Posts by Mick Torres

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

The individual state finals will take place Feb. 19-21 at the State Farm Center in Champaign

CONANT SECTIONAL

Oak Park and River Forest advanced eight wrestlers to the state finals, and led all teams with four sectional champions in returning state champion Michael Rundell (106), returning state placer Jamiel Castleberry (126), Aiden Noyes (150) and David Ogunsanya (157).

St Charles East advanced nine wrestlers, led by a trio of sectional champs including two-time state champion Dom Munaretto (120), Kaden Potter (132) and Cooper Murray (215).

Sectional champ Aiden Ortega (106) will lead a contingent of five Glenbard West wrestlers to the state finals. Sectional champion Jake Colleran (144) is one of five Maine South wrestlers headed downstate, while St. Patrick champs Pat Hulne (138) and returning state-placer Van Grasser (175) led a group of four state qualifiers for the Shamrocks.

Notre Dame had two state qualifiers in sectional champ Sean Cook (285) and a returning state champ in Ray Long (120), and Wheaton North sectional champ Ryan Rosch (190) will lead three Falcons to Champaign.

Sectional champ Jackson Hanselman (165) is one of two state qualifiers for York.

SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS

SM – returning state medal-winner; SC – returning state champ
106 Aiden Ortega (42-1) Glenbard West
113 SC Michael Rundell (37-3) OPRF
120 SC Dom Munaretto (45-0) St. Charles East
126 SM Jamiel Castleberry (32-3) OPRF
132 Kaden Potter (30-13) St. Charles East
138 Pat Hulne (40-8) St. Patrick
144 Jake Colleran (16-1) Maine South
150 Aiden Noyes (32-7) OPRF
157 David Ogunsanya (30-3) OPRF
165 Jackson Hanselman (42-4) York
175 SM Van Grasser (35-2) St. Patrick
190 Ryan Rosch (31-2) Wheaton North
215 Cooper Murray (40-7) St. Charles East
285 Sean Cook (39-6) Notre Dame

STATE QUALIFIERS
106
Aidan Ortega (Glenbard W) 42-1, d. Jeremiah Arroyo-McMullan (Lane) 42-3, (D 7-1)

Dominic Melody (Glenbard N) 28-11, d. Maximus Aye (SC East) 23-20, (F 1:22)

113

Michael Rundell (OPRF) 37-3, d. Jack Koenig (St. Patrick) 41-5, (F 2:48)

George Georgiev (Maine S) 22-6, d. Andre Rice (Proviso W) 25-5, (M. For.)

120

Dom Munaretto (SC East) 45-0, d. Danny Goodwin (St. Patrick) 41-2, (TF 3:07)

Ray Long (Notre Dame) 41-5, d. Nikolas Duarte (Addison (A. Trail) 27-4, (D 6-5)

126

Jamiel Castleberry (OPRF) 32-3, d. Vannak Khiev (Glenbard N) 32-8, (TF 3:33)

Dlan Sons (SC East) 34-17, d. Emanuel Rangel (WEGO) 31-6, (TF-1.5 5:45 (19-4)

132

Kaden Potter (SC East) 30-13, d. Brett Harman (Maine S) 38-5, (MD 13-1)

Alex Cohen (OPRF) 29-14, d. Brian Correa (WEGO) 27-10, (D 7-3)

138

Pat Hulne (St. Patrick) 40-8, d. Alejandro Aranda (Glenbard W) 34-11, (M. For.)

Aiden Quevedo (Schaumburg) 22-7, d. Liam Aye (SC East) 33-16, (SV-1 4-1)

144

Jake Colleran (Maine S) 16-1, d. Zev Koransky (OPRF) 28-9, (D 2-0)

Gavin Woodmancy (SC East) 34-14, d. Nicholas Merola (Lake Park) 37-3, (D 2-0)

150

Aiden Noyes (OPRF) 32-7, d. Gavin Hoerr (Maine S) 25-4, (D 4-1)

Leo Rosas (WEGO) 12-2, d. John Gough (Schaumburg) 16-12, (F 0:59)

157

David Ogunsanya (OPRF) 30-3, d. Caden Ljubenko (Maine S) 33-5, (TF 2:55)

Cameron Engels (Bartlett) 21-6, d. Cole Calace (Lane) 13-4, (F 1:44)

165

Jackson Hanselman (York) 42-4, d. Tallis Taylor (Glenbard W) 31-12, (F 1:21)

Jacob Veltri (Wheaton N) 30-14, d. Luciano Litro (SC East) 24-20, (D 4-2)

175

Van Grasser (St. Patrick) 35-2, d. Julian Flores (Wheaton N) 31-7, (TF 3:55)

Xavier Smiley (Glenbard N) 26-15, d. Jackson Spizzirri (Conant) 12-6, (F 3:53)

190

Ryan Rosch (Wheaton N) 31-2, d. Joseph Fitak (Glenbard N) 25-15, (TF 4:00)
Erick Worwa (Leyden) 31-4, d. Beau Walker (York) 30-18, (F 1:20)

215

Cooper Murray (SC East) 40-7, d. Phin Codinha (Glenbard W) 24-11, (F 1:15)

Tyler Hvorick (Glenbard N) 20-9, d. Lucas Albrecht (OPRF) 10-5, (TF 4:35)

285

Sean Cook (Notre Dame) 39-6, d. Pierre Nelson (OPRF) 25-11, (MD 15-6)

Matt Medina (SC East) 31-15, d. Marc Tchapda (Glenbard W) 34-11, (F 5:06)

EDWARDSVILLE SECTIONAL

Joliet Catholic Academy led the field at Edwardsville in state qualifiers with 10, including four sectional champions in Colton Schultz (113), Finn McDermott (120), returning state medalist Jason Hampton (132) and Adante Washington (138).

Edwardsville had seven state qualifiers, led by sectional champs Michael McNamara (106), returning state placer Ryan Richie (144) and Roman Janek (215), and Lockport advanced five, led by returning state medalist  Justin Wardlow (157). Lincoln-Way West had five state qualifiers on Justin the day, and Minooka had five qualifiers, led by sectional champ Kaden Meyer (165).

Sectional champion Donovan Rosauer (150) will lead a trio of Yorkville wrestlers downstate, and Colton Zvonar (190) will do the same for Lincoln-Way East. Lincoln-Way Central advanced two, led by champ Jalen Byrd (175), and Belleville East advanced two led by defending heavyweight state champ Jonathan Rulo.

Sectional champ and returning state medal-winner Chazz Robinson (126) will also lead two Homewood-Flossmoor wrestlers to state.

SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS
SM – returning state medal-winner
106 Michael McNamara (31-6) Edwardsville
113 Colton Schultz (32-9) Joliet Catholic
120 Finn McDermott (36-12) Joliet Catholic
126 SM Chazz Robinson (32-4) Homewood-Flossmoor
132 SM Jason Hampton (40-3) Joliet Catholic
138 Adante Washington (42-4) Joliet Catholic
144 SM Ryan Richie (32-7) Edwardsville
150 Donovan Rosauer (45-2) Yorkville
157 SM Justin Wardlow (37-5) Lockport
165 Kaden Meyer (27-6) Minooka
175 Jalen Byrd (48-3) Lincoln-Way Central
190 Colton Zvonar (35-6) Lincoln-Way East
215 SM Roman Janek (26-4) Edwardsville
285 Jonathan Rulo (25-0) Belleville East

STATE QUALIFIERS
106

Michael McNamara (Edwardsville) 31-6, d. Jackson Soney (Normal Comm) 41-3, (D 1-0)

Kane Robles (Joliet C) 34-10, d. Noe Hernandez (Lockport) 36-16, (TF 5:09)

113

Colton Schultz (Joliet C) 32-9, d. Brian Tejeda (Plainfield E) 17-7, (TF-1.5 3:15 (20-2)

Jackson Schadegg (Belleville E) 24-10, d. Kellan Hack (LW West) 30-21, (TF-1.5 3:00 (18-1)

120

Finn McDermott (Joliet C) 36-12, d. Anthony Sutton (Lockport) 23-12, (MD 11-0)

Landon Jenkins (Yorkville) 25-14, d. Timothy Swaim (Edwardsville) 24-11, (D 14-7)

126

Chazz Robinson (H-F) 32-4, d. Lukas Foster (Joliet C) 38-6, (D 7-3)

Aidan Durell (Plainfield N) 39-9, d. Bryson Nuttall (Edwardsville) 23-10, (F 3:35)

132

Jason Hampton (Joliet C) 40-3, d. Maddux Tindal (Minooka) 30-6, (D 11-5)

Brady Glynn (LW West) 38-9, d. Isaac Zimmerman (Lockport) 38-16, (D 8-7)

138

Adante Washington (Joliet C) 42-4, d. Aiden Ortiz (Oswego) 34-7, (D 3-2)

Nadeem Haleem (Andrew) 22-3, d. Housseyn Ndiaye (Moline) 36-12, (MD 16-5)

144

Ryan Richie (Edwardsville) 32-7, d. Kaidge Richardson (LW East) 43-4, (D 5-0)

Matthew Laird (Joliet C) 28-15, d. Jack Strezo (LW West) 28-12, (D 5-2)

150

Donovan Rosauer (Yorkville) 45-2, d. Coehn Weber (Joliet W) 36-7, (SV-1 4-1)

Ben Cyrkiel (Minooka) 31-12, d. Brody Baker (Quincy) 31-9, (For.)

157

Justin Wardlow (Lockport) 37-5, d. Nolan Vogel (Joliet C) 44-8, (D 7-4)

Max Mularz (LW East) 39-9, d. Mason Vogt (Minooka) 28-14, (D 9-3)

165

Kaden Meyer (Minooka) 27-6, d. Max Herman (LW West) 34-9, (TB-1 6-5)

Aiden Brown (Joliet W) 35-9, d. Brayden Drew (Alton) 39-5, (MD 10-1)

175

Jalen Byrd (LW Central) 48-3, d. Chris Miller (Lockport) 32-11, (MD 11-1)

Vince Skedel (Joliet C) 25-14, d. Kayden Roach (B-Bourbonnais) 37-10, (D 7-3)

190

Colton Zvonar (LW East) 35-6, d. Chase Pierceall (Plainfield S) 31-6, (D 12-11)

Brock Janeczko (Yorkville) 31-14, d. Simon Schulte (Edwardsville) 32-10, (D 9-7)

215

Roman Janek (Edwardsville) 26-4, d. Mason Bucon (Plainfield S) 36-9, (MD 12-3)

Ryker Czubak (Joliet C) 26-12, d. Jacob Tyderek (Joliet W) 33-12, (MD 12-1)

285

Jonathan Rulo (Belleville E) 25-0, d. Aiden Hennings (LW Central) 45-5, (F 0:13)

Braylon Hill-Lomax (Edwardsville) 36-9, d. Mason Caraway (Normal Comm) 35-8, (TB-1 5-4)

HINSDALE CENTRAL

Marmion Academy led all teams at Hinsdale Central with seven sectional champions and 10 state qualifiers. Montini had three champions and eight qualifiers, and four schools had one sectional champion each in Marist, Mount Carmel, West Aurora, and Naperville North.

Marmion’s sectional champs were Colton Wyller, Nicholas Garcia, Zach Stewart, Demetrios Carrera, Ashton Hobson, Vincenzo Testa and Joey Favia.

Montini got titles from Erik Klichurov, Allen Woo and Bobby Ruscitti. Marist’s Ethan Sonne, Mount Carmel’s Liam Kelly, West Aurora’s Dayne Serio, and Naperville North’s Tavfik Ibragimov rounded out the field of sectional champions.

In all, Marist advanced six downstate; Mount Carmel and West Aurora each advanced five; Carl Sandburg and Downers Grove North advanced four; Downers Grove South and Brother Rice advanced three; and Glenbard East had two state qualifiers. No other teams in the 31-team field had more than one state qualifier.

A trio of returning state champions are headed back downstate in Montini’s Woo, Marmion’s Garcia and Mount Carmel’s Kelly.

SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS
SM – returning state medal winner; SC – returning state champion

106 Colton Wyller (33-9) Marmion Academy
113 Erik Klichurov (34-2) Montini SM
120 Allen Woo (38-8) Montini SC
126 Bobby Ruscitti (43-0) Montini
132 Nicholas Garcia (46-2) Marmion Academy SC

138 Zach Stewart (21-3) Marmion Academy SM
144 Demetrios Carrera (36-5) Marmion Academy SM
150 Ashton Hobson (25-2) Marmion Academy SM
157 Ethan Sonne (34-3) Marist
165 Liam Kelly (30-2) Mount Carmel SC
175 Dayne Serio (39-3) West Aurora SM
190 Vincenzo Testa (23-4) Marmion Academy
215 Tavfik Ibragimov (35-1) Naperville North
285 Joey Favia (38-5) Marmion Academy

STATE QUALIFIERS

106
Colton Wyller (Marmion) 33-9, d. Elio Gil (Marist) 28-9, (D 4-0)

Sebastian Gracia (Mt. Carmel) 24-9, d. Anthony Hayes (Sandburg) 31-8, (TF-1.5 4:24 (18-3)

113

Erik Klichurov (Montini) 34-2, d. Gabe Richmond (W Aurora) 31-6, (F 1:35)

James Morrison (Marmion) 36-7, d. Kyle Hayes (Sandburg) 31-13, (MD 18-4)

120

Allen Woo (Montini) 38-8, d. Brody Page (Marmion) 31-15, (D 7-0)
Aris Neal (Villa Park (Willowbrook) 30-8, d. Damian Garcia (DG North) 37-9, (D 13-6)

126

Bobby Ruscitti (Montini) 43-0, d. Aidan McClure (Marmion) 29-10, (D 4-1)

Brody Koselke (Mt. Carmel) 17-7, d. Ismael Chaidez (Glenbard E) 36-7 (MD 11-3)

132

Nicholas Garcia (Marmion) 46-2, d. Mikey Malizzio (Montini) 34-11, (TF-1.5 5:33 (19-4)

Te`Jon Beals (Marist) 32-13, d. Jadon Dinwiddie (DG South) 32-8, (D 11-5)

138

Zach Stewart (Marmion) 21-3, d. Axel Rodriguez (Marist) 35-11, (TF-1.5 4:45 (17-2)

Griff Powell (Lyons) 41-4, d. Oscar Kalman (Sandburg) 32-14, (TF-1.5 4:26 (19-3)

144

Demetrios Carrera (Marmion) 36-5, d. Justin Williamson (Mt. Carmel) 20-8, (D 3-2)

Jaxon Jorgensen (Marist) 16-4, d. Oliver Davis (Brother Rice) 34-7, (D 17-14)

150

Ashton Hobson (Marmion) 25-2, d. Tommy Fidler (Marist) 37-10, (D 1-0)
Caden Chiarelli (DG North) 30-12, d. Evan Matkovich (W Aurora) 32-12, (F 4:48)

157

Ethan Sonne (Marist) 34-3, d. Brady Ritter (Sandburg) 41-6, (D 4-2)

Malan Hatfield (W Aurora) 33-8, d. Will Konder (Montini) 31-20, (D 11-5)

165

Liam Kelly (Mt. Carmel) 30-2, d. Santino Tenuta (Montini) 23-7, (MD 16-5)

Marcus Quintana (W Aurora) 30-5, d. Otis Davis (Brother Rice) 27-8, (F 0:48)

175

Dayne Serio (W Aurora) 39-3, d. AJ Tack (Montini) 30-11, (MD 11-0)

Santiago Moya (Morton) 37-6, d. Noah Greene (DG South) 37-10, (D 12-6)

190

Vincenzo Testa (Marmion) 23-4, d. Daniel Mensah (DG South) 30-8, (F 2:25)

Paul Peradotti (Naperville C) 44-5, d. Orlando Hoye (Glenbard E) 21-4, (TF-1.5 4:24 (18-2)

215

Tavfik Ibragimov (Naperville N) 35-1, d. Dan Costello (Brother Rice) 22-6, (MD 11-0)

Sam Swais (Montini) 6-2, d. Nate Olona (DG North) 40-9, (D 21-17)

285

Joseph Favia (Marmion) 38-5, d. Gavin Ericson (Montini) 31-11, (D 5-2)

Colin Murphy (DG North) 38-5, d. Landin Carter (Mt. Carmel) 8-6, (D 4-0)

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

The girls’ state finals will take place on Feb. 27-28 at Grossinger Arena in Bloomington

DEKALB SECTIONAL

The host Barbs hoisted the team sectional plaque, advancing four girls to the state finals in sectional champion and returning state medal-winner Alex Gregorio-Perez (100), sectional runners-up Larisza Gomez Guevara (105) and Aarianna Bloyd (235) and third-place winner Kara Zimmerman (135).

Coach Conor Infelise’s girls posted 91 points to lead the field, followed by Minooka (65), Pekin (58), Geneseo (55) and Sycamore (55) in the top five.

Minooka advanced two girls downstate in sectional champ Ezra Rodriguez (140) and Sabina Charlebois (4th at 130). Pekin advanced three girls, Geneseo advanced two, and Sycamore advanced three.

Clifton Central’s Payton Temple (34-0 at 170) and Rock Island’s Courtney Walls (29-0 at 190) enter the state finals with unblemished season records. Temple was a state runner-up at 190 last year.

Other returning state medal winners headed back to Bloomington are returning state champions Saya Hongmoungkhoune of Rockford East and Kaneland’s Angelina Gochis, fifth-placer Michelle Naftzger of Erie, and Ottawa’s sixth-place winner Juliana Thrush.

SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS

100 Alex Gregorio-Perez (36-3) DeKalb
105 Saya Hongmoungkhoune (24-1) Rockford East
110 Blair Grennan (32-2) Newman Central Catholic
115 Chloe Hedges (33-3) Canton
120 Angelina Gochis (27-2) Kaneland
125 Samantha Greisen (41-4) Seneca
130 Kerby Germann (38-1) Fulton
135 Michelle Naftzger (31-4) Erie
140 Ezra Rodriguez (39-4) Minooka
145 Emily Taylor (27-5) Belvidere
155 Arian Sabu (34-8) Normal Community West
170 Payton Temple (34-0) Clifton Central
190 Courtney Walls (29-0) Rock Island
235 Juliana Thrush (28-4) Ottawa

STATE QUALIFIERS
100

Alex Gregorio-Perez (DeKalb) 36-3, d. Kendra Ege (Oregon) 12-2, (F 0:35)

Kali Dlercq (Hononegah) 28-4, d. Abella Brown (Canton) 31-5, (SV-1 6-3)

105

Saya Hongmoungkhoune (Rockford E) 24-1, d. Larisza Gomez Guevara (DeKalb) 38-6, (D 10-5)

Lily Deibel (Marquette) 23-4, d. Tessa Donaldson (Pekin) 27-2, (F 2:42)

110

Blair Grennan (Newman CC) 32-2, d. Rozlyn Mosher (Erie) 34-5, (F 2:43)

Lily Gwaltney (Ottawa) 34-6, d. Annalee Haschemeyer (Canton) 31-5, (D 1-0)

115

Chloe Hedges (Canton) 33-3, d. Laila Vaughn (Streator) 41-3, (D 18-13)

Autumn Starr (Bloomington) 25-8, d. Lyndzey Brewer (Farmington) 16-6, (F 1:55)

120

Angelina Gochis (Kaneland) 27-2, d. Ava Mayer (Pekin) 26-6, (F 1:54)

Lydia King (Geneseo) 42-6, d. Amyah Pruitt (Galesburg) 21-12, (F 1:22)

125

Samantha Greisen (Seneca) 41-4, d. Kiely Domyancich (L-Peru) 33-3, (F 1:43)

Calliope Willman (Metamora) 45-8, d. Ryleigh Eriks (Rock Falls) 42-9, (F 1:28)

130

Kerby Germann (Fulton) 38-1, d. Madison Heneks (Harlem) 30-8, (F 0:39)

Dai Driana Wilford (Galesburg) 27-6, d. Sabina Charlebois (Minooka) 36-7, (F 1:02)

135

Michelle Naftzger (Erie) 31-4, d. Avery Crouch (Dwight) 29-1, (F 3:05)

Kara Zimmerman (DeKalb) 31-11, d. Bella Castelli (Hononegah) 24-2, (fft.)

