As the curtain rises on the 2026–2027 high school girls wrestling season, the California mat landscape is primed for absolute fireworks. Powerhouses across every corner of the state are reloading, recalibrating, and gearing up for an electric sprint toward state glory.

Right out of the gate, Buchanan High stands tall as the undisputed titan with an avalanche of returning state firepower. Meanwhile, the powerhouse Southern Section (SS) continues to flex its unmatched depth, claiming a jaw-dropping six spots inside our top 10.

Methodology Note: The program rankings and team totals in this preview are calculated strictly based on returning points scored at last season’s grueling CIF state tournament. To maintain an objective, data-driven baseline, incoming freshmen and offseason transfers were left entirely out of these projections.

1. Buchanan High (CS) – Returning 125 State Points

Key Starters: Alexandria Marin (So.), Marcia Nunez (Jr.), Christina Estrada (Sr.), Trinity Garza (So.), Alina Dablan (Jr.), Emma Anderson (Sr.), Olivia Faust (Jr.), Victoria Ohanian (So.)

Team Outlook: Fresh off a sensational 2026 state championship run—climbing the mountain after finishing third in 2025—Buchanan returns a staggering 125 state points anchored by elite, championship-caliber pedigree. Phenom Alexandria Marin set the tone early by capturing an individual state crown as a freshman. She is flanked by the relentless Marcia Nunez, who marched all the way to the state finals after a fifth-place finish in 2025, and multi-time superstar Christina Estrada, who claimed her second CIF gold and is barreling toward rare four-time state medalist immortality. With Trinity Garza snatching third in her debut state voyage, alongside point-scorers Olivia Faust and Victoria Ohanian, the Bears are locked and loaded for a repeat assault.

2. Orange Vista High (SS) – Returning 91 State Points

Key Starters: Audriana Rodriguez (Sr.), Sophia Galindez (Jr.), Tiffany Bell (Jr.), Gia Coons (Jr.)

Team Outlook: Don’t let the compact roster fool you—Orange Vista brings back a hyper-efficient, upperclassman-led juggernaut that packs an atomic punch with 91 returning state points. Powered by a ferocious quartet of postseason warriors, the Coyotes are built for the podium. Audriana Rodriguez battled to a seventh-place state finish, while Sophia Galindez cracked the statewide elite with a fifth-place medal. Add Tiffany Bell’s tenacious seventh-place state run and Gia Coons’s dazzling march to a state championship, and you have a recipe for pure devastation on the mat.

3. Marina High (SS) – Returning 79.5 State Points

Key Starters: Abigail Marquez (Jr.), Nohea Booth (Jr.), Aubree Gutierrez (Jr.), Eva Garcia (Sr.)

Team Outlook: Marina rolls into the new campaign boasting 79.5 returning state points fueled by a terrifying junior core and battle-hardened veterans. Abigail Marquez proved her grit by charging into the brutal state blood round. Nohea Booth stamped her elite status by capturing an eighth-place state medal. But the crown jewel of the room is powerhouse Aubree Gutierrez, who secured her second state title and enters the year chasing history—having pinned an astounding nine out of her last ten state championship opponents. Eva Garcia caps off this dangerous lineup, bringing critical momentum after a sensational fourth-place state finish.

4. Northview High (SS) – Returning 78 State Points

Key Starters: Sophia Lazaro (So.), Eliana Garcia (Sr.), Marci Cueva (Sr.), Juliet Salazar (Sr.), Jules Sitani (Sr.)

Team Outlook: Northview returns 78 state points behind a gritty, hard-nosed squad famous for engineering miraculous point surges through the consolation carnage. Sophomore sensation Sophia Lazaro returns after dazzling the state with a sixth-place finish during her freshman campaign. Eliana Garcia brings absolute thunder to the middle weights after claiming a brilliant third-place state medal. Cueva and Salazar bring invaluable state combat experience, while Jules Sitani authored one of the most legendary runs of last postseason—bouncing back from an opening-round loss to rattle off seven consecutive wins to snatch third place in the state.

