Wisconsin wrestlers take on Women's Nationals
Just shy of 50 wrestlers from Wisconsin are registered for Women's Nationals this weekend in Spokane. Arguably the toughest domestic age-group freestyle competition for females, the event serves as World team trials for the U17 and U20 divisions, and Pan Am team trials for U15, U17, U20 and U23.
The three-day tournament begins Friday with the largest group of wrestlers entered between the U17 and U23 divisions.
Eight are ranked in USA Wrestling’s high school rankings: #3 Carley Ceshker (65kg U17), #7 Faith Bartoszek (65kg U20), #7 Taylor Whiting (49kg U17), #12 Lillie Banks (65kg U17), #13 Harlow Skenandore (69kg U17/66kg U15), #15 Riley Hanrahan (61kg U17), #20 Angie Bianchi (53kg (U17), and #21 Madi Peach (61kg U17).
Ceshker placed 2nd in the event last year which earned her a place on the U17 Pan Am team where she won the title and Golden Boot (OW) in Mexico last June.
Banks and Hanrahan, fresh off Folkstyle National titles last month in Iowa, were All-Americans last year, as were Whiting and Peach.
Brynn Engel, a 2022 U15 Pan Am finalist, is registered to compete in both the U17 and U15 age groups. She won the 14U division last year.
Entered in the U23 division are a handful of collegiate All-Americans and former WWF All-Americans, athletes and coaches, including Mateah Roehl (55kg), Josie Bartishofski (55kg), Emma Gruenhagen (62kg), Larissa Kaz (59kg), Katelyn Lewis (72kg), Ngao Shoua Whitethorn (59kg), Aevri Ciha (65 kg), and Alexis Winecke (50 kg).
USA Wrestling announced last week that the champions in the U23 division will field the team headed to the U23 Pan Am Championships in June, which will be a fully funded tour.
WWF alums and past All-Americans (Fargo, collegiate, etc.) registered in the U20 division include Kylie Rule, Caitlyn Kelley, Emma Gruenhagen, Larissa Kaz, Hanna Errthum and Faith Bartoszek and Katelyn Lewis. U20 action begins Saturday (prelimis through semis), with championship finals and medal matches Sunday morning
The younger age groups continue to gain strength in numbers as Wisconsin girls wrestling participation booms. Cassidy O’Connell (42kg U15), Faye Schachtner (50kg U15), Stella Pettitt (62kg U15) and Julianna LaSavage (69lbs 14U) lead the way fresh off WWF Kids Folkstyle State titles last month. LaSavage placed 4th at this event last year in the 12U division.
Age-eligible athletes who place in the top 8 at Women’s Nationals auto-qualify to represent Team Wisconsin at the 16U and Junior National Championships (Fargo), and age-eligible athletes who place top 8 qualify to compete in the High School Recruiting Showcase later this month.
There are 1616 wrestlers registered as of Friday, April 12th. Select here for a complete list of Wisconsin entries. The event will be streamed live on FloWrestling.
Schedule in P.D.T (from USAW here)
Friday, April 12
U23 Women and U17 Girls
Session 1 – Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, and Consolation
10:00am2:30pm
U23 Women and U17 Girls
Session 2– Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Consolation
3:30pm – 7:30pm
Saturday, April 13
U23 Women and U17 Girls
Best 2 out of 3 Championship Finals and 3rd, 5th, 7th place matches
10:00am to 1:00pm
Session 3 Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, and Consolation
10:00am – 1:00pm
U20 Women
Session 4 Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Consolations
2:00pm to 8:00pm
14U Girls
Session 4 – Semifinals, Consolations & All Medals
2:00pm – 6:00pm
Sunday, April 14
U15 Women
Session 5 – Preliminaries, Consolations, All Medals, & Best 2 out of 3 Finals
10:00am – 4:00pm
U20 Women
Session 5 – Consolation, Consolation-Semi, Best 2 out of 3 Finals and Placements
10:00am- 1:00pm
8U, 10U, 12U Girls
Session 5 – Preliminaries, Consolations & All Medals
10:00am – 3:00pm
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