QUERETARO, MEXICO — Canadian women were in action on April 11 at the 2025 U23 Pan-American (Pan-Am) Championships in Queretaro, Mexico. Canada had a full team of 10 wrestlers competing on the day and came away with a solid performance, capturing seven medals and placing second overall in the team competition.

Beaumont, Alberta’s Lene-Marie McCrackin led the way with a gold medal in the 72kg weight class. McCrackin, who trains out of the Burnaby Mountain Wrestling Club, was in a round robin with three other competitors who each faced each other and their win/loss records determined the final positions. McCrackin opened with a win by pin over American Elleni Johnson. Next, she faced Michelle Olea of Mexico, where she was narrowly defeated 5-4, meaning she would need to win her final match and get some help from Johnson to top the podium. McCrackin took care of her business defeating Chile’s Jaeell Llontop by fall. With Johnson defeating Olea, it meant McCrackin had earned the gold.

“I am really excited,” said McCrackin after winning the medal. “This was my first international meet and I was nervous going into it, but I told myself ‘I have put in the work, I just need to give 100 per cent effort and the results will take care of themselves.’ I am just really happy to get this one under my belt and use it as momentum to keep moving forward.”

Canada also finished with four silver medalists. New Hamburg, Ontario’s Olivia Lichti won hers at 59kg in her final round robin match. It came down to her and Karla Ramos of Mexico with the winner taking silver, and loser bronze. Lichti went on to win the match by fall to secure the medal. Stoney Creek, Ontario’s Serena Di Benedetto took silver at 53kg; Calgary’s Gabi Cross earned it at 57kg; and Lethbridge, Alberta’s Angelina Ellis-Toddington picked up the medal at 65kg.

Montreal’s Sophia Bechard earned bronze at 55kg, and Edmonton’s Vianne Rouleau won bronze at 76kg.

Ajax, Ontario’s Nyla Burgess was fifth at 68kg; Guelph Ontario’s Kelyn Young seventh at 50kg and St. Catharines, Ontario’s Michaela Rankin seventh at 62kg.