Veronica Tapia Commits to Alma College Women’s Wrestling
Justin Scott - Info@redarrowpreps.com
8/4/2026
The winningest girls wrestler in Lowell High School history will continue to compete! Lowell High School Class of 2026 graduate Veronica Tapia will continue her wrestling career at Alma College. The announcement was made by the Alma Women’s Wrestling program on August 2nd.
Tapia completed her Lowell career with an 105-23 record, a member of the 100-win club, and earned all-state honors during each of her four high school seasons. She finished fourth in the state as a senior after placing second during her junior season.
Her wrestling career began after she discovered ballet did not provide the type of competition she wanted.
“I actually started in ballet, but it wasn’t the right fit for me because I wanted something more competitive,” Tapia said. “My uncle introduced me to wrestling, and I quickly realized it was where I belonged. I had the aggression, determination, and grit the sport requires. Looking back, choosing wrestling is one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Tapia made an immediate impact at Lowell, finishing her freshman season with a 17-8 record and earning all-state honors in what was the very first season of girls wrestling in Michigan.
As a sophomore, she placed fourth in the state at 100 pounds. Tapia followed that performance by reaching the state championship match as a junior as well as helping the Lowell girls team finish as state runner-up, while she herself finished as the state runner-up.
She returned to the state podium during her senior season also at 100 pounds, placing fourth to complete a high school career that included four all-state finishes.
Throughout the recruiting process, Tapia said Alma consistently made her feel valued as both a wrestler and a person.
Veronica wrestles at the 2026 individual state finals at Ford Field.
“Alma had shown interest in me for quite a while, which made me feel valued as both an athlete and a person,” Tapia said. “As I looked at different opportunities, I wanted a program where I could continue growing while feeling supported.”
Alma’s women’s wrestling roster is made up largely of athletes from Michigan, although the program has also attracted wrestlers from as far away as California and Alaska. The Scots, coached by Derick Du Vall, placed 10th at the NCAA regional tournament last season.
Tapia said the opportunity to remain close to home was important, but the relationships she developed with Alma’s coaches and wrestlers ultimately made the difference.
“I ultimately chose Alma because there weren’t many women’s wrestling opportunities close to home, but what really stood out were the coaches and the team,” Tapia said. “From the start, they made me feel like I would be joining a family, and that’s exactly what I was looking for.”
Family has played a major role throughout Tapia’s wrestling career. She has six younger siblings, and all six participate in the sport.
“Watching them grow in the sport and knowing they look up to me has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey,” Tapia said.
Some of her favorite memories at Lowell came from competing alongside her younger sister, Analize, and younger brother, Ciro. Analize will be a senior during the upcoming school year, while Ciro will enter his sophomore year.
“My favorite high school memory was getting to wrestle alongside my younger siblings, Analize and Ciro,” Tapia said. “Sharing those moments with them and seeing all of my siblings develop a love for wrestling is something I’ll always cherish.”
3 of the Tapia siblings during Lowell Wrestling’s media day in 2025-2026.
