The Melissa High School Girls Wrestling Team was named the 2026 Team State Dual Champions at the Texas High School Wrestling Coaches Association (THSWCA) State Duals Tournament this past weekend after many hard-fought wins, which led them to the finals, where they took the title.
The invitation-only tournament brought together the top 16 Class 5A girls wrestling programs from across Texas, making for a highly competitive field. Melissa put together a strong performance throughout the weekend, advancing through each round with disciplined team wrestling and depth across weight classes.
In the semifinals, the Lady Cardinals knocked off last year’s state champion before facing the top-ranked team in the state, Azle, in the finals. Melissa secured a solid win over Azle to be crowned State Dual Champions.
“Winning State Duals was absolutely electrifying and the highlight of my senior season so far,” Senior Tessa Tighe said. “Watching our team come together and fight back from a 30–16 deficit in the finals showed the heart, grit, and belief we had in one another. After finishing 5th at the tournament last year, we came into this season hungry for gold and determined to prove ourselves. Facing the #1 team in the state took relentless effort from every single girl, and we could not have done it without the incredible coaching and preparation from Coach Stone and Coach Gagarin. In the end, it all came down to the final match, where Payten Gutierrez secured the win and sealed our State Duals title. Our job is not finished yet. Next up, UIL State Championships!”
Girls Wrestling Head Coach Rick Gagarin shared his pride in the team’s performance, saying, “The wrestlers competed so well. They came in with a plan and executed the plan. I'm very proud of their accomplishments.”
The Lady Cardinals will compete next at the UIL Wrestling District Meet on Wednesday, January 28, at Walnut Grove High School, as they begin their journey toward the UIL State Wrestling Tournament.