140

Ezra Rodriguez (Minooka) 39-4, d. Ema Durst (Sycamore) 31-1, (D 9-4)

Annibelle Juarez (Geneseo) 36-9, d. Sophia Domont (B-Bourbonnais) 18-7, (F 0:32)

145

Emily Taylor (Belvidere) 27-5, d. Taylor Sutton (East Peoria) 25-8, (D 5-3)

Aaliyah Swearingen (Kewanee) 21-4, d. Paytyn Dykes (Washington) 25-10, (D 7-0)

155

Arian Sabu (Normal W) 34-8, d. NaJeyah Wallace (Freeport) 31-9, (F 0:54)

Alyssa Artman (Pekin) 28-7, d. Lauryn Trotter (Yorkville) 38-9, (For.)

170

Payton Temple (Clifton Cent.) 34-0, d. Grace Mordhorst (Washington) 29-5, (F 0:37)

Kylie Eilken (Jeffferson) 27-3, d. Frankie McMurtry (Sycamore) 31-9, (F 2:19)

190

Courtney Walls (Rock Island) 29-0, d. Anjanne Haywood (Guilford) 18-4, (F 3:47)

Karsyn Robinson (Normal W) 30-11, d. Sadie Kinsella (Kaneland) 28-9, (D 10-7)

235

Juliana Thrush (Ottawa) 28-4, d. Aarianna Bloyd (DeKalb) 32-8, (D 2-0)

Jasmine Enriquez (Sycamore) 31-5, d. Savannah Trevino (Belvidere) 24-10, (F 0:50)

PHILLIPS SECTIONAL

Lane snared a team sectional title at Phillips for coach Liam Cummins, edging second-place Oak Forest 95.5-83. Warren (74.5) finished third, followed by District 230 (65) and Stevenson (61) to round out the top five team finishes.

Lane advanced four girls to the state finals, while Oak Forest, Warren, District 230 and Stevenson each advanced three.

Lane got individual sectional titles from Zabby Badru (135) and Layla Moreland (155), a second from Eila Barbour (145) and a fourth from Sofia Guerrero (100) in securing the team sectional crown. Oak Forest matched Lane for the most sectional champions with two, in Alex Sebek (100) and Rain Scott (125).
Sebek (100) was a state runner-up as a freshman at 100 pounds and returns to the state finals after a two-year hiatus.

Other state medal winners returning to this year’s state finals are District 230’s Jade Hardee (110), who placed third at 100 last year; Grayslake Central’s Gianna Arzer (130) who placed third at 125; Round Lake’s Riley Kongkaeow (100), who placed fourth at 100; and Glenbrook North’s Ariella Dobin (125), who placed second at 120.

SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS
100 Alexandra Sebek (30-0) Oak Forest
105 Giselle Arambula (30-1) Curie
110 Jade Hardee (41-6) D 230
115 Demetria Griffin (19-0) Chicago Hope Academy
120 Nina Nesci (36-1) St. Laurence
125 Rain Scott (18-1) Oak Forest
130 Gianna Arzer (12-0) Grayslake Central
135 Zabby Badru (46-1) Lane Tech
140 Tyanna Jackson (41-2) Warren
145 Giancarla Garduno (26-2) St. Ignatius
155 Layla Moreland (38-9) Lane Tech
170 Caliyah Campbell (23-6) OPRF
190 Valiere Franco (20-4) Fenwick
235 Sophia Fortis (23-2) Maine South

STATE QUALIFIERS
100

Alexandra Sebek (Oak Forest) 30-0, d. Riley Kongkaeow (Round Lake) 19-3, (fft.)

Andaira Marron (Morton) 35-2, d. Sofia Guerrero (Lane) 43-5, (F 4:32)
105

Giselle Arambula (Curie) 30-1, d. J Colbert (Lake View) 21-4, (D 14-11)

Dakodia Kelly (TF South) 41-9, d. Tatum De La Vega (D 230) 29-10, (F 1:58)

110

Jade Hardee (D 230) 41-6, d. Carmen Jackson (Ag Science) 25-2, (F 0:49)

Sunny Aitzemkour (New Trier) 33-5, d. Ariel Woodfin (Thornton) 26-5, (TF-1.5 4:44 (21-6)

115
Demetria Griffin (Hope Acad) 19-0, d. Athena Zappas (Stevenson) 36-2 (TF 5:28)

Yazmine Garcia (Kelly) 28-6, d. Aaliyah Vazquez (Warren) 37-11, (D 10-7)

120

Nina Nesci (St. Laurence) 36-1, d. Ava Enright (Marist) 37-7, (MD 10-1)

Nastasia Kobets (Stevenson) 16-4, d. Brynnley Krauchun (D 230) 28-16 (TF 5:16)

125

Rain Scott (Oak Forest) 18-1, d. Mary Minogue (Libertyville) 12-2, (D 10-5)
Ariella Dobin (GB North) 35-1, d. Grace Eiland (Hope Acad) 18-6, (Inj. 1:08)

130

Gianna Arzer (GL Central) 12-0, d. Journey Jackson (Oak Lawn) 28-6 (TF 4:55)
Alena Oshana (Maine E) 45-7, d. Mila Rocush (Shepard) 34-11, (F 5:07)

135

Zabby Badru (Lane) 46-1, d. Karina Lojowski (Stevenson) 34-3, (D 3-0)

Mercedes Carrassoco (De La Salle) 29-4, d. Jane Kelly (Warren) 35-11, (F 0:53)

140

Tyanna Jackson (Warren) 41-2, d. Isabella Miller (OPRF) 24-4, (F 3:47)

Sasha Johnson (Antioch) 40-9, d. America Cabrera (Phoenix) 25-3, (F 2:53)

145

Giancarla Garduno (St. Ignatius) 26-2, d. Eila Barbour (Lane) 32-5, (F 5:57)

Iyobosa Odiase (Oak Forest) 35-3, d. Miranda Tellez (GL Central) 28-6, (F 1:05)

155

Layla Moreland (Lane) 38-9, d. Melissa Nance (Hillcrest) 25-10, (F 2:53)

Lily Fish (Reavis) 32-4, d. Ariyah Bradford (TF North) 20-8, (TF-1.5 5:46 (26-10)

170

Caliyah Campbell (OPRF) 23-6, d. Sara Martinez Lopera (Kelly) 31-4, (D 4-1)
Anali Wilson (Morton) 39-3, d. Sarah Parker (Marist) 37-13, (F 5:10)
190

Valiere Franco (Fenwick) 20-4, d. Lucia Terrazas (TF South) 30-9, (F 5:29)

Kendra Hayden (H-F) 31-13, d. Joslin Coon (Lakes) 17-6, (F 0:53)

235

Sophia Fortis (Maine S) 23-2, d. Esmeralda Bustamante (Noble/ITW Speer) 40-2, (D 3-0)

Karrine Jenkins (Shepard) 37-5, d. Omowonuola Fajimolu (Evanston) 23-9, (F 0:43)

NORTH MAC SECTIONAL

Edwardsville captured the team title at this year’s North Mac Sectional, posting 132 points and advancing six girls to the state finals, led by a pair of sectional champions in Emma Rogers (105) and Victoria White (190). Rogers placed sixth in Illinois at 100 pounds last season.

Also advancing for Edwardsville were a pair of sectional runners-up in Genevieve Dykstra (115) and Allie Chong (120), third-placer Adleigh DeWerff (110), and fourth-placer Olive Linhorst (125).

Collinsville (77.5) placed second and advanced four girls, third-place Urbana (68)   advanced three, fourth-place Granite City (56.5) advanced two, and fifth-place Roxana (54.5) advanced two girls.

Roxana’s returning state champion Chloe Skiles will chase the title at 110 after winning it at 105 last year. Other returning state medal winners include Litchfield/Mt. Olive’s Rilynn Younker, who was fifth at 110 last year; Mt. Zion’s Sydney Cannon, who was state runner-up at 115; returning state champion Natalie Beaumont (145) of Cumberland; and Unity’s Phoenix Molina, who placed third at 235.

SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS
100 Madelynn Murphy (22-5) Roxana
105 Emma Rogers (31-6) Edwardsville
110 Chloe Skile (25-1) Roxana
115 Rilynn Younker (35-11) Litchfield/Mt. Olive
120 Alauni Muex (44-2) Marion
125 Yariah Shaw (15-0) Danville
130 Sydney Cannon (37-0) Mt. Zion
135 Jacee Mardirosian (35-3) Carterville
140 Ricky Ivy (44-1) Urbana
145 Natalie Beaumont (20-1) Cumberland
155 Taylor Owens (17-5) Oakwood/Salt Fork
170 Demi Barnes (29-2) Granite City
190 Victoria White (32-0) Edwardsville
235 Phoenix Molina (34-0) Unity

STATE QUALIFIERS
100

Madelyn Murphy (Roxana) 22-5, d. Chloe Collins (Olympia) 29-5, (MD 14-2)

Kadi Wilbern (Glenwood) 30-8, d. Jhayla Lawson (Mascoutah) 20-11, (F 0:18)

105

Emma Rogers (Edwardsville) 31-6, d. Phoenix Criss (Springfield Coop) 27-8 (TF 4:00)

Alexia Gld. (PORTA) 27-9, d. Karsynn Vogel (Quincy) 24-8, (F 4:43)

110

Chloe Skiles (Roxana) 25-1, d. Ivana Torres (Collinsville) 35-11, (F 1:33)

Adleigh DeWerff (Edwardsville) 31-5, d. Riley Weems (Belleville W) 29-11, (F 3:14)

115

Rilynn Younker (Litchfield/Mt. Olive) 35-11, d. Genevieve Dykstra (Edwardsville) 31-3, (MD 12-3)

Baileigh Self (Althoff Cath) 33-4, d. Kate Wochner (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 22-10, (F 4:27)

120

Alauni Muex (Marion) 44-2, d. Allie Chong (Edwardsville) 24-6, (D 9-2)

Delaney Ledbetter (Lawrenceville Co) 14-6, d. Catelyn Reese (Frankfort) 25-9 (TF 3:56)

125

Yariah Shaw (Danville) 15-0, d. Aryanna Jones (Alton) 21-9, (F 1:28)

Londyn Long (Collinsville) 46-5, d. Olive Linhorst (Edwardsville) 23-8, (F 0:55)

130

Sydney Cannon (Mt. Zion) 37-0, d. Ava Beldo (Unity) 34-7, (MD 11-0)

Lamia Irby (Belleville E) 21-7, d. Te`Aja Young (Cahokia) 25-3, (D 14-7)

135

Jacee Mardirosian (Carterville) 35-3, d. Addyson Bailey (Collinsville) 33-14, (MD 14-6)

Madelyn Edler (Waterloo) 33-13, d. Tamya Terry (Urbana) 26-12, (D 6-5)

140

Ricky Ivy (Urbana) 44-1, d. Audrey Barnes (Granite City) 31-2, (F 1:58)

Kimoreyee Ballard (Springfield Coop) 25-10, d. Zoe Bloyd (Quincy) 28-7, (F 1:20)

145

Natalie Beaumont (Cumberland) 20-1, d. McKenzie Miller (GCMS/Fisher) 27-6, (F 1:59)

Macee Hammond (Robinson) 23-7, d. Leann Cory (Collinsville) 42-5, (fft.)

155

Taylor Owens (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 17-5, d. Grace Stratton (Freeburg) 37-1, (Inj. 2:51)

Kaitlin Wood (Triad) 27-7, d. Maddie Wells (SJ-Ogden) 26-3, (F 2:28)

170

Demi Barnes (Granite City) 29-2, d. Kira Thompson (O’Fallon) 11-2, (F 1:50)

Janylah Holman (Cahokia) 28-6, d. Iy`Jah Grant (Champaign Cent) 18-3, (Inj. 3:19)

190

Victoria White (Edwardsville) 32-0, d. Brooke Stellhorn (Belleville W) 22-2, (fft.)

Addison Briggs (W’ville/G.-Ridge Farm) 25-5, d. Izabell McBride (Waterloo) 21-6, (F 1:33)

235

Phoenix Molina (Unity) 34-0, d. Lilly Disanto (Urbana) 40-7, (F 5:01)

Olivia Rosine (Charleston) 24-8, d. Madeleine Cooley (Jacksonville) 14-7, (F 1:16)

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

NORMAL – There’s not very many instances where a program can finish 200 points behind a regional champion one year and then be battling for top honors until the very end the following year, but that’s just what happened during the exciting back-and-forth drama between Minooka and LaSalle-Peru to determine who would claim the Normal Community West Regional title.

At last year’s Metamora Regional, Lincoln-Way co-op easily rolled to the title with 248 points while Minooka was a distant second with 134 points, a far cry from where it was at in 2024, when the Indians edged Joliet Township co-op 196-191 for the championship at the Minooka Regional in the initial year that regional tournaments were conducted in the sport.

So with Lincoln-Way co-op and others in the top-10 teams at Metamora such as Joliet Central, Plainfield South, Joliet West and Plainfield Central reassigned to the rugged East Aurora Regional that feeds into the Schaumburg Sectional, and with two others in the top-10, Richwoods and Pekin, sent off to the Geneseo Regional, it looked like a reasonable bet that Minooka might capture its second regional championship in three seasons at the Normal Community West Regional, which feeds into the DeKalb Sectional, as does Geneseo. 

However, the Indians got a real run for their money for top honors and it came from a team that placed 15th last year at Metamora, 200 points behind Lincoln-Way co-op and 86 points in back of second place Minooka, and that team was youthful LaSalle-Peru, which featured three seniors, one junior, six sophomores and one freshman to account for its 11 competitors.

Coach Nolan Kenney’s Lady Cavaliers were on even terms throughout the competition with coach Paige Schoolman’s Indians, who had 13 individuals participating, and the final outcome wasn’t resolved until two late third-place match victories ultimately assured Minooka of the championship of the 28-team competition by a 180-176.5 margin over LaSalle-Peru. 

“They went toe-to-toe all day,” Schoolman said of LaSalle-Peru, “It didn’t really matter what the score was for those girls. Every time you turned around, you were worried, it was really tight.

There’s others (regionals) that are probably a little deeper than ours, but when you put 30 teams in there, all of these other teams have individuals in them that are tough-nosed girls. So I’m proud of our nine girls that got through and the other three that got into the blood rounds. We needed every win we had throughout the day for the girls to win the tournament. 

“We’ve got 10 seniors, and it’s nice for them. There’s three of them that have been with us for four years, another handful of them that have been with us for three years, and it’s nice for them to cap off their senior year with that. And I’m really happy there’s a bunch of them that this will be the first time being sectional qualifiers. They’re really excited to be able to move on and trying to see what we can do next week and get to the next rung. Normal West did a great job of stepping up and hosting and this is a great facility. We used to have sectionals down here and I’ve always loved to compete down here since they do a nice job. I’m really proud of our girls. I mean, up and down the lineup, they battled and scored points. And every one of them counted.”

Even though the Lady Cavaliers had turned in some good tournament showings, such as runner-up finishes at Mahomet-Seymour’s Mary Kelly and Springfield’s Joe Bee, being able to get past a well-established program and a veteran, well-coached team like Minooka, which took first place at Princeton, finished second to Schaumburg at Morris and was fourth at perhaps the toughest invite of the season at Hoffman Estates, seemed to be a lot to hope for as far as L-P coach Nolan Keeney was concerned, but he he was also thrilled that his team surprised him.

“The ladies have done great all year long,” Keeney said. “A lot of them are sophomores, too and the fact that this is their second year and they’re making strides the way they are is amazing. And it helps having senior Kiely Domyancich and junior Sarah Lowery here. So it’s awesome. Today, if I’m going to be honest, I didn’t think we’d be pushing Minooka, but the girls all wrestled well. We did what we were supposed to do in some situations and then also had a little bit of luck. It makes me excited for the future and what’s going to happen here. We’re only going to lose about three or four seniors and the rest will be coming back. So I’m not excited for it and there’s going to be some good times coming.”

Leading the way for Minooka were champions Sabina Charlebois (130) and Ezra Rodriguez (140) while Therese Escano (105) took second place. Turning in third-place finishes were Mia Martinez (100), Marian Nordsell (110), Addison Davis (170) and Mia Lemberg (190) while Melody Williams (145) and Abigail Underhill (155) took fourth to give it nine sectional qualifiers.

LaSalle-Peru got first-place finishes from Kalista Frost (100), Kiely Domyancich (125) and Marisa Eggersdorfer (155) while Sarah Lowery (110) and Audri Plut (145) finished second. Emma Tomlinson (130), Avalyn Edwall (140) and Lily Higgins (235) all took third place and Emily Lowery (115) finished fourth to also give it nine qualifiers for the DeKalb Sectional.

Others teams that were in the top half of the tournament were Washington Community (85), Ottawa Township (82.5), Streator Township/ Woodland co-op (78.5), Normal Community West (77), Bradley-Bourbonnais (75), Morris (62.5), Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op (49.5), Bloomington (40), Clifton Central/ Iroquois West co-op (38), Prairie Central (37.5), Illinois Valley Central (28.5) and Seneca (28.5).

Additional champions were Streator Township/ Woodland co-op’s Addison Yacko (110) and Laila Vaughn (115), Marquette Academy’s Lily Deibel (105), Prairie Central’s Yurithdzy Vilchis (120), Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op’s Avery Crouch (135), Washington Community’s Paytyn Dykes (145), Clifton Central/ Iroquois West co-op’s Payton Temple (170), Normal Community West’s Karsyn Robinson (190) and Ottawa Township’s Juliana Thrush (235). 

Also finishing in second place were Bloomington’s Autumn Starr (115) and Alicia Swank (155), 

Bradley-Bourbonnais’ Aubrianna Rapier (135) and Kaylee Morris (235), Ottawa Township’s Isabel Gwaltney (100), Normal Community West’s Amelia McClure (120), Seneca’s Samantha Greisen (125), Coal City’s Riley Kuder (130), Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op’s Adilynn Avilez (140), Washington Community’s Grace Mordhorst (170) and Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Kaleigh Mehrkens (190).

Eggersdorfer and Temple tied for first place for the most team points with 28 while Crouch and Vilchis tied for third place with 27.5 points. Also in the top-10 in team points were Rodriguez (26), Charlebois (25.5), Domyancich (25.5), Frost (24), Deibel (23) and Robinson (23).

Some of the top records of of qualifiers for the DeKalb Sectional included Payton Temple (31-0, 170),  Avery Crouch (27-0, 135), Laila Vaughn (39-2, 115), Kiely Domyancich (31-2, 125), Adilynn Avilez (23-3, 140), Aubrianna Rapier (23-3, 135), Lily Deibel (20-3, 105), Audri Plut (11-3, 145), Samantha Greisen (38-4, 125), Ezra Rodriguez (36-4, 140), Grace Mordhorst (26-4, 170), Marisa Eggersdorfer (25-4, 155), Juliana Thrush (25-4, 235), Kaylee Morris (18-4, 235), Sabina Charlebois (34-5, 130), Lily Gwaltney (30-5, 110), Yurithdzy Vilchis (29-5, 120), Alicia Swank (24-5, 155), Sophia Domont (15-5, 140), Kaleigh Mehrkens (14-5, 190), Sarah Lowery (33-6, 110), Madysen Meyer (14-6, 115), Calliope Willman (41-7, 125), Kalista Frost (26-7, 100), Riley Kuder (23-7, 130) and Autumn Starr (22-7, 115). 

