IHSA Girls Sectional roundup

Phoenix STEM Military Academy qualifies six at the Evanston Township Sectional

Phoenix STEM Military Academy qualified six individuals at the Evanston Township Sectional, which ties it with Edwardsville, making the two schools the state leaders for the most athletes that are advancing to the IHSA Girls Individual Finals in Bloomington on February 23-24.

Lakes Community had five state qualifiers, making it is the only school in the state that was able to achieve that while Zion-Benton advanced four individuals to the IHSA Finals, which made it one of just four programs that were able to accomplish that, with District 230 (Andrew, Carl Sandburg, Stagg), Hoffman Estates and Lockport Township being the others.

Others at the Evanston Township Sectional who had three state qualifiers are Homewood-Flossmoor, J. Sterling Morton, Oak Forest, Round Lake and Thornton Fractional  South. Phoenix STEM Military Academy and Lakes Community both had three champions, which was the most for anyone in the sectional, which featured individuals representing 52 schools.

Leading coach Daniel Curin’s Phoenix STEM Military Academy Firebirds were champions Diana Lopez (21-3) at 110, AJ Grant (25-1) at 145  and America Cabrerra (24-4) at 155 while Ariel Foreman (15-4) at 135 took third place and Mia Thomas (21-9) at 115 and Marisol Castro (21-8) at 120 finished fourth. As for sectional team scores, Phoenix STEM Military finished as the  champions with 144 points, Lake Community (115) was second and Oak Forest (96) took third.

“I keep telling my girls we are the best team nobody has ever heard about,” Curin said. “We knew we had something special and very early on set the goal to be city champions. These girls have far exceeded expectations winning the regional and sectional. It’s been great watching them come together as a team. 

“Last year we had four girls on the team that really set the stage for this year. Three of them went down state as first-year sophomores. That effort last year attracted a bunch of new girls to the team this year and they have worked so hard to prepare and compete. To have six girls qualify is something I still can’t believe.  We are a small school, less than 400 kids, to be competing and winning against these big schools has been amazing to watch.”

Top placewinners for coach Devin Tortorice’s Lakes Community Eagles were first-place finishers Zaryia Mouzon (33-4) at 105, Olivia Heft (30-2) at 120 and Ava Babbs (28-0) at 125 while Josephine Larson (29-7) at 190 took second and Haven Sylves (28-11) at 110 placed fourth.

Individuals who qualified for the IHSA Finals for coach Hal Lunsford’s Zion-Benton Zee-Bees were title winner ILeen Castrjon (21-1) at 190, runner-up Emily Ortiz (33-5) at 130 and third-place finishers Naomi Foote (36-8) at 145 and Grace Johnson (31-7) at 155.

Thornton Township’s co-op of Thornton, Thornridge an Thornwood, had two champions, Jalah Wilson (16-2) at 130 and Keyhanna Phillips (12-0) at 170 while other sectional title winners were Round Lake’s Riley Kongkaeow (32-3) at 100, Loyola Academy’s Harlee Hiller (21-8) at 115, Thornton Fractional South’s Jermia Moore (24-8) at 135, New Trier’s Jillian Giller (31-4) at 140 and Curie Metropolitan’s Aaliyah Grandberry (20-0) at 235. 

Also finishing in second place were Homewood-Flossmoor’s London Gandy (22-14) at 105 and Jocelyn Williams (18-3) at 235, Round Lake’s Ireland McCain (31-8) at 115 and Raven Burnett (23-9) at 145, Rickover Naval Academy’s Mia Vazquez (31-4) at 100, Warren Township’s Alyssa Bentley (21-9) at 110, Glenbrook North’s Ariella Dobin (29-3) at 120, Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville’s Tyhesia Goss (17-2) at 125, Mother McAuley’s Maggie Zuber (9-2) at 135, Saint Ignatius College Prep’s GG Garduno (23-2) at 140, Oak Lawn’s Charvelle Mclain (21-3) at 155 and Waukegan’s Jennifer Perez (25-4) at 170.

Other third-place finishers at the sectional were Thornton Fractional South’s Quincy Onyiaorah (23-4) at 130 and Akayla Coopwood (14-3) at 140, De La Salle Institute’s Anapaula Cerna (12-2) at 100, J. Sterling Morton’s Hope Donnamario (32-8) at 105, Rich Township’s Courben Session (17-5) at 110, Kelly College Prep’s Jaqueline Dimas (25-4) at 115, Grayslake Central’s Gianna Arzer (35-9) at 120, Homewood-Flossmoor’s Makayla Marr (9-3) at 125, Reavis’ Estrella Ramirez (32-4) at 170, Oak Forest’s Isabel Peralta (38-4) at 190 and Rickover Naval Academy’s Jasmine Mejia (26-2) at 235.

