MANHEIM, PA - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) and the United States Marine Corps are proud to announce the eight Section winners of the 2026 NWCA/USMC "Battles Won" Girls Assistant Coaching Staff of the Year Award. The award honors the assistants who do the daily work behind championship-level girls wrestling programs across the country. Each of these winners are now finalists for the National Award to be announced in the coming weeks.

"Congratulations to our eight Section winners. These coaching staffs represent the very best of our profession. They are leaders who pour themselves into their student-athletes, their schools, and their communities every day. We are proud to recognize them, and grateful to the U.S. Marine Corps for their continued partnership."
Mike Moyer, Executive Director, National Wrestling Coaches Association

2026 SECTION WINNERS

Section 1, Connecticut: Choate Rosemary Hall
Assistant Staff: Katie Moore
The Choate Rosemary Hall (Connecticut) staff is recognized for helping the program complete a 3-0 dual season, a 2nd Place finish at Prep Nationals while producing 10 qualifiers, 10 place winners, and four champions, an extraordinary depth showing for an independent school program. Moore has been instrumental in helping develop Choate's culture and competitive development.

Section 2, Ohio: Harrison High School
Assistant Staff: Rob Dearwester, Thomas Couch, Chad Dennis, Eric Meyer, Cameron Baird, Molly Hudler, Emilie Cameron
The Harrison High School (Ohio) staff helped lead the Lady Wildcats to a 14-4 dual mark, the OHSAA State Runner-Up team trophy, and titles at the Heart of Ohio, Shelly Ruberg Classic, OHSWCA Regional Duals, and OHSAA Sectional and District tournaments.

Section 3, Alabama: Weaver High School
Assistant Staff: Jeremy Waters, Justin Hise
The Weaver High School (Alabama) staff helped captured Weaver's second consecutive AHSAA Girls State Championship, with both championships coming in the only two years Alabama has sanctioned girls wrestling. The Bearcats also went undefeated in duals, won the Calhoun County title, and were team champions at every tournament they entered, producing 10 state qualifiers, eight place winners, and a state champion.

Section 4, Indiana: Harrison (WL) High School
Assistant Staff: John Campagna, Kevin Elliott
The Harrison (West Lafayette) High School (Indiana) staff helped guide the program's first-ever girls state champion in school history. With more than a decade of involvement in Indiana girls wrestling, Campagna and Elliott have consistently gone above and beyond to support the team's growth, advance the sport at the school level, and develop the foundation for what is becoming a championship-caliber program.

Section 5, Kansas: Garden City High School
Assistant Staff: Anthony Calderon, Kevin Perez, Joe Bach, Tylee Biera, Eli Copeland, Anjelina Serrano, Jacob Waller
The Garden City High School (Kansas) staff helped Garden City sweep regional and state titles, place five wrestlers in the state finals, and produce 11 state qualifiers, 10 place winners, and two state champions. The Buffaloes' JV also captured several varsity tournament titles throughout the season.

Section 6, New Mexico: V. Sue Cleveland High School
Assistant Staff: Clayton Pankey, Christopher Quintana, Kayla Gomez, John Booker, Dylan Greenhaus, Michael Feltman, Angel Castillo Jr.
The V. Sue Cleveland High School (New Mexico) staff helped capture a regional title, the New Mexico girls state championship, and produced nine state qualifiers, five place winners, and four individual state champions, extending V. Sue Cleveland's run as one of the most successful girls wrestling programs in the Mountain West.

Section 7, California: Northview High School
Assistant Staff: Roy Lazaro, Mike Duran, Steven De La Fuente, Daisy Garcia, Marcus Tolentino
The Northview High School (California) staff guided the team to a perfect 10–0 dual-meet record and a third-place finish at the state tournament. Their leadership also produced seven state qualifiers and five medalists.

Section 8, Wyoming: Star Valley High School
Assistant Staff: Star Valley Coaching Staff
The Star Valley High School (Wyoming) coaching staff has now help claim the Wyoming Girls State Championship four consecutive years, every season the state has sponsored girls wrestling. The Lady Braves' 2025-26 squad produced 14 state qualifiers, seven place winners, and two individual state champions, demonstrating the program's top-to-bottom strength and the staff's leadership in establishing the new standard for girls wrestling in the state of Wyoming.

Section	State	School
Section	State	School
Section 1	Connecticut	Choate Rosemary Hall
Section 2	Ohio	Harrison High School
Section 3	Alabama	Weaver High School
Section 4	Indiana	Harrison (WL) High School
Section 5	Kansas	Garden City High School
Section 6	New Mexico	V. Sue Cleveland High School
Section 7	California	Northview High School
Section 8	Wyoming	Star Valley High School