Here are the champions and their weights at the Normal Community West Regional:

100 – Kalista Frost, LaSalle-Peru

Kalista Frost kicked off an exciting place round for LaSalle-Peru at the Normal Community West Regional by taking first at 100 to become the first of three champions and was one of five finalists and nine sectional qualifiers for coach Nolan Keeney’s Lady Cavaliers, a first-year team that gave Minooka a battle before getting edged 180-176.5 for the title. Frost (26-7) won the 100 title match by getting a fall in 1:32 over Ottawa Township’s Isabel Gwaltney. The LaSalle-Peru sophomore also got a pin in the semifinals and ranked eighth in most team points with 24.

“It was a pretty good improvement from last year because I was seeded fifth and I ended up going to sectionals as well, but I went 0-2,” Frost said. (Her team) “It’s amazing because last year we only had two people make it to sectionals and now we’ve got nine. This year’s the first official year for girls wrestling at L-P. It’s good to see the team grow. We’ve put so much hard work into it, and I’m seeing that come out.”

Gwaltney (16-15), a senior who was one of two finalists and sectional qualifiers for coach Kevin Aughenbaugh’s fourth-place Lady Pirates, also only had to compete in one other match, in the semifinals, where she won by technical fall. For third place, Minooka freshman Mia Martinez (12-12) won a 12-5 decision over Morton freshman Elizabeth Austin (15-13).

105 – Lily Deibel, Marquette Academy

Lily Deibel was one of two freshmen champions and the lone competitor in the Normal Community West Regional for coach Michael Deibel’s Lady Crusaders. She improved to 20-3 after recording a fall in the semifinals and then capturing a 13-5 major decision over Minooka’s Therese Escano in the 105 title match. She finished in ninth place in team points with 23.

“(The boys team at Marquette Academy) They’ve helped me and they push me,” Deibel said.  “I’ve just been held to a really high standard, and coach Trent definitely pushes me.”(Being at Marquette Academy) Yeah, I love it.”

Escano (23-13), a senior, was one of three finalists and nine qualifiers for the DeKalb Sectional for coach Paige Schoolman’s champion Indians. She used two falls to reach the 105 title mat. In the third-place match, Ottawa Township junior Ciara Bolf (28-10) was a winner by fall in 2:42 over Metamora senior Grace Aeschliman (23-18). 

110 – Addison Yacko, Streator Township/ Woodland co-op

Addison Yacko and Laila Vaughn gave Streator Township/ Woodland co-op back-to-back champions at the Normal Community West Regional with junior Yacko claiming first at 110 by medical forfeit over LaSalle-Peru’s Sarah Lowery. The two title winners were the lone finalists and two of the four sectional qualifiers for coach Kyle Lowman’s fifth-place Lady Bulldogs. Yacko (20-8) opened with a fall and won a 9-5 decision in the semifinals over Ottawa Township junior Lily Gwaltney, an IHSA qualifier last season who was her teammate with the Bulldogs.

“I’m just very proud of myself,” Yacko said. “I was fourth seed, so I wasn’t expecting to get first, but I had faith in myself. I got injured. I had a concussion about a week ago, so I’ve been on a recovery. I got third at regionals last year, so I think it’s definitely a step up. (Likes about Streator Township) I definitely like how hard he (coach Kyle Lowman) is on us at practice, it definitely has improved me over the years. All of my teammates are doing pretty good and I have four going to sectionals now. (Likes about girls wrestling) I like how much it’s grown over the years, I’ve been doing it for a long time so I’ve seen it from when we were wrestling boys and now just girls.”

Lowery (33-6) was one of five finalists and nine qualifiers for the DeKalb Sectional for coach Nolan Keeney’s runner-up Lady Cavaliers, a first-year team that lost the regional title by 3.5 points to Minooka. She followed a quick fall with an 8-6 decision in the semifinals over Minooka junior Marian Nordsell but then had to take a medical forfeit in the finals. Nordsell (32-10) claimed third place by forfeit over Lily Gwaltney (30-5).

115 – Laila Vaughn, Streator Township/ Woodland co-op

Laila Vaughn followed up on a title by teammate Addison Yacko to give Streator Township two champions at the Normal Community West Regional. They also were two of the four sectional qualifiers for coach Kyle Lowman’s Lady Bulldogs, who finished in fifth place. Vaughn, a sophomore who improved to 39-2, won the 115 title by getting a fall in 3:43 over Bloomington’s Autumn Starr. After winning by technical fall in her opener, she had to prevail in a wild 25-22 decision over Reed-Custer’s Madysen Meyer in the semifinals, and those two had the most single match points in the regional and Vaughn finished third in most match points with 47.

“I lost a lot of weight and got injured, so I really didn’t do very much offseason work at all.” Vaughn said. “It was more right before the season working and losing a lot of weight and lifting.”

Starr (22-7)  joined her only teammate, Alicia Swank at 155, as second-place finishers for coach Jacob Lehr’s Purple Raiders. The Bloomington freshman recorded falls in her first two matches. Meyer (14-6) bounced back from her tough loss to Vaughn with a fall and then claimed a 12-5 major decision over LaSalle-Peru sophomore Emily Lowery (25-9) to take third place. The Comets senior easily had the most total match points in the regional with 65 while Lowery had the largest seed-place difference in the competition of four after being seeded eighth.

120 – Yurithdzy Vilchis, Prairie Central

Yurithdzy Vilchis learned a lot about how to perform at a high level after being around two-time IHSA 235 champion Chloe Hoselton during her sophomore and junior seasons at Prairie Central, which included her joining Hoselton at the state finals a year ago where she concluded a 24-14 season. Now the Hawks senior hopes that those experiences can help her to earn a top-six finish at this year’s IHSA Finals and become her school’s second medalist. A 2025 regional champion, she improved to 29-5 after taking first at 120 at the Normal Community West Regional with a fall in 2:36 over Normal Community West’s Amelia McClure. The lone finalist and sectional qualifier for coach Scott Ziller’s Hawks, she opened with a pin and then got a win by technical fall in 4:40 in the semifinals. She tied for third for the most team points with 27.5. 

“It feels great,” Vilchis said. “I feel like I’ve improved a lot throughout the years. I just only started my sophomore year and I didn’t even make it out of regionals that year and last year I made it to state. (Competing with Chloe Hoselton) “She’s an amazing teammate and she gives me so much advice. And she’s the one who took me to The Compound, and I feel like that’s where I got better. I think it’s just like all the hard work I put into it. I double up on practices. I just go to private practices at The Compound, where I just learn a bunch of techniques and I do it over and over again. And before wrestling starts, I do cross country and  that helps me a lot with conditioning. (Likes about girls wrestling) I think just the environment. I feel like it’s not just teammates, but even the opponents, they’re always so nice.” 

McClure (17-7), a senior who was one of two finalists and three sectional qualifiers for the host Wildcats, who are coached by Margaret (LeGates) Lehr, who was the first female high school wrestler in Illinois while competing at Libertyville for 2000 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Dale Eggert in the early 1990’s. She recorded falls in her other two matches to reach the 120 finals.   

In the third-place match, Illinois Valley Central junior Lilyana Malagon (18-11), who was the only individual in the regional who recorded four pins and ranked second with 48 total match points, won by fall in 3:56 over Streator Township/ Woodland co-op junior Payton Henson (27-16).

125 – Kiely Domyancich, LaSalle-Peru

Kiely Domyancich made history for LaSalle-Peru last season when she became the school’s first medalist by taking fifth place at 115 in the IHSA Finals at 115 to cap a 33-4 junior campaign. Now the Lady Cavaliers’ senior hopes that she not only picks up a second medal but hopefully also gets the chance to compete for a state title. She improved to 31-2 after getting a takedown with nine seconds left to rally for a 6-5 decision over her friend, Seneca’s Samantha Greisen, in the 125 title match at the Normal Community West Regional. Also a regional champion last season, she was one of three champions, five finalists and nine qualifiers for the DeKalb Sectional for coach Nolan Keeney’s LaSalle-Peru team that was edged 180-176.5 for the team title by Minooka after taking 15th place and finishing 200 points behind champion Lincoln-Way co-op in last year’s Metamora Regional. Domyancich opened with a pin and then got a victory by technical fall in the semifinals to help her tie for sixth place for most team points with 25.5. 

“We came in and we didn’t think there’s a chance that we’d even be this close with Minooka but I think it was all of our hard work and our girls are working hard out there,” Domyancich said. “Sammie’s my practice partner from another team, so we’ve been battling it out, but at the end of the day, we’re just really working hard. I’m really proud of her. I think we’re going to do big things. At first, it was we want to win a dual. And then it was we want to win most of our duals and we want to win conference, and then we did that. And then it was like, we want the regional title, as well. We have a lot of girls that are just starting out, but we always want to win the tournaments, and at the end of the day, I think our girls have been doing so well. It’s never about competing with the biggest, best team. It’s about individuals and I just love seeing my girls grow so much, and I think that’s showing. I started my freshman year. I love cheering on my team and I love coaching my team, but at the same time, I feel like my team gives a lot to me. I wouldn’t be the wrestler and the person I am without my team. Even though I’m a senior and I’m leaving, I know my girls will take care of other girls that come in the program and the program’s good with coach Keeney. It makes me feel good about myself. Absolutely, I’m really proud of my girls.”

Greisen (38-4), a senior who was the lone medalist of the two entrants for coach Todd Yegge’s Lady Irish, also qualified for the IHSA Finals last year and fell one victory shy of a medal at 135 to conclude a 41-10 junior season. She claimed a win by technical fall in 1:59, a regional-best, in her opening match and then got a pin in the semifinals. For third place, Morris senior Zara Lugo (30-12) claimed a 6-3 decision over Metamora freshman Calliope Willman (41-7). 

130 – Sabina Charlebois, Minooka

Sabina Charlebois rallied from a 7-3 deficit midway through the third period with a takedown and nearfall in the final minute of her 130 title match against Riley Kuder at the Normal Community West Regional and the 10-8 decision by the Minooka senior over the Coal City sophomore proved to be much more significant when the final team scores were announced and the Indians edged LaSalle-Peru for the title by a 180-176.5 margin. Charlebois (34-5) joined Ezra Rodriguez (140) as title winners and was one of three finalists and nine sectional qualifiers for the Indians, coached by Paige Schoolman and Jeff Charlebois, who were one of the first regional champions two years ago when they edged Joliet Township in a regional at their own school. She followed a quick pin with a victory by technical fall to tie for sixth place for the most team points with 25.5.

“It was a very good match against the Coal City girl (Kuder) and the competition here and as a whole for all the teams, it was very good for all of us,” Charlebois said. (Likes about her team) “Just the environment. I feel like our team is very good if we have a hard practice, with a lot of live and a lot of conditioning. I feel like we focus more on each other rather than ourselves when we’re struggling. And even if personally if we are struggling, we still try to help girls in the room and we’re encouraging them because we see them getting better so that it makes us feel better about ourselves. So I think as a whole, our team is very close and we just have a good bond.”

Kuder (23-7), the lone competitor for coach Jim Looper’s Coalers, earned her spot in the 130 title match with two pins. For third place, LaSalle-Peru sophomore Emma Tomlinson (19-13) captured a 12-4 major decision over Washington Community freshman Olivia Ioerger (15-16) in a rematch of a quarterfinal meeting between the two in which Ioerger claimed a 3-1 decision.

135 – Avery Crouch, Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op

Avery Crouch had a very impressive freshman season in 2024-2025 while competing for the Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op when she also won a regional title and went on to finish with a 11-3 record after capturing fourth place at 135 at the IHSA Finals. She hopes to make a return trip to Bloomington and also move up higher on the awards stand and she’s one step closer to doing that after being one of two champions at the Normal Community West Regional who have an unbeaten record as they head to the DeKalb Sectional. The sophomore improved to 27-0 with a win by technical fall in 4:20 over Bradley-Bourbonnais’ Aubrianna Rapier in the 135 title match. Although coach Jim Gussman’s Lady Trojans only had three entrants, two were finalists, as sophomore Adilynn Avilez took second at 140. Crouch is also coached by and trains with her brother Dylan, a two-time IHSA medalist who is the school’s all-time wins leader. She opened with two falls to claim third place in team points with 27.5. 

“I’m ranked second now in the state,” Crouch said. “I’m just growing and growing and trying to keep my confidence up. My brother Dylan is actually my coach now. He’s my coach and my wrestling partner and he’s really helping me and I’m learning all of his skills. Last year was my first year coming into high school. I knew that it was all about mindset, but between freshman and sophomore year it kind of just flipped the switch, and I knew that mindset was really a huge aspect of it, so keep your head up. My wrestling partner is our 175-pounder, Gavin Bafia, and I train with him every day. I hope that our girls team grows. (What she likes about wrestling) I like the drive it gives you to just do good in everything, to succeed just a little more in everything that you do, knowing that you can give it your all.”

Rapier (23-3), a junior, was one of two second-place finishers and three sectional qualifiers for coach Micky Spiwak’s Boilermakers. She recorded two first-minute falls to earn her spot on the 135 title mat. In the third-place match, Streator Township/ Woodland co-op freshman Harmony Morgan (18-8) won by fall in 2:34 over Ottawa Township sophomore Jaiyden Provance (17-11).  

140 – Ezra Rodriguez, Minooka

Ezra Rodriguez had a couple of very good incentives to finish the Normal Community West Regional on a high note and that certainly helped her to claim a first-place finish in the event. The Minooka senior was able to join classmate Sabina Charlebois as a regional champion and her fall in 3:47 over Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op’s Adilynn Avilez in the 140 title match was also important to help her team edge LaSalle-Peru 180-176.5 for top honors in the competition, which gave Minooka its second regional title in three years. Rodriguez (36-4), one of three finalists and nine qualifiers for the DeKalb Sectional for coach Paige Schoolman’s first-place Indians, opened with a major decision and then recorded a fall in the semifinals to help her score 26 team points, which ranked her in fifth place among all competitors.

“I’m a really big fan of the coaching staff, and we do pull a lot of athletes from different sports,” Rodriguez said. “So I personally came from swimming and I kind of came in even if I didn’t have the technique. (The two sports) They’re just so different and I got a little bored of swimming. I love how our junior high is really starting to give us a lot of girls wrestlers. This year we had a lot of freshmen who were trying it. Even if they’re not sticking around, it’s really nice to see people that are interested in the sport. I think we can be at a really high level, probably almost better than our boys have been in recent years. This is my second weekend at 140, so I wrestled pretty much all season at 45. I won conference at 40 and at the Princeton tournament, I won at 45. I just like wrestling a bunch of different kinds of people, so it was good coming down here.”

Avilez (23-3), a sophomore, joined 135 champion Avery Crouch as finalists and sectional qualifiers for coach Jim Gussman’s Lady Trojans, who had three individuals in the regional. She recorded two falls to earn her spot in the 140 finals. For third place, LaSalle-Peru sophomore Avalyn Edwall (20-9) won by fall in 4:00 over Bradley-Bourbonnais junior Sophia Domont (15-5). 

145 –  Paytyn Dykes, Washington Community

Paytyn Dykes is excited about competing for one of the state’s top programs at Washington Community and she’s also very happy with how much her program is growing after she won a 4-0 decision over LaSalle-Peru’s Audri Plut in the 145 title match at the Normal Community West Regional to become the lone champion, one of two finalists and one of four sectional qualifiers for coach Summer Smith’s third-place Lady Panthers. Dykes (23-8), a junior who grew to like the sport by wrestling against and watching her brothers Jack and Ty, opened with a decision and then recorded a fall in the semifinals to earn her spot in the 145 finals, where she opened the second period with an escape and then got a takedown a short time later.

“(The success of Washington’s boys team) It’s definitely like we too can do this type of thing,” Dykes said. “We see it and we’re, like, okay, this is possible for girls, too, not just those guys. I feel like my biggest improvement has definitely been my mental, I guess, because I’ve struggled with confidence a lot. But I’ve just practiced a lot, and I have coaches that are very good support and they give me a lot of good advice. (What she likes most about wrestling) I think just the team aspect. It’s definitely a family sport and everyone has each others’ backs.”

Plut (11-3), one of just four freshmen who advanced to a title match, was also one of the five finalists and nine qualifiers for the DeKalb Sectional for coach Nolan Keeney’s Lady Cavaliers, a first-year team that was edged for the team championship by a 180-176.5 margin by Minooka. She recorded two pins to earn her spot in the 145 finals. In the third-place match, Morris junior Savannah Vignali (13-6) won by fall over Minooka sophomore Melody Williams (23-16).  

155 – Marisa Eggersdorfer, LaSalle-Peru

Marisa Eggersdorfer gave LaSalle-Peru a big boost for its title hopes at the Normal Community West Regional when she recorded a fall in 5:00 over Bloomington’s Alicia Swank in the 155 title match in a clash between seniors who both entered with identical 24-4 records. Eggersdorfer (25-4) was the third of three champions and one of five finalists and nine sectional qualifiers for coach Nolan Keeney’s Lady Cavaliers, who were edged 180-176.5 by Minooka for first place. She tied Clifton Central/ Iroquois West co-op’s Payton Temple, the 170 champion, for the most team points with 28 and also was one of three individuals on her team who recorded three falls.

“We are a first-year program at L-P,” Eggersdorfer said. “We didn’t even expect to honestly rank this high since we knew that Minooka would be on top. So just being able to be that close as a first-year program is so exciting, and we’re so proud of our coach. We have three seniors, and the rest of them are young. It’s so nice to come to practice every day and know that we’re part of a team that’s good. You know, it’s really exciting. I feel that coach Keeney has cultivated a really, really great team of girls and he’s so supportive, and he just believes in every one of us, and we work in practice, and he makes sure that we’re getting the training we need so that we can go out there and win.”

Swank (24-5) joined Autumn Starr (115) as a second-place finishers and sectional qualifiers for coach Jacob Lehr’s Purple Raiders, who only had those two competitors. She recorded two falls to earn her spot on the 155 title mat. For third place, Normal Community West sophomore Arian Sabu (30-8) was a winner by fall in 1:49 over Minooka senior Abigail Underhill (36-10).

170 – Payton Temple, Clifton Central/ Iroquois West co-op

Payton Temple took second place at 190 to Lakes Community’s Josephine Larson in last year’s IHSA Finals to finish with a 27-2 record. So now the Clifton Central/ Iroquois West co-op junior is focused on being a state champion and is one step closer to getting back to Bloomington after winning by fall in 2:19 over Washington Community’s Grace Mordhorst in the 170 title match at the Normal Community West Regional. She joined Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op sophomore Avery Crouch (135) as the lone two unbeaten champions in the regional after improving to 31-0. A regional champion last year and the lone sectional qualifier for coach Rebecca Temple’s Lady Comets, she won her first two matches with quick pins and tied LaSalle-Peru’s 155 champion, Marisa Eggersdorfer, for the most team points with 28. 

“It’s been a great season and I’m undefeated,” Temple said. “And winning today was really good. I’ve been working hard all season and all offseason and really pushing to hopefully win this year. (About the growth of the sport) It’s been very fun. It keeps growing and there’s more and more people in each bracket every year. It’s crazy to see how it keeps growing. I like giving back to the sport and coaching the youth to hopefully grow the program for the future.”

Mordhorst (26-4), a senior who was one two finalists and four sectional qualifiers for coach Nick Miller’s third-place Lady Panthers, also won her first two matches by fall to reach the 170 finals. For third place, Minooka senior Addison Davis (31-14) got a victory by technical fall in 3:23 over Putnam County/ Hall co-op senior Ella Irwin (13-7), the lone entrant from her team. It was the second time that they met with Davis also winning a 13-0 major decision in the quarterfinals.

190 – Karsyn Robinson, Normal Community West

Karsyn Robinson got the opportunity to be around 2025 Normal Community West graduate Cadence Duvall while competing in track and field in middle school. Duvall, who just missed becoming her school’s first IHSA medalist last year at 235, got Robinson interested in wrestling in order to help her with her throws. Now she’s headed to the DeKalb Sectional with a 27-10 record after becoming one of two freshman first-place finishers at the Normal Community West Regional after getting a pin in 2:29 over Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Kaleigh Mehrkens in the 190 title match. One of two finalists and three sectional qualifiers for the Wildcats, who are coached by Margaret Lehr, who was the first girl to compete in the sport while at Libertyville and also coached her daughter Sammy to the first tournament title in IHSA history in 2021. Robinson followed a pin with a 16-7 major decision and tied for ninth place in most team points with 23. 

