Leathers trains with Team USA
Becka Leathers
Choctaw wrestler helps Olympian, prepares for Junior World Championships –
Choctaw High School alumna and current Oklahoma City University wrestler Becka Leathers is contributing to Team USA as a training partner for wrestler Haley Augello in the 2016 Olympics.
Leathers, from Choctaw, captured the 123-pound national championship as a freshman in the Women’s College Wrestling Association Championships in February at Abe Lemons Arena. She finished 2015-16 at 30-2 against college competition.
“This is a great opportunity for Becka training with the Olympic team,” OCU coach Matt Stevens said. “It’s preparing her for the Junior World Championships and the 2020 Olympic cycle.”
Augello will compete for the United States at 48 kilograms (105.5 pounds). Augello secured her Olympic berth with a silver medal in a qualifier April 23 in Ulannbaatar, Mongolia. She won the U.S. Olympic Trials on April 10 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Leathers went 2-2 in the U.S. Olympic Trials at 58 kg (128 lbs.). Leathers picked up second place at 55 kg (121 lbs.) in the Grand Prix of Spain on July 10 in Madrid, Spain.
Leathers and her teammate, incoming Stars freshman Rachel Watters, will wrestle for the United States in the Junior World Championships on Aug. 30-Sept. 5 in Macon, France.
Leathers took bronze in the 2015 Junior Worlds.
