Audrey Jimenez selected as USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Audrey Jimenez competing in the U20 Nationals finals. Photo by AJ Grieves.
Audrey Jimenez (Tucson, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) has been named USA Wrestling Wrestler of the Week on May 10, 2022.
She earned spots on the U.S. U17 World Team and the U.S. U20 World Team during the USMC Women’s Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas, May 6-8.
First up for Jimenez was the U20 World Team Trials, which were held May 6-7. Jimenez, who is a sophomore at Sunnyside High School (Ariz.), competed at the lightest weight class, 50 kg/110 lbs. This tournament featured both high school athletes and college athletes between the ages of 17-20.
She won her first three bouts by technical fall, defeating Diana Holmes, Emma Baertlein and Emilie Gonzalez in order. Holmes and Baertlein are college age opponents.
In the U20 semifinals, Jimenez defeated college star Samara Chavez of King University, 13-8. Chavez was third in the 2022 NCWWC nationals this year at 109 pounds.
In the championship series, Jimenez faced another King University star, Sage Mortimer. In the first match, Jimenez scored an 11-0 technical fall over Mortimer. In the second match, Jimenez defeated Mortimer, 7-2 to secure the team berth. Jimenez was named Outstanding Wrestler at the U20 Nationals based upon her performance.
Next up was the U17 Nationals, which was held May 7-8. In fact, Jimenez was still competing in the U20 Nationals finals when the U17 Nationals had already begun. She competed at 49 kg at the U17 level. Jimenez is currently ranked No. 1 nationally in high school at 106 pounds.
She opened with three technical falls over nationally ranked opponents, beating No. 12 Heather Crull, No. 25 Sierra Chiesa and No. 6 Angelina Cassioppi. In the U17 semifinals, she defeated No. 6 Julianna Ocampo, 3-1. Ocampo had won the U15 Nationals on Saturday.
In the best-of-three series, Jimenez faced her 2021 U17 World Team teammate Ava Ward of the Sunkist Kids. Both won U17 World bronze medals last year, Ward at 46 kg and Jimenez at 49 kg. Jimenez did not allow Ward to score in either match, winning bout one 6-0 and bout two 4-0.
Jimenez will compete at the U17 World Championships in Rome, Italy, July 25-31 and at the U20 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, August 15-21.
Each week USA Wrestling will select an Athlete of the Week based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling from youth programs through the senior level.
To nominate a wrestler for this honor during May and June of 2022, please send the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments and career accolades to Director of Communications Gary Abbott at gabbott@usawrestling.org.
Audrey Jimenez (Tucson, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) has been named USA Wrestling Wrestler of the Week on May 10, 2022.
She earned spots on the U.S. U17 World Team and the U.S. U20 World Team during the USMC Women’s Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas, May 6-8.
First up for Jimenez was the U20 World Team Trials, which were held May 6-7. Jimenez, who is a sophomore at Sunnyside High School (Ariz.), competed at the lightest weight class, 50 kg/110 lbs. This tournament featured both high school athletes and college athletes between the ages of 17-20.
She won her first three bouts by technical fall, defeating Diana Holmes, Emma Baertlein and Emilie Gonzalez in order. Holmes and Baertlein are college age opponents.
In the U20 semifinals, Jimenez defeated college star Samara Chavez of King University, 13-8. Chavez was third in the 2022 NCWWC nationals this year at 109 pounds.
In the championship series, Jimenez faced another King University star, Sage Mortimer. In the first match, Jimenez scored an 11-0 technical fall over Mortimer. In the second match, Jimenez defeated Mortimer, 7-2 to secure the team berth. Jimenez was named Outstanding Wrestler at the U20 Nationals based upon her performance.
Next up was the U17 Nationals, which was held May 7-8. In fact, Jimenez was still competing in the U20 Nationals finals when the U17 Nationals had already begun. She competed at 49 kg at the U17 level. Jimenez is currently ranked No. 1 nationally in high school at 106 pounds.
She opened with three technical falls over nationally ranked opponents, beating No. 12 Heather Crull, No. 25 Sierra Chiesa and No. 6 Angelina Cassioppi. In the U17 semifinals, she defeated No. 6 Julianna Ocampo, 3-1. Ocampo had won the U15 Nationals on Saturday.
In the best-of-three series, Jimenez faced her 2021 U17 World Team teammate Ava Ward of the Sunkist Kids. Both won U17 World bronze medals last year, Ward at 46 kg and Jimenez at 49 kg. Jimenez did not allow Ward to score in either match, winning bout one 6-0 and bout two 4-0.
Jimenez will compete at the U17 World Championships in Rome, Italy, July 25-31 and at the U20 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, August 15-21.
Each week USA Wrestling will select an Athlete of the Week based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling from youth programs through the senior level.
To nominate a wrestler for this honor during May and June of 2022, please send the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments and career accolades to Director of Communications Gary Abbott at gabbott@usawrestling.org.
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