“I had some friends that wrestled at my middle school,” Robinson said. “And then I had one of the girls that used to wrestle here (Cadence Duvall)  and she was my throwing coach last year. She was like, ‘Karsyn, you should start wrestling.’ She told me about it, and I was like, do you think it will help me with throwing? And she said yes. And then I started it, and now I really do love wrestling. I like being in a male-dominated sport. I want to be able to inspire other people to do the sport and make people watch women’s sports more. We should get the same recognition that boys should get or men get, you know? (Likes about her team) I like the fact that a lot of other teams don’t have the same girls team that we have. And coach Lehr is a great coach.”

Mehrkens (14-5), a junior who was the the lone sectional qualifier among three competitors for coach Dan Maurer’s Chiefs, recorded a fall in the semifinals to earn her spot on the 190 title mat. In the third-place match, Minooka senior Mia Lemberg (29-10) got a pin in 0:50 over Washington Community freshman Khloe Cremeens (11-14). 

235 – Juliana Thrush, Ottawa Township

Juliana Thrush made history for Ottawa Township when she concluded a 35-7 season by taking sixth place at 235 in the IHSA Finals to equal her finish in 2024 and as a result, she became the first individual from her program to be a two-time state medalist. Now the senior hopes to not only become a three-time medalist, which only one boy has done at the school, but also to finish higher on the awards stand in Bloomington. A regional champion in 2025, she improved to 25-4 after winning her only match of the regional, which was by fall in 3:10 over Bradley-Bourbonnais’ Kaylee Morris in the 235 title match to become the lone champion, one of two finalists and also one of five qualifiers for the DeKalb Sectional for coach Kevin Aughenbaugh’s Lady Pirates. 

Morris (18-4), a junior, was one of two second-place finishers and three sectional qualifiers for coach Micky Spiwak’s Boilermakers. LaSalle-Peru senior Lily Higgins (14-10) took third place and was one of nine qualifiers for the DeKalb Sectional for the Lady Cavaliers, who improved from 15th place and 200 points behind champion Lincoln-Way co-op last season to being edged 180-176.5 by Minooka for first place at the Normal Community West Regional.

Regional champions

100 – Kalista Frost (LaSalle-Peru) 26-7 

105 – Lily Deibel (Marquette Academy) 20-3 

110 – Addison Yacko (Streator Township) 20-8 

115 – Laila Vaughn (Streator Township) 39-2 

120 – Yurithdzy Vilchis (Prairie Central) 29-5

125 – Kiely Domyancich (LaSalle-Peru) 31-2 

130 – Sabina Charlebois (Minooka) 34-5

135 – Avery Crouch (Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington) 27-0

140 – Ezra Rodriguez (Minooka) 36-4 

145 – Paytyn Dykes (Washington Community) 23-8 

155 – Marisa Eggersdorfer (LaSalle-Peru) 25-4 

170 – Payton Temple (Clifton Central) 31-0

190 – Karsyn Robinson (Normal Community West) 27-10

235 – Juliana Thrush (Ottawa Township) 25-4 

Additional sectional qualifiers

100 – Isabel Gwaltney (Ottawa Township) 16-15, Mia Martinez (Minooka) 12-12, Elizabeth Austin (Morton) 15-13

105 – Therese Escano (Minooka) 23-13, Ciara Bolf (Ottawa Township) 28-10, Grace Aeschliman (Metamora) 23-18

110 – Sarah Lowery (LaSalle (LaSalle-Peru) 33-6, Marian Nordsell (Minooka) 32-10, Lily Gwaltney (Ottawa Township) 30-5

115 – Autumn Starr (Bloomington) 22-7, Madysen Meyer (Reed-Custer) 14-6, Emily Lowery (LaSalle-Peru) 25-9

120 – Amelia McClure (Normal Community West) 17-7, Lilyana Malagon (Illinois Valley Central) 18-11, Payton Henson (Streator Township) 27-16

125 – Samantha Greisen (Seneca) 38-4, Zara Lugo (Morris) 30-12, Calliope Willman (Metamora) 41-7

130 – Riley Kuder (Coal City) 23-7, Emma Tomlinson (LaSalle-Peru) 19-13, Olivia Ioerger (Washington Community) 15-16

135 – Aubrianna Rapier (Bradley-Bourbonnais) 23-3, Harmony Morgan (Streator Township) 18-8, Jaiyden Provance (Ottawa (Township) 17-11

140 – Adilynn Avilez (Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington) 23-3, Avalyn Edwall (LaSalle-Peru) 20-9, Sophia Domont (Bradley-Bourbonnais) 15-5

145 – Audri Plut (LaSalle-Peru) 11-3, Savannah Vignali (Morris) 13-6, Melody Williams (Minooka) 23-16

155 – Alicia Swank (Bloomington) 24-5, Arian Sabu (Normal Community West) 30-8, Abigail Underhill (Minooka) 36-10

170 – Grace Mordhorst (Washington Community) 26-4, Addison Davis (Minooka) 31-14, Ella Irwin (Putnam County/ Hall) 13-7

190 – Kaleigh Mehrkens (Deer Creek-Mackinaw) 14-5, Mia Lemberg (Minooka) 29-10, Khloe Cremeens (Washington Community) 11-14

235 – Kaylee Morris (Bradley-Bourbonnais) 18-4, Lily Higgins (LaSalle-Peru) 14-10

Team scores

Minooka 180, LaSalle-Peru 176.5, 3. Washington Community 85, Ottawa Township 82.5, Streator Township 78.5, Normal Community West 77. Bradley-Bourbonnais 75, Morris 62.5, Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op 49.5, Bloomington 40, Clifton Central 38, Prairie Central 37.5, Illinois Valley Central 28.5, Seneca 28.5, Metamora 27, Marquette Academy 23, Coal City 22, Morton 21, Kankakee 20, Reed-Custer 18.5, Deer Creek-Mackinaw 18, Putnam County/ Hall 13, El Paso-Gridley 12, Herscher 8, University High 8, Mendota 7, Tremont 7, Normal Community 0, Pontiac 0

Individual statistics

Most team points: Marisa Eggersdorfer, La Salle-Peru 28, Payton Temple, Clifton Central; Avery Crouch, Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington 27.5; Yurithdzy Vilchis, Prairie Central 27.5; Ezra Rodriguez, Minooka 26; Sabina Charlebois. Minooka 25.5; Kiely Domyanicich, LaSalle-Peru 25.5; Kalista Frost, LaSalle-Peru 24; Lily Deibel, Marquette Academy 23; Karsyn Robinson, Normal Community West 23

Most total match points: Madysen Meyer, Reed-Custer 65; Lilyana Malagon, Illinois Valley Central 48; Laila Vaughn, Streator Township 47

Most pins: Lilyana Malagon, Illinois Valley Central 4 (in 9:53)

Most technical falls in least time: Samantha Greisen, Seneca 1 (in 1:59)

Largest see-place difference: Emily Lowery, LaSalle-Peru 4 (8 to 4)

Team statistics

Most Total match points: Minooka 305; Ottawa Township 145; LaSalle-Peru 139

Most pins: Minooka 20; LaSalle-Peru 18; Bradley-Bourbonnais 12

Most technical falls: Minooka 4; Kankakee 2; Ottawa Township 2; Seneca 2

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

PRINCETON – Dixon has definitely had one of the top programs in the state for a long time, as it entered the season with 874 dual meet victories and a .685 winning percentage in its dual meets during the past 73 seasons, according to its season summaries on the IHSA website.

The IHSA website shows only 11 programs had won more dual meets than Dixon heading into 2025-2026. But records in the season summaries indicate that there are at least four other schools that aren’t listed who have won over 1,000 dual meets. 

However, the Dukes haven’t enjoyed much postseason success, winning only two regional titles, in 2017 and 2019, and regional titles were first awarded in 1983. And they had only qualified for the IHSA Dual Team Finals in 2017, when they took third place in Class 2A. That competition has been held since 1984.

So it was understandably a big deal when coach Micah Hey’s Dukes won the championship at the Class 1A Princeton Regional by scoring 221 points, placing it well ahead of runner-up Sandwich (177) and third-place Marquette Academy (172) for the school’s third regional title. 

Then five days after that, Dixon defeated first-time regional winner Morrison 57-20 in the Class 1A Oregon Dual Team Sectional to qualify for the IHSA Dual Team Finals for the second time, with this visit being in Class 1A, which the program moved back down to this season.

The Dukes hope to capture their second state trophy and can do that on February 27 when they meet Althoff Catholic in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A Dual Team Finals, which takes place at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

Dixon’s previous regional titles and its state appearance came under coach Chris Bishop, who led the Dukes from 2010-2011 to 2020-2021. The state team in 2017 had a program-best 24-2 record and beat Mahomet-Seymour in the quarterfinals, lost to the eventual champion, Washington Community, in the semifinals and defeated Cahokia for third place.

Hey, who’s in his fifth season as the Dukes’ head coach, was an assistant coach on that state team. He also had a great high school career at Dixon, winning a Class AA title at 119 in 1993 and taking third at 125 in AA in 1994.

“This was a big goal we had to win regionals and then earn a trip to the team state,” Hey said. “It is the second time we have done it as a team in Dixon history, so we are very excited. Of course, as great as it is to get down to state as a team, our eyes are set on a trophy.

“Currently we are locked back in on individuals. The guys that didn’t qualify for sectionals are still pushing hard to help the qualifiers get down to state. They know they will still have their chance to shine at team state.”

Hey said that the assistant coaches who have really made this all happen are Jacob Hey, Jamie Hey, Evan Thorpe and Matt Linder and volunteer coaches Chris Bishop, Colin Brinkmeier and Quinn Staples.

His brother, Jacob, a 2019 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee, was a three-time medalist and an undefeated IHSA champion in 1991 and the all-time wins leader for the Dukes, and his brother Jamie, was also an IHSA medalist in 1999. Jacob, who coached at Althoff Catholic for five seasons, earned All-American honors 18 times while at Dixon and the United States Air Force.

Of the 11 programs that the IHSA lists with having more dual meet wins than Dixon, those schools have averaged 22 regional titles and 11 state tournament appearances.

Winning championships for the Dukes at the Princeton Regional were Riley Paredes (106), Doolan Long (126), Charlie Connors (144), Dawson Kemp (216) and Dylan Bopes (285).

Finishing in second place were Jack Ragan (120), Preston Richards (150) and Blake Dingley (175) while Seth Shaffer (190) took third place to give the team nine qualifiers for this weekend’s Byron Individual Sectional.

Other Dukes who contributed to the title cause were Ian Fane (113), Kazmyn Barber (132), Channing Sarver (138), Neomiah Holloway (157) and Adam Staples (165).

In the Oregon Dual Team Sectional, The Dukes got falls from Long, Connors, Staples, Dingley, Kemp, Bopes and Paredes, a forfeit win from Gage Heath, a win by technical fall from Richards and a major decision from Ragan and only lost three contested matches to Morrison.

Leading the way for coach Derek Jones’ runner-up Indians were champions Cooper Corder (150) and Joshua Kotalik (175). Second-place finishers for Sandwich were Jaxson Blanchard (138) and Kai Kern (190) while Connor Blanchard (120), Dom Urbanski (126), Jack Forth (157) and Kaden Clevenger (215) all took third place to qualify for the sectional.

Top performers for coach Trent Lyons’ third-place Crusaders were title winners Wesley Janick (120), Koby Clark (132) and Brysen Manly (157). Runners-up for Marquette Academy were Connor Eggers (113), Logan Huenefeld (126), Reily Leifheit (165)  and Alex Schaefer (215) while Dakota Harmon (106) and Beau Thompson (138) also advanced by taking third place.

The host Tigers, who are coached by 2020 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Steve Amy, took fourth place had four champions, Augustus Swanson (113), Kane Dauber (138), Casey Etheridge (165) and Eli Berlin (190) while Corbin Brown (132) took third and also qualified.

Additional second-place finishers were Kewanee’s Lain Taylor (144) and Airies Simmons (285),  Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille co-op’s Aden Spinelli (106), Saint Bede Academy’s Max Moreno (132) and Mendota’s Gavin Evans (157).

Kewanee also had three third-place finishers, Dontel Wommack (150), Brayden Johnson (165) and Ace Lafollette (175). Additional individuals who placed third and advanced to the sectional are ROWVA/ Williamsfield co-op’s Kegan Miller (113), Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille co-op’s Caiden Heath (144) and Putnam County/ Hall co-op’s Justin Doden (285).

Berlin and Dauber led all competitors with 28 team points while Corder (26.5), Janick (26), Bopes (24), Kemp (24), Kotalik (24), Long (24), Paredes (24) and Swanson (24) rounded out the top 10 in that category. 

Swanson had the most pins in the least time with three in 2:09, ROWVA/ Williamsfield co-op’s Tommy DeRitter had the quickest technical fall in 2:00, Kewanee’s Trayvon Rucker had the most total match points with 46 and Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille co-op’s Ty Florschuetz had the largest see-place difference with four positions. 

Returning state qualifiers who advanced were Princeton’s Casey Etheridge (fourth at 165), Kane Dauber (fifth at 132) and Augustus Swanson, Dixon’s Jack Ragan and Charlie Connors, Sandwich’s Cooper Corder (fifth at 144) and Marquette Academy’s Alex Schaefer.

Title winners who also won regional championships in 2025 were Princeton’s Kane Dauber, Casey Etheridge and Augustus Swanson, Dixon’s Charlie Conners and Jack Ragan, Sandwich’s Cooper Corder and Jaxson Blanchard and Marquette Academy’s Brysen Manly. 

Sectional qualifiers from the Princeton Regional with the best records were Princeton’s Augustus Swanson (42-1), Sandwich’s Cooper Corder (36-1), Dixon’s Riley Paredes (33-1), Marquette Academy’s Wesley Janick (28-2), Marquette Academy’s Alex Schaefer (26-2), Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille co-op’s Aden Spinelli (25-2), Princeton’s Kane Dauber (23-2), Dixon’s Charlie Connors (37-4), Marquette Academy’s Reily Leifheit (31-4), Princeton’s Casey Etheridge (41-5), Sandwich’s Joshua Kotalik (41-5), Dixon’s Jack Ragan (34-5), Dixon’s Dylan Bopes (27-5), Kewanee’s Airies Simmons (21-5) and Dixon’s Preston Richards (35-6).

Here’s a look at the champions and their weights at the Class 1A Princeton Regional

106 – Riley Paredes, Dixon

Riley Paredes continued his excellent junior season by capturing his fifth tournament title at the Princeton Regional, becoming one of Dixon’s five champions and nine sectional qualifiers for coach Micah Hey’s Dukes, who won their third regional title in their program’s history. After winning by fall in 2:00 over Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille’s Aden Spinelli in the 106 title match. Paredes (33-1), who’s top-ranked in 1A, opened with a fall in the semifinals. His other titles were in the same gym at the PIT as well as at Sterling, Prospect and West Chicago. He tied three teammates who were also champions, Doolan Long, Dawson Kemp and Dylan Bopes, for fifth place for the most team points with 24. A few days after winning the regional, his team won 57-20 over Morrison to advance to IHSA Dual Team Finals for the second time.

“It feels good, Paredes said. “We’ve been talking about this since even the start of the year, so just getting this, getting this complete and going on to sectionals now and just tearing through  whoever comes at us. The chemistry of all of us, it’s just so big, and I love it. This team is really special. I love this team so much, and I think that we’re going far. I’m a 106 and my coaches are always telling me, go start us out, so I just go do what I do and go start us out and get the pin. Most of us have been with each other since even before the club, so when we were five years old. Me and Jack (Ragan) have been wrestling with each other since we were five years old.”

Spinelli (25-2), a sophomore who’s ranked eighth and was a regional champion last season, was the lone finalist and one of two sectional qualifiers for coach Mike Olson’s Clippers. For third place, Marquette Academy freshman Dakota Harmon (31-11) got a pin in 1:12 over Sandwich sophomore Hunter Whitecotton (24-15).

113 – Augustus Swanson, Princeton

Augustus Swanson competed in his final match at Prouty Gym and definitely went out in style as the Princeton senior recorded a pin in 1:01 over Marquette Academy’s Connor Eggers in the 105 title match at the Princeton Regional and won all three of his matches by fall in just 2:09, which was a regional-best for pins in the least time. Swanson (42-1), who’s top-ranked at his weight added to title wins at his school’s PIT and LeRoy/Tri-Valley and his lone loss came to an Iowan in a tournament at Clinton DeWitt in Iowa. He was one of four champions, including three who also won regional titles a year ago, for the host Tigers, who are coached by 2020 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Steve Amy. He’s a three-time state qualifier who finished in fifth place at 106 in 2024 and went 30-10 last season. He tied for fifth place for the most team points with 24. 

“I’ve been working really hard this year because my goal is to be on the top of the podium at the end of the year,” Swanson said. “Last year, I didn’t achieve my goal, so this year, it’s my turn. (Placing in 2024 and then not placing last year) It’s rough, but I’m back. I’m feeling good and I’ve been working hard. It’s enjoyable being able to wrestle with the guys on my team and they’re running pretty good this season. We lost some of our top guys last year, but we’re building. (Likes about being at Princeton) I’d say the coaching staff and the wrestlers themselves. I mean, they have a great attitude and you can tell that they want to get better.”

Eggers (23-13), a freshman, was one of seven finalists and four runners-up for coach Trent Lyons’ third-place Crusaders. In the third-place match, ROWVA/ Williamsfield co-op freshman Kegan Miller (26-9) became his team’s only sectional qualifier when he won by fall in 1:15 over Sandwich freshman Aiden Sinetos (16-14).

120 – Wesley Janick, Marquette Academy

Wesley Janick became the only freshman champion at the Princeton Regional when he claimed a 12-5 decision over Dixon’s Jack Ragan in the 120 title match. Janick (28-2), who’s ranked fifth, appeared in his fourth-straight tourney title match, also claiming a title at Orion while taking second at Plano and Reed-Custer. He was one of three champions and seven finalists for coach Trent Lyons’ Crusaders, who finished in third place. He won his first two matches by fall and ranked fourth for the most team points with 26, which was a high for his team.

“It’s fun to be a part of a program that started three years ago for our juniors,” Janick said. “So our football is good and wrestling is just now taking off. We’re all very uplifting and it’s a real tight-knit group. I’ve been wrestling since I was really young. I want to win it this year.” 

Ragan (34-5), a junior who’s ranked sixth, advanced to his fourth tournament title match, also taking second at West Chicago while winning at the PIT and earlier at Sterling. A two-time IHSA qualifier who went 40-7 last season, he was one of eight finalists and three second-place finishers for coach Micah Hey’s Dukes, who won the school’s third regional title and then a few days later advanced to the IHSA Dual Team Finals for the second time. For third, Sandwich sophomore Connor Blanchard (22-16) won by fall in 2:45 over Princeton sophomore Allister Swanson (23-19).

126 – Doolan Long, Dixon

Doolan Long picked a good time to win his first tournament title of the season as he took top honors at 126 in the Princeton Regional by recording a fall in 1:54 over Marquette Academy’s Logan Huenefeld in the finals. An honorable mention selection who improved to 30-10, he also was second at Sterling and took third place at West Chicago. The sophomore was one of five champions and eight finalists for coach Micah Hey’s Dukes, who captured their program’s third regional title and then a few days later, assured their spot in the IHSA Dual Team Finals for the second time. He won all three of his matches by fall and tied teammates and fellow champions Riley Paredes, Dawson Kemp and Dylan Bopes for fifth place for the most team points with 24.  

