Iowa wrestlers Macey Kilty, Kylie Welker win titles at 2024 Senior World Team Trials
By Todd Conner
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Macey Kilty(65kg) and Kylie Welker(72kg) of the University of Iowa won titles at the 2024 Senior World Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska. Kilty and Welker will now represent Team USA at the 2024 World Championships in Tirana, Albania on October 29-30.
Non-Olympic weights were contested to qualify for the World Championships.
Kilty, Welker, and Hawkeye teammate Skye Realin have already qualified to represent Team USA at the U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania on October 23-27.
Kilty qualified for the best of three finals from winning Silver at the 2023 World Championships at 65kg. In the finals Kilty defeated Aine Drury by a 10-0 and 12-1 tech fall to qualify for the 2024 World Championships for Team USA. Kilty transferred into the Iowa program in July for her final year of eligibility and has won five age group world medals for Team USA.
Welker defeated Skyler Grote by a 12-1 tech fall in the semifinals. In the best of three finals Welker defeated Yelena Makoyed by fall in 5:03 in the first match and 5-2 in the second match.
Welker defeated Makoyed at National Duals and the NCWWC National Finals at 170 but lost to her 6-4 OT in the semifinals of the Olympic Trials.
Welker won an NCWWC title at 170lbs. last season in leading Iowa to the team title. This is the second Senior World Championships for Welker representing Team USA.
Felicity Taylor was 2-2 and placed fourth at 55kg. Taylor won an NCWWC national title at 116 lbs. as a senior for Iowa last season.
Austin DeSanto dropped a match in the consolation semifinals and did not place at 61kg.
2024 Senior World Team Trials
Felicity Taylor – 55kg
Quarterfinals: Felicity Taylor(IWWC) VPO1 Elena Ivaldi (California) 6-4
Semifinals: Arena Villaescusa(Army VPO Felicity Taylor(IWWC) 5-0
Consisemis: Felicity Taylor(IWWC) VFA Mateah Roel(NYAC) 2:18
3rd place: Elena Ivaldi (California) VPO1 Felicity Taylor(IWWC) 12-12
Macey Kilty – 65kg
Best of 3 Round 1: Macey Kilty(IWWC) VSU Aine Drury(NYAC) 10-0
Best of 3 Round 2: Macey Kilty(IWWC) VSU Aine Drury(NYAC) 12-1
Kylie Welker – 72kg
Semifinals: Kylie Welker(IWWC) VSU1 Sklyer Grote(USOPT) 12-1
Finals Best of Three Rd 1: Kylie Welker(IWWC) VFA Yelena Makoyed(Cardinal WC) 5:03
Finals Best of Three Rd 2: Kylie Welker(IWWC) VPO1 Yelena Makoyed(Cardinal WC) 5-2
Austin DeSanto – 61kg
Quarterfinals: Austin DeSanto(HWC) VPO1 Jax Forrest (Young Guns) 9-6
Semifinals: Daton Fix (Cowboy RTC) VPO Austin DeSanto(HWC) 6-0
Consi Semis: Liam Cronon (NWC) VFO Austin DeSanto(HWC)