Female high school wrestler a top prospect to win Indiana boys state title (2025)

Описание: NEW HAVEN, Ind. (SummitCitySports) — “People think I can become a boys state champ,” New Haven High School senior Julianna Ocampo said with a grin. “So why not give it my all my last year and see where it takes me?”

Ocampo has wrestled all her life, and is already a decorated athlete.

“I’ve made team USA three times now,” she told us. “I’ve gone to Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Lima, Peru.”

“I’ve won three gold medals and I have my six placement at boys state,” she added. “I have a Super 32 title — one of the toughest wrestling tournaments for high schools — and I’m a three time girls state champion for high school.”

Despite the impressive accolades, Ocampo had trouble recalling all she’s won. In fact, she was more interested in talking about her goals for the future, then celebrating the past.

“I just have the biggest heart for the sport of wrestling,” she shared.

Coach Jimmy Linn has mentored students at New Haven High School across various disciplines, for over 22 years. His true passion project has been developing a strong wrestling program — which has been yielding a lot of success lately.

“I met Julianna four years ago. Her family moved to New Haven before her freshman year,” Coach Linn explained. “There’s only been a few cases in New Haven where a freshman steps on the mat, already state ready — and she was one of them.”

He doesn’t run the program alone. He has several invested parents and coaching staff that offer support. Among them, is Julianna’s father Sam Ocampo.

“I started because my dad wrestled in high school — and then it led to my older siblings,” Julianna said. “One day I was at practice and I just jumped in… and then I just moved on from there.”

“One day” was back when Ocampo was just a toddler — three years old! Now a senior in high school, she’s wrestled competitively for 14 years.

She’s not alone in her passion for the sport. Ocampo is only one of ten children. Most of her nine siblings are just as excited and eager about wrestling as she is. Earlier this month, Ysabelle Ocampo took the Indiana girls state title for 115 lb. and Lanessa Ocampo placed fifth for 135 lb. Ordinarily, Julianna would be standing up on the winner’s podium, first place in the 106 lb. weight class — just like she’s done the past three years.

But Julianna strives to be anything but ordinary — she strives to be extraordinary. 

It wasn’t until this year, the 2024-2025 season, that the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) sanctioned girls wrestling. 

“IHSAA gave her the option to wrestle boys or girls,” Coach Linn stated. “And she took the harder path that’s going to make her a better wrestler.”

Why tackle a challenge like this? Ocampo already breezed through the girls competitions — even became the first female Hoosier to place at state among the boys last season.

“I don’t get a bunch of high-level competition with the females,” Ocampo said. “I love the sport — why do something I love and not have competition?”

Cheering her on from afar, is none other than Kayla Miracle. The 28-year-old Olympian wrestler started her journey in Indiana as well. It was Miracle in fact, that became the first female wrestler to even compete at state in Indiana. Last year, she cheered on Ocampo in a video shared to social media, saying “Epic! You are the first girl in history to place at Indiana boys state. Let’s not stop here. Let’s win that title!”

And while Ocampo doesn’t have much longer to wait until she can make the bid for that award, her sights are already set on making her lifelong dream come true.

“My end goal is to be an Olympic gold medalist,” Ocampo shared excitedly. “ I know that I have to go and do all these other things to get experience. I mean, I love wrestling, so it’s not like I’m not having fun — but if I want to get to the end goal, I have to push through all these barriers, and that’s part of it.”

The New Haven wrestler doesn’t plan on doing it alone — she credits the amazing community around her.

“I know I can do it,” Ocampo told us. “I know I have people around me supporting me, and they know I can do it do.”

“When she says she wants to be an Olympian, there’s no doubt in my mind that she’s capable of doing that” Coach Linn said. “She’s beaten Division 1 talent her entire life.”

“She’s creating a legacy — not only for herself, but for young women in general,” he added. “She’s been a catalyst for the female programs in general around the state.”

As for Julianna Ocampo’s future, she’s still deciding on her next steps after high school. She’s been offered a full-ride scholarship to King University, though more opportunities are coming to her every day. Ocampo tells us, she also has the chance to visit and tour the Olympic Training Center.