“I’ve been putting in a lot of work and coming to practice every day and eating healthy every day,” Long said, “So, it really pays off to get the win here. I think this is my 30th win and my first tournament, and it’s the regional, too, so now I get that bye at sectionals, so that’s perfect. I thought I did really good. I pushed the pace a lot and I didn’t let up any room for them to get up or anything. I’m really happy with how I did. (Teammates he works with) Jack Ragan, Charlie Connors and Preston (Richards). We have a really good room and that makes me better. And we all make each other better and It’s nice. (Dixon winning the regional) It’s nice for our coaches and their hard work is paying off. (His title match) I thought it was going to be a really hard match and I thought it was going to go late third period. Then I look at the clock and see like 15 seconds left and I see an opportunity and put in a wing and I run it hard and I was really happy when I got that pin, it was really nice. (what he likes about his team) I like how even the JV kids will push us varsity because in wrestling, it’s not just one person. It’s every single weight class. And even the JV kids help out. We have a lot of depth in our team, which I really like. And we really push hard at practice and we never mess around, and it really shows.”

Huenefeld (29-13), a freshman who won a title at Orion and took third at Plano, was one of seven finalists and four second-place finishers for the third-place Crusaders, who are coached by Trent Lyons. In the third-place match, Sandwich sophomore Dom Urbanski (22-23) had to win three matches in the consolation bracket and captured an 11-6 decision over Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille junior Ty Florschuetz (20-12), who had the largest seed-place difference of anyone in the competition, improving four positions after being seeded eighth.

132 – Koby Clark, Marquette Academy

Koby Clark hadn’t placed better than third in a tournament heading into the postseason but that didn’t prevent the Marquette Academy junior from claiming a championship at the Princeton Regional when he won a 20-11 major decision over Saint Bede Academy’s Max Moreno in the 132 title match. Clark, an honorable mention selection who improved to 29-7 and took third at Reed-Custer and fourth at Orion, was one of three champs and seven finalists for coach Trent Lyons’ third-place Crusaders. He opened with two falls and was 11th in team points with 23.

“This felt amazing,” Clark said. “I lost to him last week and I was up 7-4 and he got a double on me and pinned me. So I threw everything on this match and just gave it all I got and I came out on top. I pushed way harder. I gave up a little bit at Bob Mitton since I was sick that week, and I just had nothing left in me, and I really had to just fight that mental block of just wanting to just go easier. I just kept on pushing through everything, and I got it done. (Competing against Max Moreno) We always keep our friendship. We wrestled a couple times. We wrestled all the way through middle school and club and we were on the same team. You know, every time we’re on the mat, it’s straight business. And when we’re off the mat, we’re friends. (Being at Marquette Academy) Oh, yeah. It’s so amazing from what we’ve built up. Our freshman year, I think we had maybe seven kids on the team. When people used to look at us, they’re like, ‘Who is Marquette? Now, we aren’t so much the underdogs. We aren’t negative. We are really not negative to each other at all. We always lift each other up, and most of our guys are religious, so we always pray, and it just really helps us. Religion is like a big thing with us, and we like that.”

Moreno (35-7), a sophomore, was the lone finalist and sectional qualifier for coach Sam Allen’s Bruins. An honorable mention selection, he won a title at Fort Zumwalt West, MO, was second at Orion and took third at Kewanee and Plano. For third place, Princeton sophomore Corbin Brown (32-13) won a 14-5 major decision over Kewanee senior Landyn Greenhagen (24-12) in a rematch of their quarterfinal match where Greenhagen won by technical fall in 4:00. 

138 – Kane Dauber, Princeton

Kane Dauber hopes that now that he’s overcome injuries that he’s ready to improve upon how well he did as a freshman, when he opened the postseason with a regional title and eventually took fifth place at 132 at the IHSA Finals to finish with a 50-5 record. The Princeton sophomore competed in only his second tournament and won his first title this season by taking first place at 138 in the regional that his school hosted, becoming one of four champions for the Tigers, who are coached by 2020 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Steve Amy. Third-ranked at his weight, Dauber improved to 23-2 after recording three pins, with the last of those in 2:24 in the finals over Sandwich’s Jaxson Blanchard. He tied teammate and 190 champion Eli Berlin for the most team points with 28. His only other tournament finish was a third at Central DeWitt, Iowa.

“It was nice showing what I can do, it was fun,” Dauber said. “I was out for a month competing but I was practicing for two weeks before this. There was no rest because I kept pretty active during my recovery and have just come back stronger. Yeah, I think it did me some good just to get me recovering just so I can get back on my feet and be 100 percent during the matches. Just be aggressive. Just have no fear of losing or no fear of winning. You never think about the after the fact of the match, you always think about the present moment. And if you keep the present moment in between your eyes, there’s a bunch of little present moments in between matches. You’ve got to just try to win more than the other guy. That’s the goal of the sport. That’s it. Score more points that’s it. (Competing for Princeton) If I just keep moving and those guys keep coaching me, I’ll be fine. I don’t think about the outcome of the state tournament. My only part is winning the match ahead of me and focus on the guy in front of me. And if that all goes well, how far we get is how far we get.”

Blanchard (30-7), a sophomore who won a regional title last season, was one of four finalists and two second-place finishers for coach Derek Jones’ second-place Indians, is an honorable mention selection who won a title at Prairie Central and also placed second at Reed-Custer. Marquette Academy junior Beau Thompson (29-12) won three matches in the consolation bracket, getting a pin before rallying for a 7-4 win by sudden victory over Kewanee senior Hunter Vancil (30-13) to advance to the third-place match, where he was a winner by fall in 1:28 over Mendota junior Trayvon Rucker (21-17), who had the most total match points (46) and single match points (29) in the regional.

144 – Charlie Connors, Dixon

Charlie Connors advanced to the IHSA Finals last season as a freshman but was unable to win any matches and finished with a 32-8 record. Beside hoping that he and Jack Ragan qualify for state again along with some of their teammates, the Dixon sophomore looks to contend for a medal and improved to 37-4 after winning the 144 title at the Princeton Regional with a 10-2 major decision over Kewanee’s Lain Taylor. Seventh-ranked at 144, he also won titles at Sterling and West Chicago, was a runner-up at Prospect and took fourth at Princeton’s PIT. One of five champions and eight finalists for coach Micah Hey’s champion Dukes, he opened with a pin and then got a victory by technical fall. A few days after helping Dixon win its third regional title, he and his teammates assured their program of a second trip to the IHSA Dual Team Finals.

“We’re just in the practice room putting in hard work every day, you know, everyone, all throughout our lineup,” Connors said. “We’re definitely looking forward to hopefully making it down to team state. And, yeah, just all throughout the lineup, we’ve got good partners for everyone. (Has worked on to get better) I was definitely just putting in the work every single day in the offseason. I didn’t get to my attacks as much as I would have liked to in the finals match, but got it done. We’re looking to send as many as we can down to state this year. (what he likes about his team) You know, we have a lot of chemistry and good team bonding. And I think it really helps out in those close duals. Overall, the team chemistry really helps in the long run.” 

Taylor (36-7) was one of two second-place finishers and five sectional qualifiers who led the way for coach Charley Eads’ fifth-place Boilermakers. The sophomore also was a runner-up at Orion and took third place at his school’s invite. In the third-place match, Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille co-op junior Caiden Heath (23-8) was a winner by fall in 4:30 over Sandwich senior Jacob Cassie (21-8). 

150 – Cooper Corder, Sandwich

Cooper Corder claimed fourth place at 138 at the IHSA as a freshman in 2024 and then took fifth place at 144 last season and finished with a 37-7 record. The Sandwich junior has much bigger plans than just getting back to state, since he would like to become the seventh individual from his school to be a three-time medal winner and also join a longer list of those who’ve won IHSA titles for the program. He improved to 36-1 after winning the 150 title at the Princeton Regional with a 16-5 major decision over Dixon’s Preston Richards. He opened with a pin and then got a win by technical fall to give him 26.5 team points, which was the third-highest total. Ranked third at 150, his lone loss was to Unity Christian’s Clinton VerHeecke in the finals of the Prairie Central Hawk Classic. He joined Joshua Kotalik (175) as a champion and also Jaxson Blanchard (138) and Kai Kern (190) as finalists for coach Derek Jones’ second-place Indians. 

“It’s awesome,” Corder said. “Every year I come here to win regionals and sectionals and hopefully get that state title. And a lot of work I’ve been doing in the offseason, in-season, groups I’ve been training with all around the state. It’s definitely coming full circle. So it’s just a step in the right direction. He’s a tough kid, but I’m definitely not happy with the match. I obviously wanted to come through get techs and pins and show the domination I think if that match were to have been wrestled both equally if everyone’s going at it it would have been a little bit better but I feel like I was aggressing quite a bit at the end of the day I think he wanted to keep it close. Not happy with it, but I got the title. I love not being complacent. I like looking back and being like, ‘that was a good match, but I want more’. I want to continuously grow and chase excellence. I’ve been at state twice, placed both times. Again, I’ve been doing so much work. I’m really excited to see what this season brings. No doubt in my mind that I can win that bracket. It’s going to be tough, a lot of hard matches, and the next step is sectionals, so it’s one match at a time. (Competing for Sandwich) I’ve been here since I was a little kid. Coming up in the middle school, kids club, now in high school. I feel like it was in a blink of an eye. I’m an upperclassman. I’m starting to shape those younger kids, but it’s awesome. I like being in the practice room and encouraging people. I think we’re a hard-working group of guys and we have a couple going to sectionals and I’m excited to see how they’ll do. Every day is a blessing in that room. It’s a good support system. I think everyone in there is hungry to get better.”

Richards (35-6) was one of eight finalists and three second-place finishers for coach Micah Hey’s champion Dukes, who won their third regional title and a few days later, advanced to the IHSA Dual Team Finals for the second time. Ranked fourth at 150, the sophomore added to second-place finishes at Sterling, Prospect and West Chicago and a third at Princeton. In the third-place match, Kewanee senior Dontel Wommack (27-12) won 12-9 by sudden victory over Mendota sophomore Komen Denault (29-9). Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille co-op junior Jose Lopez, an IHSA qualifier in 2025, fell one win shy of advancing to the sectional.

157 – Brysen Manly, Marquette Academy

Brysen Manly was one of three champions and seven finalists for coach Trent Lyons’ third-place Crusaders at the Princeton Regional and that was a big deal for the junior since it qualified him for the Byron Sectional after his previous-best finishes in tournaments were a fifth at Orion and a sixth at Plano. He improved to 24-13 after claiming an 8-5 decision over Mendota’s Gavin Evans in the finals after winning a major decision in the semifinals in his only other match. He was also one of nine sectional qualifiers for his team, which had 10 competitors in the regional. Last season he went 31-16 and qualified for the Oregon Sectional.

“I remember coming in my freshman year and I consider myself to be one of the founding fathers of the Marquette program,” Manly said. “It was such a small team, maybe like seven kids when I started. So it’s nice to see that we had a full-team roster this year. We went and won multiple tournaments and we’ve been expanding so much. It’s great to see and I can’t wait to see what the program becomes. We’re definitely proud, and I think everybody could say that for the team, you know. And it shows, I mean, we all have quite a few freshmen today making it to sectionals. (Reasons for the success) I’ve got to say, it’s the support that we’ve gotten from our community, helping to bring us up. And definitely Coach Trent (Lyons), he’s done so much for us and he takes his time off for us. I feel, as an upperclassman, that it’s us upperclassmen who are encouraging the freshmen. This year, I really try to emphasize my defensive style of wrestling and I’ve definitely seen improvements. In my first-place match against a great kid from Mendota, he was very offensive and it showed my defensive wrestling is becoming my strong suit. My teammates, Alex Schaefer, a former state qualifier, and Reily Leifheit, Koby Clark and Beau Thompson, we’ve all been together since our freshman year, so I think with them being great wrestlers, it’s helped me to improve a lot, too.”

Evans (29-8), a senior, was the lone finalist and sectional qualifier for coach Brent Montavon’s Trojans, who had three others who lost in third-place matches. Sandwich senior Jack Forth (27-18) claimed third place with an 11-7 decision over Kewanee junior Jermain McKnight, Jr. (23-10). Forth got pinned by McKnight in 5:28 in his opener and then won a 4-3 decision over Dixon junior Neomiah Holloway (16-13) to earn a rematch with McKnight, Jr. for third place. 

165 – Casey Etheridge, Princeton

Casey Etheridge claimed a 10-3 decision over Reily Leifheit in the 165 title match in a clash between the second- and third-ranked individuals at their weights and it was also a rematch from last year’s Oregon Sectional where Etheridge won to earn a spot in the third-place match. Competing in his final match at Prouty Gym, senior Etheridge (41-5) repeated as a regional champion after opening the tournament with two first-minute falls and he added to first-place finishes at Central DeWitt, Iowa and LeRoy/ Tri-Valley and a runner-up showing at his school’s PIT. He was one of four champions and five sectional qualifiers for the fourth-place host Tigers, who are coached by 2020 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Steve Amy. Etheridge, a two-time IHSA qualifier, went 48-6 last season and took fourth place at 165 to claim his first state medal.

“It’s a little different this year compared to last year because we met in the regional finals last year, and by that point we wrestled at Plano, then regionals, then sectionals,” Etheridge said. “So this year, this is the first time I’ve seen him. He’s had a really good year, so I knew I had my work coming for me, but I thought we both wrestled really well, and I’d love to see him again at sectionals and hopefully at state. But he’s a great competitor, and I know he works really hard at this sport, so I have a lot of respect for him. I’m really blessed to be at Princeton and with the all-around coaching. I’m grateful since they push us to be the best wrestlers that we can be. It’s really nice to have them around. I struggled in December after losing a couple of close, tough matches, but then they kept to my ear the entire time, that this truly doesn’t matter until February. It’s a little different having the sectionals in two weeks instead of next week, but I like that because it gives me a little more time to prepare. Once you get into January, you’re having so many duals and tournaments, you’re losing time for practice. And I think that the most important thing in a room is to make sure that you’re surrounded by like-minded individuals.”

Leifheit (31-4), who fell one victory shy of a trip to the IHSA Finals last season and finished with a 38-7 record, was one of four runners-up, seven finalists and nine sectional qualifiers for coach Trent Lyons’ third-place Crusaders. Ranked third at 165, the junior won titles at Plano and Unity and finished third at Reed-Custer. In the third-place match, Kewanee senior Brayden Johnson (28-16) was a winner by fall in 1:05 over Dixon senior Adam Staples (19-16).  

175 – Joshua Kotalik, Sandwich

Joshua Kotalik continued his successful sophomore season for Sandwich by not only surpassing the 40-victory total but also winning the 175 title at the Princeton Regional by recording a fall on 1:28 over Dixon’s Blake Dingley. He joined Cooper Corder (150) as a champion and was one of four finalists and eight sectional qualifiers for coach Derek Jones’ second-place Indians. Ranked eighth at his weight, this was his first tournament title after placing second at Plano and Prairie Central and third at Reed-Custer. He got pins in all of three of his matches and tied for fifth place in most team points with 24. Last season, he fell a bit short of advancing from the Oregon Sectional and finished with a 35-17 record.

“It feels great,” Kotalik said. “I got second at the Plano Reaper and got third at Reed-Custer. I think it was  just great to come out here and wrestle. (Cooper Corder) He’s a nice guy, a nice friend and we train together. He’s doing nice and I’m doing good, too. I feel like everything that Sandwich does, whether it’s wrestling or any sport, we kind of bring the energy. (Likes about his team) “I like that they’re all for each other. We’re all fiends here and we all have fun. And we’re there for the good feelings and ready to get out there if we want to win.” 

Dingley (28-15), a sophomore who also took second place at Prospect, was one of eight finalists and three runners-up for the champion Dukes, who are coached by Micah Hey. In the third-place match, Kewanee sophomore Ace Lafollette (30-11) won by fall in 2:41 over Mendota senior Corbin Furar (17-2).

190 – Eli Berlin, Princeton

Eli Berlin joined Augustus Swanson (113), Kane Dauber (138) and Casey Etheridge (165) as champions for coach Steve Amy’s fourth-place Tigers in the Princeton Regional and was one of their five sectional qualifiers after recording three-straight pins to claim the title at 190 with a fall in 5:53 over Sandwich’s Kai Kern. Berlin (36-10), a senior who competed at Prouty Gym for the last time, tied teammate Dauber for the most team points in the regional with 28.This was his best tournament finish of the season with his previous-high being fourth at LeRoy/ Tri-Valley.

“I think everybody performed well,” Berlin said. “We work hard in the practice and at meets and everything else. (Winning the regional title)  It means a lot because last year I came in and I was sick and I didn’t even make it out of the regionals. So to come back here and get first this year is a big deal to me. Having a legend like coach Amy come here and help us means a lot. I was a little upset with how I wrestled in my finals match. I feel like I gassed out in the third and I’ll have to work on that and luckily we have an extra week to practice. But other than that, I pinned my first two kids fairly fast and I got it done, so I’m happy with it. (Setting a record for pins at the school)  For this to be my third or fourth year wrestling and to get that record means a lot to me. I feel like we’ve all been friends since we were little kids, so our teamwork and us working together and being there for each other has been there for a long time because we grew up with each other in the small town. (Hopes for the sectional) I’m hoping to get out of sectionals and go to the state for the first time this year and get it done for sure.”

Kern (26-14) was one of four finalists and seven sectional qualifiers for coach Derek Jones’ second-place Indians. A year ago, he won a regional championship and finished with an 18-10 record. His best previous tournament finishes this season had been fourth place at both Plano and Prairie Central. In the third-place match, Dixon junior Seth Shaffer (26-18) won a 12-4 major decision over Kewanee senior Douglas Swearingen (25-10).  

215 – Dawson Kemp, Dixon

Dawson Kemp claimed his first tournament title of the season and helped cap a memorable day for Dixon as it won its third regional championship with 221 points to win the Princeton Regional by 44 points over Sandwich. Then a few days later, the Dukes beat Morrison in 57-20 in the Oregon Sectional to qualify for the IHSA Dual Team Finals for only the second time. Kemp (33-8), a senior who’s ranked fifth, got his third pin in three matches in 1:31 over Marquette Academy’s Alex Schaefer in the 215 title match. He was one of five title winners, eight finalists and nine sectional qualifiers for coach Micah Hey’s Dukes. Kemp’s other top finishes were a second at Sterling and a third at West Chicago. He tied for fifth place with five others, including teammates Riley Paredes, Doolan Long and Dylan Bopes for the most team points with 24. 

“It feels great,” Kemp said. “At the end of the day, what it comes down to is working hard in practice and doing everything that coach says, without any questions asked since he knows best. He knows how I wrestle, he knows how the whole team wrestles and he knows how we work and that’s what it comes down to. The teamwork, the pride that we put in at practice, the work that we put in, it all translates to how we do out here. Really, what I can emphasize is just that hard work that it takes. Because you can do all this hard work, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to outwork the guy that’s doing the most. In the wrestling room, our coach has a practice of the last team that made it to Team State. Every day I look at that poster, I think about how great it would feel to make it there myself. (What he likes about his team) My favorite part is just the team spirit and the pride. Because you’ve got to bring the energy up. If you don’t have the energy, then what’s the point?”

Schaefer (26-2), a junior who was ranked sixth, was one of six finalists and three second-place finishers for coach Trent Lyons’ third-place Crusaders. A regional champion and IHSA qualifier last season who finished with a 36-11 record, he recorded falls in his first two matches and was hoping to add to title wins at Plano, Unity and Orion. In the third-place match, Sandwich senior Kaden Clevenger (30-10) won by fall in 2:49 over Princeton senior Rhett Pearson (21-21).