Also taking fourth place were J. Sterling Morton’s Nayeli Rodriguez (28-11) at 125 and Violet Mayo (34-16) at 170, Oak Forest’s Iyobosa Odianse (28-13) at 140 and Jessica Komolafe (30-8) at 235, Curie Metropolitan’s Evelin Martinez (16-6) at 100, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences’ Carmen Jackson (26-4) at 105, Tinley Park’s Simone Standifer (21-2) at 130, Highland Park’s Clara Ugaz (19-5) at 135, Stevenson’s Sajra Sulejmani (9-6) at 145, New Trier’s Nina Aceves (28-8) at 155 and Reavis’ Reyna Padilla (19-6) at 190.

Individuals who are two-time IHSA placewinners that will make a third trip to state are Harlee Hiller (first at 105 in 2023, third at 105 in 2022), Aaliyah Grandberry (second at 235 in 2023 and 2022), ILeen Castrejon (third at 170 in 2023, second at 170 in 2022), Sajra Sulejmani (fourth at 145 in 2023, fifth at 145 in 2022) and Ireland McCain (sixth at 115 in 2023, fifth at 120 in 2022).

Other state medalists who qualified were Olivia Heft (second at 115 in 2022), Ava Babbs (third at 125 in 2023), Olivia Heft (second at 115 in 2022), Jocelyn Williams (fourth at 235 in 2022), Josephine Larson (fifth at 190 in 2023) and Jasmine Mejia (fifth at 235 in 2023).

There was a four-way tie for the most team points with 28 between Aaliyah Grandberry, AJ Grant, Harlee Hiller and Diana Lopez while Keyhanna Phillips had 27.5 points. Ava Babbs and Jillian Giller collected 27 team points and ILeen Castrejon, Olivia Heft, Riley Kongkaeow and Jermia Moore all finished with 26 team points.Carmen Jackson collected the most total match points with 55 while Estrella Ramirez was the lone individual in the sectional to record four falls.

Phoenix STEM Military Academy had the most total match points with 204 points while Oak Forest ranked second with 165. And the same two teams recorded the most falls with the Firebirds again ranking first with an 18-17 advantage in pins over the Bengals.

Championship matches for the Evanston Township Sectional Tournament100 – Riley Kongkaeow (Round Lake) 32-3, So. over Mia Vazquez (Rickover Naval Academy) 31-4, Jr. (Dec 4-2)
105 – Zaryia Mouzon (Lakes Community) 33-4, Sr. over London Gandy (Homewood-Flossmoor) 22-14, So. (Dec 8-3)
110 – Diana Lopez (Phoenix STEM Military Academy) 21-3, Jr. over Alyssa Bentley (Warren Township) 21-9, Jr. (Fall 1:49)
115 – Harlee Hiller (Loyola Academy) 21-8, Jr. over Ireland McCain (Round Lake) 31-8, Jr. (Fall 1:58)
120 – Olivia Heft (Lakes Community) 30-2, Sr. over Ariella Dobin (Glenbrook North) 29-3, Fr. (Dec 9-7)
125 – Ava Babbs (Lakes Community) 28-0, Sr. over Tyhesia Goss (Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville) 17-2, So. (Fall 0:44)
130 – Jalah Wilson (Thornton Township) 16-2, Jr. over Emily Ortiz (Zion-Benton) 33-5, So. (Dec 4-2)
135 – Jermia Moore (Thornton Fractional South) 24-8, So. over Maggie Zuber (Mother McAuley) 9-2, Jr. (Fall 0:53)
140 – Jillian Giller (New Trier) 31-4, Jr. over GG Garduno (Saint Ignatius College Prep) 23-2, Fr. (MD 13-5)
145 – AJ Grant (Phoenix STEM Military Academy) 25-1, So. over Raven Burnett (Round Lake) 23-9, Sr. (Fall 2:23)
155 – America Cabrerra (Phoenix STEM Military Academy) 24-4, So. over Charvelle Mclain (Oak Lawn) 21-3, Jr. (Dec 12-7)
170 – Keyhanna Phillips (Thornton Township) 12-0, Sr. over Jennifer Perez (Waukegan) 25-4, Sr. (Fall 2:22)
190 – ILeen Castrejon (Zion-Benton) 21-1, Sr. over Josephine Larson (Lakes Community) 29-7, Jr. (Dec 6-0)
235 – Aaliyah Grandberry (Curie Metropolitan) 20-0, Sr. over Jocelyn Williams (Homewood-Flossmoor) 18-3, Sr. (Fall 1:19)

