Estrada, Moore repeat as Girls National Recruiting Showcase champions; Jimenez named Outstanding Wrestler
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Shelby Moore of Washington works on a turn against Estella Gutches of Oregon at 127 pounds. Photo by Sandy Slater.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – South Carolina star Zao Estrada of ET Wrestling and Washington star Shelby Moore of the White River Hornets WC became the first two-time champions of the Girls National High School Recruiiting Showcase with impressive wins on Friday night at the South Point Arena.
Estrada, currently ranked No. 5 in the USA, secured a 9-4 win over Carissa Qureshi of California in the 122-pound finals. Estrada jumped to an 8-0 lead with effective takedowns and cruised to the title.
Moore, ranked No. 1 in the nation, scored on both takedowns and turns to defeat Estella Gutches of Oregon in an 11-0 technical fall.
A highlight match of the finals came at 106 pounds, as No. 1 ranked Arizona star Audrey Jimenez of the Sunkist Kids battled No. 2 ranked Anaya Falcon of Walnut High School of California. Falcon secured an early 5-2 lead after scoring on a cradle, but Jimenez battled back to lead 6-5. Showing excellent technique and power, the lead switched a few more times, before Jimenez won the takedown battle to win 16-8. Jimenez was named Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament.
It was a good night for nationally ranked wrestlers from Missouri, with three championships claimed by No. 4 Paige Wehrmeister of Bull Trained (138), No. 4 Maddie Kubicki of Victory Wrestling (144) and No. 8 Catherine Dutton (200).
Wehrmeister got her offense untracked in an 11-0 technical fall over No. 18 Alondra Morales of the Ascend Wrestling Academy (WA). Kubicki also showed great scoring ability in ther 16-6 technical fall over No. 10 Isabella Amaro of Empire WC (OR). Dutton claimed a three-athlete round-robin, including a technical fall and an injury default victory.
A pair of wrestlers who entered with No. 2 national rankings won their finals with dominance, Destiny Rodriguez of All-Phase WC of Oregon (152) and Alivia White of Ascend Wrestling Academy of Washington (180).
Rodriguez needed just 2:56 to secure a 10-0 technical fall over No. 5 Piper Fowler of Higher Calling WC of Tennessee. White fell behind No. 4 Henlee Haynes of Florida at 180, but nailed a hip toss to secure a pin in 3:42 of the match.
No. 18 ranked Gabrielle Gomez of Illinois improved her reputation by claiming a loaded 100-pound weight class, including a 15-5 technical fall over California’s Karina Vang of Red Wave Wrestling, 15-5.
No. 5 ranked Karlee Brooks of Thorobred WC (AZ) was in control of a 6-2 victory over California star Kiely Tabaldo of Legends of Gold LV, 6-2. Brooks scored the first six points in the battle.
No. 9 ranked Persaeus Gomez of Pomona Elite (CO) looked strong in her 12-2 technical fall victory at 117 pounds over No. 11 Haley Vann of the Empire WC (OR). Gomez scored a takedown with two seconds left in the first period to lead 6-2, then scored on a cradle and two other turns to put the match away.
In a battle between teammates on the Swamp Monsters WC of California, No. 6 Janida Garcia defeated No. 22 Giana DiBenedetto in a 10-0 technical fall. Garcia was dominant on her feet in takedown situations.
No. 9 Amarisa Manuel of the Michigan Revolution WC continued her impressive wrestling with a pin in 5:24 over No. 3 ranked Haley Ward of MO West WC of Missouri in 5:24. Manuel scored a number of times on a front headlock turn, and finished it off with a hip toss.
At 225 pounds, No. 14 Karla Padilla Zepeda of Excalibur WC of Utah won a best-of-three series with Maryland’s Arrey Mbutambe. Zepeda scored a 13-4 technical fall in match one, and pinned Mbutambe in 3:37 in bout two.
