FORT WORTH, Texas – The King University women's wrestling team had a successful Friday at USA Wrestling Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier.
Melanie Mendoza and
Ana Luciano both earned spots in next weekend's U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Mendoza, a true freshman from Selma, California won all four of her matches to take the 53 kilogram championship. She first defeated Alina Kinsey 5-2 before topping Torieonna Buchanan 4-0 in the quarterfinals. Mendoza then trailed Victoria Smith in the semifinals before coming back to a 6-6 victory based on criteria. In the final, she squared off with Marissa Gallegos. Mendoza trailed in the match, but again fought back to take the 7-6 victory and earn a spot in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
At 62 kilograms, Luciano used a pair of 10-0 technical falls to reach the quarterfinals. However, the junior from Kissimmee, Fla., fell to Gracie Figuerora 3-1. Luciano fought back in the consolation bracket, earning a 10-0 technical fall and followed that with 2-0 decision over Megan Black to reach the third place bout. In that match, Luciano squared off with Figueroa again, and this time she earned a 5-0 victory, setting up a true second place match with Alexandria Liles. Luciano came away with an 8-0 win to earn a spot in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
King now has five current wrestlers that have qualified as this duo joins
Ashlynn Ortega (68 kg),
Aleeah Gould (50 kg) and
Cheyenne Sisenstein (57 kg). In all the Tornado will have nine athletes competing at the Olympic Team Trials next weekend as this group joins the four alums, current assistant coach Julia Salata and Forrest Molinari at 62 kilograms, Sarah Hildebrandt (50 kg) and Alli Ragan (57 kg).
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials are scheduled to take place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on April 2-3. The winners of the Trials will compete for the United State at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan if their respective weight has been qualified.
