Turner, Fowler lead skilled U.S. Women’s freestyle team set for U17 World Championships in Amman, Jordan

The 2024 U17 World Championships in Amman, Jordan, at the Princess Sumaya Bint al-Hasan Arena kicks off on August 19. Team USA is bringing a strong lineup of women’s freestyle athletes who have their sights set on gold at this tournament.

Athletes secured their spot on the 2024 U17 World Team by winning the best-of-three series at their respective weight classes at the 2024 Women’s National Championships in Spokane, Washington, in April.

Many of these athletes have already made their mark on the international stage, having competed at the Pan American Championships and previous U17 World Championships. Leading the group are two returning U17 World Champions from the 2023 tournament, Morgan Turner and Piper Fowler, who are both set on defending their titles.

2023 U17 World Champion Turner returns with the determination to repeat her title run in Amman. Turner, competing at 46 kg this year, has two U15 Pan American Championships gold medals and five national titles on her resume. At just 16 years old, Turner’s experience and determination make her a top competitor on the world stage.

Fowler, the reigning U17 World Champion at 73 kg, is another standout on the team, aiming for a second U17 World title in Amman. Fowler has dominated her weight class, winning the 2024 U17 Women’s Nationals and four other national tournaments throughout her career. Fowler’s experience makes her a favorite to win gold once again at the U17 World Championships.

At 61 kg, Taina Fernandez has had an outstanding 2024 season, collecting gold medals at the U15 Pan American Championships, Pan American Beach Wrestling Championships, and U17 Pan American Championships. A champion at both the U15 and U17 Women’s Nationals, Fernandez has proven herself as one of the top young wrestlers in the country. This will be her first World Championship tournament.

Francesca Gusfa, a two-time U17 Pan American Championships gold medalist, is ready to make her World Championships debut in Jordan. Gusfa will compete at 40 kg, and is aiming for gold next week.

In her second trip to a U17 World Championship tournament, Everest Leydecker looks to finish on the podium at this year’s event. Leydecker is in the midst of a successful 2024 season where she secured gold at both the U17 and U20 Pan American Championships. In 2023, she competed in Istanbul, Turkey, at the U17 World Championships and finished 20^th.

Competing at 69 kg, Kaili Manuel has been on a winning streak in 2024, with victories at the U17 Pan American Championships and the U.S. Marine Corps 16U Nationals in July. Manuel shifts her focus to gold at the U17 World Championships, where she looks to continue her streak of standing atop the podium at top events.

Bella Williams, the U.S. representative at 65 kg, has her sights set on gold at her first international tournament. Williams has consistently placed among the top wrestlers in her division, claiming the 2024 Women’s Nationals U17 title and securing podium finishes at national tournaments. Williams has shown her ability to compete at the highest level and will be looking to make her mark at the U17 World Championships in Amman.

At 43 kg, Hailey Delgado has been a consistent force in her weight class, winning the 2024 U17 Women’s Nationals title and earning silver at the 2024 U17 Pan American Championships. Delgado has also excelled in Texas state competitions, winning titles in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and girls folkstyle. With a string of victories that include a 2023 U15 Pan American Championships gold medal and a 2023 USMC 14U Women’s Nationals title, Delgado is primed to make an impact on the international stage in Jordan.

Isabella Gonzales is set to make her mark at the U17 World Championships after a stellar performance at the 2024 U17 Women’s Nationals, where she claimed the title. Gonzales has a long list of accomplishments, including gold at the 2023 U17 Pan American Championships and numerous national titles dating back to 2021. As she enters her senior year, Gonzales aims to cap off her youth wrestling career with a gold medal in Amman.

Epenesa Elison enters the 2024 U17 World Championships as one of the most credentialed athletes in her division. A 2024 U15 Pan American Championships gold medalist and the 2024 U17 Women’s Nationals champion at 49 kg, Elison has consistently stood on the podium. In 2023, she became the first USA Wrestling Girls Triple Crown Award winner, and is now a strong contender for gold next week.

Women’s freestyle action begins on August 21. The full schedule for the tournament is listed below. Visit the event page on the United World Wrestling website for more details.