285 – Dylan Bopes, Dixon

Dylan Bopes put the finishing touches on Dixon’s impressive first-place performance at the Princeton Regional when he became one of five champions, eight finalists and nine sectional qualifiers as coach Micah Hey’s Dukes outscored runner-up Sandwich 221-177 for the title, the third in program history. Then a few days later, Bopes and his teammates defeated Morrison 57-20 at the Oregon Sectional to assure Dixon of advancing the the IHSA Dual Team Finals for the second time, with the first appearance in 2017, when coach Chris Bishop led the program to a third-place finish in Class 2A. Bopes (27-5) won the title at 285 by recording a fall in 2:33 over Kewanee’s Airies Simmons, which was his second pin of the event. The senior tied teammates Riley Paredes, Doolan Long and Dawson Kemp for fifth in team points with 24. Ranked ninth at 285, he also won a title at Sterling and took third place in the same gym at Princeton’s PIT. 

“It feels just like a dream right now because I remember last year we were so close to winning it, but we just couldn’t follow through,” Bopes said. “It was a full team effort where we all tried to try our best. And the room, it’s really hard to compete because everyone’s just on another level there. (Why the team is having success) I believe it’s because we’re like a family and we’re all just super close. We’ve been on the JV level together and on varsity and it’s been a lot of fun.” 

Simmons (21-5) joined Lain Taylor (144) as second-place finishers for coach Charley Eads’ Boilermakers, and he also was one of five sectional qualifiers for his team. Simmons, a senior, also took second place at Orion. For third place, Putnam County/ Hall co-op sophomore Justin Doden (19-16) became his program’s lone sectional qualifier when he won by fall in 3:21 over ROWVA/ Williamsfield co-op freshman Tommy DeRidder (13-8), who had the quickest win by technical fall in the regional with a time of 2:00.

Regional champions

106 – Riley Paredes (Dixon) 33-1 

113 – Augustus Swanson (Princeton) 42-1

120 – Wesley Janick (Marquette Academy) 28-2

126 – Doolan Long (Dixon) 30-10  

132 – Koby Clark (Marquette Academy) 29-7

138 – Kane Dauber (Princeton) 23-2 

144 – Charlie Connors (Dixon) 37-4

150 – Cooper Corder (Sandwich) 36-1 

157 – Brysen Manly (Marquette Academy) 24-13

165 – Casey Etheridge (Princeton) 41-5

175 – Joshua Kotalik (Sandwich) 41-5 

190 – Eli Berlin (Princeton) 36-10

215 – Dawson Kemp (Dixon) 33-8 

285 – Dylan Bopes (Dixon) 27-5

Additional sectional qualifiers

106 – Aden Spinelli (Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille) 25-2; Dakota Harmon (Marquette Academy) 31-11

113 – Connor Eggers (Marquette Academy) 23-13; Kegan Miller (ROWVA/ Williamsfield) 26-9

120 – Jack Ragan (Dixon) 34-5; Connor Blanchard (Sandwich) 22-16

126 – Logan Huenefeld (Marquette Academy) 29-13; Dom Urbanski (Sandwich) 22-23

132 – Max Moreno (Saint Bede Academy) 35-7; Corbin Brown (Princeton) 32-13 

138 – Jaxson Blanchard (Sandwich) 30-7; Beau Thompson (Marquette Academy) 29-12 

144 – Lain Taylor (Kewanee) 36-7; Caiden Heath (Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille) 23-8

150 – Preston Richards (Dixon) 35-6; Dontel Wommack (Kewanee) 27-12

157 – Gavin Evans (Mendota) 29-8; Jack Forth (Sandwich) 27-18

165 – Reily Leifheit (Marquette Academy) 31-4; Brayden Johnson (Kewanee) 28-16

175 – Blake Dingley (Dixon) 28-15; Ace Lafollette (Kewanee) 30-11

190 – Kai Kern (Sandwich) 26-14; Seth Shaffer (Dixon) 26-18 

215 – Alex Schaefer (Marquette Academy) 26-2; Kaden Clevenger (Sandwich) 30-10 

285 – Airies Simmons (Kewanee) 21-5; Justin Doden (Putnam County/ Hall) 19-16 

Team scores

Dixon 221, Sandwich 177, Marquette Academy 172, Princeton 145, Kewanee 139.5, Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille co-op 63, Mendota 60, ROWVA/ Williamsfield co-op 49.5, Saint Bede Academy 29.5, Putnam County/ Hall co-op 26, Somonauk/ Leland co-op 18

Individual statistics

Most team points: Eli Berlin, Princeton 28; Kane Dauber, Princeton 28; Cooper Corder, Sandwich 26.5; Wesley Janick, Marquette Academy 26; Dylan Bopes, Dixon 24; Dawson Kemp, Dixon 24; Joshua Kotalik, Sandwich 24; Doolan Long, Dixon 24; Riley Paredes, Dixon 24; Augustus Swanson, Princeton 24

Most total match points: Trayvon Rucker, Mendota 46; Cooper Corder, Sandwich 42; Charlie Connors, Dixon 38

Most pins: Augustus Swanson, Princeton 3 (in 2:09); Eli Berlin, Princeton 3; Connor Blanchard, Sandwich 3; Kaden Clevenger, Sandwich 3: Kane Dauber, Princeton 3; Justin Doden, Putnam County/ Hall 3; Caden Heath, Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille 3; Dakota Harmon, Marquette Academy 3; Dawson Kemp, Dixon 3; Joshua Kotalik, Sandwich 3; Brayden Johnson, Kewanne 3; Ace Lafollette, Kewanee 3; Doolan Long, Dixon 3; Kegan Miller, ROWVA/ Williamsfield 3

Most technical falls: Tommy DeRidder, ROWVA/ Williamsfield 1 (in 2:00); Jayden Carreon, ROWVA/ Williamsfield 1; Charlie Connors, Dixon 1; Cooper Corder, Sandwich 1; Connor Eggers, Marquette Academy 1; Landyn Greenhagen, Kewanee 1; Logan Huenefeld, Marquette Academy 1; Maks Niedzwiedz, Saint Bede Academy 1; Kingston Peterson, Kewanee 1; Preston Richards, Dixon 1; Aden Spinelli, Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille 1; Allister Swanson, Princeton 1; Lain Taylor, Kewanne 1; Dom Urbanski, Sandwich 1

Largest seed-place difference: Ty Florschuetz, Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille 4

Team statistics

Most total match points: Kewanee 259; Sandwich 243; Dixon 209

Most pins: Dixon 22, Kewanee 18; Sandwich 17

Most technical falls: Kewanee 3; Dixon 2; Marquette Academy 2; ROWVA/ Williamsfield 2; Sandwich 2

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Qualifiers from these regionals feed the Phillips sectional on Feb. 14

CHICAGO AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Homewood-Flossmoor placed fourth at last year’s Rich Township regional, and two years ago the Vikings were third at the Curie regional.

H-F finished just flirting with regional success. The program won its first team title at this year’s regional at Chicago’s Agricultural Science.

Coach Scott Aronson’s girls put up 191.5 points to edge second-place Oak Forest (178), with Marist (176.5) hot on their heels in third. District 230 (169.5) placed fourth and St. Laurence (153.5) rounded out the top five team finishes.

“Our coaches and parents are incredibly proud of what our athletes were able to do this weekend,” Aronson said.  “We entered the regional with ten athletes, seven of which qualified for sectionals and one we can take to sectionals as an alternate.”

Aronson had a pair of regional champions in Amara Nwoye (130) and Kendra Hayden (190), and got a second-place finish from London Gandy (125), and thirds from Amirat Toheeb-Lawal (115), Madelynn McClements (135), Kennedy Dade (140) and Denise Brown (145).

“All ten of our girls contributed to the first regional championship in the program’s five-year history.  We are very excited and optimistic about our prospects at sectionals and very grateful everyone is healthy, motivated and ready to go next weekend.  Most of our girls over-performed where they were originally seeded which was extremely gratifying to see as their coach, and demonstrates that they are not letting anything hold them back.”

Oak Lawn (136) placed sixth, followed by Thornton Fractional South (132.5), Agricultural Science (100) Hillcrest (97) and Reavis (92) to round out the top ten finishes.

District 230 — made up of girls from Andrew, Stagg, and Carl Sandburg — led all programs with seven sectional qualifiers. Oak Forest had five qualifiers; Marist and TF South each qualified four; St. Laurence, Oak Lawn, Tinley Park, Agricultural Science, Shepard, Reavis, and Hillcrest had three qualifiers each.
Oak Forest’s Alex Sebek (27-0) is the lone girl to emerge from the regional with an unbeaten record.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
100 Alex Sebek (27-0) Oak Forest
105 Taniya Moss (23-5) Hillcrest
110 Carmen Jackson (23-1) Agricultural Science
115 Piper Booe (34-3) District 230
120 Nina Nesci (33-1) St. Laurence
125 Rain Scott (15-1) Oak Forest
130 Amara Nwoye (39-8) Homewood-Flossmoor
135 Brooklyn Strelow (21-6) Oak Forest
140 Hannah Marusarz (26-8) St. Laurence
145 Iyobosa Odiase (31-2) Oak Forest
155 Lily Fish (29-3) Reavis
170 Jermia Moore (34-7) TF South
190 Kendra Hayden (28-12) Homewood-Flossmoor
235 Karrine Jenkins (34-4) Shepard

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS
100

Alexandra Sebek (Oak Forest) 27-0, d. Elizabeth Bisonaya (Oak Lawn) 30-7, (F 1:20)

Lillian O`Brien (Bloom) 20-2, d. Reese Kruen (District 230) 17-14, (F 5:39)

105

Taniya Moss (Hillcrest) 23-5, d. Tatum De La Vega (District 230) 27-8, (F 4:35)

Dakodia Kelly (TF South) 36-8, d. Sofia Perez (Shepard) 29-15,  (F 3:24)

110

Carmen Jackson (Ag Science) 23-1, d. Jade Hardee (District 230) 37-6, (D 9-6)

Ariel Woodfin (Thornton) 22-3, d. Sophia Orcasitas (Oak Forest) 24-8, (F 0:43)

115

Piper Booe (District 230) 34-3, d. Danita Palmore (Ag Science) 23-4, (D 4-3)

Amirat Toheeb-Lawal (H-F) 35-10, d. Aracely Stevens (TF South) 32-16, (Inj)

120

Nina Nesci (St. Laurence) 33-1, d. Ava Enright (Marist) 35-6, (F 1:44)

Brynnley Krauchun (District 230) 25-14, d. Shealanay Williams (Ag Science) 15-10,  (F 5:23)

125

Rain Scott (Oak Forest) 15-1, d. London Gandy (H-F) 32-11,  (F 1:27)

Kendra Chatman (Goode) 25-4, d. Holly Rowan (McAuley) 24-8, (F 1:28)

130

Amara Nwoye (H-F) 39-8, d. Mila Rocush (Shepard) 31-9, (F 1:00)

Journey Jackson (Oak Lawn) 25-5, d. Anastasia Dvorak (District 230) 22-8, (MD 8-0)

135

Brooklyn Strelow (Oak Forest) 21-6, d. Izzy Locascio (Marist) 25-4,  (F 1:43)

Madelynn McClements (H-F) 33-14, d. Isabella De La Vega (District 230) 26-11, (D 11-7)

140

Hannah Marusarz (St. Laurence) 26-8, d. Marlen Morelos Perez (Eisenhower) 27-5,  (TF-4:12)

Kennedy Dade (H-F) 35-12, d. Rylee Hernandez (Tinley Park) 25-10, (F 3:19)

145

Iyobosa Odiase (Oak Forest) 31-2, d. Priscilla Ruiz (Oak Lawn) 24-6, (F 0:31)

Denise Brown (H-F) 34-13, d. Neriah Treadway (Hancock) 22-8, (F 1:12)

155

Lily Fish (Reavis) 29-3, d. Melissa Nance (Hillcrest) 22-9, (D 7-6)

Layla Ross (Evergreen Park) 20-7, d. Ariyah Bradford (TF North) 17-6, (TF-2:56)

170
Jermia Moore (TF South) 34-7, d. Phoebe Heyboer (Eisenhower) 29-7, (D 12-5)

Sarah Parker (Marist) 35-11, d. Lilith Merikort (Evergreen Park) 14-5, (F 1:50)

190

Kendra Hayden (H-F) 28-12, d. Jordyn Coleman-Harrison (Hillcrest) 24-3,  (F 0:41)

Lucia Terrazas (TF South) 27-8, d. Ezra Velez (Reavis) 11-11, (D 7-1)

235

Karrine Jenkins (Shepard) 34-4, d. Elise Brown (St. Laurence) 27-5, (F 2:00)

Hailey Canvin (Reavis) 30-8, d. Abby Parker (Marist) 21-8, (M. For.)

Statistics
TEAM

Most pins: Marist 30, Oak Forest 24, District 230 23
Most tech falls: St. Laurence 3, Oak Lawn 2, District 230 2
Most total match points: District 230 249, St. Laurence 248, Homewood-Flossmoor 225

INDIVIDUAL
Most pins least time: District 230’s Brynnley Krauchun, 5 falls in 11:02
Most tech falls least time: TF South’s Abibatu Mogaji, 1 tech in 0:44
Fastest fall: Homewood-Flossmoor’s Rachel Nugin 0:12
Most team points: 32 (tie) – H-F’s Amara Nwoye, St. Laurence’s Nina Nesci, Oak Forest’s Iyobosa Odiase
Most single-match points: Oak Forest’s Rain Scott 23
Most total match points: Thornton’s Ariel Woodfin 49
Largest seed-place difference: District 230’s Reese Kruen became a sectional qualifier by placing fourth as the No. 12 seed at 100 pounds.

RICKOVER NAVAL ACADEMY

Morton coach Fernando Arratia got nine of his girls through to the sectional round, led by regional champions Andaira Marron (100), Karla Munoz (110) and Luissiana Guerrero (120), as Morton won its first team regional title in program history at Rickover Naval Academy. The Mustangs posted 193 points to edge second-place Lane with 185.

Morton placed second at last year’s Rickover regional, and the were second two years ago at the Curie regional.

“Overall, it was a successful day,” Arratia said. “The girls worked hard all season and it’s rewarding to see them find success in various ways. There is still room for improvement but it’s a day that will motivate the girls moving forward.”

Morton led the field in pins (20), tech falls (5) and total match points (356).
In taking the regional crown, the Mustangs got a second-place finish from Fatima Martinez (125), thirds from Jordan Rodriguez (105) and Anali Wilson (170), and fourths from Victoria Vargas (115), Annabelle Linton (145) and Genessi Ceballos (155).

Lane had eight sectional qualifiers on the day. Third-place Kelly (121.5) had five, followed in the team standings by Curie (117.5) with four, De La Salle (95.5) with four, Noble/ITW Speer (94) with two, Oak Park and River Forest (91.5) with five, Rickover (86.5) with two, Hope Academy (81) with three, and Back of the Yards (76) with three to round out the top ten team finishes.
Morton led the field with three regional champs, followed by Lane and Chicago Hope Academy with two champs apiece. Hope Academy’s Demetria Griffin (16-0) finished as the lone unbeaten wrestler to emerge from the Rickover regional.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

100 Andaira Marron (32-1) Morton
105 Giselle Arambula (27-1) Curie
110 Karla Munoz (32-10) Morton
115 Demetria Griffin (16-0) Chicago Hope Academy
120 Luissiana Guerrero (28-10) Morton
125 Grace Eiland (16-4) Chicago Hope Academy
130 Kenya Louis (12-3) Kenwood
135 Zabby Badru (43-1) Lane
140 Isabella Miller (22-3) OPRF
145 GG Garduno (23-2) St. Ignatius
155 Layla Moreland (35-9) Lane
170 Sara Martinez Lopera (29-3) Kelly
190 Nyomi Ascencio (31-8) Back of the Yards
235 Esmerelda Bustamante (38-1) Noble/ITW Speer

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS
100

Andaira Marron (Morton) 32-1, d. Sofia Guerrero (Lane) 41-3,  (D 10-3)

Adali Cruz (Noble/ITW Speer) 35-4, d. Maelaya Brown (Crane) 11-4, (F 4:51)

105

Giselle Arambula (Curie) 27-1, d. J Colbert (Lake View) 18-3,  (F 4:59)

Jordan Rodriguez (Morton) 37-8, d. Anapaula Cerna-Rivera (De La Salle) 15-6,  (MD 13-3)

110

Karla Munoz (Morton) 32-10, d. Lauren Guerrero (Lane) 35-13, (F 5:35)

Destiny Hills (Kelly) 16-14, d. Janiya Hawkins (Dyett) 6-2, (F 0:31)

115

Demetria Griffin (Hope Academy) 16-0, d. Yazmine Garcia (Kelly) 23-5, (TF-4:28)
Gymaria Brown (Curie) 27-4, d. Victoria Vargas (Morton) 34-14,  (F 1:03)

120

Luissiana Guerrero (Morton) 28-10, d. Victoria Serment (De La Salle) 18-5, (D 9-3)

Hannah Chong (Crane) 21-2, d. Paige Finnegan (Rickover) 37-10, (F 2:16)

125

Grace Eiland (Hope Academy) 16-4, d. Fatima Martinez (Morton) 27-19, (MD 16-5)

Michelle Kpekpe (OPRF) 24-15, d. Trinity l Kinesy (Clark) 12-7, (F 2:13)

130

Kenya Louis (Kenwood) 12-3, d. Imyjah Jackson (Lane) 28-13, (F 3:06)

Yaretzi Avila Calixto (Curie) 18-7, d. Krystal Ojeda (Rickover) 19-15, (F 1:23)

135

Zabby Badru (Lane) 43-1, d. Mercedes Carrassoco (De La Salle) 24-3, (F 3:44)

Liliana Monserrat Dimas (Kelly) 24-8, d. Isabelle Vences (Lake View) 6-7, (F 0:54)

140

Isabella Miller (OPRF) 22-3, d. America Cabrera (Phoenix) 23-1,  (F 3:50)

Evelyna Perez (BOTY) 32-9, d. Daniyah Rogers (Westinghouse) 18-13, (F 0:47)

145

GG Garduno (St. Ignatius) 23-2, d. Eila Barbour (Lane) 29-4, (D 15-10)

Zoe Gonzalez (Curie) 11-3, d. Annabella Linton (Morton) 14-7, (F 3:35)

155

Layla Moreland (Lane) 35-9, d. Jennifer Martinez-Alarcon (BOTY) 25-11,  (F 1:02)

Liana Andrade (Kelly) 11-3, d. Genessi Ceballos (Morton) 24-17, (F 1:13)

170

Sara Martinez Lopera (Kelly) 29-3, d. Caliyah Campbell (OPRF) 20-6,  (F 1:12)

Anali Wilson (Morton) 35-2, d. Kenaiece Barrett (Lane) 34-15, (F 0:30)

190

Nyomi Ascencio (BOTY) 31-8, d. Akyah Thomas (Lane) 18-4, (F 1:00)

Valiere Franco (Fenwick) 16-4, .d. Eliana Martinez (OPRF) 16-16, (F 0:53)

235

Esmeralda Bustamante (Noble/ITW Speer) 38-1, d. Amaria Thomas (Hope Academy) 7-4, (F 1:49)
Nevaeh Jones (De La Salle) 15-9, d. Yolianie Hernandez (Noble/Golder) 12-6, (F 5:01)

Statistics
TEAM

Most pins: Morton 20, Curie 19, Kelly 18
Most tech falls: Morton 5, Hope Academy 4, De La Salle 2
Most total match points: Morton 356, Rickover 218, Lane 191

INDIVIDUAL
Most pins least time: Kelly’s Liana Andrade, 5 falls in 5:47
Most tech falls least time: Hope Academy’s Demetria Griffin, 3 techs in 10:51
Fastest fall: OPRF’s Isabella Miller 0:12
Fastest tech fall: De La Salle’s Mercedes Carrassoco 1:07
Most single-match points: Hope Academy’s Grace Eiland 22
Most total match points: OPRF’s Michelle Kpekpe 66
Largest seed-place difference: OPRF’s Michelle Kpekpe and Clark’s Trinity Kinesy. Kpekpe placed third as the No. 8 seed at 125 pounds, and Kinesy placed fourth as the No. 9 seed at 125 pounds.

