Submitted photo Youngsville’s McKenzie Hodak poses with 2024 Olympic champion wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Youngsville’s McKenzie Hodak made the long trek out to Spokane, Washington, for the 2025 United States Marine Corps Women’s National Championships over the weekend.

Hodak, competing for her club team Bad Karma, made the trip in search of the best competition in the country and she was not disappointed.

The Women’s National Championships annually attract the best of the best in women’s wrestling. The event also doubles as the site of the U17, U20 and U23 Women’s World Team Trials.

Hodak opened her tournament with a first-round bye in the 14U 105-pound bracket.

In the second round, Hodak matched up with third-seeded Presley Beard, a highly decorated wrestler from Kansas. Beard scored the opening takedown, but was unable to turn Hodak. Hodak got in on a shot of her own after the reset, but couldn’t convert before potentially dangerous was called. Hodak gave up a headlock and back exposure for 4 points. Beard was then able to covert on two leg laces to end the match by 10-0 technical superiority.

Hodak’s second match was against two-time Women’s Nationals place-winner Harlin Swartsel of Washington. Hodak kicked off the scoring with a called takedown, but it was ruled a slip by the mat judge and therefore not a takedown. Hodak challenged the call, but it was unsuccessful so Swartsel took a 1-0 lead. Hodak remained undeterred and earned a 2-point exposure with a nice crotch lock counter from Swartsel’s shot to take a 2-1 lead. Swartsel picked up 4 points from a headlock right before time expired in the first period to take a 5-2 lead into the break. In the second period, Hodak scored a takedown for 2 points, fending off Swartsel’s chest wrap attempt in the process. Hodak picked up a 2-point exposure before being reset to their feet to take a 6-5 lead. Swartsel regained the lead with a feet-to-back takedown and subsequent 2-point exposure. Now behind 11-6 with time winding down, Hodak had to score big. She was able to score a 2-point exposure to narrow the score to 11-8, but couldn’t convert on any other scoring opportunities before time ran out.

“It was such a great experience getting to come out here and wrestle some of the nation’s top female wrestlers,” said Hodak, “I learned so much and I’m excited for the rest of my freestyle season.”