Lana Nguyen’s wrestling career has been a masterclass in persistence, and her performance at the 2026 NCS Girls Wrestling Championships on February 22nd was the perfect culmination. After a hard-fought battle to return to the top, the Dublin High standout secured 1st place in the 130-lb weight class, punching her ticket to the State Championships for the third time.

Dominating the 2026 NCS Finals

Lana entered the 2026 postseason with a clear mission: reclaim the title she first won as a sophomore. She did exactly that, capping off her North Coast Section run with a dominant 14-4 Major Decision over Alexis Peregrina of Upper Lake in the finals. Her victory was a highlight for the Dublin Gaels and served as a statement win heading into the state bracket.

The Road Back to the Top

Lana’s high school journey is a rare “full circle” story of growth, setbacks, and ultimate redemption:

• Freshman Year (2023): Debuted with a strong 6th-place finish at NCS, signaling her potential early on.

• Sophomore Year (2024): Broke out to win her 1st NCS Title with an 8-3 decision over Yarely Barreto. She went on to place 7th at State that year.

• Junior Year (2025): Faced a tough challenge in the finals, finishing 2nd after an 8-4 decision loss to Savannah Talmadge.

• Senior Year (2026): Returned to the top of the podium with her 2nd NCS Title and her 3rd career trip to State.

The Road to Bakersfield

Nguyen wasn’t the only Gael to find success this weekend. The Dublin contingent showed depth across multiple weight classes:

• Lytning Hazen: Secured a podium spot with a 3rd-place finish at 120 lbs.

• Sherry Wu: Placed 6th at 135 lbs.

• Candice Carandang: Earned 7th at 115 lbs.

What’s Next

Nguyen now prepares for the ultimate test at the CIF State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield. Having already placed in the top 10 at State earlier in her career, she enters her final tournament not just as a qualifier, but as a legitimate title contender.