SPOKANE, WA — The Mantanona name has long been synonymous with wrestling excellence, but this weekend at the 2026 USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals, Mila Mantanona (Mantanona TC) added a definitive new chapter to the family legacy. Competing in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Mantanona put on a clinical display of technical prowess and raw aggression to capture the 15U Division title at 62KG.

With this victory, Mantanona doesn’t just bring home a stop sign; she secures her spot as the premier American representative for Team USA at the 2026 Pan American Championships in Mexico City this July.

The Path of Destruction

Navigating a deep 32-person bracket is rarely a simple task, yet Mantanona made it look like a formality. She finished the weekend with a flawless 4-0 record, but it was the manner in which she dismantled the field that left the Spokane audience in awe.

Mantanona secured bonus points in three of her four contests, showcasing a transition game that remains years ahead of her age group. The exclamation point came in the championship final against Catherine Diehl (Gomez RTC). In a match many expected to be a tactical grind, Mantanona needed only 50 seconds to find the opening, secure the fall, and end the tournament on her own terms.

California’s Continental Wave

While Mantanona took center stage, the strength of California’s freestyle development was felt throughout the lower weight classes. Two other Golden State natives battled their way through the gauntlet to reach the national finals, further cementing the West Coast’s reputation as a powerhouse for women’s wrestling.

39KG: Valerie Cerna (Southwest Stallions Wrestling Club) showcased incredible resolve, navigating a bracket of the nation’s quickest lightweights to earn her spot on the finals platform.

54KG: Rio Rening (Visalia) continued her impressive 2026 campaign, proving that the Central Section’s tradition of producing “hammers” is alive and well in the women’s division.

The Road to Mexico City

The focus for Mantanona now shifts from the domestic stage to the international arena. Representing the United States in Mexico City will provide the ultimate litmus test for the young phenom. If her performance in Spokane was any indication, the international 62KG field will have its hands full with a wrestler who is currently peaking at the precisely right moment.

For the Mantanona TC and the California wrestling community, this isn’t just a win—it’s a declaration that the next generation of American freestyle stars has arrived.

Photo Credit: Dee Torres, USA WRESTLING