Southbury’s Sarah Henckel finished third at Saturday’s Junior Nationals in Fargo. (Photo courtesy Blair Academy)
Southbury’s Sarah Henckel won her fifth career medal in Fargo at the USA Wrestling Junior National and 16U national championships on Saturday.
Henckel, the Blair Academy graduate who will attend Lehigh this fall, finished third at 155 pounds in the girls freestyle competition with her second win in the tournament over California’s Symore Jewell by technical fall, 10-0 in 1:07
Henckel was one of nine girls from Connecticut competing in the Junior National competition. Seven state girls competed in the 16U girls freestyle tournament.
It was a tough start for Henckel in the tournament, who won her first match against Colorado’s Madilyn Gitke on criteria. The match ended tied at 6-6 but Henckel prevailed on criteria for having more higher value moves – three 2-point moves while Gitke had six 1-point moves.
Henckel won her next three bouts with a pin (1:43), an 8-0 win over Texas’ Sofia Vaca and a 10-0 technical fall in 4:18.
That put Henckel in a quarterfinal bout with Jewell, who was second in the 16U division a year ago. Henckel prevailed with four-point move with five seconds left in regulation to secure an 8-4 victory move into the semifinal. Jewell had gotten a takedown with 34 seconds left to tie the match at 4-4.
In the semifinal, Minnesota’s Eloise Woolsey, the eventual national champion, got a four-point move in the first period and earned a 6-4 decision.
Henckel won her consolation semifinal with a 10-0 win in 2:38 over California’s Mary Snider before beating Jewell for the second time in the consolation final. Henckel finished 6-1 in the tournament.
In her career in Fargo, Henckel won the 16U national title at 132 in 2022, took third in Junior freestyle (152) in 2023, took second in Junior freestyle (145) in 2024 and was second in Junior freestyle (155) in 2025.
The record for most Fargo medals for a Connecticut girl is Plymouth’s Cara Broadus, who won six from 2015-18. Broadus was able to wrestle in the 16U and Junior National tournament in the same year.
Trumbull’s Jillian Blake (120) and Fairfield Ludlowe’s Ashlynn Cunnings (125) each went 4-2 in the Junior freestyle tournament with Stratford’s Gabriella Kiely (145) and Bethany’s Elliana Selearis (125) were each 3-2. Meriden’s Kayli Morris (171) went 2-2.
In the 16U girls freestyle tournament, Trumbull’s Evellyn Neiva (115) and Milford’s Cecilia Verrilli (130) each went 3-2. Shelton’s Ella Piccirillo (155) went 2-2.
Junior Nationals
At Fargo, N.D.
Girls freestyle
Top 10 teams: 1. Pennsylvania, 165, 2. Michigan 164, 3. Indiana 117, 4. Texas 84, T5. California and Arizona 68, T7. Ohio and Wisconsin 61, 9. Iowa, 60, 10. New Jersey 57
Other teams: 25. Connecticut 15, 26. New York 12, 32. Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont 0
Individual matches
95 pounds
1st: Francesca Gusfa (New Jersey) tech. fall Katelyn Rowles (Indiana), 14-3
3rd: Leivelle Alejado (Hawaii) dec. Aaliyah Brown (Indiana), 12-6
5th: McKenzie Mantei (Michigan) dec. Alliya Walker (Virginia), 6-5
