InterMat Staff

St. Charles East

One of the top remaining uncommitted juniors in the country, #12 overall Dom Munaretto (St. Charles East, IL), changed his status to committed this afternoon as he gave a verbal to Ohio State University. In addition to Munaretto’s ranking among the Class of 2026, he finished the 2024-25 campaign ranked fourth in the nation at 120 lbs. Munaretto is a two-time U17 world champion - winning first in 2022 at 45 kg and again in 2024 at 51 kg, both in freestyle. In 2024, Munaretto also represented the United States at the U17 World Championships in Greco-Roman; however, he did not earn a medal. Domestically, Munaretto has placed at the Walsh Ironman on three occasions. He won the 106 lb bracket as a freshman in 2022 and was seventh and third in the following seasons. Munaretto has also made the Super 32 podium twice - taking sixth in 2022 and finishing as a runner-up in 2023. Munaretto will be in action next week at the U20 US Open as he is registered at the 57 kg weight class. At the next level, Munaretto projects as a 133 lber. Ohio State has Munaretto’s old high school teammate Ben Davino as a true freshman. Davino had an excellent redshirt season going 19-1 and will push for the starting role in 2025-26. He could move up to 141 in the future. In addition to Ohio State; Illinois, Indiana, and Nebraska were finalists for Munaretto. Last fall, he visited those four schools along with Arizona State.