Many of these Showcase All-Americans are expected to compete in next weekend’s USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas, with spots on U.S. World and international teams up for grabs.
GIRLS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL RECRUITING SHOWCASE
At Las Vegas, Nev., April 29
100 LBS
1st Gabriella Gomez IL (Illinois) tech fall Karina Vang CA (Red Wave Wrestling), 15-5 1:37
3rd Mary Manis FL (Spartan RTC FL) tech. fall Aspen Blasko MN (Minnesota Storm), 10-0 3:27
5th Makenize Smith IN (Patriots Wrestling Club) tech. fall Abbeygael Cabuag CA (California), 10-0 2:03
7th Katey Valdez CO (Betterman Elite Wrestling) tech. fall Sofia Abramson NV (Legends of Gold Las Vegas), 14-4 4:22
106 LBS
1st Audrey Jimenez AZ (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) dec. Anaya Falcon CA (Walnut High School Wrestling), 16-8
3rd Ava Ward MO (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) tech. fall Clare Booe FL (Palm Harbor University High School Wrestling), 12-0 3:40
5th Sterling Dias NV (Aniciete Training Club) tech. fall Jenna Gerhardt ND (Shooting Starz Wrestling Club), 10-0 5:39
7th Libby Roberts WA (Inland Northwest Wrestling Training Center) tech. fall Genesis Cejudo AZ (Arizona), 10-0 2:03
112 LBS
1st Karlee Brooks AZ (Thorobred Wrestling Club) dec. Kiely Tabaldo CA (Legends of Gold Las Vegas), 6-2
3rd Jenavi Alejandro NV (Aniciete Training Club) dec. Bella Williams OK (Husky Wrestling Club), 12-6
5th Diana Olivarez CA (Red Wave Wrestling) tech. fall Janessa George CO (Chatfield Wrestling Club), 11-0 3:51
7th Reanah Utterback IA (Sebolt Wrestling Academy) tech. fall Lita Cruz ID (Team Idaho Wrestling Club), 10-4 6:00
117 LBS
1st Persaeus Gomez CO (Pomona Elite (PWCC)) dec. Haley Vann OR (Empire Wrestling Club), 12-2 4:42
3rd Brissa Bernal OK (Lady Outlaws) tech. fall Isabella Ngo CA (Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club), 12-2 5:37
5th Bayley Trang TX (All American Wrestling Club) pin Emma Albanese NV (Legends of Gold Las Vegas), 6-6 4:48
7th Anna Dicugno WA (White River Hornets Wrestling Club) inj. dft. Alyssa Ruiz TX (All American Wrestling Club), 0-0 0:00
122 LBS
1st Zao Estrada SC (ET Wrestling) dec. Carissa Qureshi CA (California), 9-4
3rd Bianca Johnson WA (Ascend Wrestling Academy) pin Taylor Colangelo AZ (Arizona Girls Wrestling), 2:46
5th Leilani Lepe CA (California) pin Paige Chafin OR (Sweet Home High School Wrestling), 9-6 3:24
7th Kierstyn Bockert AK (Interior Grappling Academy) pin Kailyn Younger KS (Kansas), 1:06
127 LBS
1st Shelby Moore WA (White River Hornets Wrestling Club) tech. fall Estella Gutches OR (Oregon), 11-0 3:18
3rd Alyssa Randles ID (Inland Northwest Wrestling Training Center) tech. fall Celeste Detoles UT (Westlake Wrestling Club), 14-2 1:58
5th Morgan Edwards PA (Blairstown Wrestling Club) dec. Frankie Graham ID (Team Idaho Wrestling Club), 10-0
7th Larissa Kaz WI (Victory School of Wrestling) tech. fall Alejandra Valdiviezo CA (Poway High School Wrestling), 12-2 3:40