7th: Mya Van Beek (Iowa) pin Alexandra Thomas (Florida), 5:27
100 pounds
1st: Lillee Denson (Michigan) dec. Justice Gutierrez (Colorado), 11-3
3rd: Abigail Peterson (Iowa) dec. Sky Ramos (Hawaii), 13-6
5th: Maisie Elliott (Washington) pin Vina Nguyen (Washington), 2:07
7th: Lilly Breeden (Missouri) pin Noah Kovach (Texas), 0:29
105 pounds
1st: Jaclyn Bouzakis (Pennsylvania) tech. fall Emma Faczak (Colorado), 12-2
3rd: Ryleigh Sturgill (Tennessee) tech. fall Grace Jawulski (Florida), 10-0 (0:31)
5th: Kyrstan Perez (Oklahoma) dec. Kiana Lien (California), 13-7
7th: Katie Biscoglia (Iowa) dec. Dilynn Albrecht (Wisconsin), 7-3
110 pounds
1st: Sarissa Tucker (Virginia) dec. Isabel Kaplan (Indiana), 4-0
3rd: Eva Zimmerman (Utah) dec. Summer Mutschler (Maryland), 15-10
5th: Jayden Keller (Missouri) For. Julia Horger (Pennsylvania)
7th: Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith (Arizona) dec. Kayleigh Milam (Missouri), 14-8
115 pounds
1st: Abigail Gonzalez (Florida) pin Kinzie Williams (Idaho), 1:48
3rd: Malia Ottow (Washington) dec. Hepua Salter (Hawaii), 4-0
5th: Daynah Gomez (Arizona) dec. Morgan Hyland (Pennsylvania), 9-8
7th: Ali Svancara (Idaho) pin Jaydin Cuevas (Colorado), 1:04
120 pounds
1st: Marlee Solomon (Pennsylvania) dec. Hailey Delgado (Texas), 4-0
3rd: Aubree Gutierrez (California) dec. Cheyenne Frank (Michigan), 10-7
5th: Kaylyn Harrill (Nebraska) pin Reagan Mathers (Arizona), 1:36
7th: Angelina Gochis (Illinois) pin Violet Diaz (Iowa), 0:19
125 pounds
1st: Mackenzie Carder (Ohio) pin Martynique Davis (Arizona), 1:05
3rd: Raenah Smith (Pennsylvania) dec. Neve O’Byrne (Pennsylvania), 12-8
5th: Me’kala James (California) pin Kylee Kurszewski (Wisconsin), 3:33
7th: Cameron Leng (Ohio) tech. fall Samiyah Rahming (Pennsylvania), 10-0 (2:19)
130 pounds
1st: Madilyn Peach (Wisconsin) pin Kailin Sebert (Texas), 2:21
3rd: Olivia Bezdicek (Idaho) pin Haley Smarsh (Pennsylvania), 1:16
5th: Kayla Moroschan (Ohio) tech. fall Emma Chacon (Arizona), 10-0 (3:10)
7th: Willow White (Florida) forfeit Riley Drennan (Texas)
135 pounds
1st: Emma Bacon (Pennsylvania) pin Camila Torres (Arizona), 0:27
3rd: Naima Ghaffar (Indiana) pin Kaison Miller (Kansas), 1:14
5th: Nia Hagler (Utah) pin Chloe Wehry (Minnesota), 0:49
7th: Iyanna Crawford (North Carolina) tech. fall Eva Garcia (California), 10-0 (1:57)
140 pounds
1st: Maddie Marsh (Indiana) dec. Alexis Lazar (Michigan), 5-2
3rd: Jordyn Parker (Texas) pin Ema Durst (Illinois), 0:37
5th: Timberly Martinez (Colorado) dec. Clover Williams (Oklahoma), 9-2
7th: Keanna Conrad (Idaho) dec. Saige McCleery (Washington), 8-3
145 pounds
1st: Nora Akpan (Minnesota) dec. Belicia Manuel (Michigan), 11-5
3rd: Violette Lasure (Pennsylvania) pin Greta Brus (Iowa), 1:43
5th: Emily Beckley (Oklahoma) forfeit Hayden Bratland (Iowa)
7th: Chloe Sanders (Iowa) tech. fall Natalin Hout (California), 11-0 (2:13)
155 pounds
1st: Eloise Woolsey (New Mexico) dec. Ella Poalillo (New Jersey), 8-5
3rd: Sarah Henckel (Connecticut) tech. fall Symone Jewell (California), 10-0 (1:07)
