Five Takeaways From the Women's U.S. Open
Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hildebrandt got back on the mats today at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS, NV - Top senior, college, and high school women competed today at Day 1 of the 2026 U.S. Open, and here are five takeaways from the mats at The Expo at World Market Center.
1. Sarah Hildrebrandt is still very good at wrestling.
After winning gold at the 2024 Olympics, Hildebrandt announced her retirement in 2025. Looks like, as Rocky once said. “There’s still some stuff in the basement”— because Hildebrandt surprised everyone by entering the Open at 53 kg. She looks like she always has, dominating her way on Day 1 to the finals with four technical falls. She’ll face U23 National Champion Cristelle Rodriguez in the finals tomorrow.
2. Katie Gomez is looking like a contender at 50kg.
Former Cadet world champion Gomez looks strong and stingy at 50 kg. She took out two-time U17 world champion Morgan Turner 4-3 in the quarters and two-time senior world team member Felicity Taylor 3-1 in the semis. She’ll face senior level veteran Erin Golston in the finals.
3. High school wrestlers are adding depth.
With youth making a big splash this year on the NCAA men’s side, no story larger than high school senior Jax Forrest reclassifying and winning an NCAA title for Oklahoma State, we also see high school stars on the girls side making waves. High school senior Everest Leydecker reached the finals today at 55 kg, continuing a career trajectory that gives none of us any reason not to think she’s the future. But at the Open today, she’s putting everyone on notice that the future might be now, as she’s making a strong run at a senior world team spot today, that after winning U20 Worlds last year and earning another U20 world team spot a few weeks ago. High school senior Morgan Turner made the 5th place match at 50 kg with an impressive hitlist along the way, grinding out wins against two-time U17 world bronze medalist Jaclyn Bouzakis, three-time college All-American Charlotte Fowler, and two-time NCAA runner-up Samara Chavez. She’ll wrestle North Central All-American Kelani Shufeldt in the 5th place match. There’s other high school names in the senior tournament, creating fun and competitive matchups between different age levels of the wrestling landscape.
4. Emma Bruntil is back.
Bruntil battled through injuries and surgeries over the last few years, and has become a go to social media follow for technique as she’s been busy at camps and clinics, and busy posting helpful clips. But now she’s back on the mat, looking great at 65 kg and earning a trip to the finals, where she’ll face two-time Olympian Kayla Miracle.
5. Senior veterans are still here.
Some familiar names reached the finals again, reminding everyone that these senior level veterans are not only still here, but still among the best—Erin Golston (50 kg), Sarah Hildebrandt (53 kg), Areana Villaescusa (55 kg), Amanda Martinez (57 kg), Alex Hedrick (57 kg), Abby Nette (59 kg), Michaela Beck (59 kg), Macey Kilty (62 kg), Kayla Miracle (65 kg), Emma Bruntil (65 kg), Alex Glaude (72 kg), Precious Wieser (Bell, 72 kg), Dymond Guilford (76 kg)—they’re all still here, all in the finals, all still winning big matches, and still seeking to represent their country on the Senior Women’s National Team.