Nomad Wrestling Club

04/29/2026

Keep it up Nomads!!

04/22/2026

https://nomadgrindco.com/products/nomad-wrestling-club-t-shirt-hard-work-dedication-and-respect-athletic-tee

This lightweight cotton tee carries the quiet confidence of a team that moves wherever the mat takes them. The front shows “NOMAD WRESTLING CLUB” in bold collegiate lettering with the club’s founding date beneath — simple, proud, and instantly familiar. The back amplifies the ethos with laye...

04/21/2026

Support the Grind!!

Nomad Grind Co. delivers gritty, wrestling-inspired apparel for athletes, fighters, and grinders. Bold streetwear built on discipline, struggle, and hustle. “It’s a beautiful thing.”

03/31/2026

03/16/2026

Tehachapi Freshman Elizabeth Coates Named to 2026 All-California Freshman Wrestling Team

TEHACHAPI, Calif. — Tehachapi High School freshman Elizabeth Coates has earned statewide recognition after being selected to the 2026 All-California Freshman Wrestling Team – Girls Division, an honor recognizing the top first-year wrestlers across the state of California.

The selection caps off an impressive freshman campaign for Coates, who competed at 140 pounds and battled through a challenging season against some of the toughest competition in the state. California is widely regarded as one of the most competitive wrestling states in the country, making the All-California Freshman Team a significant achievement for a first-year athlete.

Behind Coates’ success is a strong support system rooted in family, mentorship, and the local wrestling community. She is coached by her father, Marcus Coates, whose leadership and dedication have played a key role in guiding her development both on and off the mat.

Coates has also benefited from mentorship by NCAA Division I wrestler Joey Granata, whose experience and technical knowledge have helped sharpen her skills and competitive mindset.

Throughout the year, Coates has trained at Nomad Wrestling Club, where she continues to refine her technique and push herself alongside other dedicated athletes. The club has become an important training hub for wrestlers in the Tehachapi area, helping athletes build the discipline and work ethic necessary to compete at a high level.

Coates’ success this season also reflects the strength of the Tehachapi High School girls wrestling program and the coaches who invest their time into developing student-athletes.

Special thanks go out to coaches Amanda Ramirez and Adrian Hart for their time, leadership, and dedication throughout the wrestling season. Their commitment to the program has helped create an environment where athletes can grow, compete, and succeed.

Being named to the All-California Freshman Team is an impressive milestone, but for Coates it is only the beginning. With three more years of high school competition ahead, the Tehachapi standout has the opportunity to continue developing into one of the state’s top wrestlers.

As girls wrestling continues to grow across California, athletes like Elizabeth Coates are helping lead the next generation of competitors while representing their school and community with pride.

Nomad Wrestling Club is currently preparing for the upcoming Freestyle and Greco season, which begins March 16. The club offers year-round training and open registration for both beginner and experienced wrestlers. Nomad Wrestling Club is located at 20436 Brian Way, Suite G, Tehachapi, California 93561.

03/16/2026

Elizabeth Coates makes 2026 girls all California Freshman wrestling team!!

https://simplemanwrestling.com/2026/03/03/2026-all-california-freshman-team-girls-division/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQlP31leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEelRe1iDUdQTTu5kI9947POEWfII3j-8c1h6KoxuZKJNAcm-0xP2YkMX8wjrU_aem_KJve-pgmgScjawCOznTvmA

100lbs Alexandra Marin of Buchanan High (Central Section) Every so often, the state tournament produces a story that defies logic and challenges the very concept of seeding. In 2026, Alexandra of t…

03/15/2026

Nomad Wrestling Club Athletes Battle at California USA Kids State Championships

Tehachapi’s Nomad Wrestling Club sent six young athletes to compete at the prestigious California USA Wrestling Kids Folkstyle State Championships, one of the largest and most competitive youth wrestling tournaments in the state.

Representing Tehachapi were Sutter Kelley, Serena Coates, Thomas Murphy, Aaron Murphy, Phillip Coates, and Marcus Coates, each stepping onto the mat against top competitors from powerhouse clubs across California.

The tournament featured approximately 1,500 wrestlers from across the state, creating deep and challenging brackets for every athlete involved.

Leading the way for the Nomads was Aaron Murphy, who fought his way to an impressive 6th place finish in the state tournament. Murphy’s performance included one of the most exciting moments of the weekend in the tournament’s “blood round.”

In wrestling, the blood round is widely considered one of the toughest matches in the sport. It is the round that determines who advances to the medal rounds and who goes home just short of placing. Win the match, and an athlete secures a place on the podium. Lose, and their tournament ends.

Murphy rose to the moment, securing a dramatic sudden-death overtime victory with a perfectly timed single-leg takedown to advance and guarantee his place among the top wrestlers in the state.

Teammate Marcus Coates also battled into the blood round in a difficult bracket. Coates fought hard but ultimately came up short, dropping a tough match by major decision against a strong opponent.

Phillip Coates put together a solid tournament performance, finishing the weekend with a 2–2 record, picking up two wins while competing in a deep and competitive bracket.

Serena Coates showed tremendous heart throughout the tournament. After dropping her opening match, she returned to the mat determined and battled through a high-scoring second match. Refusing to give up, Serena continued attacking until the final whistle in a spirited 21–13 match that showcased her toughness and determination.

Thomas Murphy also competed in the Bantam division, gaining valuable experience against strong wrestlers from clubs across the state.

Sutter Kelley rounded out the Nomad team, stepping into a tough state bracket and representing Tehachapi with pride while continuing to build experience against elite competition.