Third place matches for the Evanston Township Sectional Tournament

100 – Anapaula Cerna (De La Salle Institute) 12-2, So. over Evelin Martinez (Curie Metropolitan) 16-6, Jr. (Fall 3:35)
105 – Hope Donnamario (J Sterling Morton) 32-8, Jr. over Carmen Jackson (Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences) 26-4, So. (Fall 2:58)
110 – Courben Session (Rich Township)) 17-5, Sr. over Haven Sylves (Lakes Community) 28-11, Jr. (Fall 1:19)
115 – Jaqueline Dimas (Kelly College Prep) 25-4, So. over Mia Thomas (Chicago (Phoenix STEM Military Academy) 21-9, Jr. (Fall 2:39)
120 – Gianna Arzer (Grayslake (Central) 35-9, So. over Marisol Castro (Phoenix STEM Military Academy) 21-8, Jr. (TF 4:22 (15-0)
125 – Makayla Marr (Homewood-Flossmoor) 9-3, So. over Nayeli Rodriguez (J Sterling Morton) 28-11, Sr. (TF 4:00 (21-4)
130 – Quincy Onyiaorah (Thornton Fractional South) 23-4, Jr. over Simone Standifer (Tinley Park) 21-2, Jr. (Fall 4:49)
135 – Ariel Foreman (Phoenix STEM Military Academy) 15-4, Jr. over Clara Ugaz (Highland Park) 19-5, Sr. (Fall 5:18)
140 – Akayla Coopwood (Thornton Fractional South) 14-3, So. over Iyobosa Odiase (Oak Forest) 28-13, So. (Fall 3:06)
145 – Naomi Foote (Zion-Benton) 36-8, Jr. over Sajra Sulejmani (Stevenson) 9-6, Sr. (For.)
155 – Grace Johnson (Zion-Benton) 31-7, Jr. over Nina Aceves (New Trier) 28-8, Sr. (Inj. 3:07)
170 – Estrella Ramirez (Reavis) 32-4, Sr. over Violet Mayo (J. Sterling Morton) 34-16, Jr. (Fall 1:46)
190 – Isabel Peralta (Oak Forest) 38-4, Jr. over Reyna Padilla (Reavis) 19-6, So. (Fall 0:44)
235 – Jasmine Mejia (Rickover Naval Academy) 26-2, Jr. over Jessica Komolafe (Oak Forest) 30-8, Sr. (Dec 6-1)  

Team scores for the Evanston Township Sectional Tournament (top 10 finishes)

1. Phoenix STEM Military Academy 144, 2. Lakes Community 115, 3. Oak Forest 96, 4. Zion-Benton 84, 5. Thornton Township 79.5, 6. Round Lake 78, 7. Thornton Fractional South 73, 8. Homewood-Flossmoor 71.5, 9. J. Sterling Morton 59, 10. Curie Metropolitan 51.

Minooka, DeKalb, Geneseo advance three at the Geneseo Sectional

Of all the four girls sectionals, there was only one where no team had more than three state qualifiers and just three teams in the competition, DeKalb, Geneseo and Minooka, were able to  advance three individuals to next weekend’s IHSA Finals in Bloomington.

Advancing to state for coach Paige Schoolman’s Minooka Indians were champion Addison Cailteux (24-4) at 130 and runners-up Eva Beck (26-11) at 135 and Peyton Kueltzo (32-11) at 235. Three other individuals fell one victory shy of advancing to state after losing in the consolation semifinals. They were Brooklyn Doti (25-14) at 110, Bella Cyrkiel (36-6) at 145 and Abbey Boersma (35-13) at 170.  

In tournament scoring, Minooka easily won the title with 105 points while Geneseo took second with 70 points and Kaneland scored 69 points to finish third. Part of the Indians’ success in easily outscoring the other top teams in the sectional was because nine of their 11 competitors captured two or more wins in the two-day tournament the featured athletes from 60 schools.”We are ecstatic for our three state qualifiers,” Schoolman said. “Our whole team wrestled tough all weekend.  We had nine girls win multiple matches with three girls advancing to the championship mat.  Three of our seniors lost in the blood round and that is heartbreaking, but we couldn’t be prouder of what those three have done for this team over the past 2-3 years.” “Addie wrestled solid all weekend, Beating the #5 and #3 ranked wrestlers according to Illinoismatwomen. This has been a long journey for Addie to get back to where we know she can be, one of the best girls in the state. 

