#NFRoundup

NF Roundup Blog, Feb. 16 - Feb. 21

By United World Wrestling Press

FEARNSIDE, MENSAH-STOCK AND GUILFORD INSTRUMENTAL IN CAPTAINS’ CUP WIN FOR TEAM MENSAH-STOCK

Click HERE for USA Wrestling's full release.

Team Mensah-Stock, coached by two-time World medalist Afsoon Johnston, came away with the inaugural Captains’ Cup on Sunday night, defeating Team Winchester, coached by 2004 Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann, in the finals, thanks to heroic performances from Amy Fearnside, Tamyra Mensah-Stock and Dymond Guilford. 

Fearnside, a National Team member, started the dual with a bang for Team Mensah-Stock, upending two-time World bronze medalist Alyssa Lampe in the dual’s opening bout. Down 9-0, Fearnside scored a takedown and gutted her way to a one-point deficit early in the first period. The two continued to battle and Fearnside eventually captured a 14-11 win. 

Team Winchester rattled off three-straight wins coming from Captain Jacarra Winchester (53 kg), Gracie Figueroa (57 kg) and Macey Kilty (62 kg). 

2019 World champion Winchester collected a first-period 10-0 technical fall against Alisha Howk. Figueroa, a multiple-time age-group World Team member, edged out two-time U23 World Team member Abby Nette, 4-3, to push Team Winchester ahead in the team score. Cadet World champion and three-time age-group World silver medalist registered a dominant 10-0 win over Xochitl Mota-Pettis. 

Captain and World champion Mensah-Stock swung things in a different direction with a second-period fall over 2018 U23 World bronze medalist Alex Glaude at 68 kg. Leading 9-0, Mensah-Stock stuck Glaude at the 4:32-mark. 

Going into the finale, Team Winchester led in the team score 3-2. Team Mensah-Stock needed shutout decision at the very least to take the dual. 

Guilford, a Junior World Team member, took on Geneva Gray at 76 kg. Scoring takedown after takedown, Guilford collected a 10-0 tech fall and secured the Captains’ Cup for Team Mensah-Stock. 

The other placement duals took place earlier in the day with Team Francis, coached by Life head coach Ashley Sword, edging out Team Burkert, coached by nine-time World medalist Kristie Davis for third place and Team Hildebrandt, coached by Beat the Streets Development Director Emma Randall, defeating Team Miracle, coached by four-time World champion Tricia Saunders, for fifth place. 

2021 CAPTAINS’ CUP PRESENTED BY TITAN MERCURY
Feb. 13-14 | Iowa City, Iowa

1st place dual

Team Mensah-Stock df. Team Winchester, 3-3 (13-12 classification points)

50 kg: Amy Fearnside (Mensah-Stock) df. Alyssa Lampe (Winchester), 14-11
53 kg: Jacarra Winchester (Winchester) df. Alisha Howk (Mensah-Stock), 10-0
57 kg: Gracie Figueroa (Winchester) df. Abby Nette (Mensah-Stock), 4-3
62 kg: Macey Kilty (Winchester) df. Xochitl Mota-Pettis (Mensah-Stock), 10-0
68 kg: Tamyra Mensah-Stock (Mensah-Stock) df. Alex Glaude (Winchester), fall 4:32
76 kg: Dymond Guilford (Mensah-Stock) df. Geneva Gray (Winchester), 10-0­

Former Wrestler Usman Defends UFC Welterweight Title
Over the weekend, former wrestler turned MMA superstar Kamaru USMAN (USA) defended his UFC welterweight title. "The Nigerian Nightmare" knocked out Gilbert BURNS (BRA) in the third round and successfully defended his title for a third consecutive time.

In early 2020, Usman was on the world-famous Joe Rogan Experience Podcast and talked about the origins of his dominant mindset -- which stemmed from his #WrestlingRoots.

#USAWrestling

Paris Olympic champ Hildebrandt announces retirement

By Vinay Siwach

COLRADO, United States (February 17) -- Olympic champion Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) has announced her retirement from wrestling.

The 31-year-old won gold in Women's Wrestling 50kg at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is also a bronze medalist from the Tokyo Olympics. At the World Championships, Hildebrandt won two silver (2018, 2021) and two bronze medals (2022, 2023).

Her decision was accompanied with an announcement from USA Wrestling that Hildebrandt will be joining as the assistant coach for Women's Wrestling with senior women's team.

“I have had a really long career and I’ve gotten the experience of what wrestling has taught me," Hildebrandt said. "It has made me so passionate about what this sport can do for people. If I can bring a passion and energy in support of their journey, kind of a door handle to open up their own adventure, that is exciting to me. Wrestling has given me so much. The sport has taught me everything about myself and helped me grow as a woman."

Hildebrandt made her debut at the U20 World Championships in 2010 at 55kg and remained a 53-55kg wrestler for long. At the 2019 World Championships, Hildebrandt failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics at 53kg and made the move to 50kg and qualified.

She went on to have one of most successful careers at 50kg, becoming the fourth Olympic champion for the United States in Women's Wrestling. She is only the second wrestler to win multiple medals at the Olympics for the U.S. after Helen MAROULIS (USA), who has three.

More to follow