On the Mat with Leila Witzerman

Jarrett Meza-Torne • June 11, 2025

As the 2024-25 wrestling season ends and the team shifts its focus to the next year, junior Leila Witzerman has already begun preparing to take her performance and her team to the next level. Wrestling in the 110 and 117-pound weight classes, Witzerman has made a name for herself as a leader in Peninsula’s growing girls wrestling program. A multi-sport athlete with nearly a decade of experience in mixed martial arts (MMA), jiu jitsu and judo, Witzerman trains at San Pedro Fight Club and commits up to three hours a day to her sport. Her training focuses not only on technique but also on strength and conditioning, which she believes are key elements that separate winners from the rest.

“My motivation comes from my family and my sister [who is] my coach and drill partner. She always pushes me past my limits and makes sure I'm on the right track during practice,” Witzerman said. “My dad is the one who motivated me through all my matches; whether I was winning by a lot or down by two, he was always there making sure I was still performing well and healthy.”

This season was one of Witzerman’s best yet. She took second at both the CIF Southern Section Girls Individuals Central Division and the Ford Masters Meet, proving she can hang with the top competition in the state. Her 28-7 record includes 16 pins (where she ended matches by holding opponents’ shoulders down), five tech falls (wins by a 15 point lead), and three major decisions (wins by 8 to 14 points). As captain of the varsity squad, Witzerman leads by example, grinding through workouts with her teammates and always showing up to support them at meets. She’s been one of the most consistent and toughest competitors in her weight class all year. Witzerman’s journey in wrestling started with family. She was first introduced to the sport through her sister and aunt, both of whom wrestled in high school. Watching their success sparked her drive to pursue it herself.

“My sister and aunt inspired me to continue wrestling in high school, sincethey wrestled their high school years as well,” Witzerman said. “My sister is a senior at San Pedro High School and has broken a lot of records in their history of wrestling and it inspired me to be just as good.”

To qualify for the CIF State Championships, wrestlers must first place high at their section’s divisional meet and then advance through the ultra-competitive Masters Meet, where only the best from across the region earn spots at state. Witzerman’s runner-up finishes at both the CIF Southern Section Girls Individuals Central Division and the Ford Masters Meet secured her place among California’s elite.

“My mindset going into state was very straightforward. I knew what I was capable of doing and knew I had the skill and technique to get it done,” Witzerman said. “I was mainly telling myself that not everyone at state is as ready as I was and didn't want it as bad as I did. The way I prepared for state was going to multiple different schools and training with their girls, like Northview, Marina, Mayfair and some days we stayed at Pen. It was a lot of hard practice building up to state and a lot of stress due to everyone's nervousness from the week previously at Masters.”

Looking ahead, Witzerman hopes to compete at the collegiate level and possibly pursue a career in MMA. For now, she’s focused on growing stronger, helping her teammates and returning next season even more prepared. Witzerman’s commitment is clear, and with her dedication to the sport, Peninsula’s wrestling program is continuing to grow stronger one practice, one match and one win at a time.