Manuel earns historic Triple Crown and OW with freestyle win at USMC 16U Nationals
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
FARGO, N.D. – The championship finals of the 2024 USMC 16U Nationals in women’s freestyle was filled with excitement and drama, but the biggest story was the historic performance of Kaili Manuel of Michigan.
Manuel got her offense rolling in a 14-3 technical fall victory over tough Ella Poalillo of New Jersey in the 148 pound finals, becoming the first girl to win a coveted USA Wrestling Triple Crown at the 16U level.
Manuel won the first leg of the Triple Crown with a 16U Folkstyle Nationals title in Iowa in March, then added the second leg with a U17 Nationals title at the Women’s Nationals in Washington in April.
In addition, Manuel was named Outstanding Wrestler in the 16U Nationals, adding more hardware to her trophy case.
One of the most anticipated finals came at 100 pounds, where 2023 U17 World bronze medalist Jaclyn Bouzakis of Pennsylvania shut out 2023 U17 Nationals champion Madison Nieuwenhuis of Michigan, 6-0. Bouzakis was second at the 2023 16U Nationals, but down one weight class from Nieuwenhuis.
Pennsylvania won the team title with 157 points, with New Jersey in second with 111 points and California in third with 110 points.
Pennsylvania had four individual champions and 11 total All-Americans in the 16U Nationals. Claiming titles for the Keystone State were Bouzakis, plus Julia Horger (106), Violette Lasure (142) and Brenda Banks (235).
Lasure defeated Greta Garbuzovas of Georgia 11-5 in the finals to earn her stop sign trophy. The decision victory snapped an amazing record of 14 straight pins over the last two 16U Nationals for Lasure. In 2023, representing West Virginia, Lasure won nine straight pins to close out her third-place finish. This year, she won five straight matches by fall to set a new standard for the event.
Horger defeated 2024 National Recruiting Showcase runner-up Marlee Solomon of California in an active 9-6 decision. Banks closed out the Pennsylvania title parade with a pin over Deionna Borders of Ohio in 1:56.
Runner-up team New Jersey was the only other state with more than one champion, bringing home titles from Charlie Wylie (112) and Taina McGowan (130).
Wylie, who came in with a No. 3 national ranking at 115, shut out No. 4 ranked Kayla Batres of Connecticut, 8-0. At the 2021 U17 Nationals, Wylie was second and Batres was third. McGowan, ranked No. 3 in the nation at 130, won a tight 3-2 decision over Caroline Hilton to capture her title.
Young phenom Taina Fernandez of Maryland, competing in her first 16U Nationals, scored an 11-0 technical fall over Corynne McNulty of Massachusetts in the 136 pound finals. Fernandez had five technical falls and a pin during the tournament. She entered as the No. 1 ranked high school wrestler at 135 pounds, although she is only a freshman.
Perhaps the most amazing run of the tournament came at 118 pounds, where No. 31 seed Haley Gonzales of New York stopped No. 9 seed Cheyenne Frank of Michigan, 9-3 in the finals. Gonzales beat the No. 2, No. 3, No. 9, No. 15 and No. 26 seeds along the way.
Another amazing run came at 124 pounds, where No. 17 seed Me’kala James of California defeated No. 2 seed Victoria Carbonaro of New Jersey, 7-4 in the finals. James made a big splash in the round of 16, when she stopped returning champion and No. 1 seed Emma Bacon of Pennsylvania. She beat the No. 1, No. 2, No. 4, No. 8 and No. 16 seeds during the two days.
There were two high scoring battles in the higher weights. Millie Azlin of Oklahoma outgunned Matilda Hruby of Colorado 11-9 at 170 pounds, while Brooke Huffman got past Tevia Nau Rarick of Utah at 190 pounds.
Other individual champions were Lily Enos of Illinois (88), Justice Gutierrez of Colorado (94) and Janiya Johnson of Tennesee (155).
Enos stopped Brynn Engel of Wisconsin, 8-3. Gutierrez won a 1-1 criteria decision over Natalie Radecki. Johnson stopped Jayci Shelton of Missouri, 8-4.
The USMC Junior and 16U Nationals continue on Monday with men’s freestyle action.
