At just 15 years old, Paly’s Ella Cohen has set an extraordinary standard for her high school wrestling career by becoming the 2025 CIF State Champion. 

Cohen’s dominance on the mat is no surprise; her success in wrestling is built on years of competition, countless hours in the gym, and an exceptional commitment to enhancing her performance. 

“I knew that winning state was one of my goals since before the season started,” Cohen said. “And I always believed 

“…in myself and that I could make it happen.” 

Head Coach Jonathan Kessler said that Cohen’s work ethic and determination are unmatched.

“She’s the hardest worker in the wrestling room,” Kessler said. “Not only does she put in work in the hours she has during practice, but hours before and after practice and on her own as well.” 

 The CIF Championship wrestling tournament brings together the top 32 wrestlers in each weight class from across California, all competing for one goal: taking home the state title. Cohen’s experience against elite opponents has pushed her to adapt and elevate her performance, preparing her for the matches she has been training for. 

“Putting her into these tough competitions has helped her get ready for big matches,” Kessler said. “She’s one of the most mentally tough wrestlers we’ve ever seen in how she goes about it daily.” 

Competing at the highest level demands not only physical strength but also mental resilience. She has built a mindset focused on learning from every match and making the necessary adjustments to improve. 

“Her biggest challenge was losing her first-ever high school match in the Napa Valley Classic,” Kessler said. “From that point, she realized there were things she needed to change and train for; she did an excellent job doing that.” 

With her only loss occurring in the semifinals of the Napa Valley Classic, Cohen’s hopes for an undefeated freshman season ended. 

“This match was my toughest loss because I was looking forward to having an undefeated high school record,” Cohen said.

But Cohen’s approach to her comeback after this unfortunate loss sets her apart from other athletes and opponents. Whether it’s a hard-earned victory or a tough loss, she views each match as an opportunity for growth and skill enhancement. 

“This loss ultimately helped me to achieve my goal later in the season,” Cohen said. “Because it taught me that I need to take advantage of every opportunity.”

What could have been a season setback transformed into motivation to improve her game. She invested more hours in the gym, adapted to her challenges, and continued to excel on the mat. Cohen’s relentless determination and commitment to enhancing her performance secured her spot in the CIF state tournament, bringing her one step closer to achieving her most significant goal for the season. 

“It’s just the type of athlete that she is, with the amount of matches that she’s won and the one match she’s lost,” Kessler said. “The first time that she ever had any kind of reaction to winning every time she stepped on the mat was that it was all business and what was expected.”

Cohen approaches every match with clear focus and confidence, relying on the foundation she and her coaches have built through years of dedication. 

“My mindset going into all my matches is to focus on scoring points and putting on a show by performing,” Cohen said. “I also have a system of trust in my ability to perform that I’ve built through my training.”

 Her mental approach and intense training have been vital to her success. Cohen’s historic victory is not just a personal milestone but a significant moment for Paly’s wrestling program. Her success has brought increased attention to the program, setting a standard of continuous growth for the future by inspiring young athletes to follow her lead and strive for similar excellence. Her championship win is a powerful motivation for the next generation of athletes at Paly. 

“My success this season helped to boost the program and, hopefully, will get more people to join the team for next season,” Cohen said.

With three high school seasons still ahead of her, the future looks incredibly bright and limitless for Cohen’s wrestling career. She has already started competing in national tournaments and hopes to secure a spot on the U17 World Team. 

“I have big goals for my future in wrestling,” Cohen said. “And I’m loving the process of getting there.”