STILLWATER, Okla. - The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday announced the state winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award (DSHSEA). The Hall of Fame’s High School Excellence Awards are proudly sponsored by the Hyman Family, whose generous support and passion for the sport help ensure the continued recognition and development of wrestling’s next generation. The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016. The DSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. “The recipients of our Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award represent an exceptional group of young men who have set the standard for achievement — excelling not only in the classroom and on the wrestling mat, but also through leadership and service to their communities,” said NWHOF Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. “We are incredibly grateful to our selection committees for their thoughtful and dedicated efforts in choosing such outstanding ambassadors for our sport. “It’s a privilege to honor these student-athletes, and we take great pride in following their continued success at the collegiate and international levels — both in competition and academics — as they grow into the next generation of leaders and role models in wrestling.” DSHSEA winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community. The Central Region, Midwest Region, Northeast Region, Southeast Region and West Region winners will be announced on April 24 and the national winner will be announced on April 30. The Hall of Fame announced the state winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA) on Wednesday. The TSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. The TSHSEA regional winners will be announced on April 23 and the national winner will be announced on April 29. Regional winners for both awards are selected from state winners, and the national winners will be chosen from the regional winners. The regions and the states that they are comprised of are: West (11) - Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming Midwest (10) - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin Central (7) - Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas Southeast (11) - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia Northeast (11) - Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont The TSHSEA and DSHSEA national winners will be honored during the 48th Honors Weekend at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum on June 6 and 7 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. To purchase tickets for Honors Weekend, visit https://bit.ly/2025NWHOFHonorsWeekendTickets. The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for its high school excellence awards from state chapters and coaches. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, which selects state and regional winners. The committee then determines the national winners from the regional winners. Coleman Scott (2004) and Logan Stieber (2010) became the first DSHSEA national winners to be inducted as Distinguished Members of the Hall of Fame when they were inducted in 2024. Cael Sanderson, who was the Utah and West Region winner of the DSHSEA in 1997, and Jake Varner, who was the California winner of the DSHEA in 2005, are also Distinguished Members of the Hall of Fame. National winners of the DSHSEA have combined to win 20 NCAA Division I individual titles led by four-time champion Logan Stieber (2010), three-time winner Zain Retherford (2013) and two-time winners David Carr (2018), Steven Mocco (2001), David Taylor (2009), Teyon Ware (2002) and Zahid Valencia (2015). 2025 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award State Winners State - Name, High School, Hometown, College Attending Alabama - Yanik Simon, Huntsville High School, Huntsville Alaska - Jacob Strausbaugh, Soldotna High School, Soldotna, Cornerstone University (Not for Wrestling) Arizona - Sergio Vega, Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Oklahoma State University Arkansas - Ryan Rogers, Central Arkansas Christian School, Little Rock, McKendree University California - Daniel Zepeda, Gilroy High School, Gilroy, North Carolina State University Colorado - Traven Sharon, Home Schooled, Ordway, University of Wyoming Connecticut - Scott Romano, Joel Barlow High School, West Redding Delaware - Malachi Stratton, Sussex Central High School, Frankford Florida - Maximus Brady, Mariner High School, Cape Coral, University of Northern Iowa Georgia - Dominic Bambinelli, Mill Creek High School, Hoschton, University of Missouri Hawaii - Tyger Ta'am, Moanalua High School, Honolulu, Menlo College Idaho - Matthew Martino, Bishop Kelly High School, Eagle, Princeton University Illinois - Seth Mendoza, Mount Carmel High School, Mokena, University of Missouri Indiana - Jake Hockaday, Brownsburg High School, Pittsboro, Nebraska University Iowa - Kyler Knaack, Don Bosco High School, Gilbertville, University of Northern Iowa Kansas - Taye Wilson, Pratt High School, Pratt, University of Arkansas at Little Rock Kentucky - Isaac Johns, Woodford County High School, Nicholasville, Bellarmine University Louisiana - Richie Clementi, Brother Martin High School, Slidell, California Baptist University Maine - Eli Potter, Wells High School, Wells Maryland - Calvin Kraisser, Centennial High School, Ellicott City, Frostburg State University Massachusetts - Sid Tildsley, Shawsheen Tech, Billerica Michigan - Sebastian Martinez, Gabriel Richard Catholic High