Capital City Wrestling

Zainab Hijawi, from South Central High School, was named the 2026 Olivia Neal award as the top female senior wrestler in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Zainab is the first female in Pitt County history to win a women’s wrestling state championship and the first ever full covered (hijabi) female wrestler champion in the history of NC. This is a huge achievement as she was determined to break stereotypes and social boundaries in sports for females.

Zainab “ZoZo” Hijawi is not just winning matches—she’s making history.

During her freshman year, In less than four months of wrestling, she became a state qualifier, and soon after, ranked top 6 in North Carolina in her weight class before she became a State Runner-Up and eventually a Champion—breaking barriers in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

Her path has never been easy. ZoZo has competed through serious injuries, including breaking her nose twice, and injuring her knee, refusing to step off the mat. Behind the scenes, her commitment shows through relentless training, long travel on a daily basis, and a mindset built strong and solid. But her impact goes beyond medals, she represents discipline, identity, and the courage to stand alone and win showing that this sport has a place for everyone, especially every female regardless of her background, race and religion.

She is truly Built Different.

Tobin has committed to Binghamton University, a Division 1 school in New York.

We couldn’t be more thrilled for you, Tobin. The sky is the limit.

You are relentlessly competitive. A wrestler who studies every position and finds ways to improve daily. Willing to work at a level most won’t touch. You set the tone as an older brother, on and off the mat.

Cap City is proud to have you in the room and to watch it all come together!

Lauren Samuel, U15 58KG National Champion.

She will be representing Team USA at the Pan-American Championships in Mexico in July!

Lauren embodies every part of what it means to be Built Different. She’s put in countless hours, pushed through blood, sweat, tears, and times she probably wanted to quit but never did. This is just the start of her journey and we could not be more proud of her.

One week removed from NHSCA Nationals. The club has hit the ground running and is looking forward to the next thing!

Before we move too fast, we want to give very important recognition to Cap City’s first NHSCA All-American’s

Benex Velasco - Middle School - 2nd
Tobin McNair - Junior - 5th
Ella Taylor - Junior - 8th
Kiyan Bassiri - Middle School - 8th

The results are a reflection of all the hours you guys put in to prepare! We are very proud of you! Bigger and better to come.

Built Different.

Solid Day 1 of wrestling for Cap City at NHSCA Nationals. Everyone has been getting after it.

Day 2 tomorrow. Tobin and Ella in the quarters. Zozo, Helen, Lara, Lillie, Lennon, Alex, Gael, Alan, Mattex, Josh, Roger, Campbell, and Keegan battling on the backside one match at a time.

Built Different.

Cap City K8 team takes 1st at I64 duals yesterday in dominant fashion. Last year the team took second in a tight match, it was great to see so much improvement.

Violet Ogden and Aria Salas both went undefeated and dominated the field, earning themselves the most outstanding wrestlers for the team!

Violet had a highlight win with a tech fall over a returning super 32 who she has previously had very tight matches with.

Several other Capital city wrestlers went undefeated: Maxton Fraites, Jacob Street, Arman Bassiri, Benex Velasco, Hal Rosenzweig

High school travel team finishes 4th at I-64 duals! Best finish at the tournament to date. Individual tournament starts tomorrow, let’s get it.

Development over outcome every day of the week for Cap City. Excited to see our guys get better travel season.

Built Different.

This past weekend, Capital City Wrestling Club finished 1st at the NCWAY State Championships. Back-to-back team titles.

Team Score: 531
Second Place: 242
Third Place: 232

16 state champions, 10 runners-up, 10 third-place finishes, and 5 fourth-place finishes.