The 2026 TSSAA Girls’ Wrestling State Championships begin Friday at the Williamson County Ag Center in Franklin, and the girls’ program is sending a strong group of six qualifiers into what promises to be one of the deepest and most competitive fields in recent memory. With brackets full of returning medalists, seasoned seniors, and elite contenders from across the state, each of the team’s wrestlers faces a challenging—but opportunity-rich—path.
Below is a full breakdown of each wrestler’s draw and what to watch for as the tournament begins.
100 Pounds — Joy Younan
After a runner-up finish at sectionals, Joy Younan enters the state tournament with momentum and experience. She opens against Stephanie Hampton of Hunters Lane. Should Joy win, she’ll face top-ranked Easton Dadiomoff. Dadiomoff transferred to Cleveland after winning last year’s state championship at Montgomery Central in Clarksville. She is a tough out.
Younan and Dadiomoff are the only returning medalists in this year’s 100-pound bracket, setting up what could be one of Friday’s marquee early-round matchups. A win would guarantee Younan a medal; a loss would send her into a challenging four-match climb through the consolation rounds.
120 Pounds — Peyton Holzei
At 120 pounds, Peyton Holzei enters the tournament after finishing fourth in her sectional. She draws a tough first-round opponent in senior Angel Robles from Clarksville High School, a sectional champion. Peyton can win this bout, but she is going to have to wrestle her best match.
If Holzei falls into the consolation bracket, she is likely to see Elizabeth Lane of Jefferson County , followed by potential matchups with Ellen Anderson of Bartlett or Kailee Miller of Cleveland as she fights through a challenging group of contenders. Holzei has shown grit all season, and that toughness will be crucial in this deep bracket.
126 Pounds — Marian Saleb
No bracket may have more experience this year than the 126-pound division, which features five returning state medalists. Marian Saleb begins her journey in the lower quadrant against senior Val Ortiz, another strong representative from Clarksville and a sectional runner-up.
A win would likely set up a match with Audreyona Perkins from Cleveland, while an early loss could send her into a consolation path featuring Delaney Smith of Maryville High School, and possibly La’ngiana Sheehee from Bradley Central High School. Saleb will need to navigate one of the tournament’s most experienced fields.
138 Pounds — Ali Bryant
A two-time returning state medalist, Ali Bryant enters the 138-pound bracket with a strong résumé—but also one of the toughest opening draws in the tournament. After finishing fourth at sectionals, her first match will see the No. 1 seed Mariana Bowen of West Creek, a three-time state champion. Bryant can conquer this opponent if she pushes the offense and dominates on top early in the match.
If Bryant drops into the consolation rounds, she faces a long road—needing five straight wins to climb to third place. Along that path she is likely to encounter tough opponents such as KaMila Tharpe of Kirkwood and Rodriguez from Collierville. Bryant has proven she thrives under pressure and will rely on that experience in this stacked bracket.
152 Pounds — Kinzley Johnson
Kinzley Johnson starts at the top of the 152-pound bracket, opening against Maria Parra from Bartlett High School. Parra earned a win over Johnson at the state duals, making this rematch an important hurdle right out of the gate.
A win would send Johnson to a meeting with top seed Sawyer Ward of Science Hill, one of the bracket’s most dominant competitors. Johnson will need her best wrestling early to reach the podium in one of the most competitive upper-weight divisions.
185 Pounds — Johnna Patterson
A two-time returning state medalist, Johnna Patterson enters the 185-pound bracket as the No. 2 seed and one of the favorites to reach the finals. She opens against Brianna Rutledge of Sullivan East A win would advance her to a key quarterfinal against Kaylee Durham, one of Clarksville High School’s strongest upper-weight wrestlers.
Patterson’s likely semifinal opponent would be Soniyah Taylor of David Crockett High School, another returning medalist. With her experience, strength, and mat awareness, Patterson is well-positioned for a deep tournament run.
Final Thoughts
With six qualifiers across six brackets—three of them returning state medalists—the team enters the state tournament with both experience and promise. Each wrestler faces a challenging road, but all have the opportunity to break through to the podium or even beyond.
See you Friday!
GO BLAZE!