School, Lincoln Park, United States Air Force Academy Minnesota - Landon Robideau, St. Michael-Albertville High School, St. Michael, Oklahoma State University Mississippi - Jaiden Gipson, Oxford High School, Oxford Missouri - Hank Benter, Hickman High School, Columbia, University of Missouri Montana - Zach Morse, Billings West High School, Billings, Northern State University, Aberdeen South Dakota Nebraska - Tyson Terry, Omaha North High School, Omaha, University of Nebraska Nevada - Manuel Saldate, Sports Leadership & Management of Nevada, Las Vegas, Oregon State New Hampshire - David Pento Jr., Londonderry High School, Londonderry New Jersey - Harvey Ludington, Brick Memorial High School, Brick, University of Iowa New Mexico - Mason Posa, La Cueva High School, Albuquerque, Wisconsin (Football) New York - PJ Duke, Minisink Valley High School, Slate Hill, Penn State University North Carolina - Liam Hickey, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Raleigh, University of North Carolina North Dakota - Mark DeForest, Bismarck High School, Bismarck, University of Mary Ohio - Marcus Blaze, Perrysburg High School, Perrysburg, Penn State University Oklahoma - LaDarion Lockett, Stillwater High School, Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Oregon - Oscar Doces, West Linn High School, West Linn Pennsylvania - Aaron Seidel, Northern Lebanon High School, Jonestown, Virginia Tech Rhode Island - Preston Marchessault, Ponaganset High School, Cranston, Brown University South Carolina - Cason Howle, Greenwood High School, Greenwood, North Carolina State University South Dakota - Moses Gross, Huron High School, Huron Tennessee - Maximus Norman, Baylor School, Abingdon, Brown University Texas - Caio Aron, The Woodlands College Park High School, Willis, California Baptist University Utah - Geronimo Rivera, Layton High School, Hooper, Utah Valley University Vermont - Elias Kalat, Spaulding High School, Rochester Virginia - Tyler Hood, St. Christopher's School, Chesterfield, United States Naval Academy Washington - Alan Salguero Jr., Orting High School, Puyallup, Colorado Mesa University West Virginia - Brock Kehler, University High School, Morgantown, West Virginia University Wisconsin - Daniel Heiser, Evansville High School, Oregon, University of Missouri Wyoming - Liam Fox, Cheyenne East High School, Cheyenne, Western Wyoming Community College All-Time National Winners of Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award 2024 - Aeoden Sinclair, Milton High School, Edgerton, Wisconsin 2023 - Cael Hughes, Stillwater High School, Glencoe, Oklahoma 2022 - Cory Land, Moody High School, Moody, Alabama 2021 - Alex Facundo, Davison High School, Essexville, Michigan 2020 - Braxton Amos, Parkersburg South High School, Mineral Wells, West Virginia (Freestyle Junior World Champion and Greco-Roman Junior World Bronze Medalist) 2019 - Cohlton Schultz, Ponderosa High School, Parker, Colorado (Greco-Roman Cadet World Champion) 2018 - David Carr, Perry High School, Massillon, Ohio (NCAA Champion and Junior World Champion) 2017 - Daton Fix, Charles Page High School, Sand Springs, Oklahoma (World Silver Medalist, Junior World Champion and 2X Junior World Bronze Medalist) 2016 - Mark Hall II, Apple Valley High School, Apple Valley, Minnesota (NCAA Champion, 2X Junior World Champion and Cadet World Champion) 2015 - Zahid Valencia, St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower, California (2X NCAA Champion and Junior World Silver Medalist) 2014 - Chance Marsteller, Kennard-Dale High School, Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania 2013 - Zain Retherford, Benton Area High School, Benton, Pennsylvania (3X NCAA Champion and World Silver Medalist) 2012 - Taylor Massa, St. Johns High School, St. Johns, Michigan 2011 - Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel High School, Santa Ana, California 2010 - Logan Stieber, Monroeville High School, Monroeville, Ohio (World Champion and 4X NCAA Champion) 2009 - David Taylor, Graham High School, St. Paris, Ohio (Olympic Gold Medalist, 2X World Champion, World Silver Medalist and 2X NCAA Champion) 2008 - Jason Chamberlain, Springville High School, Springville, Utah 2007 - Zachary Sanders, Wabasha-Kellogg High School, Wabasha, Minnesota 2006 - David Craig, Brandon High School, Brandon, Florida 2005 - Troy Nickerson, Chenango Forks High School, Chenango Forks, New York (NCAA Champion) 2004 - Coleman Scott, Waynesburg High School, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania (NCAA Champion and Olympic bronze medalist) 2003 - C.P. Schlatter, St. Paris Graham High School, Urbana, Ohio 2002 - Teyon Ware, Edmond North High School, Edmond, Oklahoma (2X NCAA Champion) 2001 - Steven Mocco, Blair Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey (2X NCAA Champion and Olympian) 2000 - Ben Connell, Lugoff-Elgin High School, Lugoff, South Carolina 1999 - Zach Roberson, Blue Valley North West High School, Overland Park, Kansas (NCAA Champion) 1998 - Garrett Lowney, Freedom High School, Appleton, Wisconsin (2X Olympian) and Justin Ruiz, Taylorsville High School, Salt Lake City, Utah (Olympian) 1997 - Jeff Knupp, Walsh Jesuit High School, Akron, Ohio 1996 - David Kjeldgaard, Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum America’s shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation and now features interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. It also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport. For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.

