When the final High School On SI National Girls Wrestling Rankings were released by wrestling analyst Billy Buckheit, one message became unmistakably clear: California remains the epicenter of girls high school wrestling in America. With an astounding 77 wrestlers earning national recognition across every weight class, the Golden State once again demonstrated the depth, quality, and sustained growth of its girls wrestling pipeline. From nationally ranked contenders fighting for the No. 1 position in their weight class to Honorable Mention selections representing the next generation of emerging talent, California’s footprint stretches from the coast to the Central Valley and across every corner of the state.

The significance of California’s performance goes beyond the sheer number of ranked athletes. These 77 wrestlers represent the culmination of years of investment, commitment, and cultural change within the state’s wrestling community. Girls wrestling in California has transitioned from a developing opportunity into one of the deepest and most competitive high school wrestling landscapes in the country. The national rankings reflect not only elite individual talent but also the strength of the state’s overall system—where young athletes are entering the sport earlier, competing at higher levels, and creating a pathway that continues to produce nationally recognized wrestlers year after year.

At the top of the rankings, California once again proved it can produce championship-caliber talent across every division. At 95 pounds, Olivia Maya Felix of Liberty-Brentwood emerged as one of the nation’s premier wrestlers, earning the No. 6 ranking nationally, while Emma Martinez (Madera South) and Kaila Robles-Rials (Presentation) joined her among the country’s elite. The 100-pound division showcased additional depth with Sophia Lazaro (Northview), Alexandria Marin (Buchanan), and Daniella Vazquez (Garces) all earning national recognition. These early weight classes highlight a consistent theme throughout the rankings: California is not simply producing a handful of standout wrestlers—it is producing entire waves of elite competitors.

The middle weights further emphasized California’s national dominance. The 105-pound division featured an incredible group of seven nationally ranked wrestlers, including Buchanan standout Marcia Nunez (#6), Angelica Serratos (Santa Ana, #11), and Olivia Munson (Chaminade, #12). At 110 pounds, Christina Estrada of Buchanan (#4) and Ava Fodera of Poway (#12) continued California’s tradition of excellence. The 115-pound division was equally impressive, led by Trinity Garza of Buchanan (#4), while Paris Soria (Los Altos) and Mariana Gonzalez (Buchanan) added even more national-level depth.

Perhaps one of the strongest indicators of California’s overall strength is the concentration of talent in the championship-caliber middle and upper weight classes. At 120 pounds, California placed three wrestlers inside the national Top 6, including Epenesa Elison of Los Altos (#3), Stevie Joyce Martin of Granada (#4), and Aubree Gutierrez of Marina (#6). The 125-pound division featured another impressive trio with Me’Kala James (Central, #7), Angelina Borelli (Los Banos, #8), and Aleia Apostol (Poway, #11). This level of depth demonstrates that California’s success is not limited to one geographic region or one style of wrestling—it is statewide.

The latter half of the rankings continued to showcase California’s remarkable reach. At 140 pounds, Shayna Ward of Oakland Tech earned the No. 4 national ranking, while the 155-pound division featured a powerhouse group led by Symone Jewell of Northgate (#4), Natalie Blanco of Chino (#8), Mary Snider of Rancho Bernardo (#9), and Olivia Davis of Esperanza (#10). At 170 pounds, Leilani Lemus of Clovis (#2) stood among the nation’s best, reinforcing the reputation of California’s Central Section as one of the strongest wrestling regions in the country.

The upper weight divisions provided another glimpse into California’s remarkable depth. At 207 pounds, Isabella Lorenzana of Marina earned a Top-5 national ranking (#5), while the 235-pound division featured four California wrestlers ranked inside the national Top 23, including Gia Coons of Orange Vista (#3) and Tay Maumausolo Matagi of Nipomo (#4). The presence of nationally ranked wrestlers from 95 pounds through 235 pounds illustrates a complete developmental structure capable of producing elite athletes across the entire spectrum of women’s wrestling.

One of the most remarkable aspects of California’s national ranking success is the widespread representation across the state’s CIF sections. Wrestlers came from nearly every corner of California, including the Central Section, Southern Section, Central Coast Section, San Joaquin Section, North Coast Section, San Diego Section, Oakland Section, and Northern Section. While traditional powers such as Buchanan, Clovis, Poway, Gilroy, Los Altos, Marina, and Central continue to lead the way, the rankings also highlight the rapid growth of programs that have developed nationally competitive wrestlers in a relatively short period of time.

The Buchanan High School wrestling program once again stood among the nation’s elite, producing multiple nationally ranked girls wrestlers, including Alexandria Marin, Marcia Nunez, Christina Estrada, Trinity Garza, Mariana Gonzalez, and Olivia Faust. Their success reflects the broader strength of a program that has established a culture of excellence across both boys and girls wrestling. Likewise, schools such as Poway, Gilroy, Clovis, Marina, Los Altos, Central, and Rancho Bernardo continue to demonstrate that championship-level girls wrestling has become firmly established throughout California.

