Born and raised in Riverside, California, and deeply rooted in the Inland Empire wrestling and combat sports community, Ayana Contreras is an accomplished collegiate wrestler entering her sophomore year at Emmanuel University with a diverse and extensive background in multiple combat sports disciplines. With four (4) years of wrestling experience, five (5) years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, five (5) years of Pankration, and two to three (2-3) years of Judo, Ayana has developed into a well-rounded athlete with experience competing and succeeding at the highest levels of competition
Ayana began her collegiate wrestling career at Western New England University during the 2025-2026 season. As a true freshman, she made an immediate impact by capturing a tournament championship in the very first collegiate tournament of her career, demonstrating her ability to compete successfully at the collegiate level from day one. Following her freshman season, Ayana made the decision to continue her academic and athletic journey at Emmanuel University, where she will compete during her sophomore year while continuing to pursue success on the mat and in the classroom.
Throughout her wrestling career, Ayana established herself as one of the top competitors in California. Representing Riverside and the Inland Empire, she earned numerous postseason accomplishments while competing against the state’s toughest competition.
Ayana’s wrestling accomplishments include:
• CIF Finalist
• 2x CIF Placer
• Master’s Champion
• Master’s Placer
• 5th Place Finisher at the California State Championships
• NHSCA National Placer
In addition to her success on the wrestling mat, Ayana achieved significant recognition in Judo, where she competed at both the national and international levels. Her accomplishments include earning a national and international ranking as high as #7 in her division, demonstrating her ability to compete successfully across multiple combat sports disciplines.
With experience in wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Pankration, Ayana brings a unique and comprehensive combat sports perspective to every athlete she works with. Her diverse training background allows her to teach athletes how techniques and concepts transfer across different styles of grappling while emphasizing strong fundamentals, discipline, and competitive excellence.
As both an athlete and coach, Ayana is passionate about helping the next generation of wrestlers and combat sports athletes develop confidence, technical skills, and a strong work ethic. Drawing from her own experiences competing at the state, national, and international levels, she understands the dedication required to succeed and strives to help athletes reach their fullest potential on and off the mat.
Ayana’s Specialties
• Leg Attacks and Finishing Sequences
• Top Control and Riding Pressure
• Scrambling and Transitional Wrestling
• Takedown Defense
• Competition Preparation and Mindset Development
In addition to these specialties, Ayana enjoys working with athletes of all ages and experience levels, from beginners learning the fundamentals to advanced wrestlers preparing for elite-level competition. She emphasizes technical development, drilling systems, match strategy, and mental toughness while creating a positive and challenging learning environment.
Currently based in Riverside, California, Ayana continues to pursue her collegiate wrestling career at Emmanuel University while remaining committed to serving and growing the wrestling community throughout the Inland Empire. Through her passion for coaching, mentorship, and competition, she is dedicated to helping athletes develop the skills, confidence, and character necessary to succeed both on the mat and in life.
