On March 4, 2023, Leeana Mercado made history becoming Lodi High School’s first Girl’s State Champion. After winning first at districts and regionals, she won at 106 pounds (8-0) at the New Jersey Girls State Finals in Atlantic City. Rampage interviewed Leeana to get a better look into her monumental day and what she expects the future to hold.

When asked to take us through the emotions she felt leading up to her important match she explained “I was filled with all different types of emotions, but more excited and confident than anything because I knew I was going to perform well!” After her big win, she mentioned that “It was such a surreal moment, I was so hyped since this is something I have been waiting for, for years!”

To get a better understanding about her whole season, we asked what this season meant to her and she replied, “This high school season was a comeback season for me. I came back with a mentality I never had before and I was ready to win.” Leeana puts her all into wrestling and it finally showed off when she won this title! This is a very big moment for all sports at Lodi High School and Leeana said, “Being the first Lodi High School Girls State Champ I am going to keep working hard to get our school another state title!”

When asked about some future goals and expectations she had for herself, Leeana confidently said, “I hope to be on a national team by my senior year and become a 2x state champ!”

Leeana made it clear that she could not have done any of this and came thus far without the help and support from her family, friends, and coaches both from Lodi High School and her club team! 

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