USMC 16U WOMEN FREESTYLE NATIONALS
at Fargo, N.D., July 13-14
88 pounds
Finals: Lily Enos (IL) dec. Brynn Engel (WI) 8-3
3rd: Katelyn Rowles (IN) dec. Kayla Pastika (MN) 8-2
5th: Kylee Tran (OK) dec. Fern Jewett (MA) 6-4
7th: Cadence Grulla (GA) dec. Anabelle Wessel (NY) 7-1
94 pounds
Finals: Justice Gutierrez (CO) dec. Natalie Radecki (DE) 1-1
3rd: Libertie Nigh (OH) dec. Khyla Lipumano (AZ) 6-4
5th: Makayla Smith (PA) tech fall Siera Becker (IA) 10-0 2:00
7th: Alliya Walker (VA) tech fall Kate Hollinger (PA) 12-0 2:26
100 pounds
Finals: Jaclyn Bouzakis (PA) dec Madison Nieuwenhuis (MI) 6-0
3rd: Angelica Serratos (CA) dec. Ryleigh Sturgill (TN) 8-4
5th: Violet Diaz (IA) dec. Alicia Kenfack (ND) 9-2
7th: Killian Evans (MO) pin Dilynn Albrecht (WI) 2:12
106 pounds
Finals: Julia Horger (PA) dec. Marlee Solomon (CA) 9-6
3rd: Sarissa Tucker (VA) dec. Abigail Gonzalez (FL) 7-1
5th: Marie Sharp (NJ) pin Bianca Eide (MN) 3:27
7th: Chloe Skiles (IL) med. for. Camryn Gresham (OH)
112 pounds
Finals: Charlie Wylie (NJ) dec. Kayla Batres (CT) 8-0
3rd: Nakayla Dawson (MI) pin Lilly Quintanilla (WY) 0:54
5th: Isabel Kaplan (IN) dec. Nevada Daniels (TX) 7-0
7th: Samiyah Rahming (PA) tech fall Daylee Watson (PA) 10-0 1:48
118 pounds
Finals: Haley Gonzales (NY) dec. Cheyenne Frank (MI) 9-3
3rd: Alexis Lazar (MI) dec. Mackenzie Carder (OH) 5-0
5th: Carolyn Geckler (OH) dec. Emjay Neumann (WI) 6-2
7th: Aubree Gutierrez (CA) dec. Sara Mclaughlin (MA) 13-12
124 pounds
Finals: Me’kala James (CA) dec. Victoria Carbonaro (NJ) 7-4
3rd: Emma Bacon (PA) tech fall Danica Torres (AZ) 11-0 1:40
5th: Kailin Sebert (TX) pin Ariella Dobin (IL) 0:55
7th: Olivia Bezdicek (ID) pin Franky Groom-frey (WI) 2:51
130 pounds
Finals: Taina Mcgowan (NJ) dec. Caroline Hilton (TN) 3-2.
3rd: Lilliana Banks (WI) tech fall Kalynn Lyons (NE) 12-2 2:24
5th: Sophia Slaughter (VA) med. for. Riley Hanrahan (WI)
7th: Lauren Zaragoza (CA) dec. Naima Ghaffar (IN) 8-3
136 pounds
Finals: Taina Fernandez (MD) tech fall Corynne Mcnulty (MA) 11-0, 2:23
3rd: Timberly Martinez (CO) tech fall Maddie Marsh (IN) 14-1 3:08
5th: Isabella Miller (IA) dec. Meadow Mahlmeister (MT) 11-2
7th: Nia Hagler (UT) pin Paisley Denault (MI) 1:31
142 pounds
Finals: Violette Lasure (PA) dec. Greta Garbuzovas (GA) 11-5.
