07/02/2026
Rocky Mountain Nationals 2026: Elizabeth Coates Earns All-American Honors, Nomad Wrestlers Shine on the National Stage
Contributed by Nomad Wrestling Club
The road to becoming an All-American is never easy, and this past weekend three athletes from Nomad Wrestling Club traveled to Rocky Mountain Nationals to test themselves against some of the best wrestlers in the United States. The tournament featured elite competition from coast to coast, with athletes traveling from states including Hawaii, making every match a battle against nationally recognized talent.
When the dust settled, Nomad Wrestling Club returned home with another All-American and several national placers, proving once again that hard work and dedication can compete on the biggest stages in youth wrestling.
Leading the way was Elizabeth Coates, who earned 2nd Place in the Folkstyle division, securing the prestigious title of All-American. At Rocky Mountain Nationals, only the top six finishers in the Folkstyle division receive All-American honors, making it one of the highest individual achievements in youth wrestling.
Elizabeth battled through an outstanding bracket to reach the championship finals, displaying toughness, composure, and relentless determination against some of the nation’s best wrestlers.
Marcus Coates also put together an impressive tournament, battling through one of the toughest brackets of the weekend to earn 6th Place in the Folkstyle division, also securing All-American honors. Finishing in the top six at a national tournament is a remarkable accomplishment and reflects the countless hours of work Marcus has invested on the mat.
Phillip Coates narrowly missed joining his siblings as an All-American, falling just one match short of earning a top-six finish in the Folkstyle competition. Although disappointed, Phillip wrestled with heart against elite competition and gained valuable experience that will continue to shape his development as a competitor.
The competition continued into Freestyle, where the Nomad wrestlers once again proved they belonged among the nation’s best.
Elizabeth Coates capped off an incredible weekend by earning 2nd Place in both the 15U 145-pound and 18U 145-pound Freestyle divisions. Competing in two separate age divisions at a national tournament is no easy task, and reaching the finals in both showcases not only her talent but her endurance, versatility, and competitive mindset.
Marcus Coates and Phillip Coates each battled their way to 6th Place finishes in Freestyle, once again finding themselves on the national podium after competing against some of the strongest wrestlers from around the country.
National tournaments like Rocky Mountain Nationals are a completely different level of competition. Every bracket is filled with state champions, nationally ranked wrestlers, and athletes who have traveled from across the United States—including Hawaii—to test themselves against the very best. Simply earning a place on the podium is a tremendous accomplishment.
For Nomad Wrestling Club, the weekend represented much more than medals. It was another opportunity to demonstrate that athletes from a small mountain community can compete with anyone in the country through discipline, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to improvement.
Coach Marcus Coates praised the team’s effort following the tournament.
“National tournaments humble everyone. Every match is earned, and there are no easy brackets. Elizabeth’s All-American runner-up finish and Marcus’ All-American performance are tremendous accomplishments, but I’m equally proud of Phillip. Falling one match short can be heartbreaking, but those are the experiences that build future champions. Our wrestlers continue to prove they belong on the national stage.”
With another All-American performance, multiple national podium finishes, and invaluable experience gained against the nation’s best, the future of Nomad Wrestling Club continues to shine brightly.
Hard Work. Dedication. Respect.
Nomad Wrestling Club — It’s a mentality.