Eva wrestled a gritty tournament taking second place. On her way to the finals she beat the third- and fourth-place wrestler in her bracket.  Friday night she had a gutsy OT win versus the girl from Sherrard and Saturday morning wrestled real smart to upend her Joliet opponent. Peyton dominated on Friday night and pulled out a tough 1-0 decision in the semis to punch her ticket to state for the third time in her career.  We are so proud of the work she has put in over the past three years.” 

Coach Carley Rusk’s Geneseo Maple Leafs were led by a third-place finish from Lauren Piquard (26-11) at 140 while Molly Snyder (23-8) at 100 and Bella Curcuru (18-14) at 125 both claimed fourth place. Mady Mooney (17-8) at 155 came up one win short of advancing to state when she lost a close decision in the consolation semifinals.

And coach Conor Infelise’s DeKalb Barbs were led by a second-place finish from Alex Gregorio-Perez (30-6) at 105, a third from Reese Zimmer (32-10) at 115 and a fourth from Aariana Boyd (24-13) at 235.

Two of the sectional champions are also two of the four two-time IHSA champions who will be trying to make more history next weekend by becoming the first three-time state title winners in the sport. They are Hononegah’s Angelina Cassioppi (13-1) at 120, who took first place at 120 a year and claimed first at 100 in 2022, and Freeport’s Cadence Diduch (25-0) at 135, who finished first at 125 last season and captured first place at 120 in 2022. Boylan Catholic’s 

Netavia Wickson (19-2) at 140 won a state title at 135 last season and claimed second place at the same weight in 2022.

IHSA second-place finishers who won sectional titles included a two-time runner-up, Lincoln-Way Central’s Gracie Guarino (23-0) at 115, who took second place last year at 110 and also finished second at 105 the year before. The other three state runners-up who won sectional titles were Joliet Township’s Eliana Paramo (34-3) at 110, who was second at 115 a year ago and finished fifth at 115 in 2022, Canton’s Kinnley Smith (24-3) at 125, who was a runner-up at 135 in 2023 and Moline’s Maryam Ndiaye (27-0) at 155, who was second at 155 last season. 

A returning state champion, Plainfield Central’s Alicia Tucker (33-1), who won a championship at 155 in 2023, suffered her first loss of the season to Peotone’s Kiernan Farmer (17-1) in the 170 title match. And another IHSA runner-up from a year ago, Yorkville’s Yamilet Aguirre (24-1), who placed second at 120 last year and took fourth at 115 in 2022, also lost for the first time this season when she fell to Smith in the 125 title match. 

Other first-place finishers were Newman Central Catholic’s Blair Grennan (13-1) at 100, Kaneland’s Angelina Gochis (43-5) at 105, Canton’s Katelyn Marvel (24-4) at 145, Clifton Central’s Karmen Cody (13-2) at 190 and Ottawa Township’s Juliana Thrush (27-3) at 235.

Additional second-place finishers were Galesburg’s Hannah Almendarez (19-3) at 100 and Annalisa Gibbins (19-4) at 140, Sandwich’s Ashlyn Strenz (15-4) at 110, Burlington Central’s Victoria Macias (32-4) at 115, Joliet Catholic Academy’s Grace Laird (20-7) at 120, Camp Point Central’s Amber Louderback (19-9) at 130, Macomb’s Kelly Ladd (25-7) at 145, Plainfield South’s Teagan Aurich (24-5) at 155 and United Township’s Afi Koumasse (9-1) at 190.

Macias placed fifth at 110 a year ago and finished fourth at that same weight class in 2022 while  Louderback took fourth at 125 in 2023 and Strenz claimed fourth at 115 a year ago

Also finishing third were Yorkville’s Danielle Turner (30-11) at 100, Lincoln-Way West’s Zoe Dempsey (16-5) at 105, Morris’ Ella McDonnell (31-3) at 110, Jacksonville’s Alexis Seymour (27-3) at 120, Kaneland’s Brooklyn Sheaffer (14-3) at 125, Seneca’s Sammie Greisen (30-7) at 130, Sherrard’s Nadia Anderson (12-6) at 135, Rock Island’s Sanaa Hampton (11-2) at 145, El Paso-Gridley’s Savannah Hamilton (10-2) at 155, Burlington Central’s Ryann Miller (32-3) at 170, Morris’ Morgan Congo (28-9) at 190 and Prairie Central’s Chloe Hoselton (15-3) at 235.

