Miracle wins second straight U.S. Open crown; Harris finishes third; three others place eighth

Information from this release was provided by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling.

LAS VEGAS — Kayla Miracle won her second straight U.S. Open title, defeating 2017 World Team member Mallory Velte at the South Point Arena late on Friday night.

Miracle, representing her sponsor Sunkist Kids, won her second straight U.S. Open title, defeating Velte of the Titan Mercury WC, 3-0, in another showcase final. Miracle, who has won Cadet and Junior World medals for the USA, scored her first point when Velte was hit with a shot clock violation, and added a takedown for her other two points. Miracle finished her college career at Campbellsville this year as a four-time WCWA champion.

"I feel great, a little tired. Mallory is a tank, she brought everything and more. She's a great competitor and I'm sure I'll see her at Final X," said Miracle.

Miracle joined another young star on the horizon as 2016 World Team member Sarah Hildebrandt of the New York AC defeated 2016 Olympian and 2017 World Team member Haley Augello of the New York AC, 6-1. Hildebrandt was named Outstanding Wrestler in the women's division.

Seven of the champions were able to advance to Final X, the exciting new three-event series in June which will determine the 2018 U.S. World Team. Advancing to Final X were Whitney Conder, Sarah Hildebrandt, Kayla Miracle, Julia Salata, Tamyra Stock, Erin Clodgo and Adeline Gray.

Because there was a 2017 World medalist in their weight class who has already qualified for Final X, three of the U.S. champions advanced to the finals series of the Freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Rochester, Minn. in May: Winchester, Hedrick and Campbell.

In addition, Campbellsville had a third-place finisher as well. Competing in her first U.S. Open, Mariah Harris pinned Korinahe Bullock in 4:11 to finish in third behind three-time World champion and four-time U.S. Open champion Adeline Grey and Leilani Camrgo-Noane.

CU also had a seventh-place finishes Koral Sugiyama won via tech fall over Daniela Flores at 57 kg to finish seventh.

Charlotte Fowler, Alexia Foca, Kaitlyn Hill all lost their seventh-place matches. Fowler lost to Ronna Heaton 10-0 at 53 kg, while Foca fell to Skylar Grote at 68 kg and Hill lost to Precious Bell at 76 kg.

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Players Mentioned

Kayla Miracle: Senior; Campbellsville, Ky.

Charlotte Fowler: Sophomore; Katy, Texas

Mariah Harris: Sophomore; Johnstown, Pa.

Kaitlyn Hill: Senior; Constantine, Mich.

Koral Sugiyama: Junior; Pocatello, Idaho

Alexia Foca: Freshman; Hackensack, N.J.

Players Mentioned

Kayla Miracle
: Senior; Campbellsville, Ky.

Charlotte Fowler
: Sophomore; Katy, Texas

Mariah Harris
: Sophomore; Johnstown, Pa.

Kaitlyn Hill
: Senior; Constantine, Mich.

Koral Sugiyama
: Junior; Pocatello, Idaho

Alexia Foca
: Freshman; Hackensack, N.J.