Helen Maroulis and Xochitl Mota-Pettis will compete for the 57 kg women’s freestyle berth on the 2023 Senior World Team in a best-of-three series on Saturday, August 12 at the Air Force Academy Cadet Fieldhouse at the U.S. Air Force Academy, just north of Colorado Springs, Colo.

On June 7, Maroulis received a delay of her 57 kg women’s freestyle Final X series for medical reasons. Maroulis was scheduled to face Mota-Pettis in Final X at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Saturday, June 10.

Below is a women’s freestyle preview of the 57-kilogram match between Xochitl Mota-Pettis and Helen Maroulis. 

Key Credentials

Xochitl Mota-Pettis, 22
— 2023 Pan-Am champion (59 kg)
— 2023 US Open champion (57 kg)
— 2023 U23 National champion (59 kg)
— 2023 Grand View Open champion (130 lbs)
— 2022 Pan-Am bronze medalist (59 kg)
— 2020 Senior Nationals runner-up (57 kg)
— 2019 Junior National champion (127 lbs)
— 2018 Junior National champion (127 lbs)

Helen Maroulis, 31
— 2022 World silver medalist (57 kg)
— 2021 World champion (57 kg)
— 2020 Olympic bronze medalist (57 kg)
— 2017 World champion (58 kg)
— 2016 Olympic gold medalist (53 kg)
— 2015 World champion (55 kg)
— 2014 World bronze medalist (55 kg)
— 2012 World silver medalist (55 kg)
— 2011 Junior World silver medalist (55 kg)
— 2010 Junior World bronze medalist (55 kg)
— 2008 Junior World bronze medalist (51 kg)
—Four-time WCWA champion for Missouri Baptist (2010) and Simon Fraser (2011, 2013-14)

Match History

This is the first meeting between Mota-Pettis and Maroulis. 

How They Reached Final X

Mota-Pettis reached Final X by winning this year’s US Open. She entered as the three-seed and won 11-0 over Hania Halverson (R16), 14-4 over Ashley Whetzal (quarters), 12-10 over Amanda Martinez (semis), and 10-0 over Alex Hedrick (finals). She recently won the Pan-Am Championships at 59 kg. 

Maroulis reached Final X as a returning 2022 World silver medalist. She recently placed ninth at the Pan-Am Championships. 

What Can You Expect?

Based on credentials alone, Maroulis has this series wrapped up. She is arguably the greatest women’s freestyle wrestler this country has produced. 

It’s a good thing matches aren’t won on paper. Xochitl Mota-Pettis is wrestling her best right now, and she has a legitimate shot at making this year’s World team. 

Both had opposite performances at the Pan-Am Championships. 

Maroulis lost her opening match to Angela Alvarez of Cuba, 8-5. Alvarez was defeated in the next round, which eliminated Maroulis from medal contention. 

Mota-Pettis won the US Open at 57 kg then moved up to 59 kg for the Pan-Am Championships. She won both her matches by 10-0 technical superiority. 

This match will be as entertaining as Maroulis allows it to be. Mota-Pettis is a fan favorite because of her spectacular throws and upper-body attacks. She can also end matches early with a takedown and gut wrench. Maroulis will have to shut down XMP’s explosive offense early and often to win. Mota-Pettis needs to create those situations for a high-octane, fast-paced slugfest.

Maroulis, ranked #4 on FloWrestling’s list of greatest American wrestlers, is an all-time great for a reason. She lost twice at the 2021 Poland Open weeks before winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics. The Rockville, Maryland, native has been counted out and proven herself before — and she will need to do it again at Final X.

Just don’t sit on Xochitl Mota-Pettis. She believes she can win.

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Xochitl Mota-Pettis wasted little time winning her US Open finals match against Alex Hedrick

Helen Maroulis reached the finals with this win at the 2022 World Championships