USA Boxing reveals first members of 2023 High Performance Team

USA Boxing announced 11 of the 13 members of the 2023 High Performance Team today, along with four boxers still in contention to be selected following the upcoming 2023 Strandja Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.

“It’s been a very competitive selection camp over the past 5 weeks. Following a thorough evaluation process by our team, we have 11 of 13 team members selected and are very excited to have such a talented team composed of returning Olympians, world championship medalists, continental champions, and other high performing athletes,” stated Matt Johnson, USA Boxing High Performance Director.

“With two weight categories having boxers scoring equal evaluation point totals, we decided the best decision was to extend the evaluation period to allow the remaining four boxers the opportunity to earn their place on the team through their performance at the 2023 Strandja Tournament.”

This year’s high performance team is highlighted by Team USA’s three reigning World Champions, Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.), Jahmal Harvey (Oxon Hill, Md.) and Rahim Gonzales (Las Vegas, Nev.), as well as 2022 AMBC Continental Champions Roscoe Hill (Spring, Texas), Jennifer Lozano (Laredo, Texas) and Jamar Talley (Camden, N.J.).

Rounding out this year’s high performance team include 2022 AMBC Continental Championships bronze medalist Joshua Edwards (Houston, Texas), 2022 USA Boxing International Invitational Champion Emilio Garcia (Laredo, Texas), 2020 Olympian Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.), 2021 IBA World Championship silver medalist Omari Jones (Orlando, Fla.) and 2022 USA Boxing International Invitational Champion Morelle McCane (Cleveland, Ohio).

The remaining spots for the women’s 54 kg and 57 kg positions on the team will be determined after the conclusion of the Strandja Tournament with Shera Mae Patricio (Waianae, Hawaii) and Jewry Rodriguez (Houston, Texas) in contention for the 54 kg spot, while Jajairia Gonzalez (Glendora, Calif.) and Alyssa Mendoza (Caldwell, Idaho) will box for the final spot in the 57 kg category. All four boxers will join the other members of Team USA in Sofia.

This year’s high performance team will have the first opportunity to punch their ticket to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 later this year at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

2023 Strandja Tournament Roster

50 kg: Jennifer Lozano, Laredo, Texas*

51 kg: Roscoe Hill, Spring, Texas*

54 kg: Shera Mae Patricio, Waianae, Hawaii

54 kg: Jewry Rodriguez, Houston, Texas

57 kg: Jahmal Harvey, Oxon Hill, Md.*

57 kg: Jajaira Gonzalez, Glendora, Calif.

57 kg: Alyssa Mendoza, Caldwell, Idaho

60 kg: Rashida Ellis, Lynn, Mass.*

63.5 kg: Emilio Garcia, Laredo, Texas*

66 kg: Morelle McCane, Cleveland, Ohio*

71 kg: Omari Jones, Orlando, Fla.*

75 kg: Naomi Graham, Fayetteville, N.C. *

80 kg: Rahim Gonzales, Las Vegas, Nev. *

92 kg: Jamar Talley, Camden, N.J. *

92+ kg: Joshua Edwards, Houston, Texas *

*2023 USA Boxing High Performance Team Member