Hamilton was a state runner-up at 130 last season and also took second place at 140 in 2022.

McDonnell finished fourth at 110 last year and fourth at 105 in 2022, Seymour placed fourth at 120 in 2023 and Sheaffer finished sixth at 120 a year ago. 

Others who placed fourth in the sectional were Erie/Prophetstown’s Ryleigh Stephens (28-7) at 110 and Michelle Naftzger (32-8) at 130, Streator’s Lily Gwaltney (19-7) at 105, University High’s Allison Kroesch (20-11) at 115, El Paso-Gridley’s Kianna Mayne (13-5) at 120, Joliet Township’s Izabel Barrera (24-7) at 135, Princeton’s Isabella Gibson (19-6) at 140, Rochelle’s Dempsey Atkinson (17-5) at 145, Clifton Central’s Payton Temple (6-4) at 155, Joliet Catholic Academy’s Cheya Bishop (22-11) at 170 and Putnam County’s Bailey Herr (15-11) at 190.

There was a five-way tie for the most team points with 28 between Blair Grennan, Gracie Guarino, Katelyn Marvel, Maryam Ndiaye and Netavia Wickson while Cadence Diduch had 27.5 points, Kiernan Farmer and Angelina Gochis each scored 27 points and Karmen Cody, Kinnley Smith and Juliana Thrush finished with 26 team points. Kianna Mayne had the most total match points with 55 while Angelina Gochis ranked second with 45 total match points. Minooka had the most total match points with 120 while Kaneland was second with 92. And Minooka also had the most falls with 16 while Geneseo ranked second with 14 pins.

Championship matches for the Geneseo Sectional Tournament

100 – Blair Grennan (Newman Central Catholic) 13-1, Fr. over Hannah Almendarez (Galesburg) 19-3, Sr. (Fall 1:40)
105 – Angelina Gochis (Kaneland)) 43-5, Fr. over Alex Gregorio-Perez (DeKalb) 30-6, So. (MD 18-6)
110 – Eliana Paramo (Joliet Township) 34-3, Sr. over Ashlyn Strenz (Sandwich) 15-4, Sr. (Dec 2-0)
115 – Gracie Guarino (Lincoln-Way Central) 23-0, Sr. over Victoria Macias (Burlington Central) 32-4, Jr. (Fall  5:13)
120 – Angelina Cassioppi (Hononegah) 13-1, Jr. over Grace Laird (Joliet Catholic Academy) 20-7, Jr. (Fall 1:52)
125 – Kinnley Smith (Canton) 24-3, Jr. over Yamilet Aguirre (Yorkville) 24-1, Sr. (Fall 4:54)
130 – Addison Cailteux (Minooka) 24-4, So. over Amber Louderback (Camp Point Central) 19-9, So. (Dec 4-3)
135 – Cadence Diduch (Freeport) 25-0, Sr. over Eva Beck (Minooka) 26-11, Sr. (Fall 1:31)
140 – Netavia Wickson (Boylan Catholic) 19-2, Sr. over Annalisa Gibbons (Galesburg) 19-4, Jr. (Fall 2:19)
145 – Katelyn Marvel (Canton) 24-4, Jr. over Kelly Ladd (Macomb) 25-7, Jr. (Fall 4:46)
155 – Maryam Ndiaye (Moline) 27-0, Sr. over Teagan Aurich (Plainfield South) 24-5, Jr. (Fall 1:26)
170 – Kiernan Farmer (Peotone) 17-1, Sr. over Alicia Tucker (Plainfield Central) 33-1, Jr. (MD 9-0)
190 – Karmen Cody (Clifton Central) 13-2, Sr. over Afi Koumasse (United Township) 9-1, Sr. (Fall 1:46)
235 – Juliana Thrush (Ottawa Township) 27-3, So. over Peyton Kuetlzo (Minooka) 32-11, Sr. (Fall 1:43)