3rd: Dulcy Martinez (CA) tech fall Harlow Skenandore (WI) 10-0 3:24
5th: Roxy Sheen (ID) pin Victoria Alvarado (NY) 2:54
7th: Kayden Sipp (NE) pin Kelice Luker (OK) 1:40
148 pounds
Finals: Kaili Manuel (MI) tech fall Ella Poalillo (NJ) 14-3, 3:53
3rd: Cassandra Gonzales (MN) dec. Olivia Georges (NJ) 4-4
5th: Veronica Madrid (KS) pin Ryen Hickey (CO) 0:35
7th: Breanne Gibbs (MO) pin Mackenna Webster (MI) 1:02
155 pounds
Finals: Janiya Johnson (TN) dec. Jayci Shelton (MO) 8-4
3rd: Sarah Pulk (MN) dec. Laila Hustoles (OK) 6-6
5th: Eva Garcia (CA) pin Audrey Levendusky (TN) 1:25
7th: Rhaigyn Trenary (IN) pin Symone Jewell (CA) 0:39
170 pounds
Finals: Millie Azlin (OK) dec. Matilda Hruby (CO) 11-9
3rd: Elizabeth Madison (OH) pin Miley Walz (IA) 2:27
5th: Addeline Graser (NE) med. for. Emily Carvalho (CA)
7th: Makayla Vasser (NE) tech fall Carli Vargas (MO) 11-0 0:54
190 pounds
Finals: Brooke Huffman (WI) dec. Tevia Nau Rarick (UT) 10-7
3rd: Esmeralda Tellez (PA) dec. Blake Baker (TX) 3-1
5th: Mia Cienega (WA) pin Olivia Ruacho (CA) 0:58
7th: Latoya Sylvestre (FL) pin Macy Barber (NE) 0:49
235 pounds
Finals: Brenda Banks (PA) pin Deionna Borders (OH) 1:56
3rd: Phoenix Molina (IL) dec. Jayden Moehle (MO) 8-2
5th: Mackenna Atkinson (PA) tech fall Peyton Mullin (NY) 12-0 1:02
7th: Aarianna Bloyd (IL) dec. Shelby Wells (TX) 4-1
Team Standings
1 Pennsylvania 157
2 New Jersey 111
3 California 110
4 Michigan 99
5 Wisconsin 90
6 Ohio 73
7 Colorado 67
8 Tennessee 64
9 Illinois 57
10 Minnesota 49
11 Oklahoma 48
12 Missouri 44
13 Indiana 43
14 New York 41
15 Iowa 37
16 Nebraska 33
17 Texas 30
18 Massachusetts 29
18 Virginia 29
20 Georgia 25
20 Maryland 25
20 Utah 25
23 Arizona 24
24 Connecticut 20
24 Delaware 20
26 Florida 17
27 Idaho 14
28 Wyoming 12
29 Kansas 9
29 Washington 9
31 Montana 7
31 North Dakota 7
FARGO, N.D. – The championship finals of the 2024 USMC 16U Nationals in women’s freestyle was filled with excitement and drama, but the biggest story was the historic performance of Kaili Manuel of Michigan.
Manuel got her offense rolling in a 14-3 technical fall victory over tough Ella Poalillo of New Jersey in the 148 pound finals, becoming the first girl to win a coveted USA Wrestling Triple Crown at the 16U level.
Manuel won the first leg of the Triple Crown with a 16U Folkstyle Nationals title in Iowa in March, then added the second leg with a U17 Nationals title at the Women’s Nationals in Washington in April.
In addition, Manuel was named Outstanding Wrestler in the 16U Nationals, adding more hardware to her trophy case.
One of the most anticipated finals came at 100 pounds, where 2023 U17 World bronze medalist Jaclyn Bouzakis of Pennsylvania shut out 2023 U17 Nationals champion Madison Nieuwenhuis of Michigan, 6-0. Bouzakis was second at the 2023 16U Nationals, but down one weight class from Nieuwenhuis.
Pennsylvania won the team title with 157 points, with New Jersey in second with 111 points and California in third with 110 points.
Pennsylvania had four individual champions and 11 total All-Americans in the 16U Nationals. Claiming titles for the Keystone State were Bouzakis, plus Julia Horger (106), Violette Lasure (142) and Brenda Banks (235).
Lasure defeated Greta Garbuzovas of Georgia 11-5 in the finals to earn her stop sign trophy. The decision victory snapped an amazing record of 14 straight pins over the last two 16U Nationals for Lasure. In 2023, representing West Virginia, Lasure won nine straight pins to close out her third-place finish. This year, she won five straight matches by fall to set a new standard for the event.
Horger defeated 2024 National Recruiting Showcase runner-up Marlee Solomon of California in an active 9-6 decision. Banks closed out the Pennsylvania title parade with a pin over Deionna Borders of Ohio in 1:56.
Runner-up team New Jersey was the only other state with more than one champion, bringing home titles from Charlie Wylie (112) and Taina McGowan (130).