132 LBS
1st Janida Garcia CA (Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club) tech. fall Gianna Dibenedetto CA (Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club), 10-0 2:46
3rd Lauren Walton KY (Carr Wrestling Academy) dec. Esther Han UT (Bruin Wrestling Club), 8-5
5th Piper Cadden AZ (Thorobred Wrestling Club) dec. Alanna Haney WA (Ascend Wrestling Academy), 13-2
7th Magdalena Ivanova ID (Suples Wrestling Club) tech. fall Bridgette Sotomayor AZ (Arizona Girls Wrestling), 15-5 4:29
138 LBS
1st Paige Wehrmeister MO (BullTrained Wrestling) tech. fall Alondra Morales WA (Ascend Wrestling Academy), 11-0 3:31
3rd Caitlyn Davis SC (ET Wrestling) dec. Taydem Khamjoi CA (Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club), 15-9
5th Liv Wieber ID (The Factory Wrestling Club) pin Presley Givens AR (Arkansas), 6-6 3:25
7th Marissa Porsch KS (Next Level Training Academy) pin Julianna Kilroy WA (Punisher Wrestling Company), 12-2 3:32
144 LBS
1st Maddie Kubicki MO (Victory Wrestling) tech. fall Isabella Amaro OR (Empire Wrestling Club), 16-6 2:15
3rd Mia Furman ID (Suples Wrestling Club) pin Isabella Mir NV (Gold Rush Wrestling), 6-4 3:00
5th Elleni Johnson UT (Legends of Gold Las Vegas) tech. fall Mishell Rebisch MI (Michigan Revolution Wrestling Club), 12-2 2:15
7th Lizzie Shunn UT (Champions Wrestling Club) tech. fall Aspen Barber CO (Betterman Elite Wrestling), 11-0 2:10
152 LBS
1st Destiny Rodriguez OR (All-Phase Wrestling Club) tech. fall Piper Fowler TN (Higher Calling Wrestling Club), 10-0 2:56
3rd Kaiulani Garcia CA (California) tech. fall Aynslee Hester WA (FordDynastyWrestlingClub), 10-0 3:31
5th Alexandra Hofrichter WI (Antigo Wrestling Club) pin Anya Hatch UT (Legends of Gold Las Vegas), 10-1 1:58
7th Stella Steigler VA (Virginia Assassins Wrestling Club) tech. fall Breanna Wier WI (Wisconsin), 12-0 3:09
164 LBS
1st Amarisa Manuel MI (Michigan Revolution Wrestling Club) pin Haley Ward MO (MO West Championship Wrestling Club), 5:24
3rd Shannon Workinger WA (Ascend Wrestling Academy) pin Nevaeh Garcia CO (Colorado), 41:36
5th Alison Evans CO (Betterman Elite Wrestling) pin Caitlyn Flaherty TX (Prosper Talons Wrestling), 10-8 3:22
7th Kylee Lindsley MT (Montana) pin Jannell Avila IA (Big Game Wrestling Club), 6-5 1:32
180 LBS
1st Alivia White WA (Ascend Wrestling Academy) pin Henlee Haynes FL (Florida), 3:42
3rd Katelyn Lewis WI (Fox Valley Elite Wrestling Club) pin Lyndsey Buechman KS (Abilene Kids Wrestling Club), 3:13
5th Kassidee Savaria MT (Montana) pin Sophie Pollack NY (Rochester Rumble Wrestling Club), 1:29
7th Maliya Castillo CA (NexGen Regional Training Center) pin Aurellia Ramos UT (Champions Wrestling Club), 4:37
200 lbs.
1st - Catherine Dutton (MO)
2nd - Wyvonnie Fletcher (Palo Verde High School Wrestling)
3rd - Lily Perlmutter (TMWC)
Dutton tech. fall Perlmutter, 10-0
Fletcher pin Perlmutter, 0:09
Dutton inj dft Fletcher, 1:57
225 lbs.
