A family full of wrestlers is what got Cuesta College women’s wrestler Aubree Kooren to become one. It took her up until her junior year of high school to decide that she wanted to wrestle. Her journey took her from helping out with her little brother’s club tournaments all the way to having her high school coach recruit her to play for the team, which eventually led to her to where she is now.
Kooren quickly found a passion for the sport that would eventually lead her to become an All-American and take first place at the 2026 3C2A State Championships.
“When I started wrestling, it became an outlet,” Kooren said. “You can take it out on the mat.”
For Kooren, the sport became more than just a competition – it gave her confidence, discipline and a way for her to let out her emotions in a productive way. “Having confidence in myself – I can do this. I know I can do this,” Kooren said.
Kooren is the first Cuesta Cougars All-American for the school’s newest official sport. Kooren’s accomplishments this season have helped bring attention to Cuesta College’s growing women’s wrestling program. Women’s wrestling has continued to rise in popularity across California and the country. Athletes like Kooren are helping to bring that rise and creating a path for younger wrestlers and recruits.
Since women’s wrestling has been growing across the country, schools are now starting to add women’s wrestling programs at many colleges. “Pushing yourself to be better, mentally, is what I’m focused on. If I have a goal, I’m just giving myself 110% towards that goal,” Kooren said.
Coming from Bakersfield to Cuesta College for wrestling was the best decision that Kooren made for her career. As a student athlete who dominated the mats this year, she also wants to become a nurse. She has been narrowing down recruitment to schools that have both women’s wrestling and a nursing program. Kooren will have to decide soon.
Kooren is currently weighing her options when it comes to transferring, with multiple scholarships available for her from Chadron State College, Doane University, the University of the Cumberlands and more.
Kooren is hopeful about the future of the women’s wrestling program here at Cuesta. “I just wanna see them grow and keep kicking butt, honestly,” she said.
