The USOEC freestyle wrestling team had six wrestlers finish in the top seven at the U.S. Nationals April 8-10, qualifying for the U.S. World Team Trials.

Junior Schuyler Brown was the top finished for the USOEC squad, grabbing third by defeating Sharon Jacobson of the Army team 9-3, 3-6 and 5-2 to claim the bronze in the 55 kg. weight class. Before the third place match, Brown pinned three straight opponents.

Two high school members of the team, junior Erin Golston and senior Jenna Burkert took the fourth spot in the 48 and 58 kg. Golston finished the tournament with a 3-2 record before losing to CC Weber 2-1, 4-0 in the third-place bout.

“At first I was a little bit nervous, but one of my old teammates (former USOEC wrestler Helen Maroulis) told me that I could do it, so I calmed down.” Golston said. “After the first, I went into the corner and made a good adjustment, but it wasn’t enough.”

Burkert’s trip took a bit longer, going 4-2 as she won all matches by pins, including a win over her teammate Andrea Orozco. However, she eventually dropped her last two matches to take fourth place.

The remaining qualifiers all finished in seventh place as senior Laura Conway in the 72 kg. weight class, freshman Monique Dilliner in the 67 kg. weight class, and sophomore Carlene Sluberski in the 48 kg. class.

The top-six USOEC athletes have now qualified for the U.S. World Team Trials on June 9-11 in Oklahoma City.  According to Golston, success at a young age means a lot to the wrestler.

“I’m not even a senior yet and I’m getting all this success,” she said. “I’m a small (competitor in the 48 kg. weight class), so it’s good that I can compete in this weight class.”