Texas UIL State Wrestling: The 2026 Most Outstanding Wrestlers

The 2026 Texas UIL State Championships concluded with a historic display of dominance as four incredible athletes secured their third career state titles. These “3x Champs” didn’t just win; they controlled the mat from the opening whistle to the final podium, each earning the prestigious Most Outstanding Wrestler award for their respective divisions.

Whether finishing a legendary high school career or setting the stage for a run at history, these four athletes defined the 2026 tournament.

The Senior Farewell: Going Out on Top

For Dylan Ota and Cydney Davis, the 2026 tournament was the perfect exclamation point on two of the most decorated high school careers in Texas wrestling h

istory. Both seniors capped off their final seasons by being named the Most Outstanding Wrestler in their classes.

• Cydney Davis (Senior, El Paso Bel Air) | 5A Girls 155 MOW
  • 2026 Final Record: 57-0
  • Tournament Performance: 4-0 (4 Falls) | 30.0 Team Points If there was a definition of perfection this season, it was Cydney Davis. Entering the tournament undefeated, Davis capped off her senior campaign with a flawless performance in Cypress. She pinned every opponent she faced, with her longest match of the tournament lasting less than two minutes. By pinning Londyn Jefferson (Frisco Heritage) in just 47 seconds in the finals, Davis secured her third title and led El Paso Bel Air to a 3rd place team finish in 5A.

• Dylan Ota (Senior, Southlake Carroll) | 6A Boys 113 MOW
  • 2026 Final Record: 42-2
  • Tournament Performance: 4-0 (2 Falls, 2 MD) | 28.0 Team Points Ota leaves the Southlake Carroll program as a titan of the sport. His senior campaign and 11-1 major decision in the finals over Kingston Stephens showcased a veteran who knew exactly how to manage the big stage. Ota’s relentless pace and technical scoring helped the Dragons secure a 3rd place team finish in a highly competitive 6A field.

The Junior Hunt: Chasing the Four-Peat

While the seniors take their bows, Nathan Reilly and Landri Von Gonten have officially entered “Four-Timer” territory. Both juniors were named Most Outstanding Wrestler after dominant performances that put them just one season away from matching the ultimate achievement in Texas wrestling.

• Landri Von Gonten (Junior, The Woodlands) | 6A Girls 135 MOW
  • 2026 Final Record: 42-1
  • Tournament Performance: 4-0 (4 Falls) | 30.0 Team Points Von Gonten was a force of nature in the 6A 135-pound bracket. Mirroring Davis’s efficiency, Von Gonten pinned her way through the entire field. Her quarterfinal victory was a blink-and-you-miss-it 18-second fall, and she punctuated her weekend by pinning Allen’s Kailin Sebert in the first period of the championship match. Her 30 team points were the primary engine behind The Woodlands’ 15th place finish.

• Nathan Reilly (Junior, Cedar Park) | 5A Boys 120 MOW
  • 2026 Final Record: 49-2
  • Tournament Performance: 4-0 (3 Falls, 1 MD) | 29.0 Team Points Nathan Reilly continues to be the gold standard for Cedar Park. Reilly tore through the early rounds with three consecutive pins before showcasing his technical superiority with a 9-1 major decision in the finals. Reilly’s performance and MOW honors were instrumental in lifting Cedar Park to a 3rd place podium spot in the 5A team standings.

Legacy in the Making: As Ota and Davis transition to the next level, the wrestling world turns its focus to 2027. All eyes will be on Reilly and Von Gonten to see if they can cement their names in the elite circle of 4-time Texas State Champions.