Watchung Hills

Grants Pass

Good Counsel

Brighton

North Harford

Rumson Fair Haven

Haltom

Suffern

Penfield

Just when you think the transfer portal is clearing out a bit, Thursday happened and a pair of notable names popped up. The first is 2025 All-American and InterMat All-Freshman team member Ethan Stiles of Oregon State. Stiles started the year at 157 lbs and has some success with a 7-3 record. He would drop to 149 lbs and almost immediately took off. Stiles won five of six duals at 149 lbs and earned ranked wins in three of his five victories. After a second-place finish at one of the Pac-12 toughest weights, Stiles earned the #12 seed in Philly. At Nationals, Stiles shocked four-time All-American Kyle Parco of Iowa with an 8-0 major decision in the Round of 16. After a quarterfinal loss, Stiles emphatically claimed his spot on the NCAA podium by pinning Lehigh’s Malyke Hines. After securing All-American status, Stiles defeated Rider’s Sammy Alvarez before settling into sixth place. This will be Stiles’ second time in the transfer portal. As the #41 overall recruit in the Class of 2023, Stiles signed with Nebraska. He went 15-3 in 2023-24 while redshirting for the Huskers at 157 lbs, but then transferred to Oregon State. Also entering the transfer portal today was Minnesota’s two-time national qualifier Tyler Wells. Wells has manned the 133 lb weight class for each of his two years with the Gophers. In 2023-24, as a true freshman who was not ranked on the MatScouts Big Board, Wells advanced to the NCAA bloodround. This year, Wells came into the NCAA tournament with an 11-8 record after receiving an at-large berth. He was able to notch a pair of wins, the most notable coming over Big 12 champion Dominick Serrano (Northern Colorado) who was the #5 seed. Earlier this offseason, Minnesota added All-American 125 lber Jore Volk through the portal. That could mean that the incumbent at 125 lbs, Cooper Flynn, might bump up to 133 lbs. Stiles has three years of eligibility remaining, while Wells has two and a redshirt. As always, we’ll track the status of these two and others currently (and soon to be) in the transfer portal.

