Lehigh’s Jimenez wins USA Wrestling’s Anthony-Maroulis Trophy

Apr 2, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT by Richard Immel, USA Wrestling

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – Audrey Jimenez, a sophomore at Lehigh University, was voted the recipient of the 2026 USA Wrestling Anthony-Maroulis Trophy, which is presented annually to the nation’s best women’s college wrestler.

Jimenez completed her first season of varsity competition for the Mountain Hawks as the NCAA champion at 110 pounds with a perfect 21-0 record. She posted a remarkable 100% bonus rate, with seven pins, eight technical falls, six forfeits and no match going to a decision.

“It’s an honor to receive the Anthony-Maroulis Trophy,” Jimenez said. “Victoria and Helen have both been huge role models, and I’m fortunate to have spent time with them and experienced their humor, humility, and willingness to give back and help others. I appreciate all they have done for the sport through their insane talent, work ethic, knowledge, and authentic characters.”

At the landmark, first NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships, Jimenez secured three wins by technical fall before stopping returning champion Sage Mortimer of Grand Valley State in the finals by pin in 1:50. Jimenez was named Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA Championships.

During the fall semester, Jimenez competed for Team USA at three World Championship events in the 50 kg women’s freestyle division. She earned silver medals at the U20 and U23 World Championships, while also qualifying for her first Senior World Team. To this point in her promising international career, Jimenez has collected six age-group World medals and is a strong contender for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team.

“This award couldn’t have gone to a more deserving human,” said Brazel Marquez, Lehigh head coach. “I’m so, so proud of Audrey. Not many people know the kind of year she has had behind the scenes, so for her to see, hear and reap the fruits of her hard labor makes me the happiest. This one is special not only because it’s the first year, but because of everything behind the scenes it took to get here. Audrey is a great student, a great leader, a great teammate, and a great person.”

Jimenez was one-of-five finalists for the USA Wrestling Anthony-Maroulis Trophy. Her peers included NCAA champions Kennedy Blades of Iowa and Kylie Welker of Iowa, plus NAIA champions Erin Hikiji of Providence and Cristelle Rodriguez of Doane. Blades, Rodriguez and Welker were members of the U.S. World Team, alongside Jimenez, in 2025. Blades was last year’s winner of this award.

The USA Wrestling Anthony-Maroulis Trophy winner was selected by a vote from three constituent groups—women’s college head coaches, national wrestling media and the fans. Each group accounted for one-third of the total vote.

It was the closest vote in the four-year history of the award, with a different finalist leading in each voting group. Jimenez carried the fan vote with 37% of the total vote, as well as earning 16-of-37 (43%) first-place media votes and 19-of-81 (23%) first-place coach votes. Welker, who was the award runner-up, carried the media vote with 18-of-37 (47%) first-place votes. Rodriguez, who wound up in third place overall, carried the coach vote with 31-of-81 (38%) first-place votes. Jimenez’s aggregate vote across all three voting groups proved the difference.

“USA Wrestling is proud to present the Anthony-Maroulis Trophy to Audrey Jimenez, who has represented Lehigh University and Team USA with exceptional effort and class on and off the mat,” said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. “It was a monumental year for women’s college wrestling, and Audrey played a critical role in elevating the sport through her performances this season.”

The USA Wrestling Anthony-Maroulis Trophy is named after Victoria Anthony and Helen Maroulis, who are the first four-time women’s college national champions. Both women won a fourth WCWA national title in 2014 as teammates at Simon Fraser University, becoming the first wrestlers in history to achieve the feat.

Previous winners of the award were Yelena Makoyed of North Central (2023), Adaugo Nwachukwu of William Penn (2024) and Kennedy Blades of Iowa (2025).

USA Wrestling created the Anthony-Maroulis Trophy to elevate a new award for women’s college wrestling that has significant cultural impact seen with other college athletic awards, such as the Dan Hodge Trophy in men’s college wrestling and the Hesman Trophy in college football.

USA Wrestling Anthony-Maroulis Trophy Winners

2026 – Audrey Jimenez, sophomore, Lehigh University

2025 – Kennedy Blades, junior, University of Iowa

2024 – Adaugo Nwachukwu, junior, William Penn University

2023 – Yelena Makoyed, senior, North Central College