For Nomad Wrestling Club coach Marcus Coates, the tournament represented more than just wins and losses.

“These kids showed incredible heart,” Coates said. “State tournaments are where wrestlers grow the most. Our Nomads stepped on the mat with some of the best athletes in California and battled every match.”

As the Nomad Wrestling Club prepares for the upcoming Freestyle and Greco season beginning March 16, the club continues to build opportunities for young athletes in the Tehachapi community.

Nomad Wrestling Club accepts open registration year-round for beginning and experienced wrestlers and is located at 20436 Brian Way, Suite G, Tehachapi, CA 93561.

With strong performances and valuable experience gained at the state championships, the Nomads now turn their focus to continued training and development as they prepare for the next season.

“Our kids proved something this weekend,” Coates said. “They showed they belong in the fight.”

02/28/2026

Freshman Elizabeth Coates Gains State Experience, Looks Ahead to Bigger Goals
By Marcus Coates

Tehachapi freshman Elizabeth Coates concluded her state tournament run on day two, finishing 1 and 2 at the California State Championships and gaining invaluable experience on the biggest stage in high school wrestling.

While her final match ended her tournament, the true story of Coates’ season goes far beyond a win-loss record.

As a freshman, she qualified for state, earned the right to compete on Tuesday, and secured a victory against some of the top wrestlers in California. For many athletes, simply reaching the state tournament is a four-year goal. Some spend their entire high school careers in the wrestling room and never step onto that mat.

Coates has already done it as a freshman.

Now she understands the pace, the intensity, and the standard required to compete at the highest level. She knows what it feels like. She knows what it takes. And she now knows exactly what to prepare for heading into next season.

The sky is the limit for this young Tehachapi athlete.

Coates expressed special thanks to her coaches and Nomad Wrestling Club for the support and preparation that helped her reach the state tournament in her first year of high school competition.

From CIF Central Section Area Champion to State Qualifier, Coates represented Tehachapi with composure, grit, and maturity beyond her years.

With three seasons still ahead of her, the experience gained this year may prove to be the foundation for something even greater.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Coates on a tremendous freshman season.

02/27/2026

State Update: Coates Battles Forward

Tehachapi freshman Elizabeth Coates has officially stepped onto the state stage and she did not ease into it.

She exploded into her first match, overwhelming her opponent and securing a pin in just 35 seconds. From the opening whistle, Coates dictated the pace, attacked with confidence, and left no doubt she belonged among Californias best.

But state is a battlefield, and nothing comes easy.

In her second match, the tempo shifted instantly. Her opponent fired off a quick double leg, catching Coates on the initial exchange. Elizabeth responded the way seasoned wrestlers do, with poise. She sprawled hard, reset her feet, and fought to regain control. The scramble intensified, momentum swinging back and forth in a flash.

Then came a moment every wrestler knows too well.

A head and arm.

The move that feels elementary. The move that frustrates even the most experienced athletes. Not because it is flashy. Not because it is advanced. But because it is simple, and at this level, getting caught in it stings.

Coates battled, but the turn held.

And just like that, she was forced into the wrestle backs.

But here is what makes champions different.

They do not crumble.

They recalibrate.

Tomorrow morning, Elizabeth Coates returns to the mat with one mission, fight her way back to third.

The bracket is unforgiving. The field is deep. Every match from here on out is do or die.

But Tehachapi did not send her here to fold.

She has already shown she can dominate. She has already shown she can respond under pressure. Now she must show resilience.

State is never a straight line.

It is a war of adjustments, composure, and heart.

And the freshman from Tehachapi is still very much in the fight.

The road to third begins at sunrise.

We are up to the challenge.

02/23/2026

From Tehachapi to State: Nomad Wrestling Club Qualifies Entire Roster
By Marcus Coates

Rooted in the hard-working spirit of Tehachapi, Nomad Wrestling Club delivered a defining performance at the SCWAY Zone 5 State Qualifier — sending every wrestler in attendance to the SCWAY State Championships.

The day was filled with momentum swings, adversity, and breakthrough moments that reflected the grit built inside the Nomad wrestling room.

Aaron Murphy and Phillip Coates rose to the top of their brackets, each capturing Zone 5 championships. Coates set the tone early with a commanding 16-2 technical fall and never looked back, while Murphy battled through a demanding bracket, earning every point on his way to the top of the podium.

Wyatt McPherson and Thomas Murphy powered their way to the finals with dominant performances along the way. McPherson displayed technical superiority in earlier rounds, building a 14-2 lead before securing a pin, and ultimately fought through a tightly contested championship match to finish 2nd place. Thomas Murphy also claimed 2nd place, showing composure and toughness through every round.

Marcus Coates wrestled back through adversity to earn 3rd place, responding to early challenges with determination and focus.

Jackson Church embodied perseverance. In a rugged bracket, he was pinned three times but never stopped competing. He continued stepping onto the mat ready to battle, finishing 4th place and proving that heart cannot be measured by a scoreboard.

Rowan McPherson fought through one of the toughest paths of the day, facing strong opponents and pushing through difficult moments to secure a 6th place finish.

From champions to comeback matches, every athlete demonstrated resilience. Every athlete qualified. Every athlete represented Tehachapi with pride.

As the team now prepares for SCWAY State, Nomad Wrestling Club carries forward more than medals — they carry the work ethic, unity, and toughness that define Tehachapi wrestling.

02/08/2026

Finalized board with teams!