Carey

Lujan

Westminster

Lubbock Cooper

Vernon

Westover

Arlington

Fishers

Boyertown

The 2025 US Open is just around the corner. The Senior women’s freestyle portion of the tournament will start a week from today and will conclude on Friday the 25th. Not only will the US Open determine a national championship for competitors at ten weight classes, but in many cases, it’s the first step towards a berth on the 2025 world team. Champions at the US Open will clinch a spot in Final X, putting them only two wins away from the world team. The 2025 Senior Women’s Open will feature some familiar faces like Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades, two-time Olympian Kayla Miracle, and Senior world medalists Jennifer Page and Kylie Welker. Even with returning starpower, the Open typically showcases collegiate and, sometimes even high school stars, who are able to notch wins over past national and world team members. Below are the women’s freestyle entries as of Thursday morning (4/17). Registration will continue until 4/20. 50 kg McKenna Acampora, Edge Wrestling Dianna Acors, New York Mariah Anderson, Air Force RTC Ava Bayless, Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC Kinlee Brandley, Sanderson Wrestling Academy Valerie Carreon, Texas Makennah Craft, Ohio Heather Crull, Northeastern WC Leslie De Anda, California Celia Esquivel, California Anaya Falcon, Titan Mercury WC Charlotte Fowler, Boilermaker RTC Abigail Fuglsang, BullTrained Wrestling Mia Galindo, Virginia Erin Golston, New York AC Emilie Gonzalez, Iowa Women's WC/Titan Mercury WC Audrey Jimenez, Lehigh Valley Wrestling RTC/Titan Mercury WC Avery Kibelbek, Team Tornado WC Angela LoRusso, Bulldog WC Kaitlyn Moreno, California Mia Palumbo, Illinois Avy Perez, Birmingham Community Charter HS Natalie Reyna-Rodriguez, Oregon Kendra Ryan, Cardinal WC Emily Shilson, Titan Mercury WC Kaelani Shufeldt, Cardinal WC Makenize Smith, Warrior RTC Jaelynn Sunseri, Backyard Bullies WC Arelys Valles, Grand View WC Karina Vang, Tiger WC 53 kg Chloe Ayres, New Jersey RTC Clare Booe, Team Tornado WC Cailin Campbell, Grand WC Sofia De Jesus, California Gracie Figueroa, Titan Mercury WC Jaslynn Gallegos, Cardinal WC Katie Gomez, Titan Mercury WC Isabella Marie Gonzales, Titan Mercury WC Brianna Gonzalez, Iowa Women's WC/Titan Mercury WC Eden Hernandez, Cardinal WC Dianna Holmes, Team Tornado WC Jasmine Howard, Southern Oregon RTC Tiare Ikei, USOPTC/Titan Mercury WC Elena Ivaldi, California Mollie Jimenez, California Zeta Lee, Ford Dynasty WC Melanie Mendoza, Team Tornado WC Deandra Meza, Valiant WC Sage Mortimer, Titan Mercury WC Miliyah Pacheco, Maverick Elite WC Sydney Petzinger, Cardinal WC Alyssa Rodriguez, California Felicity Taylor, Titan Mercury WC Julia Vidallon, Valley WC Taylor Whiting, Wisconsin 55 kg Natalia Arizmendez, Utah Catharine Campbell, Grand View WC Leilah Castro, Ohio Mya Crespo, California Montana DeLawder, Team Tornado WC Denise Figueroa, California Alisha Howk, New York AC Amani Jones, Cardinal WC/Titan Mercury WC Haely Lemus, California Everest Leydecker, Thorobred WC Cristelle Rodriguez, Tiger WC Mateah Roehl, Askren Wrestling Academy Damiyah Smith, Cowgirls WC Sydney Stifter, Belton HS Karissa Turnwall, Emmanuel Training Center Areana Villaescusa, Army WCAP 57 kg Tonya Flournory, Pembroke RTC Virginia Foard, Team Tornado WC Kaidance Gerg, Idaho Jacqueline Ghent, Hawks WC Ronna Gross, MATPAC/Titan Mercury WC Jasmine Hernandez, Maurer Coughlin WC Adrianna Lopez, Nebraska Panhandle WC Amanda Martinez, Cardinal WC/Titan Mercury WC Jazmene Molina, Pioneer WC Carolina Moreno, Southern Oregon RTC Kira Pipkins, New York City RTC Abigail Pray, Park City Wrestling Academy Carissa