The Concord High School girls wrestling team has officially etched its name into the record books, delivering a historic season defined by grit, determination, and breakthrough achievement.
In a year that will be remembered for generations, the team finished undefeated in dual meets and captured the inaugural NCS Dual Team Championships title, becoming the first girls wrestling team in California to do so. For head coach Sean King, the accomplishment reflects far more than wins and losses.
“We are the inaugural champions of this NCS title,” King said. “This milestone represents years of dedication by these student-athletes and highlights Concord’s leadership in supporting girls athletics and opportunity in youth sports.”
The achievement carries statewide significance, marking a defining moment in the continued rise of girls wrestling across California. Alongside King, coach Johnny O’Shea has helped guide the program through its rapid growth and success.
The team’s dominance extended beyond dual meets. Concord also claimed the inaugural NCS Division II East Bay Divisional championship and placed second overall at the highly competitive Masters Tournament. From there, four wrestlers advanced to the CIF State Wrestling Championships, the largest representation from the North Coast Section.
Senior leaders Ayaka Naddy, Elysia Youngblood, Liezel Talosig, and Emy Calvillo anchored the team throughout the season.
Naddy, a four-time CIF qualifier and team captain, finished among the top 16 in the state. Youngblood, also a captain, earned a top-12 finish, while Talosig and Keirabella added state qualification to their resumes. Though the four competitors narrowly missed podium finishes, their presence at state competition underscored the program’s rapid rise.
Additional standout performances included Keirabella Brown’s second-place finish at the NCS Championships, while Naddy, Talosig, and Youngblood each secured third-place medals, further cementing Concord’s depth and competitiveness.
The team’s undefeated season also earned them a top-28 statewide ranking, making them the first girls wrestling team from the NCS to ever be ranked in dual meet competition.
Off the mat, the recognition continued. The season concluded with a celebratory banquet at Skipolini’s in Clayton, where both the boys and girls programs gathered. The girls team received a surprise visit from Concord Mayor Laura Nakamura, who presented each girl athlete with individual certificates honoring their accomplishments.
In recognition of their historic season, and fittingly during Women’s History Month, the team was also honored at a March 24 Concord City Council meeting, where a formal proclamation celebrated their groundbreaking and historical achievement.
Now in his fifth year at Concord High, Coach King has witnessed firsthand the evolution of girls wrestling. What began with no female wrestlers in the program has grown into a 15-athlete roster.
“Five years ago, we didn’t have a single girl in the program,” King said. “Now we’re making history.”
He credits increased visibility, expanding collegiate opportunities, and a shifting perception of the sport. With more colleges offering scholarships and families recognizing wrestling as a form of self-defense and empowerment, participation continues to rise.
For Concord High, this season was more than a championship run, it was the foundation of a legacy.