Takedown Report

Taina Fernandez Makes Maryland Wrestling History, Becomes First Female MIAA Champion

Ranked nationally among girls and boys, Fernandez’s dramatic 5-4 championship win powered Spalding to a team title and etched her name alongside Maryland wrestling legends.
Billy Buckheit | Feb 12, 2026
Taina Fernandez discusses strategy with coach Brian Leitzel at the MIAA Championships, where she made history as the tournament’s first female champion. / Trini Navia

Archbishop Spalding’s Taina Fernandez achieved another history making milestone by becoming the first female to win a MIAA Wrestling Tournament Title.
A Historic Night in the Toughest Conference
Traditionally the toughest conference in Maryland. The MIAA is a premier collection of private schools that have a monopoly on the Legacy Wrestling State Rankings with six of the state’s top ranked teams doing their work out the MIAA “A” Conference. “Once I reached the finals, knowing that I would make history if I won, I just tried to block that thought from my mind,” revealed Fernandez. “Although it would sneak its way into my head every now and then, I just keep reminding myself that I’m going to go out there and wrestle to the very best of my ability, just like I do in every other match. “There was extra pressure from that (potential to be first girls champ), especially at first, as I thought about it the days leading up to the tournament. However, I think once the day of the tournament came, I just knew I was going to do my best, regardless of whether it resulted in a win or a loss. Most importantly, I just kept reminding myself of how grateful I was to be able to compete at all, and that I knew my team and coaches had my back through it all.”

Taina Fernandez shows off her Outstanding Wrestler Award and championship Gold Medal after becoming the first female champion at the MIAA Wrestling Tournament. / Trini Navia
More Than a Milestone — A Team Difference-Maker
Fernandez’s Spalding conglomerate is ranked number one in Maryland as is Taina amongst the 140-pound girls in the state and nationally as well for High School on SI. Fernandez is ranked third on the boys list at 138 pounds by Legacy Wrestling in Maryland. The junior’s title winning efforts last Saturday at the Gilman School aided her Cavaliers’ title defense over Mount Saint Joseph, 274.5-266.
Fernandez taking down a St. Joe foe in the finals helped the cause as without that win, the Cavaliers would have fallen to the Gaels, 270.5-270. It was trending towards the top-seeded Fernandez finally suffering a defeat to a boy that was not a teammate as the Cavalier trailed 4-2 with 25 seconds left on the clock. … more at … https://www.si.com/high-school/maryland/taina-fernandez-makes-maryland-wrestling-history-becomes-first-female-miaa-champion-01kh92zjs75w

February 15, 2026 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | news, sports, wrestling