SOFIA, Bulgaria – An incoming freshman at East Stroudsburg University will be bringing home some hardware home prior to moving into her dorm. Representing the United States, ESU freshman wrestler Sofia Macaluso earned a silver medal at the U20 World Championships on Friday evening at Arena Armeets Sofia.
After three consecutive pins to advance to the gold medal match, Macaluso fell in the gold medal match to Japan's Ruka Natami by a score of 6-1.
Macaluso, who wrestled at 57 kg during the freestyle event, recorded pins against Sit Sito (India), Aurora Russo (Italy) and Melda Dernecki (Turkey).
57 kg – Sofia Macaluso (Otisville, N.Y./Team New York)
WIN Sito Sito (India), fall 5:53
WIN Aurora Russo (Italy), fall 2:11
WIN Melda Dernikci (Turkey), fall 2:37
LOSS Ruka Natami (Japan), 6-1
Joining Macaluso was Amit Elor (72kg) as the lone Americans to compete for gold at the World Championships.
Sofia was named the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, which honors the nation's most outstanding high school female wrestler for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship and community service back in May.
She earned her spot at the U20 World Championships by defeating Colorado Mesa All-American Claire Dicugno in consecutive matches for the U20 National Championship, picking up an 8-3 and a 9-2 victories at the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Hall of the Will Rogers Memorial in May.
Macaluso's sister, Mia, completed her first collegiate season at ESU this past March and became one of ESU's first three All-Americans in program history after placing fourth at the NCWWC Championships. This summer, Mia placed fourth at the U20 Nationals in 2022 and earned a fifth-place finish at the Beach World Series in Greece this past July.
Sofia, a sliver medalist, will join her All-American sister, along with another NCWWC All-American in Avia Bibeau for the 2022-23 season for the Warriors.
