The record · California
California women's wrestlers, written down
14 wrestlers from California, with every placement traced to a source. Home state as her profile records it, so a wrestler who left for college is still listed here.
By Joe Spisak, Pennsylvania state champion and 4x NCAA qualifier at Virginia · Published September 3, 2026
The record
Adaugo NwachukwuSan Jose, CA · William Penn University3x NAIA champion at two schools; 2x Senior World Team member at 62 kg; 2026 U.S. Open, Pan American and Final X champion
Afsoon JohnstonSan Jose, CA · University of California, DavisFirst American woman to win a World wrestling medal (bronze, 47 kg, 1989); World silver in 1990; 3x U.S. Open champion
Alex HedrickFair Oaks, CA · Simon Fraser University2x NCWWC national champion at Simon Fraser (2020, 2022); 2022 U23 World bronze medalist; 2018 U.S. Open champion
Amit ElorWalnut Creek, CA · Diablo Valley College2024 Olympic champion at 68 kg, youngest U.S. wrestler to win Olympic gold; 2x senior world champion at 72 kg
Cristelle RodriguezFresno, CA · Doane UniversityU20 World champion at 55 kg in 2024; 3x NAIA national champion at Doane; 2026 U.S. World Team at 53 kg
Dominique ParrishScotts Valley, CA · Simon Fraser University2022 World champion at 53 kg in Belgrade; 2024 Olympian in Paris; 2x WCWA champion at Simon Fraser; 2x California state champion
Gracie FigueroaSelma, CA · Menlo College4x California state champion at Selma, 193-0; 2016 Cadet World bronze medalist at 56 kg; 2019 WCWA national champion as a Menlo freshman
Jacarra WinchesterOakland, CA · Missouri Valley College2019 World champion at 55 kg; Tokyo Olympian, fifth at 53 kg; 2023 World silver medalist; 2015 WCWA national champion- Katherine ShaiEl Granada, CA · Menlo College2x WCWA national champion for Menlo; 3rd at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Trials; 2020 Senior Nationals champion
Katie GomezVan Nuys, CA · University of the Cumberlands2021 U17 World champion at 53 kg; 2x U.S. Open champion; 2026 Pan American champion; NAIA national runner-up at 124 pounds
Mallory VelteSacramento, CA · Simon Fraser University2x World bronze medalist at 62 and 65 kg; 2x Pan American champion; 3x WCWA champion for Simon Fraser; 2x California girls' state champion- Marcie Van DusenLake Arrowhead, CA · University of Colorado Colorado Springs2008 Olympian at 55 kg; ended Saori Yoshida of Japan's 119-match winning streak at the 2008 World Cup; 2x U.S. national champion
Victoria AnthonyHuntington Beach, CA · Simon Fraser University2x Junior World champion (2009, 2010); first 4x WCWA national champion (Simon Fraser, 2010-14); 2x Senior World team member
Yelena MakoyedOrangevale, CA · North Central College2024 U23 World champion at 76 kg; 3x NCWWC national champion at North Central, a finalist in all five seasons
Wrestling in California
The California state championship
Dates, venue and qualifying for the girls' state series, read off the association's own page.
Wrestling clubs in California
Where to practice, with the girls'-only and girls'-practice programs flagged.
California colleges with women's wrestling
8 programs in the state, with the coach's published email.
Photo credits
Photographer and outlet for each photo above. The license each one is used under is printed on that wrestler's own page.
- Adaugo Nwachukwu: United World Wrestling
- Afsoon Johnston: ATSU News, A.T. Still University
- Alex Hedrick: Simon Fraser University Athletics
- Amit Elor: USA Wrestling
- Cristelle Rodriguez: Doane Athletics, via Nebraska Public Media
- Dominique Parrish: Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com
- Gracie Figueroa: Brian Byllesby, Oaksports, via The Hanford Sentinel
- Jacarra Winchester: Larry Slater
- Katie Gomez: United World Wrestling
- Mallory Velte: USA Wrestling
- Victoria Anthony: John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com
- Yelena Makoyed: Jim Thrall, MatFocus, via North Central College Athletics
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