Qureshi, USOPTC Cara Romeike, Bronco Womens WC Sara Sterner, Cardinal WC Malia Welch, Southern Oregon RTC Gabrielle Weyhrich, New York AC/Neb WC 59 kg Michaela Beck, Titan Mercury WC Karlee Brooks, Iowa Women's WC/Titan Mercury WC Iyanna Crawford, Pembroke RTC Anna DiCugno, Team Tornado WC Alicen Dillard, Team Tornado WC Arianna Dominguez, Arizona Emily Frost, Iowa Women's WC/Curby 3 Style WC Evelyn Holmes-Smith, Alabama Alexis Janiak, Titan Mercury WC Katrina Kling, New York City RTC Sofia Macaluso, West Point WC Xochitl Mota-Pettis, Rise RTC Abigail Nette, Army WCAP Lexy Pabon, HeadHunters WC Ashlee Palimoo, Tiger WC Brenda Reyna, Army WCAP Bella Williams, USOPTC 62 kg Samantha Barragan, California Alara Boyd, Cardinal WC Julia Chambers, SWIFT WC SaVannah Cosme, Atreus WC Rachel Critz, Surfside X Wrestling Gianna DiBenedetto, Emmanuel Training Center Bridgette Duty, Army WCAP Hanna Errthum, USOPTC Kelly Escamilla, California Nanea Estrella, Iowa Women's WC/Titan Mercury WC Zainab Ibrahim, Peninsula WC Gwendolyn Jewell, Premier WC Paige Kalish, Florida Katerina Lange, Minnesota Storm Makynna Loepp, Lehigh Valley Wrestling RTC Kayla Miracle, Valiant WC Nichole Moore, Tiger Den WC Meredith Nash, Nebraska Panhandle WC Adaugo Nwachukwu, Army WCAP Britney Parga, California Kyra Tomlinson, North Carolina Emme Velasco, Devils Women's WC London Woods, Spartan Mat Club 65 kg Aleija Ackermann, Vegas Sport Wrestling Destiny Benjamin, Colorado Aine Drury, NYAC Niya Gaines, Tiger Den WC Marilyn Garcia, Beat the Streets LA/Titan Mercury WC Louise Juitt, MO West Championship WC Reese Larramendy, Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC Ana Luciano, Team Tornado WC Nina Makem, Minnesota Storm Jessica Mendez, Lady Devils Women's WC Isabella Mir, Cardinal WC Jennifer Page, Titan Mercury WC Gabriella Perez, Florida Danielle Rond, Swamp Monsters WC Bridgette Sotomayor, Tiger WC 68 kg Kaylee Anderson, Virginia Bella Arredondo, California Jazzlyn Atwood, New Mexico Chandni Banks, Silverback WC Kennedy Blades, Iowa Women's WC/Titan Mercury WC Noelle Gaffney, New Jersey Brooklyn Hays, USOPTC/Titan Mercury WC Charlize Jewell, Premier WC Destiny Lyng, Unattached Solin Piearcy, USOPTC/Titan Mercury WC Aalijah Pineda, Emmanuel Training Center Olivia Pizano, Lehigh Valley Wrestling RTC Katherine Stewart, Florida Clare Waite, Cardinal WC Shannon Workinger, Quincy Regulator Wrestling 72 kg Kaylynn Albrecht, USOPTC/ Titan Mercury WC Alexandria Alli, USOPTC Tiffani Baublitz, Team Pennsylvania Annette Beltran, California Eve Berrington, California Trinity Bouchal, Devils Women’s WC Rose Cassioppi, New York AC Micah Fisher, Kentucky Alexandria Glaude, Beaver Dam RTC/Titan Mercury WC Skylar Grote, USOPTC/Titan Mercury WC Elleni Johnson, Laker WC Amanda Leve, Precision WC Joye Levendusky, Titan Mercury WC Tabitha Mariscal, California Kaylianna Mazzucchi, Oregon Jasmine Robinson, Army WCAP Kasandra Villarreal, Team SoCal WC 76 kg Alyssa Arana, Emmanuel Training Center Cheya Bishop, Beat the Streets Chicago-Midway Cheyenne Bowman, New York AC Kelani Corbett, The Valley WC Marlynne Deede, Laker WC Kiernan Farmer, Illinois Larissa Gallo, Cardinal WC Bo Geibe, Warrior RTC Lillian Gradillas-Flores, Southern Oregon RTC Dymond Guilford, USOPTC/Titan Mercury WC Kathryn Hingano, Southern Oregon RTC Madeline Hodges, Warrior Trained Wrestling Maeli Howard, Utah Nile Jernigan, California Tristan Kelly, Army WCAP Shanaria Killebrew, California Shenita Lawson, New York AC Ashley Lekas, Texas Wesleyan Katelyn Lewis, Fox Valley Elite WC Yelena Makoyed, Cardinal WC/Titan Mercury WC Olivia Robinson, Peninsula WC Patience Smith, Utah Liliana Vergara, California Kylie Welker, Iowa Women's WC/Titan Mercury WC

