The San Marin Mustangs made history during the 2025-2026 season as both their boys’ and girls’ wrestling teams went undefeated in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) regular season for the first time since 1998. Wrestling beat Terra Linda (65-9) and Tamalpais (54-25) to finish the MCAL season 6-0. The boys’ team repeated as MCAL champions, while the girls’ team captured the title for the first time in years, cementing a historic season for the program.
“I think this win says that the historical wrestling success that San Marin has had in the past is not a fluke,” Head coach and Health teacher Cory Boyd said.
While the San Marin boys’ wrestling team has always been relatively large, the San Marin girls’ wrestling team has been on the rise since Coach Boyd took over. It is now the largest girls’ wrestling team in MCAL.
With the league title secured, San Marin has established itself as the strongest wrestling program in MCAL this season. However, the success goes beyond wins and losses and tournament scores. Wrestlers and coaches alike point to the culture that has been built within the program. The bond between coaches and athletes has played a crucial role in pushing the team forward and maintaining focus throughout the season
“I love the intelligence, maturity, and patience of the coaching staff,” junior Elle Fox, who just won her first MCAL gold medal, said. “Many coaches I’ve played for have had parts of this trifecta, but none had all three until I joined San Marin’s wrestling team.”
Boyd said the program’s success is especially meaningful in an area where wrestling does not traditionally receive much attention. Unlike larger or more established sports in Marin County, wrestling often gets less visibility, making the growth of the program even more significant.
“Wrestling is not a popular sport in this area,” Boyd said. “We don’t have feeder programs, so to be a winning team in this area, you have to get kids who are invested in doing some pretty hard work, and they did just that.”
The commitment shows on the mat, where wrestling demands both physical strength and mental toughness. Although athletes compete as part of a team, each match is fought alone, requiring confidence and resilience.
“Wrestling has helped me grow mentally and helped me learn that I can break through my limits and do things I originally thought I could not do,” sophomore Sebastian McLean said.
Coaches have also acknowledged that winning an MCAL championship changes how the program is viewed across the league. With success comes increased expectations and tougher competition.
“Other teams are gonna be upset that the power is shifting in the league,” Boyd said. “But I think it gives us the confidence to know we can handle being chased. We know the kind of work we have to put into the offseason to keep it going. I am excited to see how the team responds.”
As the season comes to a close, the MCAL championship represents more than a pennant for San Marin Wrestling. It reflects years of growth, dedication, and belief in the program. For athletes, it serves as validation of their hard work. For coaches, it confirms that building a strong culture can lead to lasting success.
With both programs continuing to grow and a new standard now set, San Marin wrestling looks poised to remain a contender in the years ahead. This season’s historic sweep of MCAL titles may be remembered not just as a breakthrough moment but as the beginning of a new era for the Mustangs.
