Maroulis becomes first three-time Olympian in women’s freestyle at Trials

Photo: Olympic gold and bronze medalist Helen Maroulis (right) scored a pin and shutout against former World champ Jacarra Winchester at 57 kilos to earn a third Olympic appearance. (Sam Janicki photo)

The following are the Best-of-3 Championship matches in the six women’s freestyle weights at the 2024 Olympic Trials in State College, Pa., April 19-20. WIN Magazine will provide even more comprehensive coverage of this event in our next issue, printed May 1. Click here or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe.

50k/110 pounds — Sarah Hildebrandt (NYAC) defeated Audrey Jimenez (SKWC), two matches to none

Match 1 – Hildebrandt won by TF over Jimenez, 10-0 — A fourth takedown with 22 seconds gone in the second period also helped Hildebrandt score two back points that ended the bout with 2:10 left. Hildebrandt’s first three takedowns all came in the first period.

Match 2 – Hildebrandt won by TF over Jimenez, 10-0 — Hildebrandt scored five takedowns, mostly off a single and three in the first period … and the fifth that ended the bout with 1:08 left … to clinch her second straight Olympic berth.

53k/116.5 pounds — Dominique Parrish (BDRTC/SKWC) defeated Haley Augello (IZZY/NYAC), two matches to none

Match 1 – Parrish dec. Augello, 2-1 — Parrish scored her points on high-crotch takedown with 1:37 left in the first period. Augello got on the board with a stepout six seconds into second period but could not add anything else.

Match 2 — Parrish dec. Augello 5-2 — The 2022 World champ opened the bout on an inside trip, then countered a throw by Augello in the second period to clinch her first Olympic berth. Augello, the 2016 Olympian, nearly hit a headlock but the first period expired.

57k/125.5 pounds — Helen Maroulis (SKWC) defeated Jacarra Winchester (TMWC), two matches to none

Match 1 – Maroulis pinned Winchester, 2:41 — Maroulis’ third takedown of the bout put Winchester on her back with 50 seconds left in the first period before the two-time Olympic medalist ended the bout 22 seconds later.

Match 2 – Maroulis dec. Winchester, 6-0 — Maroulis became the first American woman to qualify for three Olympic Games by scoring two takedowns and two stepouts.

62k/136.5 pounds — Kayla Miracle (SKWC) defeated Macey Kilty (SKWC), two matches to none

Match 1 – Miracle dec. Kilty, 8-5 — Miracle overcame a 4-1 deficit and clinched the bout when she countered a high crotch attempt for exposure points with one second left. Kilty scored her first four points when she also defended a pair of takedown attempts by Miracle for exposure points.

Match 2 – Miracle dec. Kilty 4-1 — Miracle clinched her second straight Olympic berth when she first scored two points off a defensive lift when Kilty got into her leg, then fought off another strong takedown attempt as the match ended.

68k/149.5 pounds — Amit Elor (NYCRTC/TMWC) defeated Forrest Molinari (SKWC), two matches to none

Match 1 – Elor dec. Molinari, 6-0 — The 2023 World champ was methodical in this match as she scored a takedown and two stepouts in the first period, then added a second takedown with 1:40 left.

Match 2 – Elor dec. Molinari, 2-1 — The sixth-time World champ at several age-levels, including two Senior titles, earned a spot on her first Olympic team by scoring a stepout and a passivity point.

76k/167.5 pounds — Kennedy Blades (SKWC) defeated Adeline Gray (NYAC), two matches to none

Match 1 – Blades dec. Gray 11-4 — Blades exploded with six points in the final 38 seconds, including a four-pointer with 15 seconds left, to clinch the bout. Blades also scored a four-point TD a minute into the bout but Gray battled back with a takedown and two-point gut to tie the score 4-4 at the break.

Match 2 – Blades dec. Gray, 8-3 — After the six-time World champ cut the margin to 3-2 with 2:23 left, Blades exploded with a stepout and two takedowns, including one where he used us long legs to counter a hold by Gray.