1st - Karla Padilla Zepeda (Excalibur Wrestling Club)
2nd - Arrey Mbutambe (MD)
Padilla Zepeda tech. fall Mbutambe, 13-4
Padilla Zepeda pin Mbutambe, 3:37
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – South Carolina star Zao Estrada of ET Wrestling and Washington star Shelby Moore of the White River Hornets WC became the first two-time champions of the Girls National High School Recruiiting Showcase with impressive wins on Friday night at the South Point Arena.
Estrada, currently ranked No. 5 in the USA, secured a 9-4 win over Carissa Qureshi of California in the 122-pound finals. Estrada jumped to an 8-0 lead with effective takedowns and cruised to the title.
Moore, ranked No. 1 in the nation, scored on both takedowns and turns to defeat Estella Gutches of Oregon in an 11-0 technical fall.
A highlight match of the finals came at 106 pounds, as No. 1 ranked Arizona star Audrey Jimenez of the Sunkist Kids battled No. 2 ranked Anaya Falcon of Walnut High School of California. Falcon secured an early 5-2 lead after scoring on a cradle, but Jimenez battled back to lead 6-5. Showing excellent technique and power, the lead switched a few more times, before Jimenez won the takedown battle to win 16-8. Jimenez was named Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament.
It was a good night for nationally ranked wrestlers from Missouri, with three championships claimed by No. 4 Paige Wehrmeister of Bull Trained (138), No. 4 Maddie Kubicki of Victory Wrestling (144) and No. 8 Catherine Dutton (200).
Wehrmeister got her offense untracked in an 11-0 technical fall over No. 18 Alondra Morales of the Ascend Wrestling Academy (WA). Kubicki also showed great scoring ability in ther 16-6 technical fall over No. 10 Isabella Amaro of Empire WC (OR). Dutton claimed a three-athlete round-robin, including a technical fall and an injury default victory.
A pair of wrestlers who entered with No. 2 national rankings won their finals with dominance, Destiny Rodriguez of All-Phase WC of Oregon (152) and Alivia White of Ascend Wrestling Academy of Washington (180).
Rodriguez needed just 2:56 to secure a 10-0 technical fall over No. 5 Piper Fowler of Higher Calling WC of Tennessee. White fell behind No. 4 Henlee Haynes of Florida at 180, but nailed a hip toss to secure a pin in 3:42 of the match.
No. 18 ranked Gabrielle Gomez of Illinois improved her reputation by claiming a loaded 100-pound weight class, including a 15-5 technical fall over California’s Karina Vang of Red Wave Wrestling, 15-5.
No. 5 ranked Karlee Brooks of Thorobred WC (AZ) was in control of a 6-2 victory over California star Kiely Tabaldo of Legends of Gold LV, 6-2. Brooks scored the first six points in the battle.
No. 9 ranked Persaeus Gomez of Pomona Elite (CO) looked strong in her 12-2 technical fall victory at 117 pounds over No. 11 Haley Vann of the Empire WC (OR). Gomez scored a takedown with two seconds left in the first period to lead 6-2, then scored on a cradle and two other turns to put the match away.
In a battle between teammates on the Swamp Monsters WC of California, No. 6 Janida Garcia defeated No. 22 Giana DiBenedetto in a 10-0 technical fall. Garcia was dominant on her feet in takedown situations.
No. 9 Amarisa Manuel of the Michigan Revolution WC continued her impressive wrestling with a pin in 5:24 over No. 3 ranked Haley Ward of MO West WC of Missouri in 5:24. Manuel scored a number of times on a front headlock turn, and finished it off with a hip toss.
At 225 pounds, No. 14 Karla Padilla Zepeda of Excalibur WC of Utah won a best-of-three series with Maryland’s Arrey Mbutambe. Zepeda scored a 13-4 technical fall in match one, and pinned Mbutambe in 3:37 in bout two.
Many of these Showcase All-Americans are expected to compete in next weekend’s USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas, with spots on U.S. World and international teams up for grabs.