Third place matches for the Geneseo Sectional Tournament

100 – Danielle Turner (Yorkville) 30-11, So. over Molly Snyder (Geneseo) 23-8, Fr. (Fall 4:00)
105 – Zoe Dempsey (New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West) 16-5, So. over Lily Gwaltney (Streator) 19-7, Fr. (Fall 1:21)
110 – Ella McDonnell (Morris) 31-3, Sr. over Ryleigh Stephens (Erie/Prophetstown) 28-7, Fr. (Fall 1:58)
115 – Reese Zimmer (DeKalb) 32-10, Jr. over Allison Kroesch (University High) 20-11, Sr. (Fall 3:01)
120 – Alexis Seymour (Jacksonville) 27-3, Jr. over Kianna Mayne (El Paso-Gridley) 13-5, Fr. (Dec 15-8)
125 – Brooklyn Sheaffer (Kaneland) 14-3, Jr. over Bella Curcuru (Geneseo) 18-14, Jr. (Fall 3:46)
130 – Sammie Greisen (Seneca) 30-7, So. over Michelle Naftzger (Erie/Prophetstown) 32-8, So. (Fall 5:28)
135 – Nadia Anderson (Sherrard) 12-6, Jr. over Izabel Barrera (Joliet Township) 24-7, So. (Dec 6-0)
140 – Lauren Piquard (Geneseo) 26-11, Fr. over Isabella Gibson (Princeton) 19-6, So. (Fall 5:38)
145 – Sanaa Hampton (Rock Island) 11-2, Sr. over Dempsey Atkinson (Rochelle) 17-5, Jr. (Fall 1:40)
155 – Savannah Hamilton (El Paso-Gridley) 10-2, Jr. over Payton Temple (Clifton Central) 6-4, Fr. (Fall 0:58)
170 – Ryann Miller (Burlington Central) 32-3, Fr. over Cheya Bishop (Joliet Catholic Academy) 22-11, Sr. (Fall 2:55)
190 – Morgan Congo (Morris) 28-9, Jr. over Bailey Herr (Putnam County) 15-11, Jr. (Fall 5:26)
235 – Chloe Hoselton (Prairie Central) 15-3, Jr. over Aariana Bloyd (DeKalb) 24-13, So. (UTB 1-0)

Team scores for the Geneseo Sectional Tournament (top 10 finishes)

1. Minooka 105, 2. Geneseo 70, 3. Kaneland 69, 4. Joliet Township 63, 5. Canton 61, 6. Galesburg 57, 7. DeKalb 56, 8. Macomb 52, 9. Burlington Central 48, 10. Morris 42, 10. Yorkville 42.

Edwardsville has six qualifiers at the Richwoods Sectional

Edwardsville qualified six individuals from the Richwoods Sectional in Peoria for next weekend’s IHSA Finals at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Only one other team advanced as many individuals to state, Chicago’s Phoenix STEM Military Academy.

Four other teams at the sectional advanced three individuals to state, Auburn/Franklin/New Berlin, East Peoria, Mahomet-Seymour and Richwoods. In the team scoring, Edwardsville finished as the champions with 143 points while Richwoods placed second with 105.5 points and Glenwood took third place with 61 points. Athletes representing 59 schools took part in the sectional tournament.

Leading the way for the Edwardsville Tigers, who are coached by 2019 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Jon Wagner, were champion Norah Swaim (17-1) at 120 and second-place finishers Holly Zugmaier (31-6) at 125 and Tayla Phillips (32-7) at 235 while Genevieve Dykstra (27-8) at 100 and Olive Linhorst (28-1) at 130 took third place and Abbrey DeWerff (26-12) at 155 finished fourth. Olivia Coll (23-13) at 105, who took sixth place at 100 in the inaugural IHSA Finals in 2022, and Gianna Linhorst (26-11) at 110, both fell one win short of qualifying after falling in both the semifinals and the consolation semifinals.

“The girls did an outstanding job competing this weekend in the Peoria Richwoods Sectional,” Wagner said. “Placing six in the top four is a Girls wrestling record for our program. We look forward to the IHSA State tournament and are grateful we get to go back to work.”

Twelve teams had sectional champions with Glenwood and Richwoods each winning two titles. Taking first place for Glenwood were Kadi Wilbern (21-0) at 100 and Jenna Tuxhorn (20-2) at 135) while host Richwoods got first-place finishes from Kaila Williams (23-1) at 140 and Jaida Johnson (22-3) at 155. Johnson is one of the seven champions who won a medal at one or both of the first two IHSA Finals, placing second at 155 in the inaugural tournament in 2022.

Other sectional champions were Anna-Jonesboro’s Zoee Sadler (36-10) at 105, Litchfield/Mt. Olive’s Rilynn Younker (25-9) at 110, Mt. Zion’s Sydney Cannon (21-3) at 115, Vandalia’s Sophie Bowers (23-7) at 125, Collinsville’s Taylor Dawson (44-0) at 130, Goreville/Vienna’s Alivia Ming (34-0) at 145, Highland’s August Rottmann (26-3) at 170, Urbana’s Jurdan Tyler (23-4) at 190 and Robinson’s Rylee Hammond (13-7) at 235.

