Three Hawkeyes compete in Team USA women’s wrestling’s international friendly with Ukraine

IOWA CITY — Friendship bracelets and flowers were exchanged at the center of the wrestling mat. A two week visit comes to a close on the floor of Xtream Arena, with two nations trying to grow women’s wrestling in ‘Wrestletown, USA.’

Team USA women’s wrestling hosted an international friendly with Ukraine Thursday night, capping off a two week visit. Iowa women’s wrestling also trained with the Ukraine national team, with Hawkeye head coach Clarissa Chun helping lead the way.

There were things Iowa women’s wrestling and Team USA all learned — both on and off the mat.

“For me, what I learned from them is the camaraderie,” Chun said. “Each of the women on their team, the coaches on the team they know to have fun and enjoy despite going through the hardships that they're going through. They're just kind to each other and to one another, but like in wrestling, there's a lot to be learned from them.”

Three Hawkeyes competed in the friendly, Reese Larramendy and former Hawkeyes Macey Kilty and Karlee Brooks.

Kilty was the only winner for Team USA in the friendly, earning a technical fall in the first period of action. She was also one of the only USA wrestlers who knew she’d be competing throughout the two weeks leading up to the competition.

“They wrestle a little different than what we're used to,” Kilty said. “They're competitors. It’s a friendly, sure, but it's not real friendly when you go out there So it's been good to train with them. They're tough in the room, they're tough out there.”

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Nearly every Ukrainian wrestler had immense international experience, and Larramendy faced two-time Olympic medalist Iyrna Koliadenko. Larramendy found out she’d be competing just two days ago, but had been watching Koliadenko practice at Iowa the entire time.

She also said the experience, despite her loss on a technical fall, helps prepare her for nationals in Coralville this spring. The friendly had the same pomp and circumstance Iowa will see this spring — dramatic lights, walk-up music, fog machines and a spotlight to name a few things — and the Hawkeye redshirt junior wanted to make sure the entire experience was a lesson, and not just the battle on the mat.

“It was really fun, and I just kept telling myself, I'm just grateful to go out there and get the experience,” Larramendy said. “It was huge. (Koliadenko’s) so well-credentialed. To get my hands on that, I just kind of feel what it was like. It was a cool experience for me, and I'm really grateful.”

Surrounded by high school girl wrestlers, an international display. And in the spirit of a friendly, both countries closed the night celebrating together — enjoying the pinnacle of a learning opportunity for the two nations and everyone watching.

“That's we do this stuff,” Larramendy said. “It's why it's called a friendly ... I'm only gonna gain from this experience.”

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