The event will be broadcast live on FloWrestling, and a subscription is required for viewing. Follow all of the action on the USA Wrestling social channels and TheMat.com for regular updates of the 2024 U17 World Championships.

U.S. Women’s freestyle roster

40 kg: Francesca Gusfa (Ridgewood, N.J.)

43 kg: Hailey Delgado (El Paso, Texas/NXT Level Wrestling Academy)

46 kg: Morgan Turner (Lockport, Ill./Sunkist Kids)

49 kg: Epenesa Elison (Downey, Calif./Sunkist Kids Monster Garage)

53 kg: Isabella Gonzales (Fresno, Calif./Titan Mercury WC (TMWC))

57 kg: Everest Leydecker (Phoenix, Ariz./Thorobred WC)

61 kg: Taina Fernandez (Bowie, Md./Cavalier WC)

65 kg: Bella Williams (Edmond, Okla./Edmond North HS Wrestling)

69 kg: Kaili Manuel (Washington, Mich./Michigan Revolution WC)

73 kg: Piper Fowler (Cleveland, Tenn./Higher Calling WC)

Coach: Jessica Medina, Monument, Colo.

Coach: Mallory Velte, Corvallis, Ore.

Personal Coach: Mike Douglas, Phoenix, Ariz.

Personal Coach: Kimberly Thompson, Lockport, Ill.

Personal Coach: Ruben Valencia, Pico Rivera, Calif.

Personal Coach: Geoffrey Gonzales, Fresno, Calif.

Personal Coach: Randy Leydecker, Phoenix, Ariz.

Personal Coach: Kareem Fernandez, Bowie, Md.

Personal Coach: Charles Jones

Personal Coach: Stephen Manuel, Washington, Mich.

Personal Coach: Josh Bosken, Cleveland, Tenn.

Athletic Trainer: Judi Tekautz, Rushford, Minn.

Medical Doctor: Jeremy Stanek, Orinda, Calif.

Officials:

Cindy Mosconi, Indianapolis, Ind.

Peter Kuisle, Rochester, Minn.

Nolan Meadors II, Atlanta, Ga.

NF Secretary General - Rich Bender, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Team Leader - Christina Hargrove, Colorado Springs, Colo.

NF Media - Mike Malinconico, Poway, Calif.

*all times are listed local to Amman, Jordan, seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time

Monday, August 19

10:30 a.m. - Greco-Roman Qualification rounds: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg

5:00 p.m. - Opening Ceremony

6:00 p.m. - Greco-Roman Semifinals: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg

Tuesday, August 20

10:30 a.m. - Greco-Roman Repechage: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg and Qualification rounds: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg

5:00 p.m. - Greco-Roman Semifinals: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg

6:00 p.m. - Greco-Roman Finals and Awards: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg

Wednesday, August 21

10:30 a.m. - Greco-Roman Repechage: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg and Women’s freestyle Qualification rounds: 43 kg, 49 kg, 57 kg, 65 kg, 73 kg

5:00 p.m. - Women’s freestyle Semifinals: 43 kg, 49 kg, 57 kg, 65 kg, 73 kg

6:00 p.m. - Greco-Roman Finals and Awards: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg

Thursday, August 22

10:30 a.m. - Women’s freestyle Repechage: 43 kg, 49 kg, 57 kg, 65 kg, 73 kg and Women’s freestyle Qualification rounds: 40 kg, 46 kg, 53 kg, 61 kg, 69 kg

5:00 p.m. - Women’s freestyle Semifinals: 40 kg, 46 kg, 53 kg, 61 kg, 69 kg

6:00 p.m. - Women’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 43 kg, 49 kg, 57 kg, 65 kg, 73 kg

Friday, August 23

10:30 a.m. - Women’s freestyle Repechage: 40 kg, 46 kg, 53 kg, 61 kg, 69 kg and Men’s freestyle Qualification rounds: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg

5:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Semifinals: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg

6:00 p.m. - Women’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 40 kg, 46 kg, 53 kg, 61 kg, 69 kg

Saturday, August 24

10:30 a.m. - Men’s freestyle Repechage: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg and Men’s freestyle Qualification rounds: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg

5:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Semifinals: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg

6:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg

Sunday, August 25

4:30 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Repechage: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg

6:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg