Warren wins regional crown in Grayslake

By Mike Garofola for the IWCOA

Qualifiers from this regional feed the Phillips sectional on Feb. 14

Warren was crowned regional champion at host Grayslake Central on Saturday afternoon, but not until wrestlers had to endure an incredibly long night of competition at first-day host Vernon Hills.

The athletic departments at Vernon Hills and Grayslake Central came to the rescue during the last few days prior to the start of the post-season.

When nary a one of the 29 teams were assigned to a northern suburb regional venue, Vernon Hills stepped forward to host the first day of action, with Grayslake Central taking the second day, albeit with a caveat.

Central had an important girls basketball game scheduled in its spacious field house against Wauconda in a NLCC contest in the early afternoon on Saturday. As a result, four full rounds of competition would be required in order to leave just enough time for Central to prepare for its arch rival Wauconda.

Friday would go on well after 11 p.m., with an early weigh-in time awaiting the sleep-deprived wrestlers the following morning.

Despite this difficult situation, the wrestlers would still provide plenty of memorable moments for the big crowd on hand, showing their mettlel and passion for their sport, with four from each weight class moving on to the Phillips sectional in Chicago on Feb. 14.

“Obviously I am very proud of the team,” Warren coach Nick Grujanac said. “As a coach, I always love watching how a new core of wrestlers come together to compete for each other, and this group is no different.

“I’ve never been at a tournament that went past 8:30, let alone past 11:00, and definitely never at a tournament this important at two locations. But everyone owes gratitude to both Vernon Hills and Grayslake Central and their athletic departments, who somehow pulled it all together on such short notice.”

Grujanac, who has been quick to praise his assistant, Tom Mikolay for the success of the program, will accompany seven to sectionals, including his lone champion, Tyanna Jackson (140) and three runners-up: Aaliyah Vazquez (115), Jane Kelly (135), and Ellery Brown (145).

“The best wrestling of the day came from Naleah Parham, Haley Fugelseth, and Hanna Bairstow, going three-for-three in the blood round, all with pins,” said Grujanac.

“It was a total team effort with every girl scoring at least one pin to contribute to the final team score.”

100- Riley Kongkaeow (Round Lake)

Back from an extended stay on the injured list, Round Lake senior Riley Kongkaeow (17-3) made an immediate impression on the 100-pound division with an outstanding two-day effort which would include her pin of Ester Migues-Gayton (Grayslake North) in their final.

Kongkaeow, a two-time state qualifier, and 2025 fourth-place state medal winner, needed all but 41 seconds to dispatch Migues-Gayton to give her a tourney-best four pins in just 2:36 minutes.

“I just came back yesterday (Friday) to compete after being out for nearly two months with an injury, and it feels great to be back, and to start the postseason with a regional title,” said Kongkaeow, after claiming her second consecutive regional crown.

“The biggest thing after being out so long was to get myself mentally ready to compete. Other than that, I feel like I was ready for just about anything,” added the Panthers star, who was 45-5 a year ago.

Kongkaeow had to reach high in the sky to accept congratulations by former Panthers heavyweight star, and 2025 state runner-up, William Cole, home from NIU to support his female friends in the sport.

Kongkaeow plans on wrestling in college, and will pursue a degree in Occupational Therapy.

Evelyn Torres (Maine East, 28-9) and Esther Vega (21-11) from Waukegan advance into sectionals after their third- and fourth- place finishes.

105- Katelyn Gallegos (Maine South, 18-3)

Maine South freshman Katelyn Gallegos (18-3) rebounded nicely after her recent second-place finish at the CSL Conference championships with a pair of pins, sandwiched around a hard-fought 8-3 decision in her semifinal en route to the 105-pound title.

“It was always one of my goals, and it’s pretty amazing to be a regional champ as a freshman,” said Gallegos, who pinned two-time sectional qualifier London Lloyd (Antioch, 27-10) in the final.

Before that, Gallegos needed to get by league rival Isabella Castro (New Trier) who was third overall at the CSL tournament.

“I’ve been working hard all year, so it feels good to finish in first,” added Gallegos.

Castro (17-11) would finish fourth after Jazmine Medina (Zion-Benton, 18-5) in the third place match to advance.

110- Sunny Aitzemkour (New Trier)

New Trier star Sunny Aitzemkour (30-4) continues to be nearly untouchable, and appears primed to navigate through and around the competition to a spot atop the podium later this month in Bloomington.

After her first-round bye as the anointed top seed, the junior needed just (77) seconds to advance into her semifinal, where a forfeit sent the 2025 state qualifier into the final against league rival, Maine East captain, Eliana Badeen.

Once there, it was all Aitzemkour, who used her length, quickness, and finishing ability to pin Badeen (22-10) at 3:09.

“I am much more confident in myself compared to last season, and my time around Jillian Giller (5th place state medal winner now at Illinois Wesleyan), helped me in so many ways as well, particularly in my preparation, confidence, and how to compete at a high level,” said Aitzemkour, 25-17 a year ago.

“My workout regime has increased as well,” continued Aitzemkour. “Five times a week I’m training and in between I never really stop doing something to be better — running, lifting, fitness, all of it.”

Third-place medal winner Anne Gutkowski (Vernon Hills, 22-11) and fourth place Italia Cernas (9-4) from Mundelein also advance.

115- Athena Zappas (Stevenson, 34-1)

In her rookie season last year, Athena Zappas went 0-2 at the Round Lake regional to end her first season with an overall record of 9-19.

Fast forward, and the Stevenson sophomore is a near perfect 34-1 after her impressive four-match effort that included two pins, and tech-falls, her second coming in the 115-pound final with NSC rival Aaliyah Vazquez (34-9) from Warren.

“I spent so much extra time during the offseason training, going to as many camps and tournaments that I was able and just doing whatever I could to be a better wrestler,” said Zappas.

“I wrestled Aaliyah a bunch of times this season, so we both knew each other really well, but I still watched a lot of film before this weekend, which helped me exploit her with my shots and attack.”

“My results at regionals last year were terrible, so it felt good to go out and do really well, win my weight class, and advance into sectionals,” added Zappas, who now has four major titles on the season.

CSL champion, Annika Lee (Maine South, 24-6) finished third to advance, and and Alyssa Martel (Taft, 20-12) placed fourth to advance.

120- Nastasia Kobets (Stevenson, 13-3)

Junior Nastasia Kobets found herself in a 120-pound weight class last year at the Round Lake regional that featured future state placers Ariella Dobin (Glenbrook North) and Mary Minogue (Libertyville) among others, so her postseason visit ended far too soon.

Kobets made sure her opponents here at 120-pounds would have a short stay in the front draw when she pinned her first three opponents, setting up an outstanding but quick effort in her final.

Kobets needed just over 90 seconds to register a 16-1 tech-fall victory to claim her first regional title of her career over top seed, and CSL champion, Oyetola Jacobs (23-8) from Evanston.

“Something that I’ve improved on from last year is my patience and composure, which has made me a much more confident wrestler this year,” says Kobets, now 13-3.

“I also feel like my mindset is much better, so I am enjoying the sport even more this year, and really feel like I can get on top of the podium at state.”

Mirabelle Duboef (Lake Forest, 28-6) and Naleah Parham (Warren, 15-10) advance following their third and fourth place medals.

126- Ariella Dobin (Glenbrook North, 32-0)

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone in the 126-pound weight class that has more of the look of a state champion than Glenbrook North junior Ariella Dobin.

The Spartans star has been the No. 1 in the state all throughout, and her performance here would validate her lofty status.

“I worked during the offseason on just about everything, always looking to add one thing or another to my wrestling toolbox to make me as dangerous as I can be out there,” said Dobin, now 32-0 after third pin of the day ensured another major title.

The Dobin-Mary Minogue (Libertyville, 10-1) final began like a house on fire with both come out swinging that led to a hard-fought, physical opening period that would end with Dobin striking the first take-down blow.

The all-action Dobin would increase her advantage to 6-1 at three minutes, then increase her lead to 9-1 with a take-down when the clock struck 0:00.

Minogue, sixth a year ago at state, continued her attack, but the 2025 state runner-up had too much firepower left in her tank, leading to a pin at 5:46.

“Injury kept me from the National Duals, and Fargo, but I feel better than ever right now, and look forward to the state tournament in a couple of weeks,” added Dobin.

Natalie Gonzalez (Mundelein, 24-12) pinned Haley Ramos (Carmel Catholic, 18-5) to take home third, and a spot in sectionals along with Ramos.

132- Gianna Arzer (Grayslake Central)

What a triumphant return for Grayslake Central senior Gianna Arzer.

After off-season surgery on a torn labrum, the Rams best female wrestler in program history just recently got back to competing. On Saturday, before an appreciative home crowd, she won her 100th career victory when she pinned Emily Ortiz (25-4) from Zion-Benton to win the 132-pound title.

“I lost my freshman year to an injury, and almost all of my senior year after rehabbing from my labrum surgery back in July. So right now, it is just an amazing feeling to win, here at home, for my 100th victory,” said Arzer (9-0) who was mobbed by her teammates moments after her pin over Ortiz.

“It’s been a long road back from surgery, working to get myself ready to compete, and being ready mentally to do so, but I am super excited for these next two weeks, and cannot wait to get to state, and go after a state title,” she said.

“It meant a lot to me to get back to wrestling, and to win another regional championship here at home. It’s been great wrestling at Grayslake Central.”

Arzer will wrestle next season at Milliken University, where the trust in the coaching staff, her future teammates, and the wonderful new facility there will be a part of her future, which will include a degree in Exercise Science.

CSL rivals Alena Oshana (Maine East, 41-6) p. Zmorah Izenstark (New Trier, 36-9) were third and fourth, respectively.

135- Karina Lojowski (Stevenson)

Karina Lojowski is one of those athletes who speaks softly, but carries and strikes with a big stick — or, in this sport, big take-downs. She recorded plenty of those take-downs en route to the 135-pound individual title.

The Patriots senior nearly pinned her way to victory, saving her best for last during an 83-minute effort to defeat Warren captain Jane Kelly (31-9) to win her second consecutive major title.

The Lake County Invite champ opened her tournament with a pair of super quick pins, then overwhelmed CSL champion Sarah Al Radi (Niles West) with a 19-3 tech-fall that took 3:56 to complete.

“I don’t really game plan before any of my matches, I just put everything that I have into the match, both physically and mentally, and let that carry me,” admitted Lojowski, now 32-2.

The 2025 state qualifier was 2-2 in Bloomington, and would finish at 28-8 on the season.

“I feel like it is a reasonable expectation for me to get on the podium at state, and if I keep things simple, continue to work, and outwork my opponents, it can all happen for me,” Lojowski said.

Ridgewood sophomore Gianna Mezzano (30-7) will be the lone sectional representative for her club after her third place finish over junior Kylie Kowalisyn (28-13) who will be the only one from Taft.

140- Tyanna Jackson (Warren, 38-2)

There were a lot of impressive performances over the two days of action, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone who was more dynamic than Warren sophomore Tyanna Jackson.

The No. 5 rated 140-pounder in the state was unstoppable as she pinned her way to the title that would include all-out assault in her final against top seed, and recent Lake County Invite champion Sasha Johnson (Antioch, 36-8) who roared into the final on the heels of three consecutive pins.

“Being a regional champion means a lot to me because it validates all of the hard work that I put in during the offseason, and right into the wrestling season. It proves that hard work does pay off,” said Jackson following her pin at 1:58 minutes.

“When I go out there I like to set the tone with an aggressive style, looking to score points in a lot of different ways, be strong in my hand-fighting, quickness, and by doing all of that I can control the match and keep my opponents from being comfortable,” continued Jackson, who lost to Johnson (15-8) in the final at the Lake County Invite.

Khloe Heerdegen (Mundelein, 32-13) p. Victoria Marquez (Grayslake North, 24-11) will continued on after their third and fourth place medals.

145- Miranda Tellez (Grayslake Central, 26-4) 

In a rematch of the Lake County Invite final two weeks ago, it would be Miranda Tellez claiming her second straight victory over Ellery Brown (27-4) – this time in sensational fashion.

The sophomore from Grayslake Central opened up a 4-0 lead early in the second period, extended her advantage to 7-1, and would later execute a big throw into a four-point near fall that would eventually end with a 19-3 tech-fall triumph.

“To win a regional championship for the first time is amazing. It feels good and it will help my confidence going forward with sectionals coming up next week,” said Tellez (26-4) who would register a 5-2 decision over Brown in her Lake County Invite final.

“I put in a lot of extra work during the offseason, lifting, getting stronger, and really spending a lot of time working on my cardio because it will be important when I have those six minute matches that really mean something,” added Tellez, who was a sectional qualifier a year ago with a 25-15 record.

Highland Park freshman Lexie Hoobler (20-10) advances after her 6-1 decision over Alyson Alvarenga (26-11) who will be making her second sectional appearance.

155- Isabel Hilinski (Stevenson, 19-4)

There was plenty of high drama in the 155-pound semifinal round with each contest testing the spirit of the competitors, and the anxiety level of their respective fan base.

Isabel Hilinski (Stevenson) would see her early 3-0 lead evaporate, allowing Natalie Rumpel (Deerfield, 26-9) to draw back level with a late third period escape to send this match into extra time.

Once there, Hilinski (19-4) used a nifty inside trip to register a match-winning take-down with 22 seconds remaining to earn a 7-4 decision, and a place in the final.

On the other side of the bracket, Myriah Jefferson (Round Lake, 28-13) and Haley Fugelseth (20-15) from Warren were embroiled in a high-scoring affair that began with the freshman Jefferson running out to a 12-3 advantage at three minutes.

Fugelseth would find her form in the third period, using an escape, and near fall to pull within four (12-8) to ignite the Warren faithful, but Jefferson found a way to victory with a strong defensive stand.

The Hilinski-Jefferson final would provide a 23-point thriller, with Hilinski watching her first period lead of 7-0 slowly disappear.

It became 9-7 before the second period nearly ended, and then 11-7 when Hilinski added two with the clock at 0:00.

Hilinski would defend a strong single effort from Jefferson, then turn it into a take-down with 30 seconds from time to earn a hard fought 14-9 decision.

“It was a tough match, but I think my ability to remain patient and composed really helped me when I needed it the most,” said Hilinski, after claiming her first regional title of her career.

“From last year to this season, I am a lot better in my shot selections, under-hooks, and high crotch singles and take-downs,” added the Patriots sophomore.

Fugelseth, and Rumpel advance after their third, and fourth place medals. 

170- Josie Blau (Antioch, 36-6)

The transformation of Josie Blau from her rookie season to this year has been one that Antioch fans can only marvel at.

A year ago, Blau would reach the finals at the Round Lake regional, only to lose to eventual state champion Josephine Larson from Lakes Community.

One week later, Blau lost in the blood round ending her first season with the Lady Sequoits with a respectable 23-19 record.

Fast forward to the 2025-26 campaign, and Blau in closing in to 40 wins on the season after her three-pin effort, culminating in her final with Highland Park junior Lexi Rosenthal (23-6) who would concede a pin at 4:34.

“I had a lot of things to work on during the offseason, but maybe the most important was my fitness,” admits Blau, who won an individual title recently at the Lake County Invite.

“I feel like I can go hard for six minutes if I have to, and with my improved cardio, I now know I can be so much better on top.”