August Rottman won the IHSA title at 170 last season after finishing third at that weight class in the inaugural IHSA Finals in 2022. Other sectional champions who were IHSA medalists in either 2023 or 2022 were Zoee Sadler (second at 105 in 2023), Sydney Cannon (third at 110 in 2023), Taylor Dawson (third at 130 in 2023 and second at 125 in 2022), Alivia Ming (second at 140 in 2023 and fourth at 135 in 2022) and Jurdan Tyler (third at 235 in 2023).

Other who placed second were Roxana’s Madelyn Murphy (16-18) at 100, Pekin’s Tessa Donaldson (11-9) at 105, Monticello’s Marrissa Miller (7-3) at 110, Springfield High/Lanphier/Southeast’s Ella Miloncus (19-6) at 115, Mahomet-Seymour’s Isabelle Leyhe (23-3) at 120, Morton’s Karen Canchola (18-1) at 130, Olympia/Delavan’s Jordan Bicknell (12-2) at 135, Oakwood/Salt Fork’s Taylor Owens (4-3) at 140, East Peoria’s Dezyrae Murray (13-8) at 145, Alton’s Elanna Hickman (28-5) at 155, Peoria Notre Dame’s Autumne Williams (19-4) at 170 and Mt. Vernon’s Faith Barret (5-1) at 190. Karen Canchola won an IHSA medal last season, finishing in fifth place at 130.

All three of the state qualifiers for Auburn/Franklin/New Berlin, Jasmine Brown (22-6) at 115, Jadyn Perry (25-5) at 145 and Heaven Workman (14-6) at 170, claimed third place. 

Additional third place finishers were East Peoria’s Bailey Lusch (14-4) at 105 and Kennedy McMenimen (17-3) at 110, Benton/Sesser-Valier’s Mia Balota (27-5) at 120, Red Bud/Valmeyer’s Avery Smith (19-10) at 125, Cumberland’s Natalie Beaumont (16-2) at 135, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher’s Avery Schlickman (13-8) at 140, Belleville East’s Kami Ratcliff (11-3) at 155, Trico/Elverado’s Maddie Ramaker (11-10) at 190 and Unity’s Phoenix Molina (25-5) at 235. 

Bailey Lusch is a two-time IHSA medalist, placing sixth at 105 in 2023 and fifth at 105 in 2022. Avery Smith also won two IHSA medals, taking third at 115 in 2023 and fourth at 120 in 2022.

And other individuals who finished fourth were Mahomet-Seymour’s Kalista Granadino (23-10) at 115 and Jaycee Fancher (20-8) at 125, Charleston’s Mackensie Williams (14-5) at 145 and Alexus Dodge (5-9) at 235, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher’s Justice Milligan (14-10) at 100, Belleville East’s Alexcia Hardin (20-5) at 105, Larenceville/Red Hill’s Delaney Ledbetter (20-17) at 110, Belleville West’s Brooklyn Zeller (12-7) at 120, Richwoods’ Isabella Motteler (19-5) at 130, Collinsville’s Leann Cory (30-9) at 135, Urbana’s Rickasia Ivy (24-11) at 140, Cumberland’s Summer Nichols (8-4) at 170 and Goreville/Vienna’s Krista McBride (23-5) at 190. Isabella Motteler also won an IHSA medal in 2022, placing sixth at 115.

There was a five-way tie for the most team points with 28 between Sydney Cannon, Taylor Dawson, Norah Swaim, Jurdan Tyler and Kadi Wilbern while Zoee Sadler scored 27 team points and Sophie Bowers, Rylee Hammond, Jaida Johnson, Alivia Ming and August Rottmann all collected 26 team points. Olive Linhorst edged Leann Cory for the most total match points by a 35-34 margin while Jasmine Brown and Avery Smith both recorded four falls in the sectional. Richwoods had the most total match points with 101 while Edwardsville was second with 71. And Edwardsville finished with 14 falls while Richwoods collected 12 pins.

