MADISON, Wis. – On the second day of the U.S. World Team Trials, King University had nine wrestlers vying for a spot on the U.S. World team. Sarah Hildebrandt and Forrest Molinari led the way in the Challenge Bracket with third and fourth place finishes, respectively.
At 55 kilograms, Hildebrandt started her day with a win by fall over Areana Vallaescusa to reach the semifinals. However, she fell to Challenge Bracket champion Helen Maroulis in the semifinals, but bounced back with a with an 8-5 decision over Kayla Miracle in the consolation bracket semifinals. In the third place bout, the Granger, Ind., native earned an 8-6 victory over Becka Leathers to finish third.
After dropping her first bout of the day at 60 kilograms, Molinari battled her way back through the consolation bracket of the Challenge Tournament. She started with a 10-0 technical fall win over Michelle Organ and followed it with a 5-2 decision over teammate Lorrie Ramos to reach the third place match. However she dropped a 10-4 decision to Rachel Watters, giving Molinari a fourth place finish.
Also wrestling at 69 kilograms was Ramos who dropped her first match of the day to Challenge Tournament champion Tamyra Mensah before dropping her next bout to Molinari. Hanna Grisewood also competed at 55 kilograms for the Tornado and reached the quarterfinals with a 10-0 technical fall win over Dominique Parris. However, she the dropped a 6-1 decision to Challenge Tournament runner-up Jacarra Winchester, before falling toe Amy Fearnside to end her day.
Jessi Kee earned a 10-0 technical fall win over Melissa Apodaca to reach the quarterfinals of the 60 kilogram Challenge Tournament bracket. Nevertheless, she dropped a tight 3-1 decision to Jenna Berkert before earning a 10-0 technical fall win over Arian Carpio, advancing her to the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket. However she dropped a close 6-4 decision to Lauren Louive.
The Tornado had three wrestlers compete at 48 kilograms, Marina Doi, Regina Doi and Breonnah Neal. After dropping their first matches of the day, Marina Doi and Neal squared off in the consolation bracket after Marina Doi topped Candace Workman 4-0 before defeating Neal 2-1. However, she fell the third place finisher Cody Pfau in the semifinals to end her day. Regina Doi dropped both of her matches on the day.