GIRLS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL RECRUITING SHOWCASE
At Las Vegas, Nev., April 29
100 LBS
1st Gabriella Gomez IL (Illinois) tech fall Karina Vang CA (Red Wave Wrestling), 15-5 1:37
3rd Mary Manis FL (Spartan RTC FL) tech. fall Aspen Blasko MN (Minnesota Storm), 10-0 3:27
5th Makenize Smith IN (Patriots Wrestling Club) tech. fall Abbeygael Cabuag CA (California), 10-0 2:03
7th Katey Valdez CO (Betterman Elite Wrestling) tech. fall Sofia Abramson NV (Legends of Gold Las Vegas), 14-4 4:22
106 LBS
1st Audrey Jimenez AZ (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) dec. Anaya Falcon CA (Walnut High School Wrestling), 16-8
3rd Ava Ward MO (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) tech. fall Clare Booe FL (Palm Harbor University High School Wrestling), 12-0 3:40
5th Sterling Dias NV (Aniciete Training Club) tech. fall Jenna Gerhardt ND (Shooting Starz Wrestling Club), 10-0 5:39
7th Libby Roberts WA (Inland Northwest Wrestling Training Center) tech. fall Genesis Cejudo AZ (Arizona), 10-0 2:03
112 LBS
1st Karlee Brooks AZ (Thorobred Wrestling Club) dec. Kiely Tabaldo CA (Legends of Gold Las Vegas), 6-2
3rd Jenavi Alejandro NV (Aniciete Training Club) dec. Bella Williams OK (Husky Wrestling Club), 12-6
5th Diana Olivarez CA (Red Wave Wrestling) tech. fall Janessa George CO (Chatfield Wrestling Club), 11-0 3:51
7th Reanah Utterback IA (Sebolt Wrestling Academy) tech. fall Lita Cruz ID (Team Idaho Wrestling Club), 10-4 6:00
117 LBS
1st Persaeus Gomez CO (Pomona Elite (PWCC)) dec. Haley Vann OR (Empire Wrestling Club), 12-2 4:42
3rd Brissa Bernal OK (Lady Outlaws) tech. fall Isabella Ngo CA (Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club), 12-2 5:37
5th Bayley Trang TX (All American Wrestling Club) pin Emma Albanese NV (Legends of Gold Las Vegas), 6-6 4:48
7th Anna Dicugno WA (White River Hornets Wrestling Club) inj. dft. Alyssa Ruiz TX (All American Wrestling Club), 0-0 0:00
122 LBS
1st Zao Estrada SC (ET Wrestling) dec. Carissa Qureshi CA (California), 9-4
3rd Bianca Johnson WA (Ascend Wrestling Academy) pin Taylor Colangelo AZ (Arizona Girls Wrestling), 2:46
5th Leilani Lepe CA (California) pin Paige Chafin OR (Sweet Home High School Wrestling), 9-6 3:24
7th Kierstyn Bockert AK (Interior Grappling Academy) pin Kailyn Younger KS (Kansas), 1:06
127 LBS
1st Shelby Moore WA (White River Hornets Wrestling Club) tech. fall Estella Gutches OR (Oregon), 11-0 3:18
3rd Alyssa Randles ID (Inland Northwest Wrestling Training Center) tech. fall Celeste Detoles UT (Westlake Wrestling Club), 14-2 1:58
5th Morgan Edwards PA (Blairstown Wrestling Club) dec. Frankie Graham ID (Team Idaho Wrestling Club), 10-0
7th Larissa Kaz WI (Victory School of Wrestling) tech. fall Alejandra Valdiviezo CA (Poway High School Wrestling), 12-2 3:40
132 LBS
1st Janida Garcia CA (Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club) tech. fall Gianna Dibenedetto CA (Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club), 10-0 2:46