5th: Julia Araujo (North Dakota) pin Mary Snider (California), 0:43
7th: Matilda Hruby (Colorado) pin Skylar Slade (Iowa), 0:11
170 pounds
1st: Kaili Manuel (Michigan) tech. fall Ciyanna Okocha (Pennsylvania), 11-0
3rd: Kiley Dillow (Kansas) dec. Olivia Georges (New Jersey), 11-5
5th: Sarah Pulk (Minnesota) forfeit Elizabeth Madison (Ohio)
7th: Rylynn Keziah (North Carolina) pin Clarion Fager (Utah), 1:04
190 pounds
1st: Brooke Huffman (Wisconsin) pin Tevia Nau Rarick (Utah), 1:13
3rd: Irelynn Laurin (Tennessee) tech. fall Ava Asing (Hawaii), 10-0 (3:19)
5th: Kanata Richardson (Michigan) dec. Autumn Elsbury (Iowa), 7-6
7th: Jaida Kuntz (Texas) forfeit JayaShree Bray (Nebraska)
207 pounds
1st: Phoenix Molina (Illinois) dec. Maddie Hayden (Michigan), 6-0
3rd: Deionna Borders (Ohio) pin Isabella Lorenzana (California), 2:30
5th: Lulu Kirk (Kansas) pin Vivianna Scott (Oregon), 4:43
7th: Sophiea Quinn (Missouri) pin Kimura Segerson-Hutter (Wisconsin), 3:16
235 pounds
1st: Aubrey Bartkowiak (Indiana) pin Alyciana Rogers (Texas), 0:25
3rd: Mya Brandenburg (Michigan) dec. Peyton Mullin (New York), 5-1
5th: Halle Spears (Michigan) dec. Jasmine Enriquez (Illinois), 7-2
7th: Angela Bereuter (Missouri) pin Katherine Luna (California), 1:23
16U Nationals
At Fargo, N.D.
Girls freestyle
Top 10 teams: 1.Pennsylvania, 172, 2. Oklahoma 113, 3. Kansas 110, 4. Illinois 105, 5. California 104, 6. New York 79, 7. Arizona 64, T8. Florida and Washington 61, 10. Wisconsin 57
Other teams: 12. New Jersey 42, 21. Massachusetts 25, 36. Connecticut, Vermont and Rhode Island 0
Individual results
95 pounds
1st: Brooklyn Murray (Massachusetts) dec. Sophia Valdez (Colorado), 7-6
3rd: Brooklyn Henry (Pennsylvania) pin Lanaia Selig (Washington), 3:10
5th: Mia Pardo (North Carolina) pin Mia Nesbitt (Pennsylvania), 1:26
7th: Piper Phillips (Iowa) pin McKenzie Astorino (Pennsylvania), 0:58
100 pounds
1st: Abigail Peterson (Iowa) dec. Olivia Hernandez (Oregon), 6-0
3rd: Paola Perez (Florida) pin Maisie Elliott (Washington), 0:23
5th: Timi Coles (Pennsylvania) tech. fall Kylee Ooton (Oklahoma), 11-0
7th: Mya Beckett (Wisconsin) dec. Sophia Lazaro (California), 3-2
105 pounds
1st: Bella Manno (Arizona) tech. fall Ella Neibert (Indiana), 10-0
3rd: Olivia Munson (California) dec. Kennedy Hogan (Illinois), 7-2
5th: Kayne-Lin Chun (Hawaii) med. for. Cameron Hodge (Texas)
7th: Vivienne Popadiuc (New Mexico) disq. Tatianna Castillo (Michigan)
110 pounds
1st: Riley Karwowski (Pennsylvania) pin Audrey Cunningham (Texas), 1:28
3rd: Daphney Gomez (Arizona) dec. Kirra Mitchell (Georgia), 10-6
5th: Chloe Medlock (Oklahoma) med. for. Charlotte Nold (Illinois)
7th: Zolah Williams (Missouri) dec. Peggy Susan Dean (Colorado), 6-2
115 pounds
1st: Kaylee Vera (Ohio) dec. Auriana Wakinekona (Hawaii), 9-4
3rd: Alexandria Barskiy (New Jersey) tech. fall Isabella Fodera (California), 12-2
5th: Mabel Rogers (Missouri) inj. def. Lillian Fonceca (California), 1:46
7th: Emma Baker (Michigan) dec. Ember Zupanc (Wisconsin), 6-3
120 pounds
1st: McKenna Wilson (Oklahoma) dec. Elle Changaris (New Jersey), 8-6