Wylie, who came in with a No. 3 national ranking at 115, shut out No. 4 ranked Kayla Batres of Connecticut, 8-0. At the 2021 U17 Nationals, Wylie was second and Batres was third. McGowan, ranked No. 3 in the nation at 130, won a tight 3-2 decision over Caroline Hilton to capture her title.
Young phenom Taina Fernandez of Maryland, competing in her first 16U Nationals, scored an 11-0 technical fall over Corynne McNulty of Massachusetts in the 136 pound finals. Fernandez had five technical falls and a pin during the tournament. She entered as the No. 1 ranked high school wrestler at 135 pounds, although she is only a freshman.
Perhaps the most amazing run of the tournament came at 118 pounds, where No. 31 seed Haley Gonzales of New York stopped No. 9 seed Cheyenne Frank of Michigan, 9-3 in the finals. Gonzales beat the No. 2, No. 3, No. 9, No. 15 and No. 26 seeds along the way.
Another amazing run came at 124 pounds, where No. 17 seed Me’kala James of California defeated No. 2 seed Victoria Carbonaro of New Jersey, 7-4 in the finals. James made a big splash in the round of 16, when she stopped returning champion and No. 1 seed Emma Bacon of Pennsylvania. She beat the No. 1, No. 2, No. 4, No. 8 and No. 16 seeds during the two days.
There were two high scoring battles in the higher weights. Millie Azlin of Oklahoma outgunned Matilda Hruby of Colorado 11-9 at 170 pounds, while Brooke Huffman got past Tevia Nau Rarick of Utah at 190 pounds.
Other individual champions were Lily Enos of Illinois (88), Justice Gutierrez of Colorado (94) and Janiya Johnson of Tennesee (155).
Enos stopped Brynn Engel of Wisconsin, 8-3. Gutierrez won a 1-1 criteria decision over Natalie Radecki. Johnson stopped Jayci Shelton of Missouri, 8-4.
The USMC Junior and 16U Nationals continue on Monday with men’s freestyle action.
USMC 16U WOMEN FREESTYLE NATIONALS
at Fargo, N.D., July 13-14
88 pounds
Finals: Lily Enos (IL) dec. Brynn Engel (WI) 8-3
3rd: Katelyn Rowles (IN) dec. Kayla Pastika (MN) 8-2
5th: Kylee Tran (OK) dec. Fern Jewett (MA) 6-4
7th: Cadence Grulla (GA) dec. Anabelle Wessel (NY) 7-1
94 pounds
Finals: Justice Gutierrez (CO) dec. Natalie Radecki (DE) 1-1
3rd: Libertie Nigh (OH) dec. Khyla Lipumano (AZ) 6-4
5th: Makayla Smith (PA) tech fall Siera Becker (IA) 10-0 2:00
7th: Alliya Walker (VA) tech fall Kate Hollinger (PA) 12-0 2:26
100 pounds
Finals: Jaclyn Bouzakis (PA) dec Madison Nieuwenhuis (MI) 6-0
3rd: Angelica Serratos (CA) dec. Ryleigh Sturgill (TN) 8-4
5th: Violet Diaz (IA) dec. Alicia Kenfack (ND) 9-2
7th: Killian Evans (MO) pin Dilynn Albrecht (WI) 2:12
106 pounds
Finals: Julia Horger (PA) dec. Marlee Solomon (CA) 9-6
3rd: Sarissa Tucker (VA) dec. Abigail Gonzalez (FL) 7-1
5th: Marie Sharp (NJ) pin Bianca Eide (MN) 3:27
7th: Chloe Skiles (IL) med. for. Camryn Gresham (OH)
112 pounds
Finals: Charlie Wylie (NJ) dec. Kayla Batres (CT) 8-0
3rd: Nakayla Dawson (MI) pin Lilly Quintanilla (WY) 0:54
5th: Isabel Kaplan (IN) dec. Nevada Daniels (TX) 7-0
7th: Samiyah Rahming (PA) tech fall Daylee Watson (PA) 10-0 1:48
118 pounds
Finals: Haley Gonzales (NY) dec. Cheyenne Frank (MI) 9-3
3rd: Alexis Lazar (MI) dec. Mackenzie Carder (OH) 5-0
5th: Carolyn Geckler (OH) dec. Emjay Neumann (WI) 6-2
7th: Aubree Gutierrez (CA) dec. Sara Mclaughlin (MA) 13-12
124 pounds
Finals: Me’kala James (CA) dec. Victoria Carbonaro (NJ) 7-4
3rd: Emma Bacon (PA) tech fall Danica Torres (AZ) 11-0 1:40
5th: Kailin Sebert (TX) pin Ariella Dobin (IL) 0:55
7th: Olivia Bezdicek (ID) pin Franky Groom-frey (WI) 2:51
130 pounds
Finals: Taina Mcgowan (NJ) dec. Caroline Hilton (TN) 3-2.
