PANAMA CITY, Panama – Two U.S. women’s wrestlers have qualified for the finals of the Pan American Championships in women’s freestyle wrestling on Saturday.

The U.S. finalists are Sarah Hildebrandt (Granger, Ind./King College) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Brittney Roberts (Santa Fe, Texas /OKCU Gator RTC) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

Hildebrandt will face Yessica Oviedo Perez of the Dominican Republic in the finals. She beat Nesmarie Rodriguez Tirado of Puerto Rico and Yamilka Del Valle Alvarez of Cuba on the way to the finals.

Roberts will battle Lisset Hechavarria Medina of Cuba for the gold. Her victories were over Vanessa Torres Batista of Dominican Republic and University World silver medalist Erica Wiebe of Canada.

Qualifying for a bronze-medal match was Julia Salata (Canton, Mich./New York AC/King College) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Salata opened with a win over Diana Miranda Gonzales of Mexico, then lost to veteran Canadian star Stacie Anaka in the semifinals.

The other four U.S. women’s freestyle wrestlers were defeated and eliminated from medal contention.

This young U.S. team features six University-age athletes and one high school athlete, and is coached by National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Alex Conti of Fredonia, N.Y.

Results from the Pan American Championships can be found online at:
http://www.fila-official.com/sites/ultimate/

PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Panama City, Panama

U.S. women’s performances so far

48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Emily Webster, Sedalia, Mo. (OKCU Gator RTC)
WIN Dannia Figueroa Duque (Colombia)
LOSS Mayelis Caripa Castillo (Venezuela)

51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Haley Augello, Lockport, Ill. (New York AC)
LOSS Jessica MacDonald (Canada)
LOSS Carolina Castillo Hidalgo (Colombia)

55 kg/121 lbs. – Sarah Hildebrandt, Granger, Ind. (King College)
WIN Nesmarie Rodriguez Tirado (Puerto Rico)
WIN Yamilka Del Valle Alvarez (Cuba)
Gold-Medal Finals – Vs. Yessica Oviedo Perez (Dominican Republic)

59 kg/130 lbs. – Shauna Isbell, Flagstaff, Ariz. (Lindenwood)
LOSS Braxton Stone (Canada)

63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Jennifer Page, Orangevale, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
WIN Natalia Rodriguez Luvando (Puerto Rico)
LOSS Jackeline Renteria Castillo (Colombia)

67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Julia Salata, Canton, Mich. (New York AC/King College)
WIN Diana Miranda Gonzales (Mexico)
LOSS Stacie Anaka (Canada)
Bronze Medal Match - Vs. Elsa Sanchez (Dominican Republic)

72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Brittney Roberts, Santa Fe, Texas (OKCU Gator RTC)
WIN Vanessa Torres Batista (Dominican Republic)
WIN Erica Wiebe (Canada)
Gold Medal Finals – Vs. Lisset Hechavarria Medina (Cuba)