Maryland Maniacs Wrestler Orlando Nottham Wins MAWA Eastern National Championship

A young Maryland wrestler is making a major name for himself on the national stage.

Orlando Nottham, a member of the Maryland Maniacs wrestling team based in Mount Airy, Maryland, recently took first place at the Mid Atlantic Wrestling Association Eastern National Championship in the 48-pound Bantam bracket.

Orlando finished at the top of a 16-wrestler bracket, competing against some of the strongest youth wrestlers in the region. According to the team, 10 of the wrestlers in the bracket were from Pennsylvania, widely known as one of the top wrestling states in the country.

Adding to the accomplishment, Orlando was the only Maryland Maniacs wrestler to qualify for Nationals and competed as the only solo wrestler representing Maryland in the bracket, while other competitors arrived with teams.

The national championship adds to what has already been a strong year for Orlando. He also took first place at the 2026 MAWA South Regional Championship on April 11.

Orlando has been wrestling since he was 3 years old and has been coached from the beginning by his father, Ricky Nottham. In 2024, Orlando became a state champion at just 5 years old after winning the Maryland State Wrestling Association Future Champion Series State Tournament.

The Maryland Maniacs program, owned by Tony Rodrigues, has built a strong reputation in youth wrestling. The Mount Airy-based team has helped develop several accomplished wrestlers, including former Maniacs who went on to compete at the college level and win Maryland high school state titles.

Former Maniacs include AJ Rodrigues, a University of Maryland wrestler and three-time Maryland high school state champion; Manny Rodrigues of McDaniel; Michael Pizzuto, a University of Maryland wrestler and three-time Maryland high school state champion; Gage Owen of American University and a two-time Maryland high school state champion; Evan Owen of Washington and Lee and a one-time Maryland high school state champion; Rylan Moose of Marymount and a one-time Maryland high school state champion; and Jojo Gigliotti, a University of Maryland wrestler and four-time Maryland high school state champion.

Anthony Rodrigues is also a two-time Maryland high school state champion.

For Orlando Nottham, the latest championship is another major step in a wrestling journey that started almost as soon as he could walk. With a national title already added to his resume, the young Maryland Maniac is continuing to prove that he belongs among the top youth wrestlers in the region.

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