Zorina Johnson: IBW Girls Wrestling Champion
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[March 12, 2026]
In just six years, the Ida B. Wells High School’s girls wrestling program has grown from two or three athletes into a thriving program with 15 wrestlers this year. Though women’s wrestling only became a fully sanctioned OSAA sport in 2023, Wells has long supported girls on the mats.
Two youth programs in SW Portland introduce girls to the sport: the co-ed Wells Wrestling Club for kids as young as kindergarten, and a PIL club for middle schoolers.
Wells coach Lance Johnson said, “People who love the sport will start a youth wrestling program in a community, and we’ve had one running for many years. We’ve had girls in the program for as long as I’ve been involved—since Zorina was four, when I first got started with the program.”
IBW senior Zorina Johnson, Coach Johnson’s daughter and this year’s OSAA champion in the 135-pound weight class, is a product of this system. She captured her third consecutive state championship this February, finishing her high school career with 108 wins and one loss. Last summer, she also won a national championship at 130 pounds and has been recognized as an All-American multiple times.
Women’s wrestling is now an official NCAA championship sport as of the 2025–26 school year. Next year, Zorina will attend Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, competing on their newly minted Division I women’s wrestling team.
The following article is excerpted from “A conversation with a D1 commit: Zorina Johnson talks wrestling, college and what motivates her,” by Ida B. Wells senior Maggie Pearson. Read the complete article in The Headlight, the IBW student newspaper.
[Editor’s note: This article originally appeared prior to the state wrestling tournament referenced below. The tournament was held February 26-28, 2026.]
When Zorina Johnson steps onto the mat at Memorial Coliseum this weekend, it won’t just be another tournament. It’ll be her fourth and final state appearance, and a milestone that once felt completely out of her reach.
“I would get so nervous at tournaments,” Johnson said, “to the point where I tried to quit.”
Now a senior, multi-sport athlete and Division 1 commit to Lehigh University, Zorina Johnson has had a wrestling career defined not only by wins, but growth, discipline and a mindset that has drastically developed over time.
The love that Johnson has for the sport is obvious throughout her high school career. Johnson has not only established herself as one of the most dedicated members of the Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School women’s wrestling team, but also as a two-time state champion.
With state approaching so soon, Johnson’s anticipation is obvious. “I’m very excited. It’s the fourth one. It’s gonna be special.”
For Johnson, the state tournament is more than just the end of a season. “State is fun because it’s not just the accumulation of our year,” she said, “I also get to see all my friends from the 13 years I’ve been wrestling now. So it’s really just like a big party with all my friends.” She’s spent over a decade in the wrestling community, and built relationships across clubs, schools and competitions.
Behind the scenes, her schedule reflects the intensity needed to compete at such an elite level.
“In the heat of the season, I can do anywhere from two to three workouts a day,” she said.
Mornings often start with cardio. “I’ll usually either do hills or run stairs,” she said. “It’s important in wrestling to get cardio from a non-wrestling thing.”
After school comes a two-hour long team practice, followed by an hour and a half of club practice. “It’s a lot,” she admitted, “but it’s really fun.”
Johnson also maintains a 4.0 GPA, and though balancing athletics and academics may seem overwhelming, she says that being busy actually helps her stay focused.
Her discipline and consistency recently resulted in one of the biggest decisions of her career; committing to wrestle at Lehigh.
“Women’s wrestling is a very new and growing sport,” Johnson said. “Right now, there’s six Division I programs [for women].”
When she was evaluating schools, Johnson prioritized both academics and athletics. “I knew I wanted to go to a bigger school because I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to study,” she said. “Lehigh was the best school for STEM, rigorous-wise. So I was like, ‘Let’s do it!’”
Though she explored other highly ranked programs, the athletics were ultimately what sealed her decision. “I just really couldn’t give up that varsity experience. Being part of the NCAA tournament. It’s historic.”
This year marks a significant moment for women’s wrestling, with the introduction of a women’s NCAA championship.
Johnson’s journey has unfolded alongside the rapid growth of girls’ wrestling. It’s a shift she has been able to witness firsthand. “I think the most amazing part is the community that it builds.”
Her experience being one of the earlier competitors in girls’ wrestling has created connections that extend beyond the mat. “I have friends that were the only other girls at 300-person tournaments when we were both four. So we hold a bond that I think will forever be between us.”
Though competition remains central, Johnson says that wrestling is ultimately about something bigger.
“My number one motivation, everything I do, is to bring glory to God,” she said. “Faith is a huge part of who I am.”
She also emphasizes growth over perfection. “I want to go out there and try to learn,” she said. “Holding nothing back, wrestling as hard as I can in every position, trying new things and being creative.”
Johnson’s earlier fear of wrestling was a necessary moment to become the confident athlete she is today. But that’s a lesson she hopes younger people will take to heart. “Try new things, especially ones that you’re scared of doing. You might find something you actually really love.”
As Johnson prepares for her final high school state appearance, and looks onward to college competition, she remains steady, passionate and resilient.
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