Broomfield's Shayla Martinez repeats as state wrestling champion

Freshman sister Bella Barajas looks to follow in Martinez's footsteps after placing sixth in her first state tournament

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Broomfield High School junior Shayla Martinez capped a perfect 40-0 season by winning her second straight 5A girls 190-pound state wrestling title at Ball Arena in Denver. Martinez, who wrestles for the Monarch High School team, pinned all of her opponents at the state tournament, including Loveland's Abigail Stearns in the final in the same 63-second time as last year. Martinez's younger sister, Bella Barajas, a Broomfield freshman, placed sixth in the 170-pound division in her first state tournament and said she wants to "follow in her sister's footsteps" and wrestle for a state title next year.

Why it matters

Shayla Martinez's repeat state championship solidifies her as one of the top high school wrestlers in Colorado, male or female. Her dominant, undefeated season and ability to win back-to-back state titles at the 5A level is an impressive accomplishment. The story also highlights the close bond between the Martinez sisters and how Bella Barajas is motivated to emulate her older sister's success on the wrestling mat.

The details

Martinez, a junior at Monarch High School who wrestles for the Broomfield team, pinned all of her opponents at the state tournament, including Loveland's Abigail Stearns in the final in the same 63-second time as last year's championship match. Martinez finished the season a perfect 40-0 with 34 pins, 12 of which came in the first 30 seconds of the match.

  • Shayla Martinez won her second straight 5A girls 190-pound state wrestling title on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
  • Bella Barajas, Shayla's freshman sister, placed sixth in the 170-pound division in her first state tournament.

The players

Shayla Martinez

A junior at Monarch High School who wrestles for the Broomfield team. She won her second straight 5A girls 190-pound state wrestling title with a perfect 40-0 season.

Bella Barajas

Shayla Martinez's freshman sister, who placed sixth in the 170-pound division in her first state wrestling tournament.

Matilda Hruby

A 155-pound girls wrestler at Brighton High School who Shayla Martinez said helped push her to be the best version of herself.

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What they’re saying

“She wants to follow in my footsteps, I heard her say. I want her to create her own footsteps for other people to follow and look up to.”

— Shayla Martinez (timescall.com)

“My sister — she's a hard worker. She's a three-sport athlete. I want her to keep her head up high. I'm so proud of her.”

— Shayla Martinez (timescall.com)

What’s next

Shayla Martinez will look to continue her dominant wrestling career and compete against top opponents outside of Colorado in pursuit of becoming "the best" wrestler.

The takeaway

Shayla Martinez's repeat as the 5A girls 190-pound state wrestling champion, capping an undefeated 40-0 season, solidifies her status as one of the top high school wrestlers in Colorado. Her close relationship with her younger sister Bella Barajas, who is also a talented wrestler, highlights the inspiring family dynamic behind Martinez's success.