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Qualifiers from these regionals feed the Schaumburg sectional on Feb. 14

HAMPSHIRE

In the first two years of regional competition in girls wrestling in Illinois, Wheeling finished fifth in regional competition two years ago and was a team regional runner-up last year.
So maybe it was just a matter of time.

Coach Tony Piltaver’s girls snared the program’s first team regional title at Hampshire, posting 175.5 points and advancing six wrestlers to the sectional round.

For Piltaver and a program that continues to rise, the team regional win went beyond his sectional qualifiers alone.

“While six girls advanced to the sectional round, this championship was truly a team effort,” he said.
“The title would not have been possible without contributions from every athlete in our lineup, those who traveled to support their teammates, our managers who keep the program organized, the boys’ team that pushes us to improve every day, and the rest of the Wheeling coaching staff back at the high school.”
Wheeling’s boys’ team also won a team regional title this season.

Wheeling’s Elise Burkut (135) and Jasmine Rene (235) won regional titles. Burkut placed second in Illinois at 125 last year, while Rene finished fourth at 190.

Also earning sectional advancement for Wheeling were third-placer Mayali Suarez (120) and fourth-placers Layah Woods (145), Nikol Orendarchuk (155) and Essenze Reid (170).

“All of our girls competed with determination over the last two days,” Piltaver said. “After facing strong competition in several major tournaments this season, it was rewarding for the team to see everything come together and earn the regional title.”

While Wheeling won the team title by more than 20 team points, only eight points separated the second- through fifth-place teams. Huntley (153) placed second, followed by Hampshire (149.5), McHenry (148) and Woodstock (145.5).

Grant (129), Lake Zurich (112), Hersey (87.5) Jacobs (82) and Rolling Meadows (80) rounded out the top 10 team finishes.

Hampshire led all teams with four regional champions, Huntley and McHenry had two champions apiece, while Jacobs, Grant, Barrington and South Elgin had one each.

Five regional champs from Hampshire will enter the Schaumburg sectional without a loss on their season records, in Wheeling’s Rene, Hampshire’s Stella Piazza (115) and Amelia Nidelea-Polanin (120), McHenry’s Natalie Corona (32-0), and South Elgin’s Allison Garbacz (155).

Nidelea-Polanin placed third at 115 downstate last year, while South Elgin’s Allison Garbacz was fourth at 145. Other regional champions who are also returning state medal-winners include Huntley’s Aubrie Rohrbacher, who placed sixth at 130, and Hampshire’s Samantha Diehl, who placed third at 190.

Crystal Lake South’s Annalee Aarseth, who placed second in Illinois at 110 last year, placed second to Piazza at 115 on Saturday.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

100 Janiah Slaughter (30-2) Huntley
105 Annabelle Mueller (35-4) Hampshire
110 Julia Felton (23-4) Jacobs
115 Stella Piazza (22-0) Hampshire
120 Amelia Nidelea-Polanin (19-0) Hampshire
125 Elise Burkut (38-3) Wheeling
130 Aubrie Rohrbacher (36-4) Huntley
135 Abby Quirk (24-5) Grant
140 Nicole Dziura (29-4) Barrington
145 Natalie Corona (32-0) McHenry
155 Allison Garbacz (35-0) South Elgin
170 Madalynn Sima (33-3) McHenry
190 Samantha Diehl (33-3) Hampshire
235 Jasmine Rene (31-0) Wheeling

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS

100
Janiah Slaughter (Huntley) 30-2, d. Eva Hermansson (Woodstock) 35-6, (F 5:14)

Kaylee Albovias (Grant) 24-7, d. Melanie Granda (B Central) 24-8, (F 4:45)

105

Annabelle Mueller (Hampshire) 35-4, d. Charlotte Nold (St. Viator) 13-1, (M. For.)

Aaliyah Guichon (Jacobs) 19-5, d. Valeria Guzman (Elgin) 10-5, (MD 16-4)

110

Julia Felton (Jacobs) 23-4, d. Alexa Colin-Garcia (McHenry) 30-6, (MD 11-1)

Azucena Rodriguez (S Elgin) 13-3, d. Evalyn Idzik (St. Viator) 37-13, (D 7-4)

115

Stella Piazza (Hampshire) 22-0, d. Annalee Aarseth (CL South) 24-2, (F 1:40)

Georgia Hay (Lake Zurich) 31-8, d. Donna Garcia (Huntley) 15-11, (TF 5:45)

120

Amelia Nidelea-Polanin (Hampshire) 19-0, d. Isabelle Singer (Huntley) 35-11, (F 1:25)

Mayali Suarez (Wheeling) 36-9, d. Alexandra Lexi Gumino (Hersey) 28-13, (F 4:56)

125

Elise Burkut (Wheeling) 38-3, d. Myla Reyes (Grant) 27-5, (TF-1.5 3:03 (15-0)

Ruby Gavina (Dundee-Crown) 33-9, d. Caroline Marogy (Buffalo Grove) 22-10, (F 1:12)

130

Aubrie Rohrbacher (Huntley) 36-4, d. Aryanna Geiger (Jacobs) 16-6, (F 1:54)

Madelyn Peterie (R-Burton) 30-4, d. Hannah Olsen (Woodstock) 32-13, (D 4-3)

135

Abby Quirk (Grant) 24-5, d. Grecia Garcia (Huntley) 32-10, (F 4:00)

Brooklyn Peterie (R-Burton) 20-11, d. Alanna Carlberg (Lake Zurich) 21-18, (F 4:37)

140

Nicole Dziura (Barrington) 29-4, d. Annabelle Melton (Grant) 25-6, (F 3:47)

Kristyanna Apostol (Lake Zurich) 26-14, d. Jatziry Godoy (Wauconda) 24-11, (F 1:43)

145

Natalie Corona (McHenry) 32-0, d. Janet Brindis (Rolling Meadows) 30-12, (F 1:42)

Ithandehui Rosas (Harvard) 30-4, d. Layah Woods (Wheeling) 32-15, (F 4:23)

155 

Allison Garbacz (S Elgin) 35-0, d. Cait Jones (CL Central) 15-3, (F 1:37)

Caitlin Ruley (Lake Zurich) 13-5, d. Nikol Orendarchuk (Wheeling) 30-7, (D 4-1)

170

Madalynn Sima (McHenry) 33-3, d. Leilani Brindis (Rolling Meadows) 36-8, (F 4:39)

Brianna Crown (Woodstock) 35-9, d. Essenze Reid (Wheeling) 6-3, (F 2:25)

190

Samantha Diehl (Hampshire) 33-3, d. Irma Villa (Palatine) 32-3, (F 1:52)

Jadelin Caballero-Flores (Larkin) 28-4, d. Brooklynn Anderson (McHenry) 30-5, (D 8-3)

235

Jasmine Rene (Wheeling) 31-0, d. Allison Hill (Woodstock) 26-11, (F 0:18)

Ti`ara Saunders (Lake Zurich) 28-5, d. Nala Hernandez (McHenry) 22-11, (F 4:14)

Statistics
TEAM

Most pins: Wheeling 26, Woodstock 21, Huntley 21
Most tech falls: Hampshire 3, Lake Zurich 3
Most total match points: Wheeling 252, Woodstock 241, Lake Zurich 219

INDIVIDUAL
Most pins least time: Huntley’s Aubrie Rohrbacher, 4 falls in 6:19
Most tech falls least time: Lake Zurich’s Georgia Hay, 3 techs in 14:29
Fastest fall: Jacobs’ Nicole Baginski 0:13
Fastest tech fall: Hampshire’s Stella Piazza 1:41
Most team points: 32 (tie) – Rohrbacher and McHenry’s Madalynn Sima
Most single-match points: Hay 24
Most total match points: Hampshire’s Amelia Nidelea-Polanin 77
Largest seed-place difference: Elgin’s Valeria Guzman placed fourth as the No. 12 seed at 105 pounds.

GLENBARD WEST

Schaumburg won its third consecutive team regional title Saturday at Glenbard West, further cementing coach Matt Gruszka’s program as one of the premier programs in Illinois.

The Saxons posted 231.5 team points to win the crown. Conant (175) was second, followed by West Chicago (119), Glenbard North (110.5) and Bartlett (103) to round out the top five finishes.
Schaumburg had eight sectional qualifiers and got individual regional titles from Isabella Rivas (125), Sharon Olorunfemi (135), Emily Fowler (145) and Nadia Razzak (190), who placed fifth in state at 190 last year.

“I thought our champions had a really good day,” Gruszka said. “Isabella Rivas won a very tough 125 bracket.  Sharon Olorunfemi at 135 is starting to look back in form.  Emily Fowler at 145 wrestled very tough to win her bracket and Nadia Razzak  looked dominant in her wins in the 190 bracket.”

Gruszka also got third-place finishes from qualifiers Makenzi Aguilar (100), Anna Villareal (115) and Maja Brzosko (170), and a fourth from Ava Hartman (140).

Hoffman Estates (100.5), Glenbard West (92), Glenbard East (89), Lake Park (77.5) and Downers Grove North (75) completed the top 10 team finishes in the 26-team field.

All three of Glenbard East’s sectional qualifiers were regional champions, Glenbard North had two regional champs, and Leyden, Willowbrook, Bartlett, and Hoffman Estates each had one.

Leyden’s Zoey Dodgers (110) finished as the lone unbeaten wrestler emerging from Glenbard West’s regional, one year after placing fifth in Illinois at 105 pounds. Multiple-time state medal-winner Nadia Shymkiv (105) of Glenbard East also won a regional title in Glen Ellyn.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
100 Karla Sarabia (39-6) Glenbard East
105 Nadia Shymkiv (32-2) Glenbard East
110 Zoey Dodgers (26-0) Leyden
115 Angelina Manlapaz (15-2) Willowbrook
120 Karolina Konopka (39-2) Glenbard West
125 Isabella Rivas (37-3) Schaumburg
130 Lily White (33-3) Bartlett
135 Sharon Olorunfemi (36-5) Schaumburg
140 Maria Green (40-1) Glenbard East
145 Emily Fowler (23-17) Schaumburg
155 Suzanne Stalley (38-7) Glenbard North
170 Dayanara Elias-Mena (9-2) Hoffman Estates
190 Nadia Razzak (40-1) Schaumburg
235 Asreilla Wallace (38-6) Glenbard North

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS
100
Karla Sarabia (Glenbard E) 39-6, d. Valerie Aliga (Glenbard S) 27-9, (D 16-13)

Makenzi Aguilar (Schaumburg) 34-7, d. Lillyana Iman (Glenbard W) 30-12, (F 3:21)

105

Nadiia Shymkiv (Glenbard E) 32-2, d. Brissia Bucio (WEGO) 31-7, (D 5-0)

Roselyn Cornier (Hoffman Es) 26-9, d. Isabella Datil (Addison Trail) 14-8, (MD 10-0)

110
Zoey Dodgers (Leyden) 26-0, d. Valeria Pesantes (Elk Grove) 19-2, (F 1:05)

Norah Cwik (Bartlett) 32-8, d. Sydney Stieb (SC East) 41-5, (MD 17-6)

115

Angelina Manlapaz (Willowbrook) 15-2, d. Giselle Varelas (Conant) 36-7, (TF-1.5 5:06 (18-2)

Anna Villarreal (Schaumburg) 33-10, d. Caitlin Miko (Glenbard W) 32-16, (F 2:30)

120

Karolina Konopka (Glenbard W) 39-2, d. Sarah Bell (Montini) 30-9, (F 0:43)

Sabrina Bono (Leyden) 28-4, d. Kamila Florencio (Hoffman Es) 23-6, (M. For.)

125

Isabella Rivas (Schaumburg) 37-3, d. Charlie Dolan (York) 26-2, (F 3:53)

Giselle Castillo (Fenton) 24-1, d. Valentina Solorzano (SC East) 26-16, (TF 3:53)

130

Lilly White (Bartlett) 33-3, d. Jasmine Zavaleta (Conant) 35-5, (F 3:24)

Keagan Edwards (Glenbard N) 44-3, d. Catherine Diehl (Wheaton Ac) 32-3, (D 9-6)

135

Sharon Olorunfemi (Schaumburg) 36-5, d. Ava Burns (Lake Park) 36-8, (F 4:28)

Ewa Krupa (Conant) 24-3, d. Evie DeSantis (Glenbard S) 28-9, (F 0:31)

140

Maria Green (Glenbard E) 40-1, d. Brithany Mondragon (Addison Trail) 20-4, (F 0:35)

Batula Nasib (WEGO) 30-8, d. Ava Hartman (Schaumburg) 26-10, (D 9-4)

145

Emily Fowler (Schaumburg) 23-17, d. Melanie Nava (Bartlett) 13-17, (F 3:25)

Naomi Burnett (DG North) 13-10, d. Jayiana Newcombe (Conant) 22-13, (F 1:02)

155

Suzanne Stalley (Glenbard N) 38-7, d. Sydnee Allen (Hoffman Es) 30-2, (F 4:41)

Susan Bilyal (Conant) 29-10, d. Samantha Stillo (DG North) 27-13, (F 3:48)

170

Dayanara Elias-Mena (Hoffman Es) 9-2, d. Claudia Weglarz (Conant) 29-14, (F 2:46)

Maja Brzosko (Schaumburg) 33-12, d. Olivia Halminiak (WEGO) 32-13, (F 2:54)

190

Nadia Razzak (Schaumburg) 40-1, d. Ava Adorni (Conant) 27-10, (F 0:59)

Paige Washburn (Lake Park) 5-1, d. Tiana Fraser (York) 25-14, (F 3:09)

235

Asreilla Wallace (Glenbard N) 38-6, d. Sky Vazquez (Elmwood Park) 18-3, . (F 1:09)

Ameinah Hill (Lake Park) 28-11, d. Ariana Bonilla (WEGO) 8-3, (F 2:21)

Statistics
TEAM

Most pins: Schaumburg 36, Conant 25, West Chicago 24
Most tech falls: 3 (tie) – Lake Park Conant, St. Charles East
Most total match points: Schaumburg 288, Conant 220, West Chicago 211

INDIVIDUAL
Most pins least time: Schaumburg’s Maja Brzosko, 5 falls in 19:44
Most tech falls least time: St. Charles East’s Sydney Stieb, 3 techs in 11:01
Fastest fall: Lake Park’s Ava Burns 0:13
Fastest tech fall: Elk Grove’s Valeria Pesantes 1:24
Most team points: Leyden’s Zoey Dodgers 31.5
Most single-match points: Fenton’s Giselle Castillo 24
Most total match points: Steib 57
Largest seed-place difference: Lake Park’s Paige Washburn placed third as the No. 11 seed at 190 pounds

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.

By Chris Walker for The IWCOA

Top four qualifiers advance to Schaumburg sectional Feb. 14

Lincoln-Way co-op’s Zoe Dempsey (115) and Ella Giertuga (145) won titles during Saturday’s East Aurora regional while 10 of their teammates also qualified for next weekend’s Schaumburg sectional.

Lincoln-Way co-op’s 12 qualifiers were by far the most at the regional, matching the 12 that are coming from Lockport, Wheaton Warrenville South and the host Tomcats combined as each of the aforementioned three schools had four wrestlers advance.

The owner of this year’s team regional title in Aurora was clear.

“If there’s anything about Lincoln-Way, they’re all tough and can all wrestle under pressure and can all win a gritty match where there’s high stakes,” Dempsey said. “It’s so awesome. That blood round, the wrestle backs to get to the third-place match was electric. I was getting nervous up there just thinking about the pressure those girls were under.”

Joliet West, Metea Valley, Plainfield East, Plainfield South and West Aurora were among the teams with three individual sectional qualifiers.

“My coach actually told me this was like state four years ago, that this is the level of what state was four year ago,” said Tigers senior Veronica Klobnak, who advanced by taking fourth place at 135. “That wrestling is growing so much that we’re almost at a state level at regionals is crazy. It has grown so much and just qualifying further than ever before is such a big deal for me.”

Batavia, Naperville North, Oswego East and Romeoville each had two qualifiers with the Spartans matching Lincoln-Way co-op, Metea Valley and Plainfield South as the only schools to produce a pair of regional champions.  

Daniela Santander (110) and Henessis Villagrana (235) won titles to lead Romeoville.

Wrestling partners Layla Spann (170) and Kimyra Patrick (190), won a pair for Plainfield South.

Ashley Basmajian (120) and Alketa “Rosie” Picari (140) won regional titles for nearby Metea Valley.

100 – Kai Enos, Batavia

Now a senior, Enos (35-2) is vying to appear at state for her fourth consecutive season. 

Enos took fifth last year, a career-best third as a sophomore and debuted with a fifth-place effort her freshman season in 2022-2023. She’s remained at 100 throughout her high school run.

After three straight wins by fall over Romeoville’s Isabel Hernandez (1:12), Lockport’s Julia Hernandez (1:56) and West Aurora’s Melissa Melgar (3:34), Enos scored an 11-0 major decision against Wheaton Warrenville South’s Andrea Jaimes-Alvarez (24-4) in the 100 final.

Lincoln-Way co-op freshman McKenzie Steinke (36-7) pinned Melgar (32-7), a sophomore, to take third place.

105 – KeYi Wang, Naperville North

Wang (23-3) was fighting tears after battling her way past Lincoln-Way co-op freshman Emmy Hoselton (37-7), 7-6, in the 100 final.

Wang became the first regional champ in school history, playing a sport she fought so hard to join, but wasn’t sure she’d ever get the chance to try.

“If I told the middle school me she’d be super proud, especially because I wasn’t allowed to wrestle at that time,” Wang said. “So the fact that I won regionals and was the first girl from Naperville North to ever win a regional, it’s a lot to take in.”

She lived four years of her young life in China.

“I was really unsupported coming into wrestling,” she said. “As an immigrant, my parents were very traditional because in China it would be considered a really big privilege to do sports. If you did a sport in China you were considered really privileged and rich so parents had no way to express their hobbies through opportunities in China because there was basically none, because they lived in impoverished areas.”

Wang said when her family moved to America she was raised traditionally as if she were still in China.

“That’s why they started out being unsupportive,” she said. “I wanted to wrestle ever since middle school, but they didn’t let me start until high school, and when I finally did I fell in love with the sport. And they weren’t supportive enough for me to do club just yet but at the end of sophomore year they started realizing that I had potential in this sport so they started letting me do club and that’s when I qualified for Fargo. And then just from that I just kept loving wrestling and falling more in love with it and then through a lot of hard work I started practicing more and more and often wrestled with the boys. They were a little disrespectful to me at first but slowly I gained their trust. I just love the sport.”

She didn’t particularly appreciate being seeded fourth, but didn’t let the number get in the way of making history.

“I got seeded fourth and honestly I knew in my mind it was most likely because of just statistics that I wouldn’t upset the first seed,” Wang said. “But I told myself that statistics don’t matter because in a match anything can happen and I did end up upsetting the first seed which I’m really glad and happy about.”

Lyons sophomore Jhania Wickert-Harris (21-5) pinned West Aurora’s Ruby Bolanos-Carbajal (24-10) at 1:27 to place third. 

Wickert-Harris was the lone Lyons wrestler to advance to sectional action.

“It’s pretty cool that I can achieve such a thing in only my second year in wrestling,” Wickert-Harris said. “I was really inspired by one of my classmates (Emily Romo) that passed away.”

Romo was a former teammate who joined wrestling around the same time as Wickert-Harris and Mariah Zalapa (110). She’s continued to inspire her friends today.

“Her goal was to make it to state so I definitely want to achieve that for her,” Wickert-Harris said. “So me and Mariah (Zalapa) we were all really close so just want to try to get close to state at least for her.”

110 – Daniela Santander, Romeoville 

Santander (7-1) pinned Plainfield East’s Angelina Nettey (17-6) late in the third period to win the regional title at 110.

