Girls Wrestling Best of 910Preps 2025-26

Off the mat, Jack Britt senior wrestler Isabella Hernandez is described as bubbly, goofy, quick to laugh, and the kind of person that doesn't take life too seriously.

But when the whistle blows, "Isa's" match turns into a business meeting — a huge reason for her being named the 910Preps Girls' Wrestler of the Year for the 2025-26 season.

"It's all business for her," Buccaneers coach Casey Malloy said. "Isa off the mat is very relaxed, very much a personality. Then on the mat, it's completely different."

The balance between pure joy and intense wrestling is what helped the senior dominate girls' wrestling for a second consecutive year, capturing the NCHSAA 7A state title, and the Most Outstanding Wrestler award.

Hernandez capped off an unbeaten 29-0 season with her title in the 132-pound weight class, yet she never framed her season around perfection.

"I wasn't necessarily trying to be perfect," she said. "Every match, I just wanted to work the technique we had been going over and perfect certain movements."

Throughout the season, process over pressure became one of her on-the-mat traits during the title run, and while winning 29 consecutive matches can be difficult at any level, there was never a moment for her when that perfect record was in danger.

"Not this year," Hernandez said confidently.

Jack Britt's wrestling practices were known to be demanding by Coach Malloy, a former UNC Pembroke wrestler, and his assistant, Tim Bright, who also wrestled for the Braves, and were meant to push athletes through intense sessions that emphasized technique and conditioning, rooted in Isabella's dominance.

"It's nonstop moving," Malloy said. "We make sure they're getting the technique, practicing it, then hitting the technique in live situations. It can get rough in there, but it's all worth it in the end.

But beyond the wins and conditioning for the Jack Britt program, Malloy believes the foundation of Jack Britt's success lies in the culture that Isabella helps sustain through leadership.

The real driving focus of why our women's program is so good is because they're such a tight-knit group," Malloy said. "They celebrate Christmas together. They pig out at Waffle House together, and Isa stepped into a leadership role naturally."

But her leadership is mostly driven by situational awareness, and her ability to be compassionate when a teammate is in need.

"I know sometimes I need a little pep talk," she said. "So sometimes I'll give them a hug or tell them, 'Hey, let's work on this next time.' You want to be reassuring."

But one of her biggest motivational pieces is setting a great example for her younger sisters, especially Sophia, who claimed a state title a year ago.

"Seeing her do that made me proud because we train together and we're really close," Isa said about her sister. "That made me want to go further and make her proud too."

Although Hernandez finished her career as a two-time state champ, she hopes her legacy goes beyond the trophies and medals; she wants to be remembered not only as a state champion but also as someone approachable and loving.

"I want to be remembered as someone easy to talk to and fun to hang out with," Hernandez said. " A lot of girls tell me, 'You're easy to talk to,' and honestly, that's the best compliment I can get."

Here are your 910Preps Girls Wrestling All-Stars for 2025-26.
(Fayetteville Observer)

First team

Second team