BAKERSFIELD — Hughson High senior Yzabella Austin is not known as the most vocal person, but you wouldn’t know it Saturday night.

After muscling an 8-0 majority decision against Central Catholic’s Dulcy Martinez in the 140-pound women’s final of the 2026 CIF State Wrestling Championships, she rose from the mats under the lights of Bakersfield’s Mechanics Bank Arena to let out a thunderous roar.

It was a moment that Austin described as “pure joy,” as the victory marked her third straight state title, affirming her position as one of the most dominant grapplers in California.

“This means everything to me,” Austin said. “All the hard work for my coaches, my teammates, my community and for my family, it all paid off.”

According to the CIF, Austin is just the sixth female to win three state championships. Last season with the Pride, Austin also claimed the 140-pound crown. The year prior, she won the 130-pound title in her second straight season as a state finalist.

Saturday’s title clash between Austin and Martinez was a rematch of last weekend’s Sac-Joaquin Section Masters semifinal, in which Austin won by an identical 8-0 score.

On Saturday, Austin imposed her will early, shooting shortly after the opening whistle and scoring a takedown of only five seconds into the action. It was a premeditated move.

“The last time we wrestled, I didn’t try to get a quick takedown, so I knew this time around there would be something up for grabs,” Austin explained. “She wasn’t going to expect that quick shot. She was heavy on her feet, and I was just looking for little details that we have worked on in practices and in the weeks before during our training.”

Austin held the 3-0 lead until late in the second period, where she then recorded a reversal with 20 seconds remaining, providing her with much-needed insurance heading into the decisive round. Again, Austin was aggressive again to start the third, earning a takedown in the first 20 seconds. With the 8-0 advantage, constant movement was key in seeing it through to the final horn. Despite a late warning for stalling, Austin left the mat unscathed and with a shutout to clinch her third first-place medal.

“I just needed to stay calm, confident, keep listening to my corner, and just needed to come out with a game plan,” Austin said. “I didn't want to go into that tournament not knowing who or what I was going to see at the end of the bracket, because I knew I was going to be there.

“I have so much respect for my opponent. She is really tough, and I’m familiar with her, with us being from the same section. Holding that lead in the third period, I knew she was going to come at me with some big moves, but I just stayed in good positions, not putting myself in a bad spot. I knew I had to keep going and not get put on my back there.”

Mission accomplished.

“Growing up wrestling, I've always set my goals really high,” Austin said. “I definitely knew multiple titles were a possibility for me, it was just a matter of coming out and executing.”

Austin became the ninth wrestler in Hughson history to win a state championship, and the 25th to medal at the tournament. With it being the first season that the Huskies have fielded a women’s program, Austin also represents the school’s first female state champion.

“Having Coach (Joseph) LaRosa and my corner in my ear just really helped me win this last state title,” she said. “Everything they did really made it all possible. The whole community of Hughson, I'm just so grateful for all of them.”

After a first-round bye, this year’s Masters champion and division No. 1 seed began her title run with a pin over Bella Lyrse of Cypress in the first period of the round of 32. Austin followed it up with a pin of Poway’s Kaitlyn Krenz midway through the second of the round of 16 match. She then pinned Sarah Harthon of Golden Valley (Bakersfield) 43 seconds into the quarterfinal. Her ticket to the championship was punched Saturday afternoon with another first-period fall of Peninsula’s Gianna Lopez.

Austin finished her senior season with a 21-2 record, with 15 pins, four technical falls and a pair of major decisions.

“Winning the state championship again showed everybody that the losses did not define me,” Austin said. “I persevered and was able to get the job done.”

Over 20 family and friends were in attendance, and as Austin said, they celebrated “big” at one of her favorite restaurants, In-N-Out Burger. She treated herself to a meal fit for a three-time state champion — a five-by-five burger (protein style), animal-style fries and a vanilla milkshake.

“I had to take advantage of not having to cut weight,” said Austin, who now sets her sights on a collegiate career. “But I still have a lot of goals and some big plans for the future. There are a lot of exciting things on the way.”