Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament is May 16-17, in Louisville, Kentucky. Winners compete at Final X — a best-of-three series to determine the U.S. World Team on Saturday, June 14, in Newark, New Jersey.

Two Final X matches have been determined.

57 kg: Amanda Martinez vs Helen Maroulis
65 kg: Aine Drury vs Macey Kilty

Below is a women’s freestyle preview for the eight remaining weights.

Click here for the women's college fan guide to the World Team Trials.

50 Kilograms

Final X: Audrey Jimenez vs TBD

Erin Golston is the favorite after reaching the US Open finals with a tech and three finals. Kendra Ryan posted a statement 10-4 win over three-time age-level World champion Emily Shilson during their third-place US Open match. High school senior Heather Crull won the U23 National Championships and posted two wins over NAIA finalist Anaya Falcon at the US Open. Both are entered at the World Team Trials. 

53 Kilograms

Final X: Brianna Gonzalez vs TBD

This will be the most competitive weight in Louisville. Jaslynn Gallegos, Katie Gomez, Sage Mortimer, Sydney Petzinger, and Felicity Taylor all have a legitimate shot at Final X. 

Gallegos won a bronze medal at the recent Senior Pan-Am Championships, teching 2024 U23 World silver medalist Serena Di Benedetto. Taylor reached the US Open finals, losing the closing seconds to Gonzalez. The two former Iowa stars have a 2-2 series record.

Gomez is a 2023 US Open champion who finished second to Cristelle Rodriguez at this year’s NAIA Championships. Mortimer moved up from 50 kg, where she won a 2024 U23 World title and a 2025 NCWWC (NCAA) title at 110 pounds. Mortimer fell to Gomez for third at the US Open in a 14-12 slugfest. Petzinger knocked off Gallegos, her former North Central teammate, 9-3, for fifth at the US Open. 

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Sage Mortimer and Katie Gonzalez had a shootout at the 2025 US Open

55 Kilograms

Final X: Cristelle Rodriguez vs TBD

Jacarra Winchester is registered at 55 kg and is the favorite if she makes weight. The 2019 World champion has had success at five weights and should dominate if she competes here.

Her toughest competition is Amani Jones, Ronna Gross, Everest Leydecker, Areana Villaescusa. 

Leydecker, a high school junior at Valiant Prep, had an impressive US Open run, teching Jones and defeating Villaescusa, 2-1. Villaescusa wrestled in a medal match at the 2024 World Championships, and Jones is a two-time age-level World medalist and two-time NCWWC (NCAA) champion. Gross finished third at the US Open and has reached the Olympic Trials and World Team Trials finals. 

59 Kilograms

Final X: Abby Nette vs TBD

Jacarra Winchester is the favorite if she misses weight at 55 kg and moves up to 59. Her toughest competition is Michaela Beck, whom she teched twice at the 2024 World Team Trials. Beck finished second at the US Open and has competed in the best-of-three World Team Trials finals twice. 

Sofia Macaluso finished third at the US Open but hasn’t entered, leaving Lexi Janiak and Xochitl Mota-Pettis as the top challengers for Winchester or Beck. Janiak lost 6-5 to Beck in the US Open semifinals, and Mota-Pettis reached 2023 Final X, falling to 2016 Olympic gold medalist Helen Maroulis. 

62 Kilograms

Final X: Kayla Miracle vs TBD

Adaugo Nwachukwu is the betting favorite after reaching the US Open finals, falling to Miracle 4-0. She’s has success at the senior level and is always among the most dynamic wrestlers at any tournament.

A handful of wrestlers will make it interesting for Nwachukwu, including Alara Boyd, who lost a 12-11 semifinal match at the US Open before finishing sixth. College national champions Katie Lange, Ana Luciano, Marilyn Garcia, and Bridgette Duty make this a competitive field. Savannah Cosme is trending upward after a third-place US Open finish and should not be overlooked. 

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Adaugo Nwachukwu and Alara Boyd went back and forth during their US Open semifinal match

68 Kilograms

Final X: Kennedy Blades vs TBD

Solin Piearcy is the favorite after reaching the US Open finals, but Latifah McBryde adds a twist to the tournament. The Life University star is a three-time NAIA finalist who won a title this year. USA Wrestling changed those rules, and she’s entered at the World Team Trials. She is eligible to make the Senior National team but will have to forfeit her spot if she make the World Team since United World Wrestling requires a singlet. Brooklyn Hays finished third at the US Open, dropping a 3-2 semifinal match to Piearcy. 

72 Kilograms

Final X: Alex Glaude vs TBD

The return of Amit Elor is the most intriguing storyline of the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. Elor hasn’t lost a match since the 2019 Cadet World Championships. The Walnut Creek, California, native has been on a tear since winning six age-level World titles, two Senior World titles, and the 2024 Olympics.

Elor won Senior World titles at 72 before cutting to 68 for the Olympics. She’s back at 72 and will be the heavy favorite to win the challenge tournament and Final X. 

Skylar Grote, Joye Levendusky, and Kaylynn Albrecht have proven track records and could reach the finals, but Grote and Levendusky haven’t scored a point against Elor during previous Final X matches. 

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Joye Levendusky and Kaylynn Albrecht's match went down to the wire

76 Kilograms

Final X: Kylie Welker vs TBD

Expect Yelena Makoyed and Dymond Guilford to meet in the finals. Makoyed has an 8-6 series lead, including an 8-2 US Open semifinal win. Guilford made the 2022 World Team with straight wins over Makoyed at Final X. Both were college standouts, winning multiple national titles.

Keep an eye out for Marlynne Deede and Naomi Simon. Deede is a two-time NCWWC (NCAA) champion, and Simon finished third behind Welker at this year’s National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships.