Four Connecticut girls earned All-American honors at the USA Wrestling Junior and 16U nationals. From left, Sarah Henckel, Kayla Bates, Calli Gilchrist and Cristel Miguel. (Photo courtesy Sarah Jadach)
Milford’s Kayla Batres became the first Connecticut girl to win a USA Wrestling Junior Division national championship on Sunday at 110 pounds at the USA Marines Junior and 16U nationals at the FargoDome in North Dakota.
Two girls have previously won national championships from Connecticut but both were in the 16U division or the Cadet Division as it was previously known. The most recent national champion was Southbury’s Sarah Henckel, who won a 16U title at 138 in 2022.
Three other Connecticut girls earned All-American honors on Sunday and will be coming home with medals. Southbury’s Sarah Henckel finished second at 155 pounds in the Junior nationals while Norwalk’s Calli Gilchrist finished third at 120 pounds in the Junior Division.
In the 16U tournament, Bethany’s Cristel Miguel finished fourth at 125 pounds – the only medalist for Connecticut in the 16U event.
Batres, who will be a junior at Greens Farms Academy in Westport this summer, went 6-0 in the tournament and earned the tournament’s outstanding wrestler award. She beat New Jersey’s Charlie Wylie in the final, 11-1 by technical fall.
Batres won all six of her matches by technical fall and gave up just one point in six matches, a step-out with 2:49 gone in the championship match. She opened her match against Wylie with a four-point takedown, added two more takedowns, an exposure and a step out to finish the bout in the first period (2:04).
“I am real excited to win this,” she said. “This year, I came to wrestle and get better. I have been training to get faster (on the mat).”
Batres beat Indiana’s Kendal Moe by technical fall, 10-0, in 18 seconds. In the quarterfinal, she beat Washington’s Adalyn Montiel, 10-0, in 1:21.
In Batres’ two previous appearances in Fargo, she finished second in the 16U division at 112 pounds in 2024 and at 106 pounds in 2023.
Henckel was looking for her second national championship and earned a spot in the championship final for the third time in the last four years. But the rising senior at New Jersey’s Blair Academy fell to New Jersey’s Olivia George in the title bout, 10-2.
It was no easy path for Henckel (5-1) to the championship match. She won two matches by criteria and had a two-point win over Arkansas’ Amelia Fawcett in the semifinals, 12-10. Henckel grabbed a commanding 10-3 lead after one period against Fawcett before it got close in the final minute.
In the quarterfinals, Henckel tied California’s Jestinah Solomua, 7-7 but Henckel advanced on criteria – the most four-point moves in the match (1-0).
In the third round, Henckel battled to a 10-10 tie with Wisconsin‘s Isabelle Olsen but again won the criteria – most four-point moves. That four-point move against Olsen gave Henckel a 7-6 lead. Olsen had grabbed an early 5-2 lead.
Gilchrist, who graduated from Wallingford’s Choate Rosemary Hall in June, earned a state-record fifth USA Wrestling medal in Fargo with her third place finish at 120 pounds.
Gilchrist won her first five bouts of the tournament with three pins before dropping an 11-0 decision to Pennsylvania’s Savannah Witt in the semifinals. But Gilchrist rallied with a pin over Arkansas’ Alena Williams (2:28) in the consolation semifinals and beat Nebraska’s Morgan Maschmann, 11-6, to finish third.
Gilchrist was third in the Junior Division at 120 in 2024 and second at 117 in 2023. She also won two medals in 16U in 2022 and 2021. She will be attending Brown University this fall.
Several other Connecticut wrestlers competed in the Junior National tournament. Berlin’s Sybella Landrie (105) went 3-2 with two pins while Jillian Blake (120) went 2-2 with two pins. Meriden’s Kayli Morris (170) went 2-2 with one pin.
In the 16U tournament for wrestlers ages 15 or 16, Miguel (125) won five consecutive consolation round matches to advance to the consolation final. She won her first two matches before dropping a 9-5 decision.
Miguel, who lost to Arkanasas’ Sobina Clendaniel, 2-1 in the consolation final, won five of her seven matches in the tournament by technical fall. Miguel, who attends Amity, was 7-2 in the two-day event.
Other Connecticut wrestlers with multiple wins in the 16U tournament including Amity’s Elliana Selearis (115), who was 3-2, Milford’s Cecelia Verrelli (125), who was 3-2 and Bristol’s Narayah Rodriquez (125), who was 2-2 with two pins.
| Connecticut national champions at Junior and 16U nationals | ||
| Year: Wrestler | Wt. | Division |
| 2024: Kayla Batres, Milford | 110 | Junior freestyle |
| 2022: Sarah Henckel, Southbury | 138 | 16U freestyle |
| 2021: William Henckel, Southbury | 145 | 16U freestyle |
| 2016: Cara Broadus, Plymouth | 115 | Cadet freestyle |
| 2010: Ross Spencer, East Lyme | 105 | Junior freestyle |
| 2005: Anthony Valles, South Windsor | 98 | Cadet freestyle |
| 2004: Anthony Valles, South Windsor | 91 | Cadet freestyle |
| 1998: Nick Ciarcia, Berlin | 154 | Cadet Greco Roman |
| 1985: John Meyers, West Hartford | 121 | Cadet freestyle |
| The 16U division was formerly known as the Cadet division. | ||
U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals
At Fargo, N.D., July 13, 2025
Team results – 1. Pennsylvania 177, 2. Michigan 126, 3. California 119, 4. Missouri 99, 5. Ohio and New Jersey 81, 7. Indiana 69, 8. Minnesota 66, 9. Iowa 61, 10. Connecticut 60
Other states: 25. Massachusetts 15.
Individual results
95
1st – Natalie Radecki (DE) Dec. Zoey Haney (MO), 8-4
3rd – Lillee Denson (MI) dec. Lilly Breeden (MO), 12-9
5th – Francesca Gusfa (NJ) pin Serah Yogi (HI), 1:30
7th – Alexa Rodriguez Lopez (TX) pin Lily Enos (IL), 1:38
100
1st – Jaclyn Bouzakis (PA) dec. Katey Valdez (CO), 14-7
3rd – Jaelle Cortez (CA) tech fall Ella Thomas (OH), 10-0 (3:38)
5th – Killian Evans (MO) tech fall Sandy Breeden (MO), 20-10 (4:44)
7th – Vina Nguyen (WA) pin Kyrian Perez (OK), 0:49
105
1st – Heather Crull (IN) tech fall Julia Horger (PA), 10-0 (1:38)
3rd – Christina Estrada (CA) tech fall Eva Zimmerman (UT), 18-7 (5:11)
5th – Sarissa Tucker (VA) Inj. Madison Nieuwenhuis (MI),
7th – Kiera Partello (FL) pin Isabelle Apple (MO), 2:35
110
Final: Kayla Batres (CT) tech fall Charlie Wylie (NJ), 11-1 (2:04)
3rd – Nakayla Dawson (MI) dec. Kendall Moe (IN), 8-1
5th – Jayden Keller (MO) tech fall Reanah Utterback (IA), 14-3 (4:57)
7th – Mariah Mills (FL) dec. Addie Morse (OK), 9-0
115
Final: Harlee Hiller (IL) pin Mackenzie Carder (OH), 5:01
3rd – Taylor Whiting (WI) tech fall Joely Slyter (ID), 17-4 (5:31)
5th – Jenna Anderson (VA) tech fall Libby Roberts (WA), 14-4 (5:49)
7th – Angelina Gochis (IL) dec. Isabel Kaplan (IN), 6-0
120
Final: Caley Graber (MN) tech fall Savannah Witt (PA), 10-0 (4:20)
3rd – Calli Gilchrist (CT) dec. Morgan Maschmann (NE), 11-6
5th – Cheyenne Frank (MI) pin Alena Williams (AR), 1:15
7th – Stevie Joyce Martin (CA) pin Kennedy Russell (CA), 1:18
125
Final: Emma Bacon (PA) tech fall Cecilia Williams (MI), 16-5 (5:59)
3rd – Ruby Julien-Newsom (CA) tech fall Kailey Benson (MO), 13-2 (4:04)
5th – Madilyn Peach (WI) Inj. Me’kala James (CA),
7th – Mika Yoffee (NV) For. Regina Stoeser (SD),
130
Final: Taina McGowan (NJ) tech fall Zorina Johnson (OR), 10-0 (5:09)
3rd – Corynne McNulty (MA) tech fall Abigail Mozden (OH), 10-0 (0:42)
5th – Kailin Sebert (TX) pin Tiyanna Mack (SC), 1:12
7th – Naima Ghaffar (IN) pin Brooklyn Perez (AZ), 3:27
135
Final: Taina Fernandez (MD) tech fall Maddie Marsh (IN), 11-0 (4:23)
3rd – Morgan Lucio (AZ) tech fall Lauren Zaragoza (CA), 12-1 (1:24)
5th – Kate Doughty (CO) dec. Claudia Heeney (IL), 12-7
7th – Lilliana Banks (WI) tech fall Dealya Collins (WI), 13-2 (2:13)
140
Final: Nora Akpan (MN) dec. Alexis Lazar (MI), 3-2
3rd – Zoey Haines (PA) pin Ailee Briggs (FL), 1:49
5th – Riley Hanrahan (WI) tech fall Louise Juitt (MO), 10-0 (3:17)
7th – Dulcy Martinez (CA) tech fall Jacinda Espinosa (MO), 10-0 (2:43)
145
Final: Violette Lasure (PA) dec. Olivia Davis (CA), 12-7
3rd – Greta Brus (IA) pin Elise Twait (ID), 3:50
5th – Faith Bane (NC) dec. Skylar Slade (IA), 7-2
7th – Maggie Ortmann (MO) pin Ashley Thompson (AR), 4:58
155
Final: Olivia Georges (NJ) dec. Sarah Henckel (CT), 10-2
3rd – Kaylie Hall (WV) dec. Amelia Fawcett (AK), 8-7
5th – Chandni Banks (CA) pin Cassandra Gonzales (MN), 1:43
7th – Eloise Woolsey (NM) pin Paige De Caro (NJ), 0:44
170
Final: Jael Miller (PA) tech fall Autumn Elsbury (IA), 15-2 (2:36)
3rd – Kendall Bibla (FL) dec. Makayla Vasser (NE), 18-12
5th – Emily Novak (MN) pin TorRina Rushing (FL), 0:42
7th – Maddie Hayden (MI) dec. Chaniah Bernier (MD), 8-1
190
Final: Mahalia Adams (VA) dec. Kanata Richardson (MI), 8-2
3rd – Brooke Huffman (WI) pin Libby Dix (IA), 2:35
5th – Selena Mares-Castro (WA) pin Evelyn Vargas (CA), 1:30
7th – Hayleen Martinez (KS) pin Briana Alvarado (CA), 5:53
207
Final: Amie Hartman (ID) dec. Mia Cienega (WA), 3-3
3rd – Halle Spears (MI) pin Maddie Miller (OH), 1:10
5th – Tirza Twoteeth (MT) pin Taylor Orner (PA), 1:24
7th – Angel Hill (CA) pin Sophiea Quinn (MO), 0:36
235
Final: Deionna Borders (OH) dec. Chloe Hoselton (IL), 7-0
3rd – Brenda Banks (PA) pin Alexis Stinson (MO), 1:09
5th – Tilisa Matakaiongo (UT) pin Maliana Heimuli (TX), 3:15
7th – Aubrey Bartkowiak (IN) For. Azreal Smith (OK)
2025 USA Wrestling Junior and 16U Nationals brackets and results
2025 U.S. Marine Corps 16U Nationals
At Fargo, N.D., July 13, 2025
Team Standings
Team results — 1. Pennsylvania 151, 2. Texas 89, 3. Oklahoma 88, 4. California 86, 5. New Jersey 84, 6. Colorado 78, 7. Iowa 77, 8. Wisconsin 73, 9. Tennessee 72, 10. Kansas 68
Other states: 14. New York 41, 31. Connecticut 12, 35. Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont 0
95
Final: Justice Gutierrez (CO) dec. Brooklyn Henry (PA), 4-0
3rd – Olivia Munson (CA) dec. Cidney Schaffer (PA), 11-8
5th – Kendra Ege (IL) Med. For. Easton Dadiomoff (TN),
7th – Cassidy O’Connell (WI) dec. Lexi Pancoast (PA), 11-4
100
Final: Ryleigh Sturgill (TN) pin Riley Karwowski (PA), 3:57
3rd – Vivienne Popadiuc (NM) pin Josie Wilson (KS), 1:29
5th – Peggy Susan Dean (CO) dec. Kiana Lien (CA), 10-4
7th – Cameron Hodge (CO) tech fall Katelynn Dockery (TX), 10-0 (0:52)
105
Final: Hailey Delgado (TX) dec. Gail Sullivan (NY), 7-0
3rd – Emma Faczak (CO) dec. Kirra Mitchell (GA), 5-4
5th – Chloe Skiles (IL) Med. For. Morgan Hyland (PA),
7th – Emelly Diaz Santos (NJ) pin Tatianna Castillo (MI),
110
Final: Gabriella Conte (NJ) dec. Aubree Gutierrez (CA), 1-0
3rd – Ella Cohen (CA) dec. Winter West (WA), 10-5
5th – Lyric Hetzer (OH) pin Cora Stewart (WI), 3:57
7th – Ali Svancara (ID) pin Addison Hunt (TX), 0:50
115
Final: Reagan Mathers (AZ) dec. Marlee Solomon (PA), 6-0
3rd – Malia Ottow (WA) dec. Kendal Haynie (FL), 8-2
5th – Lucia Ranieri (NJ) dec. Olivia Kearns (PA), 9-9
7th – Emma Baker (MI) dec. Hannah Naccarati-Cholo (AZ), 10-8
120
Final: Carolyn Geckler (OH) dec. Marie Sharp (NJ), 4-4
3rd – Abigail Gonzalez (FL) dec. Daelin Cody (WI), 6-5
5th – Maya Fiodorova (NV) dec. Mikayla Perkins (IN), 11-2
7th – Remington Zimmerer (CO) pin Cameron Leng (OH), 2:55
125
Final: Victoria Carbonaro (NJ) tech fall Neve O’Byrne (PA), 14-4 (3:04)
3rd – Sobina Clendaniel (AK) dec. Cristel Miguel (CT), 2-1
5th – Lilli Cooper (IA) tech fall Caitlin Maragioglio (NY), 14-2 (2:16)
7th – Claire Lancaster (OK) pin Averie Counts (KS), 1:22
130
Final: Landri VonGonten (TX) tech fall Olivia Bezdicek (ID), 10-0 (1:57)
3rd – Caroline Hilton (TN) dec. Saige McCleery (WA), 2-0
5th – Isabella Miller (IA) dec. Ginger Majurin (MI), 6-0
7th – Emma Grimes (PA) pin Anastasia Rodnikova (IL), 1:34
135
Final: Taina Fernandez (MD) tech fall Emily Beckley (OK), 11-0 (2:53)
3rd – Chloe Wehry (MN) pin Erin Delling (MO), 3:34
5th – Giavonna Good (UT) Med. For. Paisley Morrison (OR),
7th – Erika Sleznikow (WI) pin Avery Fitzgerald (TX), 2:33
140
Final: Harlow Skenandore (WI) dec. Clover Williams (OK), 9-5
3rd – Kesi Tsarni (MD) dec. Audrey Robinson (OR), 11-4
5th – Kelice Luker (OK) pin Keely Fallert (MO), 0:35
7th – Kiera Depinet (OH) dec. Sarai Cortez (CA), 4-0
145
Final: Eve Skrocki (IA) dec. Gray Joyce (KS), 6-5
3rd – Allison Garbacz (IL) dec. Layla Risler (WI), 7-2
5th – Jameson Strickland (PA) dec. Victoria Alvarado (NY), 7-2
7th – Giancarla Garduno (IL) pin Winry Yaggie (SD), 4:00
155
Final: Janiya Johnson (TN) dec. Symone Jewell (CA), 8-4
3rd – Julia Araujo (ND) pin Juliet Alt (PA), 1:33
5th – Matilda Hruby (CO) dec. Amalia Djoumessi (IA), 8-6
7th – KyLee Tibbs (OH) dec. Siobhan Flanner (KS), 9-8
170
Final: Kaili Manuel (MI) dec. Sarah Pulk (MN), 9-2
3rd – Ciyanna Okocha (PA) dec. Leolyn Karnowski (KS), 6-1
5th – Alexis Penley (IL) For. Eva Garcia (CA),
7th – Laila Hustoles (CO) tech fall Molly Olague (ID), 12-2 (1:38)
190
Final: Tevia Nau Rarick (UT) pin JayaShree Bray (NE), 1:41
3rd – Lyla Hensen (MI) pin Riley Samarripa (OK), 1:46
5th – Blake Baker (TX) tech fall Alyvia Edwards (OK), 10-0 (1:12)
7th – Shayla Martinez (CO) pin Ashley Hoffman (PA), 2:33
207
Final: Racheal Adolphe (IN) pin Lulu Kirk (KS), 3:03
3rd – Abagail Lacy (OK) pin Makayla Ocean (FL), 0:32
5th – Alyciana Rogers (TX) pin Autumn King (WI), 1:20
7th – Charley Timms (NV) pin Savada Kitchen (NC), 1:08
235
Final: Aniyah Smith (IA) pin Eden Hach (SD), 4:00
3rd – Shelby Wells (TX) pin Khloe Henshaw (AL), 1:31
5th – Caylee Miller (NM) pin Peyton Mullin (NY), 1:52
7th – Asreilla Wallace (IL) pin Kinley Jimenez (IA), 1:51
Outstanding Wrestler: Taina Fernandez (Maryland), 135 Pounds
Most Falls, Least Time: Julia Arujao (North Dakota) – 6 Falls in 9:03
2025 USA Wrestling Junior and 16U Nationals brackets and results
