SOFIA, Bulgaria – The first four U.S. women freestyle wrestlers have weighed in and received their draws for Wednesday at the Junior World Championships. Three of the women have previous experience at the Junior World Championships

Two-time Junior World bronze medalist Erin Golston (Lake In The Hills, Ill./New York AC) will be competing in her fourth Junior World Championships at 44 kg/97 lbs. She drew Laureano L. Mena of Honduras.

“Erin is going after the gold this year. She is prepared. She’s been focused and disciplined. She has trained hard all year. I see gold in her eyes and she is ready to do it,” said Assistant National Women’s Coach Erin Tomeo.

Competing in the Junior Worlds for the third time is Jenna Burkert (Rocky Point, N.Y./New York AC) at 59 kg/130 lbs. Burkert’s best finish was fifth in 2011. She will face Lisa Holgersson of Sweden in the first round. Holgersson was a 2012 European Junior bronze medalist.

“Jenna is ready to make her move and get a medal. She’s taken steps in her training and confidence level, realizing her potential and starting to believe in herself,” said Tomeo.

Both Golston and Burkert are with the USOEC program, training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and attended the Univ. of Colorado – Colorado Springs.

Returning to the Junior Worlds for the second straight year is Haley Augello (Lockport, Ill./New York AC) at 51 kg/112.5 lbs. She will face off against Lilya Horishna of Ukraine, who was third in the 2012 Junior World Championships and third in the 2013 European Junior Championships.

Augello was a 2011 Cadet World champion, and is the ASICS High School Girls Wrestler of the Year. She has signed with King University.

“She has made strides. She is confident and her attitude is great. She is physically and mentally ready. She is ready to fight on the Junior level,” said Tomeo.

Competing in the Junior Worlds for the first time is Lorrie-Ann Ramos (Orlando, Fla./King University) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. 

“She will make things happen and mix things up out there,” said Tomeo.

The U.S. team has high expectations for the competition.

“We have an experienced group and they are ready to go. The training camps all summer were excellent. Mixing the Cadets, Juniors and Seniors really did a lot for the team,” said Tomeo. “We are the tough draw. We are on a mission and nothing will stop us.”

JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Sofia, Bulgaria

U.S. women’s freestyle draws for Thursday

44 kg/97 lbs. – Erin Golston, Lake In The Hills, Ill. (NYAC/USOEC/UCCS)
Vs. Laureano Leisy Mena (Honduras)

51 kg/112.5 lbs. – Haley Augello, Lockport, Ill. (NYAC)
Vs. Lilya Horishna (Ukraine)

59 kg/130 lbs. – Jenna Burkert, Rocky Point, N.Y. (NYAC/USOEC/UCCS)
Vs. Lisa Holgersson (Sweden)

67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Lorrie-Ann Ramos, Orlando, Fla. (King University)
Vs. Suzuki (Japan)