5. Poway High (SD) – Returning 57.5 State Points

Key Starters: Isabella Fodera (Jr.), Aleia Apostol (So.), Noemi Cordero (Jr.), Sophia Fodera (Sr.), Edna Rodriguez Villanueva (Jr.), Kaitlyn Krenz (Sr.), EmmyJane Bragg (Jr.)

Team Outlook: Representing the San Diego Section with 57.5 returning state points, Poway boasts a masterclass in balance, depth, and sheer athleticism. Isabella Fodera put on a clinic to place fifth at state, while underclassman sniper Aleia Apostol stormed into the state quarterfinals as a freshman. Add in veteran anchors like Noemi Cordero (a 2025 state placer returning to the fray), state quarterfinalist Sophia Fodera, and battle-tested stalwarts Kaitlyn Krenz and EmmyJane Bragg, and the Titans are fully equipped to wage war deep into February.

6. Corona High (SS) – Returning 41 State Points

Key Starters: Kiem-Ai Pham (Sr.), Jestinah Solomua (Sr.)

Team Outlook: Corona punches miles above its weight class, bringing back 41 pure state points anchored by two absolute lightning rods. Kiem-Ai Pham showed incredible heart last winter, shaking off a tough opening-round state stumble to rattle off three straight gritty wins in the consolation trenches. Meanwhile, Jestinah Solomua commands the room as a reigning state champion whose prior bronze and eighth-place finishes paved the way for absolute dominance—securing every single major championship victory via bonus points.

7. Santa Ana High (SS) – Returning 41 State Points

Key Starters: Angelica Serratos (Jr.), Eliana Salazar (So.), Marley Nelson (Sr.)

Team Outlook: Santa Ana matches up stride-for-stride with 41 returning state points, driven by a compact, high-ceiling trio that loves the big stage. Junior dynamo Angelica Serratos highlights the squad after capturing her second section crown and following it up with a breathtaking gold-medal performance at the state tournament. Eliana Salazar brings vital state-level experience back to the lineup, while senior Marley Nelson adds crucial leadership, having finished a agonizing single win shy of standing on the state podium last February.

8. Etiwanda High (SS) – Returning 36 State Points

Key Starters: Sussette Bell (Sr.), Lillian Zediker (Sr.), Sonia Ibarra (Sr.), Sofia Ibarra (Sr.)

Team Outlook: Etiwanda returns 36 state points anchored by an iron-willed, senior-heavy core across the upper and middle weights. Sussette Bell and Lillian Zediker both etched their names onto the state podium, securing stellar seventh and sixth place finishes respectively. The formidable Ibarra twins amplify the room’s relentless intensity; Sonia punched her ticket to the state show, while Sofia fought tooth and nail all the way into the grueling state blood round.

9. Gilroy High (CC) – Returning 35.5 State Points

Key Starters: Ann Porter (Jr.), Tatiana Colmenero (Sr.), Jocelynn Mendoza (Sr.), Sarai Cortez (Jr.), Chloe Nichols (Sr.)

Team Outlook: Flying the flag for the Central Coast Section with 35.5 returning state points, Gilroy boasts a fiercely disciplined, battle-tested roster. Ann Porter gained invaluable state reps, while Jocelynn Mendoza put together a dazzling postseason charge to place fifth overall in the state (improving magnificently on her seventh-place finish from 2025). Sarai Cortez added an eighth-place state medal to the trophy case, with Tatiana Colmenero and Chloe Nichols rounding out a formidable contingent of state qualifiers.

10. Central Catholic High (SJ) – Returning 34.5 State Points

Key Starters: Tabitha Montez (Jr.), Leona Martinez (So.), Dulcy Martinez (Sr.), Adeline Reece (Jr.)

Team Outlook: Securing the final spot in the top 10 with 34.5 returning state points out of the Sac-Joaquin Section, Central Catholic features a sharp, rising roster ready to shock the establishment. Tabitha Montez and Leona Martinez both put valuable points on the board with hard-earned state tournament victories. The undisputed spearhead of the squad is senior superstar Dulcy Martinez—a multi-time state placer (previously third and fourth) who elevated her legacy last winter by bulldozing her way to a brilliant second-place finish in the state finals. Adeline Reece adds critical firepower, having battled all the way to the state blood round.