When wrestlers from Oklahoma arrive at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, they carry a legacy of excellence that is known across the country. At the 37th Annual NHSCA High School Nationals—the premier individual folkstyle event in the United States—Oklahoma’s athletes once again proved why the state is considered the heart of American wrestling.
Facing a massive field of over 6,000 competitors from all 50 states, Oklahoma wrestlers navigated a grueling tournament structure modeled after the NCAA Championships. In Virginia Beach, your reputation is earned one whistle at a time, and the Oklahoma contingent spent the weekend cementing theirs on the national stage.
The Gold Standard and All-American Honors
Oklahoma’s performance was headlined by two incredible runs to the top of the podium. Van Smith (120) and Legend Ellis (152) both navigated massive brackets to be crowned National Champions. Their dominance in divisions that reached maximum capacity weeks before the event proves that Oklahoma’s top-tier talent is among the best in the nation.
Joining the champions on the All-American podium were several other standout performers, including Calan Manley and Dalton Perkins, who both secured 4th place finishes in highly competitive divisions. This collective effort anchored an Oklahoma squad that saw hardware earned across multiple age groups and weight classes.
Oklahoma 2026 NHSCA All-American Honor Roll
| Name | Weight | Place |
| Van Smith | 120 | National Champion |
| Legend Ellis | 152 | National Champion |
| Calan Manley | 138 | 4th Place |
| Dalton Perkins | 95 | 4th Place |
| Aiden Jalajel | 120 | 7th Place |
| James Anderson | 152 | 7th Place |
| Easton Pierce | 113 | 8th Place |