Ultimately, California’s 77 nationally ranked wrestlers represent much more than a statistical achievement. They represent the evolution of girls wrestling from a participation opportunity into a premier competitive sport. The depth displayed in Billy Buckheit’s final national rankings confirms that California has built one of the strongest girls wrestling ecosystems in the country—one capable of producing national champions, collegiate-level athletes, and future leaders of the sport.

As girls wrestling continues its unprecedented growth nationwide, one state remains the benchmark others are attempting to reach. California is not simply participating in the growth of girls wrestling—it is helping define the future of the sport.

Section-by-Section Breakdown

CIF Southern Section (S) — 28 Wrestlers

The Southern Section continues to be the largest contributor of nationally ranked girls wrestlers in California, accounting for more than one-third of the state’s total. The section’s depth stretches across multiple weight classes, highlighted by wrestlers such as Sophia Lazaro (Northview), Angelica Serratos (Santa Ana), Olivia Munson (Chaminade), Aubree Gutierrez (Marina), Mila Mantanona (Palm Desert), Natalie Blanco (Chino), Isabella Lorenzana (Marina), and Gia Coons (Orange Vista).

The sheer number of ranked athletes reflects the enormous participation base and competitive growth of girls wrestling throughout Southern California.

CIF Central Section (CS) — 15 Wrestlers

The Central Section continues to establish itself as one of the nation’s premier girls wrestling hotbeds. Producing nearly 20% of California’s nationally ranked wrestlers, CS is led by powerhouse programs such as Buchanan, Clovis, Central, and Lemoore.

Nationally ranked wrestlers include:

• Marcia Nunez (Buchanan) #6
• Christina Estrada (Buchanan) #4
• Trinity Garza (Buchanan) #4
• Me’Kala James (Central) #7
• Leilani Lemus (Clovis) #2
• Rianna Bernal (Lemoore)

The section’s success mirrors its long-standing reputation as one of California’s strongest wrestling regions.

CIF Central Coast Section (CC) — 10 Wrestlers

The Central Coast Section produced 10 nationally ranked wrestlers, led by elite programs including Gilroy, Los Altos, Fremont, and Menlo-Atherton.

Top-ranked athletes include:

• Epenesa Elison (Los Altos) #3
• Kaila Robles-Rials (Presentation) #17
• Kiana Lien (Mountain View) #16
• Eva Bhattacharya (Menlo-Atherton) #24
• Jaelle Cortez (Gilroy) #25

CC remains one of the most historically significant wrestling sections in California.

CIF San Diego Section (SD) — 9 Wrestlers

San Diego’s nationally ranked presence is highlighted by the strength of Poway High School, which produced multiple ranked wrestlers.

Key athletes:

• Ava Fodera (Poway) #12
• Aleia Apostol (Poway) #11
• Ava Ebrahimi (Poway) #24
• Chloe Pearce (Rancho Bernardo) #23
• Mary Snider (Rancho Bernardo) #9

The section continues to demonstrate strong development of girls wrestling talent.

CIF Sac-Joaquin Section (SJ) — 8 Wrestlers

The Sac-Joaquin Section contributed eight nationally ranked wrestlers, led by programs such as Pitman, Central Catholic, and Los Banos.

Notable athletes:

• Angelina Borelli (Los Banos) #8
• Yzabella Austin (Pitman) #18
• Dulcy Martinez (Central Catholic) #19

The section’s growing girls wrestling presence continues to expand across Northern California.

CIF North Coast Section (NC) — 5 Wrestlers

North Coast produced five nationally ranked wrestlers, led by:

• Olivia Maya Felix (Liberty-Brentwood) #6
• Stevie Joyce Martin (Granada) #4
• Symone Jewell (Northgate) #4

Despite having fewer total wrestlers than larger sections, NC produced several elite national-level competitors.

CIF Northern Section (N) — 1 Wrestler

• Addison Bernstein (Orland)

Northern Section’s single nationally ranked wrestler represents the continued expansion of girls wrestling beyond California’s traditional population centers.

CIF Oakland City Section (O) — 1 Wrestler

• Shayna Ward (Oakland Tech) #4

Ward’s national ranking highlights the emergence of girls wrestling programs in urban areas outside the traditional wrestling strongholds.

Overall Significance

California’s 77 nationally ranked girls wrestlers are spread across virtually every region of the state, illustrating the depth and maturity of the girls wrestling movement. The data shows that California’s strength is not concentrated in one geographic area; rather, it is built through a statewide network of elite programs.

The Southern Section, Central Section, and Central Coast Section alone account for 53 of the 77 ranked wrestlers (68.8%), demonstrating that the traditional wrestling corridors of California continue to produce a remarkable pipeline of female wrestling talent.

With nationally recognized programs such as Buchanan, Poway, Gilroy, Los Altos, Clovis, and numerous Southern Section schools, California remains one of the deepest and most influential states in the growth of girls wrestling nationally.

