Daynah & Daphney Gomez – Valiant Prep AZ

These Sisters Are a Wrestling Family Force

Two nationally recognized sisters from Yuma, Arizona – Daynah Gomez, 16, a sophomore, and Daphney, 14, an eighth grader – train with two-time Olympian Kayla Miracle (2020, 2024), who states that “they are our sport’s future.” 

In the USA Wrestling 2025 competitions, Daphney was a Pre-Season Nationals folkstyle champion at 14U 105 lbs. and a national freestyle bronze medalist. Daynah is an Arizona state bronze medalist at 16U 100 lbs.

Women’s wrestling is rapidly evolving, especially in high school, where girls increasingly prefer to become proficient in freestyle to prepare for success at the collegiate level and internationally.

The fourth WCWA four-time women's college national champion (Campbellsville University) and twice a World Silver Medalist, Miracle now coaches at Valiant College Preparatory in Arizona. She asserts, “The quality of women's wrestling will only keep getting better. 

“As women retire from competition,” Miracle continues, “many want to stay connected to the sport, and thankfully, hundreds of colleges have programs where they can coach and mentor.” 

The Gomez girls travel to national individual and team competitions with David Pastoriza, head coach for Arizona Girls Wrestling and director of the state’s USA Wrestling National Women’s team, states: “Girls who love folkstyle haven’t done a full season of freestyle.”

“After they experience freestyle,” Pastoriza continues, “ninety percent prefer it, because freestyle works better with their body type. Girls’ hips are their center of power, and their bodies are more flexible.”

Every October, RMN Events’ Freak Show draws over 4000 wrestlers and officials from most states and many countries as the kickoff to the nation’s largest series of wrestling events. 

In 2025, Daphney at 15U 101 lbs., and Daynah at 18U 109 lbs. were each named individual champions. With four pins in five matches, Daphney was also named Outstanding Wrestler.

“Participating in RMN events is rewarding,” cites Daynah, “because I get to compete and see my hard work pay off. It’s enjoyable because I get to travel and represent my team. It’s challenging because the competition is always tough and pushes me to reach my best.”

“Participating in RMN events is fun but challenging,” Daphney echoes. “I get to wrestle girls from all over the States. It is challenging because there are always great wrestlers.”

While similar in appearance and weight, and equally committed as wrestlers and student-athletes, the Gomezes have distinct style preferences and personalities on the wrestling mat. 

Of the two, Daynah is more deliberate and contemplative. She approaches matches with discipline and methodical determination. Her wrestling is characterized by her determination to get moves right before, during, and after a match.

“I like to get the feel of my opponent and see how they wrestle,” explains Daynah. “Then I position myself to work off their moves. Against skilled girls like I faced at the RMN Freak Show, my state of mind was to get these matches over as soon as possible.”

On the other hand, Daphney is faster, lighter, and more adaptable in the moment. More instinctual and intuitive, Daphney’s wrestling is dynamic, fluid, and explosive. Her risk-taking style is rewarded with relatively quick resolutions to a match.

Dad and coach Ernie Gomez describes Daphney as one who “chain wrestles effortlessly, instinctively finding the best positions in the flow of action and wrestling her way through situations.”   

The sisters now attend Valiant, a private day school for grades 6-12 in Phoenix, AZ. The school offers a highly diversified academic curriculum and nationally competitive athletics. It is exceptionally proud that 100 percent of its wrestlers not only graduate from high school but also enroll in higher education.

In 2025, Valiant’s wrestling national and world champions include females, Reagan Mathers, Fargo Freestyle 16U 115 lbs., and Everest Leydecker, World U20 55 kg., as well as Angel Cejudo Jr., Fargo Freestyle 16U 132 lbs.

“At Valiant, we take wrestling seriously,” Daphney describes. ”We focus on mastering the fundamentals. Now, I approach a match with increased confidence that I can take the lead. With this positive mindset, the match is over before it begins.”

When they lived in Yuma, Ernie commented, “Finding consistent, quality training partners and programs at home to prepare our daughters for the next level was challenging.” 

“Alma (mom) quit her job and moved all three siblings (including Danikah – 10, in 4th grade) to Phoenix, while I stayed in Yuma,” Ernie continues. “My work keeps me here for now until I can relocate. This is a major financial and family sacrifice.z’

“However,” he says, “we know that Valiant is where we need to be for our girls to reach their highest potential. Now that we have them at Valiant, it’s remarkable not only to see the coaches' skill and knowledge but also their dedication to inspiring the best in our wrestlers.” 

Gomez concludes, “Before they attended VCP, I never missed any wrestling practice or tournament. Still, I saw the huge opportunity they had to participate in Valiant’s advanced program. So, I entrusted my daughters to their coaches, especially Mike Douglas, who has never missed one of their matches.”

“Wrestling is obviously a priority for all the student-athletes who attend Valiant,” comments Miracle, “but academics are equally important. Wrestlers are a different breed, and we hold ourselves to ambitious standards in every part of life. I can see their obsession with perfection both on and off the mat.”

Alma likes the fact that “Valiant teachers work with our kids one-on-one. In public schools, there were thirty or more students in their classrooms with little time for individual instruction.”

“Our Valiant teachers all want what is best for us,” reports Daynah. “They work with us to ensure our academics are well-situated before we step onto the mat.”

“In just a few months,” documents Miracle, her Literature and Composition teacher, “Daphney has made great progress; she's now one of the top students because she works hard and is deliberate about every answer she writes. I love her attention to detail and work ethic – they translate very well to the wrestling room.”

“At Valiant,” relates Daphney, “the girls' and boys' teams have mutual respect. Practice consists of getting into situations as a group and then individually working our way out of them. That helps me grow as a wrestler because it is up to me to figure out how to transition from one move to another.”

Valiant coach and school founder, Mike Douglas, notes, “Both girls are aggressive, regardless of style. Both let you know you're in a fight, and you'll most certainly remember them afterward.”

“On the mat, they both work hard and have a unique, fun flair in their style,” Coach Miracle observes. “I appreciate how both of them are unafraid of a challenge and will train with anyone in the room, regardless of skill level, age, size, or gender.’ 

“The girls just want to scrap!” she exclaims. “They can pull out some wild moves and scramble from anywhere. It’s fun to watch them let it all go!” 

“Wrestling here has significantly helped me succeed in the classroom and in athletics,” says Daphney, “by teaching me discipline and time management. It has also taught me to be confident and to lead by example.”

As a whole, girls tend to be team-oriented, fostering a collective competitive spirit, unlike boys, who are usually more focused on individual competition. Coach Pastoriza explains that “girls travel in packs and support each other in an inclusive community. More of their friends join the team.”

Daynah emphasizes this point: “As a team during practice or meetings, we are all one sisterhood. We want everyone to succeed, so we take the time to point out areas for improvement and ensure they are addressed. We support each other's growth and motivate each other to reach higher goals.”

Alma proudly relates: “I love how strong wrestling has made them and how it has helped them mentally. They both give 100 percent and never back down while always getting better.”

“My dad has always encouraged me to improve,” says Daynah, “and my mom always cheers me on from the sidelines. Both of them have made many sacrifices to help me reach where I am today.”

“Never give up, stay committed, and don’t fear making mistakes,” Daynah recommends, “but most importantly, have fun and enjoy the process.”

“My sister has been my wrestling partner since day one,” recalls Daphney. “Together we have helped each other become the wrestlers we are today." 

“Wrestling has taught me the importance of never giving up,” advises Daphney. “All I can do is give it my all. Success doesn’t come quickly, but if you keep working, it will all pay off.”