Two periods of action saw Blau give her Rosenthal a rough, physical ride, and eventual stall warning just seconds from the end of the second period.

Rosenthal would start on bottom, and Blau would make her pay for it when a big turn near the edge led to a pin, and the championship.

“My top game was the difference in my match. When we got near the edge, I was able to get her leg (post up) and get the turn and the pin,” recounts Blau

Hanna Bairstow (Warren, 32-9), who was runner-up to Blau at the Lake County Invite moves on with a third place medal, Jessica Ivanyuk (Stevenson, 12-12)

with a fourth.

190- Julissa Az (Mather)

Taft head coach Tom Angsten said it all simply and succinctly.

“The (Mather) 190-pounder was just awesome this weekend, we wish her all the best of luck at sectional,” said a gracious Angst, who has seen Az up close and personal at the Chicago Public League Conference tournament where the Mather star won easily.

Az left her three opponents here in the rearview mirror with a trio of marvelous efforts, including her pin of Lakes Community sophomore Joslin Coon (15-4) who will be the next great wrestler after former Eagles super star Josephine Larson, whose brilliant four-year career would end with a perfect season a year ago at 190 pounds where she pinned all 29 of her opponents.

“Julissa is a three-time all-city wrestler, fourth in 2024 (190), fifth a year ago at 170, and CPL champion this year,” began Mather head coach, Zach Boettjer.

“She is a three-time sectional qualifier, twice at 190, and has an overall record of 60-18, including her 23-3 record this season with (17) pins. Away from the sport, Julissa is an amazing student, and talented artist as well.

“Her improvement has come in clutch moments, such as coming back from a 3-0 deficit in her regional semifinal to win her match.”

Boettjer adds that his best wrestler has learned to take control of matches, and not allow others to dictate the tempo, unlike in the past.

Az was a regional runner-up last season, before going 2-2 at sectionals to finish her season at 30-7.

Fatima Gomez (Evanston, 20-6), was third, Alexa Kirchen (Deerfield, 25-13) fourth to advance.

235- Sophia Fortis (Maine South, 20-2)

The pins just keep coming for Sophia Fortis.

The amiable Maine South junior proved the top seed, with an attack which proved untouchable by her opponents – three pins in three matches, all completed in just under ten minutes.

With her trio of pins, Fortis, now 20-2, has 16 pins on the season.

“I’ve gotten bigger, stronger, and quicker than I was last season, when I think I wasn’t as aggressive as I should have been,” Fortis said. “And now after my offseason work, my confidence is so much better than last year as well.”

The two-time CSL and regional champion was off an running against league rival Omowonuola Fajimolu (Evanston, 19-7), recording a take-down with thirty second remaining in the first period, followed by a well constructed near-fall as time ran out.

Fajimolu would start down when the second period began, with Fortis taking full advantage of her technical skill to turn the Lady Wildcats sophomore to grab another near-fall.

A front head lock would end this contest with Fortis claiming a pin at 3:26.

It will be an all-CSL contingent headed to sectionals with Jacklyn Linaves (Waukegan, 22-11), and Jessica Anh (Niles North, 20-14) moving on.

Final Team Standings:

Warren 197.5, Stevenson 150.0, Antioch 130.0, Maine South 124.0, Maine East

117.5, Evanston 117.0, Round Lake 100.0, Grayslake Central 97.5, New Trier

96.0, Mundelein 87.0, Lakes Community 84.5, Highland Park 81.5, Deerfield 77.5, Grayslake North 76.0, Taft 74.5, Zion-Benton 72.0, Ridgewood/Waukegan 63.0 each, Niles North 58.0 Vernon Hills 48.0, Carmel Catholic 47.0, Glenbrook North 46.5, Mather 43.0, Lake Forest 40.0, Maine West 27.5, Libertyville/Niles West 26.0 each, Loyola Academy 21.0, North Chicago 0.0.