The Many Faces of Cavegirl Atria Wells

By Don Eskins

The Many Faces of Cavegirl Atria WellsBy Don Eskins

When the Cavern City's old timers pick up a good cup of coffee, gather around a table, and begin talking about Carlsbad High's greatest Cavegirls, Atria Wells has to be on their list of possible candidates.

However, when it comes to Wells, one must decide which Atria they're talking about. As she excelled in three sports, will they be discussing her as a track-and-field, powerlifting, or wrestling star?

And then there's this choice, "How about all three?"

After all, over the past three years, Atria captured multiple state championships in powerlifting and track and field and had a near miss in wrestling.

During the 2023-24 school year, as a sophomore, she won an individual state title in the shot put.

During her junior year, 2024-25, she captured an individual state title in powerlifting. In the same year, although she did not repeat as the state's shot-put champion, she did pick up a silver medal for placing second. She also placed second in the discus competition.

As a senior in 2025-26, she collected team and individual state titles in powerlifting and, once again, won a state championship in the shot put.

Also, as incredible as it may sound, during the 2025-26 school year, she picked up a bronze medal for placing third at the state wrestling tournament. It was her first and only year to wrestle.

So, in a three-year span, Wells captured five state championships—four individuals and one team—and had a narrow miss for another in wrestling. I'd say that's a pretty good resume for the 2026 graduate, wouldn't you?

Which brings to mind this question, "Could Atria Wells arguably be the greatest Cavegirl ever?"

CHS head track and field coach Charles Millar certainly thinks so.

"An athlete as dominant as Atria doesn't come around very often. The athletic success she experienced here at CHS, in three sports, was incredible," said the CHS coach. "Personally, I can't recall any Cavegirl who's experienced more."

Because many team sports don't offer athletes the opportunity to win individual state championships, winning state titles shouldn't be the only statistic used to evaluate an athlete's greatness.

However, individual state championships are certainly a valuable statistic on the measuring stick. That's especially true if those state titles come in more than just one sport.

Since the implementation of Title IX in 1972, which opened the door for young girls to compete athletically on both the prep and collegiate levels, Carlsbad has been blessed with a boatload of great female athletes.

Because of that, just who might be Carlsbad's greatest Cavegirl will always be debatable.

So, for all of those who may be sitting around a table with a great cup of coffee in their hands, just who CHS's greatest Cavegirl might be will always make a good topic for discussion.

However, while comparing notes during those discussions, one could make a good case for Atria. Although CHS has been blessed with an abundance of great Cavegirls, none has been more talented, more versatile, or more dominating than her.   

From Carlsbad Local Sports: Thanks for all the memories, Atria, and best of luck in all your future endeavors.            

Atria's Cavegirl LegacyGold Medals 2024, Shot Put; 2025, Individual Powerlifting; 2026, Shot Put, Individual Powerlifting, and Team Powerlifting Silver Medals2025, Shot Put and Discus Bronze Medal2026, WrestlingCavegirl CareerFive State Championships and eight Medals