3rd: Lilliana Banks (WI) tech fall Kalynn Lyons (NE) 12-2 2:24
5th: Sophia Slaughter (VA) med. for. Riley Hanrahan (WI)
7th: Lauren Zaragoza (CA) dec. Naima Ghaffar (IN) 8-3
136 pounds
Finals: Taina Fernandez (MD) tech fall Corynne Mcnulty (MA) 11-0, 2:23
3rd: Timberly Martinez (CO) tech fall Maddie Marsh (IN) 14-1 3:08
5th: Isabella Miller (IA) dec. Meadow Mahlmeister (MT) 11-2
7th: Nia Hagler (UT) pin Paisley Denault (MI) 1:31
142 pounds
Finals: Violette Lasure (PA) dec. Greta Garbuzovas (GA) 11-5.
3rd: Dulcy Martinez (CA) tech fall Harlow Skenandore (WI) 10-0 3:24
5th: Roxy Sheen (ID) pin Victoria Alvarado (NY) 2:54
7th: Kayden Sipp (NE) pin Kelice Luker (OK) 1:40
148 pounds
Finals: Kaili Manuel (MI) tech fall Ella Poalillo (NJ) 14-3, 3:53
3rd: Cassandra Gonzales (MN) dec. Olivia Georges (NJ) 4-4
5th: Veronica Madrid (KS) pin Ryen Hickey (CO) 0:35
7th: Breanne Gibbs (MO) pin Mackenna Webster (MI) 1:02
155 pounds
Finals: Janiya Johnson (TN) dec. Jayci Shelton (MO) 8-4
3rd: Sarah Pulk (MN) dec. Laila Hustoles (OK) 6-6
5th: Eva Garcia (CA) pin Audrey Levendusky (TN) 1:25
7th: Rhaigyn Trenary (IN) pin Symone Jewell (CA) 0:39
170 pounds
Finals: Millie Azlin (OK) dec. Matilda Hruby (CO) 11-9
3rd: Elizabeth Madison (OH) pin Miley Walz (IA) 2:27
5th: Addeline Graser (NE) med. for. Emily Carvalho (CA)
7th: Makayla Vasser (NE) tech fall Carli Vargas (MO) 11-0 0:54
190 pounds
Finals: Brooke Huffman (WI) dec. Tevia Nau Rarick (UT) 10-7
3rd: Esmeralda Tellez (PA) dec. Blake Baker (TX) 3-1
5th: Mia Cienega (WA) pin Olivia Ruacho (CA) 0:58
7th: Latoya Sylvestre (FL) pin Macy Barber (NE) 0:49
235 pounds
Finals: Brenda Banks (PA) pin Deionna Borders (OH) 1:56
3rd: Phoenix Molina (IL) dec. Jayden Moehle (MO) 8-2
5th: Mackenna Atkinson (PA) tech fall Peyton Mullin (NY) 12-0 1:02
7th: Aarianna Bloyd (IL) dec. Shelby Wells (TX) 4-1
Team Standings
1 Pennsylvania 157
2 New Jersey 111
3 California 110
4 Michigan 99
5 Wisconsin 90
6 Ohio 73
7 Colorado 67
8 Tennessee 64
9 Illinois 57
10 Minnesota 49
11 Oklahoma 48
12 Missouri 44
13 Indiana 43
14 New York 41
15 Iowa 37
16 Nebraska 33
17 Texas 30
18 Massachusetts 29
18 Virginia 29
20 Georgia 25
20 Maryland 25
20 Utah 25
23 Arizona 24
24 Connecticut 20
24 Delaware 20
26 Florida 17
27 Idaho 14
28 Wyoming 12
29 Kansas 9
29 Washington 9
31 Montana 7
31 North Dakota 7
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