STILLWATER, Okla. - The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced the state winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA). The Hall of Fame’s High School Excellence Awards are proudly sponsored by the Hyman Family, whose generous support and passion for the sport help ensure the continued recognition and development of wrestling’s next generation. First presented in 2014, the award is named for Tricia Saunders, a four-time World Champion and women’s wrestling pioneer. Saunders was the first woman to be inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011. The award recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. “The recipients of our Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award represent an extraordinary group of young women who have set the bar for excellence, not only in the classroom and on the wrestling mat, but also through their leadership and service to others,” said NWHOF Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. “We are incredibly grateful to our committee for their time and diligent work in selecting such outstanding ambassadors for our sport. “It’s a tremendous honor to recognize these young women, and we take great pride in watching them continue to thrive on the wrestling mat, excelling academically, and serving as inspiring role models for the next generation of wrestlers.” TSHSEA winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community. The Central Region, Midwest Region, Northeast Region, Southeast Region and West Region winners will be announced on April 23 and the national winner will be announced on April 29. The state winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award will be announced on Thursday. The DSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. The regional DSHSEA winners will be announced on April 24 and the national winner will be announced on April 30. The regional winners for the TSHSEA and the DSHSEA are selected from the state winners, and the national winner is chosen from the regional winners. The regions and the states that they are comprised of are: West (11) - Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming Midwest (10) - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin Central (7) - Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas Southeast (11) - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia Northeast (11) - Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont The TSHSEA and DSHSEA national winners will be honored during the 48th Honors Weekend at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum on June 6 and 7 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. To purchase tickets for Honors Weekend, visit https://bit.ly/2025NWHOFHonorsWeekendTickets. Women’s wrestling is one of the fastest growing high school sports with participation growing by more than 292 percent from 16,562 in 2018 to 65,000 in 2024. Forty-six state high school athletic associations have voted to approve girls wrestling as an official sport, and 46 held official girls high school state wrestling championships in 2024-25. Hawaii was the first state to host a girls state championship in 1998 and Texas began its girls’ tournament in 1999. The number grew to six states by 2015. States that hosted girls state wrestling championships in 2024-25 are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In January, the NCAA added women’s wrestling as its 91st championship sport. Women's wrestling advances from the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program to become a national collegiate championship, featuring female athletes from all three divisions competing against one another. The NCAA's first women's wrestling championship will be in 2026. The NAIA recognizes women’s wrestling as an official varsity sport and held their first official championship in 2023. There are over 175 intercollegiate women’s wrestling teams competing at the NCAA, NAIA, junior college and community college level. The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for its high school excellence awards from state chapters and coaches. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, which selects state and regional winners. The committee then determines the national winners from the regional winners. 2025 Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award State Winners State - Name, High School, Hometown, College Attending Alabama - Evelyn Holmes-Smith, Enterprise High School, Enterprise, Emmanuel University Alaska - Noelle Buck, Colony High School, Wasilla, Colorado Mesa University Arizona - Alena Gracia, Cesar Chavez High School, Phoenix Arkansas - Gracie Webb, Searcy High School, Searcy California - Isabella Marie Gonzales, Clovis East High School, Fresno, University of Iowa Colorado - Katelyn Valdez, Doherty High School, Colorado Springs, McKendree University Connecticut - Calli Gilchrist, Choate Rosemary Hall, Norwalk, Brown University Delaware - Natalie Hackett, St. Georges Technical High School, Newark Florida - Milana Borrelli, Venice High School, Venice, North Central College Georgia - Vera Spencer, North Oconee High School, Bogart Hawaii - Jax Realin, Kamehameha Schools, Mililani Idaho - Joely Slyter, Lewiston High School, Lewiston Illinois - Harlee Hiller, Loyola Academy, Evanston Indiana - Mallory Winner, Jay County High School, East Ridgeville Iowa - Molly Allen, Riverside High School, Oakland, Oklahoma State University Kansas - Leiannah Landreth, Mulvane High School, Mulvane Kentucky - Sophie Anderson, Walton Verona High School, Walton, Campbellsville University Louisiana - Natalie Davis, Haughton High School, Haughton, Texas Women's University Maine - Ciara Farias, Gardiner Area High School, Randolph Maryland - Lexy Pabon, Crofton High School, Crofton, Life University Massachusetts - Daniella Nugent, Phillips Academy at Andover, Boxford Michigan - Margaret Buurma, Fowlerville High School, Fowlerville Minnesota - Ella Pagel, Northfield High School, Nerstrand Mississippi - Addison Wilson, Oak Grove High School, Hattiesburg Missouri - Kailey Benson, Francis Howell Central High School, St. Peters Montana - Tirza Twoteeth, Ronan High School, Ronan Nebraska - Piper Zatechka, Omaha Westside High School, Omaha, Lehigh University Nevada - Addison Canja, Cimarron Memorial High School, Las Vegas New Hampshire - Liz Donovan, Pelham High School, Pellham New Jersey - Shaelie Young, Gateway Regional High School, Woodbury Heights, D'Youville University New Mexico - Leslie Nayarez-Alcala, Atrisco Heritage Academy High School, Albuquerque New York - Zoe Griffith, Gouverneur Central High School, Gouverneur, Presbyterian College North Carolina - Leah Edwards, East Rowan High School, Salisbury North Dakota - Alexis Schneider, Napoleon Public School, Kintyre Ohio - Makennah Craft, Jackson High School, Minford, Campbellsville University Oklahoma - Jadyn Roller, Bixby High School, Bixby Oregon - McKenzie Mills, David Douglas High School, Portland, University of Providence Pennsylvania - Aubree Krazer, Easton Area High School, Easton, Lehigh University Rhode Island - Victoria Salinas, Toll Gate High School, Warwick South Carolina - Tiyanna Mack, Blythewood High School, Blythewood South Dakota - Peyton Hellmann, Bon Homme High School, Tabor, Fort Hays State Tennessee - Piper Fowler, Cleveland High School, Cleveland, William Penn University Texas - Riley Rayome, The Woodlands High School, Shenandoah Utah - Kristina Kent, Davis High School, Kaysville Virginia - Jenna Anderson, Cosby High School, Moseley Washington - Libby Roberts, University High School, Spokane Valley West Virginia - Kaylie Hall, Spring Mills High School, Augusta, Presbyterian College Wisconsin - Hailie Krueger, New London High School, New London, Wartburg College Wyoming - Veil Forman, Star Valley High School, Etna All-Time National Winners of Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award Year - Name, High School, Hometown, State 2024 - Nebi Tsarni, Watkins Mill High School, Montgomery Village, Maryland 2023 - Kira Pipkins, Bloomfield High School, Bloomfield, New Jersey 2022 - Sofia Macaluso, Minisink High School, Otisville, New York 2021 - Olivia Brown, Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 2020 - Nanea Estrella, Lahainaluna High School, Makawao, Hawaii 2019 - Emily Shilson, Mounds View High School, North Oaks, Minnesota (Junior World Champion) 2018 - Alleida Martinez, Selma High School, Selma, California 2017 - Cierra Foster, Post Falls High School, Post Falls, Idaho 2016 - Katie Brock, Sequatchie County High School, Whitwell, Tennessee 2015 - Marizza Birrueta, Grandview High School, Grandview, Washington 2014 - Marina Doi, Kingsburg High School, Kingsburg, California National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum America’s shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation and now features interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. It also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport. For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org

