Indiana's Miracle bounces back, Florida's Germain named OW in Junior Nationals women's freestyle
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Craig Sesker (USA Wrestling)
07/17/2012
Florida's Katie Germain was named Outstanding Wrestler of the Junior Nationals women's freestyle competition. John Sachs photo.
FARGO, N.D. – Indiana’s Kayla Miracle bounced back from a loss in the Cadet Nationals tournament to win a Junior Nationals women’s freestyle title on Tuesday night.
Miracle swept Michigan’s Steffanie Hampton 4-0, 8-2 in the finals at 121 pounds.
Miracle was one of 12 women’s champions crowned on Tuesday at the Fargo Dome.
California won the team title with Texas placing second and Michigan third.
FILA Cadet World Team member Katie Germain of Florida hit an early headlock to eventually score a first-period fall over Rachel McFarland of Michigan in the finals at 130. Germain was named Outstanding Wrestler.
New York’s Alexis Porter earned her second Fargo title in four days after winning the Junior Nationals women’s title at 139. Porter swept California’s Jasmine Mendoza in the finals. Porter won a Cadet Nationals women’s title on Saturday.
Alaska’s Hope Steffensen pulled out a wild 0-1, 3-1, 6-4 victory over Cadet Nationals women’s freestyle champion Cassy Herkelman in the finals at 117. Steffensen placed second in this event last year.
Herkelman trailed 4-0 in the third period before headlocking Steffenson to her back to tie the match. Steffenson eventually rolled Herkelman through to gain two points for exposing her opponent’s back to the mat.
Iowa’s Megan Black improved on her third-place finish from last year after beating New York’s Hanna Grisewood in two straight periods in the finals at 112.
Colorado’s Cody Pfau won for the second time in Fargo when she defeated Haley Moreno of Texas 6-0, 6-3 in the finals at 105. Pfau won a Cadet Nationals title in 2011 and was second in the Junior Nationals event last year.
Georgia’s Amy Hou kicked off the finals by sweeping Hawaii’s Thai Ha Sloan 1-0, 1-0 at 97 pounds. Hou become Georgia’s first Junior women’s freestyle champion.
Evalyn Reyna of Texas claimed the title at 125 after shutting out Jenna Elmlinger of Wyoming 2-0, 1-0 in the finals.
2011 FILA Cadet World Team member Mary Westman of New York fell behind early, but recovered to outlast Kiaya Van Scoyoc of Washington 2-7, 7-2, 3-1 in the 159 finals.
Natalia Hinojo of Texas dropped the first period before defeating Desiree Harms of Washington 0-1, 3-0, 2-0 in the 148 finals.
Oregon’s Sam Urban claimed the title at 172 by defeating Michigan’s Kaitlyn Hill 3-2, 1-5, 5-0 in the finals match.
Kierra Boyce of Texas looked strong in downing Tiaira Scott of Illinois 3-2, 1-0 in the 198 finals. Boyce was second in this event last year.
Day 5 of the Cadet and Junior Nationals is set for Wednesday in Fargo. The Junior women’s duals and Cadet Nationals freestyle competitions are both scheduled to kick off at 9:30 a.m.
FINALS RESULTS
97 Pounds
Amy Hou (Georgia) dec. Thai Ha Sloan (Hawaii), 1-0, 1-0
105 Pounds
Cody Pfau (Colorado) dec. Haley Moreno (Texas), 6-0, 6-3
112 Pounds
Megan Black (Iowa) dec. Hanna Grisewood (New York), 3-0, 2-0
117 Pounds
Hope Steffensen (Alaska) dec. Cassy Herkelman (Iowa), 0-1, 3-1, 6-4
121 Pounds
Kayla Miracle (Indiana) dec. Steffanie Hampton (Michigan), 4-0, 8-2
125 Pounds
Evalyn Reyna (Texas) dec. Jenna Elmlinger (Wyoming), 2-0, 1-0
130 Pounds
Katie Germain (Florida) pinned Rachel McFarland (Michigan), 1:20
139 Pounds
Alexis Porter (New York) dec. Jasmine Mendoza (California), 1-0, 1-0
148 Pounds
Natalia Hinojo (Texas) dec. Desiree Harms (Washington), 0-1, 3-0, 2-0
159 Pounds
Mary Westman (New York) dec. Kiaya Van Scoyoc (Washington), 2-7, 7-2, 3-1
172 Pounds
Sam Urban (Oregon) dec. Kaitlyn Hill (Michigan), 3-2, 1-5, 5-0
198 Pounds
Kierra Boyce (Texas) dec. Tiaira Scott (Illinois), 3-2, 1-0