NEW YORK – The King University women's wrestling team jumped out of their college season to face some international competition on Saturday at the NYAC Bill Farrell International tournament. Sarah Hildebrandt and Amanda Hendey led 10 Tornado wrestlers that competed, both advancing to the third place bout in their respective weight class.
Hildebrandt started her day at the 55 kilogram weight class by defeating Liisa Wainman of Canada on a fall in 1:03. She then advanced to the semifinals with a win by fall in 0:49 over Becka Leathers. In the semifinals, the senior dropped a tight 9-8 decision to Jacarra Winchester, dropping her to the consolation bracket. In the consolation bracket, Hildebrandt topped Tanalei Louis 10-0 on a tech fall before defeating Jillian Gallays of Canada on a fall in 2:49 to take third place.
At the 63 kilogram weight class, Hendey started her day with a pair of wins by fall, first defeating Stacie Anaka of Canada in 3:00. She the defeated Japan's Haruka Sato in 0:40 to advance to the semifinals. The senior then dropped a narrow 5-3 decision to eventual champion Jackeline Renteria of Colomobia. In the consolation bracket, Hendey defeated Anaka on a 4-0 decision before falling Braxton Stone-Papadopou in the third place bout, giving her a fourth place finish.
Julia Salata and Haley Augello also had solid days for the Tornado. At 69 kilograms, Salata started her day with a win by fall in 3:00 over Laura Jorg Garcia before falling to the consolation bracket where she advanced to the semifinals with back-to-back wins. She eanred a win by fall in 0:23 over Yanelsa Reyes before topping Diana Paul Gonzalez 7-0 before her day came to an end in the semifinals.
Augello wrestled at the 53 kilogram weight class and advanced to the semifinals of the consolation bracket. She dropped her first bout of the day, but fought back through the consolation bracket with three straight wins before falling in the semifinals. Her first win came on a technical fall, and her second came on a 5-4 decision before taking a win by fall in 0:47 over Alma Jane Escoto of Mexico.
King will be in action again on Friday at the Missouri Valley Open.
