Bulldog Girls Wrestling Makes History with First State Placewinner

Maren Subbert places fourth at 190 pounds, a year after becoming the program's first state qualifier.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls wrestling program made history at the state tournament, with Maren Subbert becoming the first wrestler in the program's history to place. Subbert, a senior, placed fourth at 190 pounds, a year after becoming the program's first state qualifier. Elsie Kuper and Juliette Koch also represented the program at state, gaining valuable experience for the future.

Why it matters

This milestone for the Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls wrestling program highlights the growth and progress of the sport at the high school level. Girls wrestling continues to gain popularity and recognition, and this achievement by the Bulldog wrestlers demonstrates their hard work and dedication to the sport.

The details

Maren Subbert, a senior, placed fourth at 190 pounds, going 4-2 at the state tournament. This came a year after she became the program's first state qualifier. Elsie Kuper (170 pounds) and Juliette Koch (155 pounds) also represented the Bulldogs at state, gaining valuable experience in their first state tournament appearances.

  • Maren Subbert became the program's first state qualifier in 2025.
  • Maren Subbert placed fourth at 190 pounds at the 2026 state tournament.

The players

Maren Subbert

A senior wrestler for the Hampton-Dumont-CAL program who placed fourth at 190 pounds at the 2026 state tournament, becoming the first placewinner in program history.

Elsie Kuper

A wrestler for the Hampton-Dumont-CAL program who competed at 170 pounds in her first state tournament appearance.

Juliette Koch

A wrestler for the Hampton-Dumont-CAL program who competed at 155 pounds in her first state tournament appearance.

Hampton-Dumont-CAL Girls Wrestling Program

The high school girls wrestling program that made history with its first state placewinner.

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What they’re saying

“It's great improvement from last year when I was down the first day. It was kind of heartbreaking last year. It's nice to come back this year and really make a mark, which is amazing to prove myself. Last year I was the first qualifier, so I got that benchmark, which really gave me the experience that I needed for today, because it's always very nerve-wracking here. It's a big environment. It's a really nice arena, really nice place to be in. We're moving up as a program. We're stepping up and all the work that I've put in this year really just pays off.”

— Maren Subbert (radioonthego.com)

“It's a great opportunity. It's very nerve-wracking, like a very intense place to be and it's hard to keep yourself up when you're in such a huge place with such talented girls that are wrestling here. I had tough matches and I fought through it I think, and I've got a positive attitude for the next year.”

— Elsie Kuper (radioonthego.com)

“Obviously it was a little tough, lots of ups and downs. It was tough being out the first day, but I'm proud to make it here, even the growth from last year. I know I'll be back next year better than ever. It's only up from here.”

— Juliette Koch (radioonthego.com)

What’s next

Maren Subbert, Elsie Kuper, and Juliette Koch will all return next season, looking to build on their state tournament experiences and lead the Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls wrestling program to continued success.

The takeaway

The historic achievement by the Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls wrestling program, with Maren Subbert becoming the first state placewinner, demonstrates the growth and progress of girls wrestling at the high school level. This milestone will inspire the Bulldogs to keep working hard and aim for even greater success in the future.