Win the U.S. Open and earn another trip back to Las Vegas on the World Team. That’s what’s at stake as the women take to the mats this weekend. Among the field are two Olympic medalists along with a great deal of World medalists. Needless to say, there are a lot of experiences and battle-tested ladies making the trip to this year’s tournament.

So let’s get to the discussion…

48kg

Contenders:
Alyssa Lampe
Victoria Anthony
Clarissa Chun
Cody Pfau
Erin Golston
Emily Webster

Commentary: This is a three horse race between Lampe, Chun and Anthony here. Lampe, who placed fifth at the World tournament last season and took home Open titles the last two years, has losses to both Antony and Chun so could have her hands full as she goes for a third. Chun’s win came at the Dave Schultz Memorial while Anthony’s was in Cuba at the Cerro Pelado tournament. So look for this to get very competitive because between those three it’s anyone’s game.

Prediction: Chun over Lampe


53kg

Contenders:
Whitney Conder
Carlene Sluberski
Haley Augello
Jessica Medina
Amy Fearnside
Diaysha Moore

Commentary: Conder is the true favorite here after claiming wins over every fellow American in the field this year. The two-time World team member shouldn’t be threatened too much as she looks to make the team again this year. Former Junior World team member Carlene Sluberski will look to stand in her way along with Haley Augello and Jessica Medina who is also a two-time world team member.

Prediction: Conder over Sluberski


55kg

Contenders:
Helen Marolis
Sarah Hildebrandt
Michaela Hutchison


Commentary: All eyes on two-time World Medalist Helen Marolis who will look to take home another gold medal. Marolis has been the main attraction at this weight with Sarah Hildebrandt right behind her. It’s tough to see anyone overtake Helen or step in front of Hildebrandt as they eye another rematch. Michaela Hutchison could be the only other contender to contest for the title here.

Prediction: Marolis over Hildenbradt

58kg

Contenders:
Alli Ragan
Kelsey Campbell
Trinity Griffin
Shauna Isbell
Melissa Apodaca

Commentary: Ragan, a two-time World Team member, is the favorite here. She will most likely be met with resistant from Kelsey Campbell. If anyone is going to stop the streak of Ragan it will be Campbell who has the experience and grit to do so. Trinity Griffin will also be in the mix as she looks to make another final this year after placing second a season ago.

Prediction: Campbell over Ragan


60kg

Contenders:
Jenna Burkert
Jennifer Page
Leigh Jaynes-Provisor
Lauren Louive
Rachel McFarland
Brianna Delgado

Commentary: A few young stars like Rachel McFarland and Brianna Delgado here that will be competitive, but the main event will be between Page, who was last year’s Open Champ, Burkert, who was second to page last year, and Louive, who owns a huge win over Burkert this season at the Bill Ferrell Open. It will be interesting to see how things shake out between these three. Has Burkert made the adjustments to overtake Louive and Page to take the title or will it be Page that claims another title?

Prediction: Page over Burkert


63kg

Contenders:
Elena Pirozhkova
Erin Clodgo
Amanda Hendey
Alexis Porter
Shai Mason

Commentary: This could be interesting depending on where Pirozhkova decides to go. For most of this year she has been wrestling up a weight class at 69kg, but as a four-time world team member and 2012 World Champion she is the clear favorite if she makes the move back down to this weight. Clodgo is the main contender here and could contest for the spot.

Prediction: Pirozhkova over Clodgo


69kg

Contenders:
Randi Miller
Tamyra Mensah
Kayla Aggio

Commentary: Former Olympic bronze medalist (2008) Randi Miller is ahead of the pack here. But like at 63kg, the level of competition here depends on Pirozhkova. Miller and Pirozhkova each own a win over each other as of late so if they meet here it could be highly competitive. But Miller is the favorite and should fill the spot easily.

Prediction: Miller over Mensah


75kg

Contenders:
Adeline Gray
Jackie Cataline
Iris Smith
Brittany Roberts

Commentary: Gray has a huge edge here and can go home with the Open title. She defeated plenty of competition all around the world and is surely battle-tested for whatever comes at the tournament. Cataline is the top threat to Gray claiming the spot on the world team.

Prediction: Gray over Smith