A couple of weeks ago, the National Duals Invitational announced the selection process for their inaugural tournament, November 15-16th, 2025. Automatic entries were extended to the teams that finished in the top 12 at the 2025 NCAA Championships. Those teams had until April 15th to confirm their participation in the tournament. The remaining spots will be filled through a draw from the teams that finished 13-24th at nationals. That is set to take place on April 24th. The National Duals Invitational website was updated multiple times on Tuesday to add new confirmed teams. As of now, half of the field is complete. #2 Nebraska, #3 Oklahoma State, #4 Iowa, #5 (tie) Ohio State, #8 NC State, #9 Northern Iowa, #10 Illinois, and #12 Michigan have all confirmed participation and are listed on the National Duals website. Additionally, Willie Saylor has confirmed that #5 (tie) Minnesota, #7 Cornell, and #11 Virginia Tech intend on attending; however, they have yet to be added to the site. The only team from the top 12 that has not been mentioned is national champion Penn State. Penn State was not expected to participate in this event. The teams that fall in the 13-24 range that could vie for available spots to round out the field include #13 Purdue, #14 Missouri, #15 Lehigh, #16 Penn, #17 Little Rock, #18 (tie) Arizona State, Stanford, West Virginia, #21 Navy, #22 Wyoming, #23 South Dakota State, #24 (tie) Maryland and Oregon State. Here’s a quick look at each of the teams that have confirmed and what they could bring to the table, lineup-wise, in November. Nebraska: Six returning All-Americans - led by 2025 national champion Antrell Taylor at 157 lbs. There aren’t any national qualifiers returning, aside from those six, so they’ll need to have some new faces step up to be a threat at a dual event like this. Oklahoma State: NCAA runner-up Troy Spratley is the only 2025 All-American for the Cowboys. However, the portal netted 2024 NCAA champion Richie Figueroa, All-American Casey Swiderski, and age-group world medalists Alex Facundo and Zack Ryder. They also have an incoming recruiting class that will be ranked in the top three nationally. At the time of this event, David Taylor’s team will probably still be in the process of finding their best ten wrestlers. That being said, whoever Oklahoma State sends out will be imposing. Iowa: Iowa’s offseason haul has included an All-American (Nasir Bailey) and two Round of 12 finishers (Dean Peterson and Jordan Williams). That trio combined with AA’s Drake Ayala, Michael Caliendo, Patrick Kennedy, and perhaps Ben Kueter (status unclear due to injury) will be contenders. Plus one of the top redshirt freshmen in the nation Angelo Ferrari. Ohio State: We’ll see what Ohio State’s lineup looks like. They have some holes to fill and decisions to make if they want to get all of their best wrestlers in the lineup. While we were writing this, the Buckeyes announced they had signed two-time national qualifier Cody Chittum. That adds more talent in the room, but still makes for some lineup questions. TBD for the Buckeyes, at the same time, they will be good. Minnesota: The Gophers could roll out a lineup that includes eight past national qualifiers and three All-Americans. They also could introduce top recruits like Charlie Millard and Koy Hopke as redshirt freshmen. Provided 197 lbs sorts itself out, this could be a lineup without any holes. They were strong at 125 lbs last season, but get even better with the addition of Jore Volk. Cornell: This is another lineup that will be in “wait-and-see” mode. The Big Red won’t be able to add from the transfer portal like a lot of their contemporaries; however, they could get a boost from Greg Diakomihalis (125), Brett Ungar (133), and Vince Cornella (141). All three were injured and unable to finish the 2024-25 campaign. Those three combined with All-Americans Meyer Shapiro and Simon Ruiz could be a tough out. NC State: The Wolfpack will have four All-Americans in the starting lineup and perhaps three others with NCAA experience. They were dealt a blow yesterday when two-time NCAA Round of 12 finisher Dylan Fishback hopped in the portal. As of now, there isn’t an obvious replacement for him. There also could be uncertainty at 165 and 197 lbs. In an event like this, NC State may need to lean more heavily on its stars than in years past. Northern Iowa: If only this event would have been around in 2024! Doug Schwab’s team had their best squad in decades and it would have been fun perhaps seeing a dual with Iowa or other notable programs they don’t normally see. Even so, UNI has always featured tough dual teams under Schwab. Despite losing a pair of All-Americans, this squad will bring the fight. A pair of bloodround finishers (Downey/Voelker) will lead a lineup that could have five wrestlers with NCAA experience. Illinois: Like UNI, this would have been an ideal event for Illinois in 2024-25. Mike Poeta’s team will need to reload with new starters at the final four weights. Still, national champion Lucas Byrd and perhaps five other national qualifiers are nothing to scoff at. Virginia Tech: There will be some turnover in the Virginia Tech lineup from last year to next year, but the Hokies still feature two multi-time All-Americans and maybe five others with NCAA experience. The Hokies have recruited and developed talent extremely well, so new faces could be integrated into the lineup and without much of a drop-off. Michigan: Michigan has hit the portal hard, as they’ve been known to do, and should probably improve upon their 12th-place finish at the 2025 national tournament. With Dylan Ragusin healthy and the portal additions (Lachlan McNeil and Taye Ghadiali), the Wolverines will have three returning AA’s. If transfer Diego Sotelo is healthy and able to shore up the 125 lbs weight class and both Mantanona’s are in the lineup, this could be a dangerous lower seed in Tulsa.