2026 NWHOF Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award: Natalie Radecki
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by National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Natalie Radecki of Newark, Delaware, is the 2026 national winner of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award, one of the nation’s highest honors for senior female high school wrestlers.
The Hall of Fame’s High School Excellence Awards are proudly sponsored by the Hyman Family, whose support helps recognize and inspire wrestling’s next generation.
A trailblazer in Delaware wrestling, Radecki became the first girl in state history to place twice at the Delaware boys state tournament with sixth-place finishes in 2025 and 2026 for Caravel Academy. A four-time boys state qualifier and team captain, she finished her career with a 101-45 record, including a 28-0 mark against girls competition.
Radecki also excelled nationally and internationally in freestyle wrestling. She won gold at the 2025 U17 Pan American Championships and earned the Golden Boot as Outstanding Wrestler. She captured a Junior Nationals title in 2025, was a 16U Nationals runner-up in 2024, and won a Beast of the East girls title in 2023.
In addition to wrestling, Radecki lettered three years in cross country and earned all-county and all-state honors each season.
Off the mat, Radecki excelled academically and as a leader in her community. A four-time member of the Founders Honor Roll, she was named Outstanding Scholar Athlete of the junior class and served three terms as treasurer of the Student Government Association. She also participated in the Tri-M Music Honor Society and performed as a cello player in school music programs.
Radecki also advocated for the growth of women’s wrestling, working with Wrestle Like A Girl to help petition Delaware to sanction girls wrestling. She volunteered with state parks, Special Olympics, and the Humane Society.
The daughter of Anthony and Caron Radecki, she will continue her wrestling career at Lehigh University.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame proudly honors Natalie Radecki as the 2026 Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award winner.