3rd Lauren Walton KY (Carr Wrestling Academy) dec. Esther Han UT (Bruin Wrestling Club), 8-5
5th Piper Cadden AZ (Thorobred Wrestling Club) dec. Alanna Haney WA (Ascend Wrestling Academy), 13-2
7th Magdalena Ivanova ID (Suples Wrestling Club) tech. fall Bridgette Sotomayor AZ (Arizona Girls Wrestling), 15-5 4:29
138 LBS
1st Paige Wehrmeister MO (BullTrained Wrestling) tech. fall Alondra Morales WA (Ascend Wrestling Academy), 11-0 3:31
3rd Caitlyn Davis SC (ET Wrestling) dec. Taydem Khamjoi CA (Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club), 15-9
5th Liv Wieber ID (The Factory Wrestling Club) pin Presley Givens AR (Arkansas), 6-6 3:25
7th Marissa Porsch KS (Next Level Training Academy) pin Julianna Kilroy WA (Punisher Wrestling Company), 12-2 3:32
144 LBS
1st Maddie Kubicki MO (Victory Wrestling) tech. fall Isabella Amaro OR (Empire Wrestling Club), 16-6 2:15
3rd Mia Furman ID (Suples Wrestling Club) pin Isabella Mir NV (Gold Rush Wrestling), 6-4 3:00
5th Elleni Johnson UT (Legends of Gold Las Vegas) tech. fall Mishell Rebisch MI (Michigan Revolution Wrestling Club), 12-2 2:15
7th Lizzie Shunn UT (Champions Wrestling Club) tech. fall Aspen Barber CO (Betterman Elite Wrestling), 11-0 2:10
152 LBS
1st Destiny Rodriguez OR (All-Phase Wrestling Club) tech. fall Piper Fowler TN (Higher Calling Wrestling Club), 10-0 2:56
3rd Kaiulani Garcia CA (California) tech. fall Aynslee Hester WA (FordDynastyWrestlingClub), 10-0 3:31
5th Alexandra Hofrichter WI (Antigo Wrestling Club) pin Anya Hatch UT (Legends of Gold Las Vegas), 10-1 1:58
7th Stella Steigler VA (Virginia Assassins Wrestling Club) tech. fall Breanna Wier WI (Wisconsin), 12-0 3:09
164 LBS
1st Amarisa Manuel MI (Michigan Revolution Wrestling Club) pin Haley Ward MO (MO West Championship Wrestling Club), 5:24
3rd Shannon Workinger WA (Ascend Wrestling Academy) pin Nevaeh Garcia CO (Colorado), 41:36
5th Alison Evans CO (Betterman Elite Wrestling) pin Caitlyn Flaherty TX (Prosper Talons Wrestling), 10-8 3:22
7th Kylee Lindsley MT (Montana) pin Jannell Avila IA (Big Game Wrestling Club), 6-5 1:32
180 LBS
1st Alivia White WA (Ascend Wrestling Academy) pin Henlee Haynes FL (Florida), 3:42
3rd Katelyn Lewis WI (Fox Valley Elite Wrestling Club) pin Lyndsey Buechman KS (Abilene Kids Wrestling Club), 3:13
5th Kassidee Savaria MT (Montana) pin Sophie Pollack NY (Rochester Rumble Wrestling Club), 1:29
7th Maliya Castillo CA (NexGen Regional Training Center) pin Aurellia Ramos UT (Champions Wrestling Club), 4:37
200 lbs.
1st - Catherine Dutton (MO)
2nd - Wyvonnie Fletcher (Palo Verde High School Wrestling)
3rd - Lily Perlmutter (TMWC)
Dutton tech. fall Perlmutter, 10-0
Fletcher pin Perlmutter, 0:09
Dutton inj dft Fletcher, 1:57
225 lbs.
1st - Karla Padilla Zepeda (Excalibur Wrestling Club)
2nd - Arrey Mbutambe (MD)
Padilla Zepeda tech. fall Mbutambe, 13-4
Padilla Zepeda pin Mbutambe, 3:37