Nanea Estrella, a four-time Hawai‘i high school state wrestling champion and All-American at the University of Iowa, has been named the inaugural female recipient of the Big Ten’s Jackie Robinson Community Service Award.
The Makawao native and Lahainaluna alum was recognized for her impactful community work off the mat, including spearheading donation drives for toys and sports equipment and raising over $5,000 for the Maui Food Bank following the devastating wildfires that struck Lahaina in 2023.
Estrella, who was inducted into the HHSAA Hall of Honor, said her efforts are rooted in the values of her home.
“I always credit the things that I do and the aloha spirit to being raised in Hawai‘i,” Estrella said. “Always giving back in any way you can — it will come back in full force. I’m incredibly grateful to be raised in Hawai‘i, by my parents, in the upcountry and Lahaina communities. They’ve helped me as an athlete, and now I’m able to give back to them. It just comes full circle.”
While Estrella’s decorated wrestling career includes a third-place individual finish in the 138-pound division at this year’s NCAA Championships and a team national title with the Hawkeyes, this latest honor highlights her impact beyond athletics.
“It’s the most amazing feeling to know that the things I’m doing off the mat have a big impact,” Estrella said. “There’s so much more to me — and to my teammates — outside of wrestling. To be put on a platform to show that is really cool. We can focus on the human side of being an athlete.”
Estrella was coached at Iowa by Roosevelt alum and USA Wrestling Hall of Famer Clarissa Chun.
She will remain in Iowa to continue training, with aspirations to compete for Team USA in the future.