Miles Minton tabbed as inaugural Head Women's Wrestling Coach
Miles Minton selected as the Head Women's Wrestling Coach and will lead the Women's wrestling team into their inaugural season. Mariyln Garcia will join him as Associate Head Coach.
Minton, whose journey through wrestling, coaching, and education has been a testament to his commitment to excellence and holistic development.
Miles's journey in wrestling began as an accomplished athlete himself. His prowess earned him a coveted spot on the Ventura County Tri-County Wrestling All-Star Team during his high school years, setting the stage for a remarkable path ahead.
With over a decade of experience, Miles's coaching legacy took root at Newbury Park High School and Monterey County. His tenure as a High School wrestling coach spans more than ten years, during which he has guided numerous athletes to CIF, Masters, and State levels of competition, leaving an indelible mark on the wrestling community.
Miles's journey encompasses not only wrestling but education as well. Miles started his secondary education at Moorpark College where he earned an Associate in Arts in General Studies with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences. After Moorpark, he transfered to California State University, Channel Islands where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in History. He went on to Grand Canyon to earn his Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Having a desire to teach, he earned his Secondary Education Teaching Credential from California State University, Channel Islands.
As a high school teacher with a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, his focus extends beyond the mat. He's dedicated to crafting environments that enable athletes to compete and thrive, merging his educational expertise with his passion for wrestling.
Creating a strong sense of community is paramount to Miles's approach. He fosters open communication among athletes, empowers leadership from within the team, and orchestrates projects and events that cultivate a sense of ownership and camaraderie. Organizing team-building activities and providing academic support further solidifies his commitment to holistic growth.
His list of accolades include:
2009 Moorpark College Alumni, deeply committed to wrestling and athlete development.
Assistant Men's Wrestling Coach at Moorpark College, contributing to a highly competitive program.
Founded the first sanctioned all-girls high school wrestling team in the Conejo Valley, pioneering opportunities for female athletes and expanding the sport.
Over 15 years of high school coaching experience in California, leading numerous wrestlers to success at the CIF, Masters, and State Championship levels.
Co-ed Youth Wrestling Club Coach for 10+ years, fostering a love for wrestling and developing young athletes at the grassroots level.
3-time TCWA All-Star Team Member, recognized for leadership and excellence on the mat.
2-time CIF State Qualifier, demonstrating personal achievement and high-level competition experience.
Garcia joins the staff as Associate Head Women's Wrestling Coach, bringing both elite competitive experience and diverse coaching expertise. A native of Van Nuys, California, Garcia has deep roots in her community and is passionate about developing women's wrestling while giving back to her community. A 2022 Senior National Team Member and 2024 Olympic hopeful, Garcia has represented Team USA at multiple international competitions, securing silver at the 2023 Dan Kolov/Nikola Petrov International in Bulgaria and fifth at the 2024 Yasar Dogu International in Turkey. She recently took bronze at the Bill Farrell International and is also making waves in beach wrestling as the 2024 USA Beach National Champion and Beach World Team Member.
Garcia's coaching experience includes roles at Birmingham High School, where she has helped develop multiple state placers, and Beat the Streets Los Angeles, where she focuses on youth development in underserved communities. Her background spans both athletics and business, earning her accounting degree from Menlo College.
During her own competitive career at Menlo College, Garcia was an NAIA National Champion in 2019, building on her earlier success as a CIF State Runner Up in 2016. When not coaching or competing, she continues to train and mentor young athletes, sharing her passion for wrestling and its potential to build character and leadership skills. Her ultimate goal is to strengthen the foundation of women's wrestling and create more opportunities for female athletes in her community and beyon