The Iowa Women’s Wrestling program had a great showing at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas.
Three former Hawks won titles: Brianna Gonzalez(53 kg), Kennedy Blades(68 kg) and Kylie Welker(76 kg).
Welker was named as Outstanding Wrestler of the U.S. Open for her great performance in winning the title at 76 kg. She was 4-0 with four tech falls and outscored her opponents 41-0.
It was a clash of reigning U23 World champions in the finals as Welker defeated longtime foe Yelena Makoyed by an 11-0 tech fall in 2:56.
Blades dominated the field at her new weight of 68 kg. Last summer Blades won silver at the Paris Olympics at 76 kg.
For the tournament Blades was 3-0 with three tech falls and outscored her opponents 33-0. Blades was named for the Most Exciting Wrestler Award.
Brianna Gonzalez defeated former teammate and #1 seed Felicity Taylor 6-5 after being behind 4-0 for the title at 53 kg.
Gonzalez may have been the surprise of the tournament by winning the title at 53 kg while not being seeded in the top eight.
Gonzalez, Blades and Welker have now qualified for the Best 2 of 3 bouts at Final X in Newark, New Jersey on June 14. Macey Kilty has already qualified for Final X at 65 kg. The winner will represent Team USA at the 2025 World Freestyle Championships in Zagreb, Croatia on September 15-18.
Marylynne Deede placed 4th at 76 kg, Emily Frost was 6th at 59 kg and Ava Bayless was 7th at 50 kg. They all qualified for the Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament May 16-17 in Louisville, Kentucky.
The winner of the Challenge Tournament at each weight will qualify for Final X.
What a great performance by the Iowa at the U.S. Open.
2025 Women’s U.S. Open in Las Vegas
50 kg
Ava Bayless (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – 7th
Emilie Gonzalez (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – DNP
53 kg
Brianna Gonzalez – 1st
Felicity Taylor (Titan Mercury WC) – 2nd
Isabella Marie Gonzales (Titan Mercury WC) * – DNP
57 kg – Bella Williams (USOPTC) * – DNP
59 kg – Emily Frost (Iowa Women’s WC/Curby 3-Style WC) – 6th
62 kg – Nanea Estrella (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – DNP
68 kg – Kennedy Blades (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – 1st
76 kg
Kylie Welker (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – 1st
Marylynne Deede(LWC) – 4th
* – Incoming recruit from the Class of 2025
2025 Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament
May 16-17
Louisville, Kentucky
2025 Final X
June 14
Newark, New Jersey
2025 World Freestyle Championships
September 15-18
Zagreb, Croatia
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
