Contact: Taiah Gallisath, Associate Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5302
 
CORALVILLE, Iowa (May 12, 2026) – North Central College women's wrestling assistant coach Amanda Martinez '21 captured the 57 kg gold medal at the 2026 Senior Pan American Championships at the Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Friday, May 8.
 
Martinez was one of five Team USA women's wrestlers to claim a gold medal at the event. The title marks her third international medal of the season after she claimed bronze medals at both the Zagreb Open and the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in February. Her Pan-Am gold this season comes after earning bronze at the event in Mexico last year.
 
After receiving a first-round bye, Martinez opened competition with a pin over Yocleidy Ramirez Santana from the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals. She followed with a 10-5 semifinal win over Bertha Daniela Rojas Chavez of Mexico before delivering an impressive performance in the championship bout. Using a counter takedown in the final minute, Martinez defeated two-time Olympian Louisa Elizabeth Valverdes Melendres of Ecuador with a 6-1 score.