Championship matches for the Richwoods Sectional Tournament

100 – Kadi Wilbern (Glenwood) 21-0, Fr. over Madelyn Murphy (Roxana) 16-18, Fr. (Fall 1:34)
105 – Zoee Sadler (Anna-Jonesboro) 36-10, Jr. over Tessa Donaldson (Pekin) 11-9, So. (Fall 1:04)
110 – Rilynn Younker (Litchfield/Mt. Olive) 25-9, Fr. over Marrissa Miller (Monticello) 7-3, Sr. (Dec 7-2)
115 – Sydney Cannon (Mt. Zion) 21-3, So. over Ella Miloncus (Springfield High/Lanphier/Southeast) 19-6, Jr. (Fall 0:12)
120 – Norah Swaim (Edwardsville) 17-1, Sr. over Isabelle Leyhe (Mahomet-Seymour) 20-3, Sr. (Fall 2:40)
125 – Sophie Bowers (Vandalia) 23-7, Jr. over Holly Zugmaier (Edwardsville) 31-6, Jr. (Dec 2-1)
130 – Taylor Dawson (Collinsville) 44-0, Jr. over Karen Canchola (Morton) 18-1, Jr. (Fall 1:36)
135 – Jenna Tuxhorn (Glenwood) 20-2, So. over Jordan Bicknell (Olympia/Delavan) 12-2, Sr. (Dec 2-1)
140 – Kaila Williams (Richwoods) 23-1, Sr. over Taylor Owens (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 4-3, So. (Dec 10-3)
145 – Alivia Ming (Goreville/Vienna) 34-0, Sr. over Dezyrae Murray (East Peoria) 13-8, Fr. (Fall 0:59)
155 – Jaida Johnson (Richwoods) 22-3, Sr. over Elanna Hickman (Alton) 28-5, Sr. (Fall 4:20)
170 – August Rottmann (Highland) 26-3, Jr. over Autumne Williams (Peoria Notre Dame) 19-4, Jr. (Dec 9-5)
190 – Jurdan Tyler (Urbana) 23-4, Sr. over Faith Barret (Mt. Vernon) 5-1, Sr. (Fall 0:52)
235 – Rylee Hammond (Robinson) 13-7, Jr. over Tayla Phillips (Edwardsville) 32-7, Sr. (Dec 2-1)

Third place matches for the Richwoods Sectional Tournament

100 – Genevieve Dykstra (Edwardsville) 27-8, Fr. over Justice Milligan (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 14-10, Jr. (Dec 10-5)
105 – Bailey Lusch (East Peoria) 14-4, Sr. over Alexcia Hardin (Belleville East) 20-5, Jr. (Fall 3:35)
110 – Kennedy McMenimen (East Peoria) 17-3, So. over Delaney Ledbetter (Lawrenceville/Red Hill) 20-17, Fr. (Dec 4-1)
115 – Jasmine Brown (Auburn/Franklin/New Berlin) 22-6, Sr. over Kalista Granadino (Mahomet-Seymour) 23-10, So. (Fall 4:50)
120 – Mia Balota (Benton/Sesser-Valier) 27-5, Sr. over Brooklyn Zeller (Belleville West) 12-7, Jr. (Inj. 3:43)
125 – Avery Smith (Red Bud/Valmeyer) 19-10, Sr. over Jaycee Fancher (Mahomet-Seymour) 20-8, Fr. (Fall 5:04)
130 – Olive Linhorst (Edwardsville) 28-11, Fr. over Isabella Motteler (Richwoods) 19-5, Jr. (Dec 6-0)
135 – Natalie Beaumont (Cumberland) 16-2, So. over Leann Cory (Collinsville) 30-9, Fr. (Dec 6-4)
140 – Avery Schlickman (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 13-8, Jr. over Rickasia Ivy (Urbana) 24-11, Fr. (Fall 3:24)
145 – Jadyn Perry (Auburn/Franklin/New Berlin) 25-5, Sr. over Mackensie Williams (Charleston) 14-5, Sr. (Dec 3-2)
155 – Kami Ratcliff (Belleville East) 11-3, Sr. over Abbrey DeWerff (Edwardsville) 26-12, So. (Fall 5:09)
170 – Heaven Workman (Auburn/Franklin/New Berlin) 14-6, Sr. over Summer Nichols (Cumberland) 8-4, Fr. (Dec 6-0)
190 – Maddie Ramaker (Trico/Elverado) 11-10, Jr. over Krista McBride (Goreville/Vienna) 23-5, So. (Inj. 0:00)
235 – Phoenix Molina (Unity) 25-5, So. over Alexus Dodge (Charleston) 5-9, So. (Fall 1:34)

Team scores for the Richwoods Sectional Tournament (top 10 finishes)

1. Edwardsville 143, 2. Richwoods 105.5, 3. Glenwood 61, 4. Auburn/Franklin/New Berlin 56, 5. Mahomet-Seymour 55, 6. East Peoria 48, 7. Goreville/Vienna 47, 8. Collinsville 46, 9. Robinson 46, 10. Urbana 44.