MANHEIM, Pa. — The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) is proud to announce the winners of this year's USMC "Battles Won" Girls State Head Coach of the Year.
Each of these head coaches is now a finalist for their Section Head Coach of the Year award and will be voted on by the state representatives from their section. The section winners will then advance as finalists for the national award, selected by the eight section leaders.
"Congratulations to each of these coaches representing their state," said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. "These coaches have gone above and beyond to provide opportunities for their athletes and have served as great role models for the next generation of wrestlers."
This award follows yesterday's announcement of the USMC "Battles Won" Girls State Assistant Coaching Staffs of the Year.
The state-level winners for the remaining award categories will be announced over the next two days, with section winners following next week:
- April 29 – Boys Assistant Coaching Staff Winners
- April 30 – Boys Head Coach Winners
2026 USMC "Battles Won" Girls State Head Coaches of the Year:
| State |
Section |
Coach |
School |
| State |
Section |
Coach |
School |
| Alabama |
Section 3 |
Matt Gilson |
Daphne High School |
| Arizona |
Section 7 |
Jake Allen |
Crismon High School |
| Arkansas |
Section 6 |
Willie Wright |
Rogers High School |
| California |
Section 7 |
David Ochoa |
Northview High School |
| Colorado |
Section 6 |
Chris Gutierrez |
Pueblo Central High School |
| Connecticut |
Section 1 |
Ryan Roddy |
Choate Rosemary Hall |
| Florida |
Section 3 |
Jamie Harrison |
Middleburg High School |
| Georgia |
Section 3 |
Abe Fernandez |
Camden County High School |
| Hawaii |
Section 7 |
Tanalei Louis |
Kealakehe High School |
| Idaho |
Section 8 |
Fred Bartlett |
Buhl High School |
| Illinois |
Section 4 |
Elizabeth Short |
Victor J. Andrew High School |
| Indiana |
Section 4 |
Tomas Westberg |
Hobart High School |
| Iowa |
Section 4 |
Dustin Roland |
Ankeny High School |
| Kansas |
Section 5 |
Paul Lappin |
Garden City High School |
| Kentucky |
Section 2 |
Seth Lucas |
Boyle County High School |
| Louisiana |
Section 3 |
William Bofinger |
Baton Rouge Magnet |
| Maine |
Section 1 |
Michael Hansen |
Mt. Blue High School |
| Maryland |
Section 2 |
Adam McDaniel |
Crofton High School |
| Michigan |
Section 4 |
Stephan Manuel |
Romeo High School |
| Minnesota |
Section 5 |
Dan Wagner |
New Prague High School |
| Mississippi |
Section 3 |
Aubree Walker |
Ocean Springs High School |
| Missouri |
Section 5 |
Dustin Martin |
Nixa High School |
| Montana |
Section 8 |
Charlie Klepps |
Billngs Senior High School |
| Nebraska |
Section 5 |
Teran Boyer |
Adams Central High School |
| Nevada |
Section 7 |
Samantha Samsoe |
Carson High School |
| New Jersey |
Section 1 |
Joe Lemke |
Jackson High School |
| New Mexico |
Section 6 |
Macario Borrego |
V. Sue Cleveland High School |
| New York |
Section 1 |
Dan Palmerino |
Shenendehowa Central School |
| North Carolina |
Section 3 |
John Williams |
North Henderson High School |
| North Dakota |
Section 5 |
Jacob Revier |
Lisbon High School |
| Ohio |
Section 2 |
Steve Ramos |
Massillon Perry High School |
| Oklahoma |
Section 6 |
Tori Adams-Liles |
Broken Arow High School |
| Oregon |
Section 8 |
Dan Nibblett |
Oakridge High School |
| Pennsylvania |
Section 2 |
Jim Collins |
Central Dauphin High School |
| South Carolina |
Section 3 |
Brandon Dasen |
Chesnee High School |
| South Dakota |
Section 5 |
Joel Martin |
Spearfish High School |
| Tennessee |
Section 3 |
Doug Badon |
Clarksville High School |
| Texas |
Section 6 |
Troy Douglas |
El Paso EastWood High School |
| Virginia |
Section 2 |
Jeff Lewis |
Oakton High School |
| Washington |
Section 8 |
Heather Carver |
Washougal High School |
| West Virginia |
Section 2 |
Codie Gustines |
Washington High School |
| Wyoming |
Section 8 |
Marcie Lane |
Sheridan High School |