FINAL HIGH SCHOOL ON SI NATIONAL GIRL’S RANKINGS – JULY 30, 2029 [BY BILLY BUCKHEIT]

CALIFORNIA

95 – Olivia Maya Felix [Liberty-Brentwood, NC] #6

95 – Emma Martinez [Madera South, CS] #16

95 – Kaila Robles-Rials [Presentation, CC] #17

100 – Sophia Lazaro [Northview, S] #15

100 – Alexandria Marin [Buchanan, CS] #24

100 – Daniella Vazquez [Garces, CS] #25

105 – Marcia Nunez [Buchanan, CS] #6

105 – Angelica Serratos [Santa Ana, S] #11

105 – Olivia Munson [Chaminade, S] #12

105 – Kiana Lien [Mountain View, CC] #16

105 – Eva Bhattacharya [Menlo-Atherton, CC] #24

105 – Jaelle Cortez [Gilroy, CC] #25

105 – Giselle Solano [Elk Grove, SJ] #29

110 – Christina Estrada [Buchanan, CS] #4

110 – Ava Fodera [Poway, SD] #12

110 – Aya Yoshitake [San Marino, S] #27 

110 – Serineh Crane [Hoover, S] HM

110 – Kayleigh Fernandez [Golden West, CS] HM

110 – Bailey Hoard [Monache, CS] HM

115 – Trinity Garza [Buchanan, CS] #4 

115 – Paris Soria [Los Altos, CC] #21 

115 – Mariana Gonzalez [Buchanan, CS] #22

115 – Lillian Fonceca [Fremont, CC] #26

115 – Isabella Fodera [Poway, SD] #27 

115 – Sophia Marie Gonzales [Clovis East, CS] HM

115 – Leila Witzerman [Peninsula, S] HM 

120 – Epenesa Elison [Los Altos, CC] #3

120 – Stevie Joyce Martin [Granada, NC] #4

120 – Aubree Gutierrez [Marina, S] #6

120 – Alexa Smith [Orange Lutheran, S] #24

120 – Alexia Hernandez [Rio Mesa, S] HM

125 – Me’Kala James [Central, CS] #7

125 – Angelina Borelli [Los Banos, SJ] #8

125 – Aleia Apostol [Poway, SD] #11

125 – Ava Ebrahimi [Poway, SD] #24 

125 – Addison Bernstein [Orland, N] HM

130 – Rianna Bernal [Lemoore, CS] #21

130 – Madison Black [Newbury Park, S] #22

130 – Chloe Pearce [Rancho Bernardo, SD] #23

130 – Kaiya Maggini [Del Oro, SJ] #24

130 – Sophia Fodera [Poway, SD] HM

130 – Camille Torres [Brawley, SD] HM

130 – Tamara Grace [Gilroy, CC] HM

130 – Jocelynn Mendoza [Gilroy, CC] HM

135 – Mila Mantanona [Palm Desert, S] #13

135 – Eva Garcia [Marina, S] #16

135 – Zahara Stewart [Orange Vista, S] #23

135 – Alanna Harwell [St. Mary’s, SJ] #24

135 – Lilyana Balderas [Anaheim, S] #25

135 – Lauren Zaragoza [Brawley, SD] #27

140 – Shayna Ward [Oakland Tech, O] #4

140 – Yzabella Austin [Pitman, SJ] #18

140 – Dulcy Martinez [Central Catholic, SJ] #19

140 – Itzel Padilla [Excelsior Charter, S] HM

145 – Natalin Hout [Cesar Chavez, SJ] #14

145 – Julie Cimarusti [West Covina, S] HM

155 – Symone Jewell [Northgate, NC] #4

155 – Natalie Blanco [Chino, S] #8

155 – Mary Snider [Rancho Bernardo, SD] #9

155 – Olivia Davis [Esperanza, S] #10

155 – Olivia Faust [Buchanan, CS] #22

155 – Jestinah Solomua [Corona, S] #23

155 – Ivana Cuellar [Downey, S] HM

170 – Leilani Lemus [Clovis, CS] #2

170 – Areli Rodriguez [Alisal, CC] #23

170 – Adeline Reece [Central Catholic, SJ] HM 

170 – Rosalynn Diaz [Liberty-Brentwood, NC) HM

170 – Emily Carvalho [Redwood, NC] HM

190 – Tasi Maumausolo Matagi [Nipomo, S] #26

190 – Estefany Caballero [Orange, S] HM

207 – Isabella Lorenzana [Marina, S] #5

235 – Gia Coons [Orange Vista, S] #3

235 – Tay Maumausolo Matagi [Nipomo, S] #4

235 – Olivia Ruacho [Central, CS] #20

235 – Katherine Luna [Downey, S] #21

235 – Ashley Wafer [Lakewood, S] #22

235 – Adelena Martinez [Hemet, S] #23

Photo images courtesy of John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com

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