3rd: Olivia Kearns (Pennsylvania) tech. fall Mikayla Perkins (Indiana), 10-0
5th: Alexa Smith (California) pin Khole Perez (Illinois), 0:59
7th: Rio Rening (California) dec. Xuan Graham (Pennsylvania), 4-2
125 pounds
1st: Winter West (Washington) tech. fall Presley Beard (Kansas), 11-0
3rd: Aleia Apostol (California) pin Hannah Naccarati-Cholo (Arizona), 1:19
5th: Hailey Worden (Nevada) tech. fall McKinzee Mills (Ohio), 11-1
7th: Morgan Johnson (Wisconsin) dec. Kaydence Golding (North Dakota), 6-2
130 pounds
1st: Rachel Garcia (Oklahoma) dec. Anastasia Rodnikova (Illinois), 4-1
3rd: Gail Sullivan (New York) dec. Daelin Cody (Wisconsin), 7-3
5th: Zaylyn Woods (Texas) dec. Finley Evjen (South Dakota), 8-4
7th: Corabella Wesley (Indiana) dec. Kyah Leyba (Oklahoma), 9-2
135 pounds
1st: Rain Scott (Illinois) dec. Noli Paddock (New York), 6-4
3rd: Giavonna Good (Utah) tech. fall Madelyn Medrano (Arkansas), 13-0
5th: Shannon Logue (Pennsylvania) dec. Eila Schultz (Colorado), 8-4
7th: Annabella Nelson (Wisconsin) pin Aryanna Geiger (Illinois), 3:00
140 pounds
1st: Kesi Tsarni (Maryland) pin Ki’Morah Cathey (Oklahoma), 2:14
3rd: Paisley Morrison (Oregon) pin Katie Davidson (Wisconsin), 3:06
5th: Ava Turner (West Virginia) pin Jenny Gautreau (Pennsylvania), 1:13
7th: Sasha Williams (Oklahoma) dec. Avery Colvin (Utah), 11-8
145 pounds
1st: Gray Joyce (Kansas) dec. Audrey Robinson (Oregon), 6-4
3rd: Emma Antoni (Minnesota) pin Yamilett Cortez (Arizona), 1:47
5th: Kimberly Munoz (Pennsylvania) med. for. Zoe Delgado (Florida)
7th: Layla Risler (Wisconsin) tech. fall Delaney Dixon (New York), 12-1
155 pounds
1st: Ava Guilmette (New York) dec. Camilla Hathaway (Pennsylvania), 11-2
3rd: Scarlett Yeager (Kansas) tech. fall Maddison Miller (Pennsylvania), 11-0
5th: Ennis Coakley (Florida) disq. Leolyn Karnowski (Kansas),
7th: Eleanor Robertson (Indiana) pin Josylyn Glass (California), 3:39
170 pounds
1st: Siobhan Flanner (Kansas) dec. Alexis Penley (Illinois), 13-4
3rd: Remington LaFlamme (Pennsylvania) pin Regan Jensen (Iowa), 1:54
5th: Reghan Koch (Ohio) tech. fall Emmyjane Bragg (California), 10-0
7th: Hayden Manning (Pennsylvania) pin Aaliyah Miller (Wisconsin), 3:40
190 pounds
1st: Kaylee Thompson (Kansas) pin Ashley Hoffman (Pennsylvania), 1:42
3rd: Zeinab Mourad (Florida) pin Princess Saili (Washington), 3:16
5th: Bentley Betts (Alabama) med. for. Brianna Sandoval (New Jersey)
7th: Tasi Maumausolo Matagi (California) med. for. Olivia Martinez (Minnesota)
207 pounds
1st: Lyla Hensen (Michigan) dec. Abagail Lacy (Oklahoma), 4-2
3rd: Kenzie Barrett (Florida) dec. Ava Gregg (New York), 6-6
5th: Mercedes Kruse (Wisconsin) pin Keleigh Russell-Smith (Idaho), 3:19
7th: Brianna White (Colorado) pin Kaydence Sander (Wyoming), 2:25
235 pounds
1st: Taya Maumausolo Matagi (California) dec. Maycee Hales (Utah), 9-4
3rd: Caylee Rivera (New Mexico) pin Anastasia Crum (Illinois), 0:54
5th: Malena Borja (Missouri) pin Jacey Peterson (North Dakota), 1:57
7th: Zavanna Evans (New York) pin Ellie Drennon (Missouri), 1:10
