MANHEIM, PA - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), in partnership with the organizers of the Ironman, Beast of the East and Powerade tournaments, is proud to announce the expansion of the High School Triple Crown Awards for 2026.
Following the successful introduction of the Girls Triple Crown Award last year, the girls' competition will return for its second year. The NWCA and its tournament partners will also introduce the inaugural Boys Triple Crown Award, extending this prestigious recognition to outstanding high school boys for the first time.
To earn a Triple Crown Award, a wrestler must capture an individual championship at all three participating tournaments during the same season. Wrestlers do not need to compete at the same weight class at each event.
"The success of the inaugural Girls Triple Crown demonstrated just how meaningful this type of recognition can be for our sport and its student-athletes," said
Mike Moyer, Executive Director of the NWCA. "Expanding the program to include an inaugural Boys Triple Crown allows us to celebrate an extraordinary level of achievement across high school wrestling. Winning any one of these prestigious tournaments is a tremendous accomplishment. Winning all three in the same season represents excellence, consistency and resilience at the highest level."
2026 Girls Triple Crown Award
The second annual Girls' Triple Crown will recognize wrestlers who win individual championships at each of the following events:
- Women of Ironman | December 12–13, 2026
- 5th Annual Girls' Beast of the East | December 17–18, 2026
- Girls Powerade | December 27-28, 2026
The Girls Triple Crown returns following a historic inaugural year in which Marlee Solomon of Canon-McMillan, Taina Fernandez of Archbishop Spalding and Violette Lasure of Chestnut Ridge swept the Women of Ironman, Girls' Beast of the East and Girls Powerade tournaments to become the
first Girls' Triple Crown Award recipients.
Inaugural 2026 Boys Triple Crown Award
The inaugural Boys' Triple Crown will recognize wrestlers who win individual championships at each of the following events:
- Ironman | December 11-12, 2026
- 34th Annual Beast of the East | December 19-20, 2026
- Boys Powerade | December 29-30, 2026
The High School Triple Crown Awards unite three of the nation's premier in-season wrestling tournaments and establish a demanding standard of sustained excellence. Wrestlers must navigate elite competition across three December events to complete the sweep and secure their place in Triple Crown history.
Awards
Each Triple Crown winner will receive a championship belt from Pittsburgh Trophy, the official awards provider of the NWCA. Belts will be presented following the final tournament in each respective Triple Crown series.
Organizing Committee
- Pete Zaccari, Ironman Tournaments Chairman
- Jenn Bernard, Ironman Tournaments Team Liaison
- Vic Leonard, Delaware Wrestling Alliance
- Jeff Stevenson, Delaware Wrestling Alliance
- Frank Vulcano, Powerade Tournament Director, Canon-McMillan School District
- Mike Moyer, National Wrestling Coaches Association Executive Director
For additional information and future updates, visit
www.nwcaonline.com.
About Ironman Tournaments
Held at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, the Bill Barger Ironman Tournament enters its 32nd year as one of the nation's premier high school wrestling events. Year after year, Ironman brings together many of the country's most accomplished wrestlers for intense, elite in-season competition, creating a national stage where the sport's top athletes test themselves against the best. The Women of Ironman, in its 4th year, expands that legacy by providing the nation's top female wrestlers with the same opportunity to compete on one of wrestling's most prestigious stages.
About Beast of the East
Founded in 1993, the Beast of the East is a premier national high school wrestling tournament featuring outstanding competitors from across the country. Operated by the Delaware Wrestling Alliance, the event is held at the University of Delaware's Bob Carpenter Center. The Girls' Beast of the East extends that tradition by showcasing elite girls' wrestling in one of the nation's largest and most competitive scholastic tournaments.
About Powerade Wrestling
Held at Canon-McMillan High School in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, the Powerade Wrestling Tournament attracts accomplished teams and wrestlers from throughout the country. The event features boys' and girls' competition and serves as the final stage of both High School Triple Crown series.
About the Delaware Wrestling Alliance
The Delaware Wrestling Alliance promotes and supports the growth of wrestling through events, partnerships and opportunities for student-athletes. The organization operates the Beast of the East and Girls' Beast of the East tournaments, bringing premier high school wrestling competition to Delaware.
About Pittsburgh Trophy
Pittsburgh Trophy is the official awards provider of the NWCA and supplies the championship belts presented to each High School Triple Crown winner.
About the National Wrestling Coaches Association
The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing all levels of wrestling, with a primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in educational environments. The NWCA's three core competencies are coaching development, student-athlete welfare and the promotion of wrestling.