It was a tournament of pins for Santander, who also got Plainfield South’s Na`Ryah Figueroa (1:49), Bolingbrook’s Mikaela Najera (2:17) and East Aurora’s Joselyn Llanos (5:22). 

Llanos (30-7) rebounded to bump off Lincoln-Way co-op’s Zoe Zerial (30-16), 9-8, to take third place.

“I was really nervous because I found out today that I was first seed and it’s like new to me because I’ve only been wrestling for two or three years,” Llanos said. “And I was really excited but I got nervous. I wanted to make it really bad because last year I didn’t place at regionals and I’m so proud of myself actually to place this year to make it to sectionals. I grew a lot from last year because in eighth grade year, I barely wrestled. Last year was when I started to get into it more.”

115 – Zoe Dempsey, Lincoln-Way co-op 

Dempsey (42-2) knocked out her fourth opponent via fall in her championship match, defeating Metea Valley’s Janiya Moore (44-4) at 2:58. 

Similar wins over Peotone’s Natalie Bonick (1:25), Plainfield East’s Ximena Valenzuela Hernandez (1:49) and Plainfield South’s Kayla Ochotorena (0:53) preceded her title-match win.

“So basically the focus all day was just score points,” Dempsey said. “I kind of had to surrender the outcome in some of those matches. The goal isn’t just to win, it’s just to score points and winning is a by-product of scoring points and in every single one of my matches the goal is to get first takedown.  If I can get extra work, get some more takedowns, if not, just get backs, get falls.”

Like her peers, Dempsey is striving to get better, to make progress each day. She placed fifth in the state at 105 as a sophomore and was third at 110 in her junior season last winter. Now she’s aiming to go even higher in her swan song.

“Wrestling is truly a different breed,” Dempsey said. “There’s just no sport like it, you know. You can really see that in a lot of time in rematches you see the progress you’ve made, I kind of relate it to I used to run track, all the progress was numerical so you could see your progress based on your times coming down and stuff like that. I feel like wrestling is even more special than that, it’s just like man-to-man seeing progress like all out there, it’s all you.”

Ochotorena (39-8) won by fall at 2:34 over Lockport’s Bella Romando (31-17) to take third.

120 – Ashley Basmajian, Metea Valley

A year after becoming the first girls wrestler from her school to qualify for the state tournament, Basmajilan (5-0) is looking to get there again as evidenced by her efforts this weekend in Aurora. 

Basmajian wasn’t thrilled with how she wrestled, but her dominant results speak differently with pins of Lyons’ Tori Evans (0:30), Bolingbrook’s Alejandra Flores (2:35) and Peotone’s Kennedy Mort (1:12) before a 16-1 tech fall win over Wheaton Warrenville South’s Sommer Kibbe in the semifinals.

In the finals, Basmajilian pinned West Aurora’s Aiyanah Sylvester (29-2) at 1:34.

“I mean it’s cool (to win the regional),” Basmajilian said. “I was not really happy with the way I wrestled, just happy to be competing and for the opportunity. The next step from here is I’m going to go back and check tape and probably write some notes down from what I see that I need to improve on and just iron it out at practice.”

Basmajilian was probably more excited to talk about her teammates than she was herself.

“So Janiya (Moore) and Alketa (Picari) both made it to the finals and Alketa won and Janiya got second,” Basmajilian said. “So it was really fun watching them honestly. That’s what I love so much about competitions and being part of the team. And then the girls who didn’t make the finals were super supportive as well. It’s such a cool thing being part of a team where we all support each other and all love each other.”

Flores (36-8) placed third with a tech fall win against Neuqua Valley’s Aleta Weigandt (24-11).

125 – Sophie Crescenzo, Lisle 

As one of just two competitors from her school, Crescenzo (24-2) brought home a regional title after pinning Lincoln-Way co-op’s Caleigh Nicholson (34-11) a couple seconds short of a minute for the 125-pound title.

Pins against Naperville North’s Avery Kinley (0:28), East Aurora’s Valentina Barboza (2:38) and Batavia’s Natalie Lenart (1:56) preceded her title victory.

Lemont’s Molly O`Connor (37-8) earned a tech fall win over Joliet West’s Briahna Klobnak (24-12) to place third.

Klobnak had pinned O’Connor, a two-time state qualifier, in the quarterfinals.

“I was up all night thinking about it,” Klobnak said. “My coach used to coach at Lemont and he coached her so he was telling me these things but at the same time it was making me more anxious kind of. And so then my sister (Veronica Klobnak) during warm-ups showed me a headlock and that’s what I ended up doing and was how I got her within the first period and then versus her again for third, and she kind of got her revenge match so that was like such a relief when I got there because if I didn’t get there that would also of been an all or nothing right there.”

Klobnak also qualified for sectionals last season. 

“Going into that fourth match against Bolingbrook’s (Anaya Campbell), I had lost to her fighting for first at conference,” Klobnak said. “So my mindset was a little messed up a bit.”

So she fired herself up knowing her high school career was on the line.

“Right before that match started I said it was all or nothing because it’s senior year,” she said. “Because if I lose this match my season is done, so it was just like it was a really mental match and I was down and I almost got caught a few times and then I ended up just pulling it out and I won and pinned and then went to fight for third. So it was hard and then yesterday when they were talking about it being the hardest regional there was another mindset where I like ‘ugh.’”

130 – Melva Gallego-Sugar, Naperville Central

Late in the third period of the 130-pound title match, Gallego-Sugar (27-9) pinned East Aurora’s Ayelen Higuera (30-10) to become a regional champion. 

Gallego-Sugar opened with pins against Joliet West’s Willow Perruquet (1:21) and Lyons’ Lorelai Brown (1:04) before earning a 9-0 major decision to defeat Lincoln-Way co-op’s Dani Schedin in the semifinals.

Higuera’s second-place finish was tops for the Tomcats.

Gallego-Sugar’s crosstown rival, Naperville North’s Izzy Smith (20-8), took third place after receiving a medical forfeit in her match against Schedin (30-17), whom Gallego-Sugar beat in the semis.

135 – Claudia Heeney, Lockport

Heeney’s bid for a third state title began with four pins to earn the regional title at 130.

Coming off a state title at 135 last year, another at 130 in 2024 and a second-place finish at 125 as a freshman in 2023, Heeney (35-3) earned first period pins over Plainfield Central’s Aaliyah Banda (1:17), Lyons’ Sofia Turek (1:00) and Joliet West’s Veronica Klobnak (1:32) to advance to the finals.

Joliet Central’s Izabel Barrera (31-3), the lone sectional qualifier for the Steelmen, survived the first period, but ultimately met her demise at 2:23 to drop to 31-3 on the season.

Lemont’s lone sectional qualifier, Molly O’Connor, took third with her tech fall victory over Joliet West’s Veronica Klobnak.

Klobnak was one of three Tigers to qualify for the sectional. 

“I’m really excited, I did not qualify last year so this is really a big deal,” she said. “I’m making it further, and know we have the biggest regional in the whole state of Illinois.”

When Klobnak got knocked out last season she dealt with the heartbreak by getting right back to work.

“It was really heartbreaking but I continued wrestling over the summer,” she said. “I went through multiple clubs that my coach was putting me through. I was going to tournaments to qualify for nationals, was going to out-of-state tournaments, I was just wrestling, wrestling, wrestling, and this year like with my team I’ve been putting in a lot of work in my practices, putting in extra work, extra sprints, extra time and that’s definitely pushed me because I didn’t want to feel the heartbreak I felt last year.”

140 – Alketa “Rosie” Picari, Metea Valley

Rosy means optimistic, bright, happy so it’s no surprise Metea Valley junior Alketa Picari (44-4) likes to go by “Rosie.”

“I feel a lot more dominant than I did last year,” Rosie said. “All my matches today I felt really in control. Compared to last year, I was being a little messy, you know what I mean? It’s just really satisfying.”

Tech fall victories over East Aurora’s Carolina Ascencio, West Aurora’s Raysa Castaneda and Wheaton Warrenville South’s Caroline Ratliff preceded her first-period pin over Lincoln-Way co-op’s Abby Kunz (38-7) in the final.

“I know in our area there’s a lot of good wrestlers, which makes sense around the city and stuff,” she said. “Obviously I wouldn’t have it a different way because all the great competition is what is making me better over the years. I appreciate it.”

She’s committed to it.

“After this I’m going to go back to freestyle and during the summertime I see how many levels there are to it,” she said. “In the summer I go against girls like twice, three times as good as me, it’s really good competition in the summertime, it’s just a little crazy.”

Oswego East’s Quinn Janssens (26-4) pinned Ratliff (22-10) to take third place.

145 – Ella Giertuga, Lincoln-Way co-op

Giertuga (33-6) advanced to state before, but prior to Saturday no one from the media had asked her about it nor her wrestling accomplishments for one of the top programs in the state.

“I’ve really loved the team dynamic that we have.” Giertuga, a junior, said. “I feel like there is a lot of good competition within there, like everybody wrestles differently on the team so you get a lot of real good looks. I just love the diversity on here because there is short and tall, everybody wrestles different.”

Giertuga was one of the only champions to spend a lot of time on the mats. 

After a bye and pinning Plainfield South’s Liliana Kenost (3:15), Giertuga went the distance and then some in her final three matches. She earned a 7-0 decision over Joliet Central’s Jaylin Ingram in the quarters, dropped Oswego East’s Ella Cooper, 3-1, int the semifinals, and needed a tiebreaker to prevail in her finals match against Wheaton Warrenville South’s Louisa Enslen (28-5), 4-2.

“I feel like I really just went out there thinking I’m going to do my best and put it all out there,” she said. “My last match was definitely kind of scary for me, but I feel like I’m really going full throttle and keeping calm helped me secure that win.”

She’s been able to see her growth.

“Jump from freshman year to here, I did not even think I would’ve placed in regionals or anything,” she said. “And last year I got fourth and I feel like there was just really a lot of good development. I’m really excited about it.”

Cooper (28-8) placed third via major decision over Joliet West’s Vanessa O’Connor (35-6).

155 – Callie Carr, Hinsdale South

Carr (33-0) improved to 72-0 over the past two seasons after pinning Batavia freshman Audrey Sheldon (39-5) at 1:23 in the 155 final.

Carr, a three-time state qualifier and the defending 155 state champion, was the only wrestler among the eight who competed from Hinsdale South to advance to next weekend’s Schaumburg sectional.

Carr defeated Naperville Central’s Arianna Rico by fall (1:03), earned a tech fall victory against Joliet Central’s Leilani Robles in the quarterfinals and also pinned Plainfield East’s Kaitlyn Bucholz (1:43) in the semifinals.

Bucholz (28-11) bounced back from her defeat to beat Lincoln-Way co-op’s Avery Holeman (26-15) for third place. Bucholz pinned Holeman (1:10) as she picked up four victories in the regional all via pin.

170 – Layla Spann, Plainfield South

Just a sophomore, Spann (41-0) remained unbeaten after picking up four more victories over the weekend, including a tech fall victory in the 170 final against Lincoln-Way co-op junior Riley Depolo (35-6).

Spann pinned Bolingbrook’s Leslie Duncan (0:47), Joliet West’s Bianca Campos (3:09) and Batavia’s Caoimhe Mitchell (2:29).

“I think I just wrestled my game, wrestled my matches,” Spann said. “My style of wrestling is kind of like, there is nobody else on the mat except you and that other person. Me and that other person so it’s just like just us. I’m quickly moving. When I have a thought on the mat I just execute it right away, no waiting, because waiting, there’s no time to wait.”

Spann took second at regionals last year during a freshman season that culminated with a trip to state where she went 1-2. She upped her record this season to 41-0.

“Last year I was kind of more of an upper body wrestler and this year I’ve kind of found that I’m taking crazy shots I practice,” she said. “And practicing it in the practice room and then bringing it out here on the mat it helps me a lot because you’re practicing your shots and shooting is what gets you the win basically, and everybody could be taken down no matter what. So I still just focus on one thing – the person in front of me and what I’m doing. It’s just another match. I’m progressing, getting better every single match.”

Teammate, Kimyra Patrick, who won at 190, was jokingly distracting Spann while she was being interviewed. It drew laughter and smiles from Spann so mission accomplished.

“This team is like everything,” Spann said. “Like I can have fun but I can focus at the same time and have the best practice partner ever.”

Riverside-Brookfield’s Estefany Bejarano (28-4) won by fall against WW South’s Michelle Rojas-Tellez (23-5) on the third-place mat.

190 – Kimyra Patrick, Plainfield South

After opening with a fall over Plainfield Central’s Aniyah Lopez, Patrick (41-3), a freshman competing in her first post-season, earned a tech fall over Waubonsie Valley’s Catherine Schultz to advance to the semifinals.

A tight 2-0 win over Plainfield East senior Jan Serna got her into the finals where she drew Lockport senior Sophie Kelner (36-9), a state qualifier a year ago.

Patrick was tested with another lengthy title battle against a senior and once again prevailed in a low-scoring clash, 3-1.

East Aurora freshman Jaylene Dealba (31-7) earned a 5-1 win over Serna (36-9) to take third.

“To end up qualifying since I’m younger than everybody and they’ve been doing wrestling longer than me makes me really proud of myself,.” Dealba said. “Honestly, wrestling, I didn’t know it, but it has just changed my life in such a short amount of time. I didn’t think about joining wrestling at first because I thought it was going to be something I wouldn’t have liked and ended up loving it, and now it is the only sport I love.”

Dealba said she was first introduced to wrestling by her brother’s girlfriend who was a wrestler. 

“I would come to practice for a little bit and started to know everybody and honestly I treat them like my family because I’m so close to them,” she said. “Lilli (Ortiz) is my practice partner and I love her so much. She has helped me grow into the person I am now.”

235 – Henessis Villagrana, Romeoville

Villagrana (36-3) got a taste of state a season ago, dropping her two matches there.

Now a year older, more experienced, and looking for greater success, Villagrana took the first step towards returning to state after winning at 235 on Saturday.

“I’d say a big difference I made was my mindset going into these matches,” Villagrana said. “I stayed positive no matter what position I was in. I made sure I was more focused in these tight matches and always wrestling until the end.”

Pins of Plainfield East’s Sadie Hamilton (1:40) and Joliet Central’s Milan Aldana (1:20) provided a strong start for Villagrana who went the distance in the semifinals against East Aurora’s Lilli Ortiz, prevailing 3-1.

“Honestly I was kind of shocked and surprised to get this far,” Ortiz said. “This is my second year of ever wrestling so last year I didn’t move on after regionals, I didn’t place. So I messed up my shoulder like three months ago and it keeps getting worse so I wasn’t expecting much out of today, but as I was wrestling, I thought, ‘Oh, I can do this.’

“Last season I only placed first at Minooka, but I was on the JV side of that, but this year I’ve definitely placed first at a couple, including conference two weeks ago so that was really surprising too.”

Such a tight match against Ortiz, might have helped Villagrana prepare for the final where she had a similar match against Lockport’s Rebekah Ramirez (36-5), earning a 7-5 victory. 

“I feel like the match did help me in a positive impact for my finals match,” Villagrana said. “It showed me that anything is possible even when there is low time on the clock. The pressure of wanting to win that match helped me in finals because it showed me to never stop trying and to always wrestle even if I felt like the match was over, it emphasized to never stop until I heard the whistle.”

Villagrana confirmed that the regional was tough.

“I had a lot of competition that really helped show my full potential while wrestling,” she said. “I do believe it was one of the hardest regionals. Many of these girls worked hard, pushing their best to win and it created great competition. I feel like this year I’m more prepared for sectionals. I’ve been putting in greater work and effort compared to last year. I’m always glad to make it this far and I feel more confident than before.”

Ortiz (27-4) placed third by fall against Lincoln-Way’s Jalyssa Venegas (34-12).

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Qualfiers from these regionals feed the DeKalb sectional on Feb. 14

GENESEO

Geneseo hoisted a regional title plaque for coach Carley Rusk on its home mats Saturday, advancing eight girls to the sectional round.

The Maple Leafs posted 169 points to lead the field, followed by Pekin (107), East Peoria (101), Canton (94) and Galesburg (81) to round out the top five team finishes.

“We’re very proud of our team’s performance,” Rusk said. “This group has put in a lot of steady work throughout the season, and it was great to see that effort come together this weekend. They’ve continued to show up for each other, stay consistent in practice, and compete with a lot of heart.

“More than anything, we’re proud of the way they handled themselves. They supported one another all day, wrestled tough in every position, and stayed focused on doing their jobs.

Geneseo got individual regional titles from Lydia King (120) and Annibelle Juarez (140), seconds from Addison Hadsall (100), Sophia Urquiza (135) and Lauren Piquards (155), and thirds from Giana Wurslin (105), Ayla Schultz (125) and Anna Davis (130).

“We’re excited for our sectional qualifiers. They earned those spots through hard work and perseverance. We’re excited to celebrate their efforts this weekend, but it will be back to work on Monday with our eyes set on next weekend.”

Second-place Pekin had five sectional qualifiers, led by regional champions Tessa Donaldson (105) and Alyssa Artman (155). Third-place East Peoria also advanced five girls, led by champions Taylor Sutton (145) and Bella Spampanato (235).

Rounding out the top 10 teams were sixth-place Richwoods (72), followed by Moline (70), Dunlap (69.5), Kewanee (56.5) and Rock Island (54).

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
100 Abella Brown (28-3) Canton
105 Tessa Donaldson (25-0) Pekin
110 Annalee Haschemeyer (28-3) Canton
115 Chloe Hedges (30-3) Canton
120 Lydia King (39-5) Geneseo
125 JenDayia Crowe (17-7) Kewanee
130 Dai Driana (24-5) Galesburg
135 Sammy Baker (18-8) Notre Dame
140 Annibelle Juarez (33-8) Geneseo
145 Taylor Sutton (23-7) East Peoria
155 Alyssa Artman (24-6) Pekin
170 Sydney Johnson (11-2) Richwoods
190 Courtney Walls (26-0) Rock Island
235 Bella Spampanato (17-5) East Peoria

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS
100
Abella Brown (Canton) 28-3, d. addison hadsall (Geneseo) 34-9, . (F 5:00)

Kaci Eller (Midwest C) 7-2, d. Lesly DeLa Cruz (Notre Dame) 16-13, (F 3:47)

105

Tessa Donaldson (Pekin) 25-0, d. Leah White (Richwoods) 21-11, (F 5:29)

Giana Wurslin (Geneseo) 31-13, . d. Kyra Cardine (Mercer Co) 6-4, (F 0:48)

110

Annalee Haschemeyer (Canton) 28-3, d. Marissa Brown (ROWVA) 20-11, (TF 4:49)

Aerith Adams (Dunlap) 14-15, d. Hailey Lampe (Kewanee) 8-5, (F 1:18)

115

Chloe Hedges (Canton) 30-3, d. Lyndzey Brewer (Farmington) 13-4, (F 2:39)

Madizyn Megrant (Pekin) 15-7, d. Abigail Harris (Princeton) 15-7, (Inj.)

120

Lydia King (Geneseo) 39-5, . d. ava mayer (Pekin) 23-5, (F 1:08)

Amyah Pruitt (Galesburg) 18-10, d. Sophia Bradarich (Sherrard) 14-8, (F 2:26)

125

JenDayia Crowe (Kewanee) 17-7, d. Madison Fuller (Moline) 12-10, . (F 4:52)
Ayla Schultz (Geneseo) 32-17, . d. Jadeyn Klingenberg (Princeton) 16-15, (F 1:24)

130

Dai Driana Wilford (Galesburg) 24-5, d. Kylie Mathis (Sherrard) 9-7, (D 17-10)
Anna Davis (Geneseo) 14-25, . d. Ablavi Komassi (United) 9-7, (F 5:46)

135

Sammy Baker (Notre Dame) 18-8, d. sophia Urquiza (Geneseo) 18-24, . (F 3:25)

Delilah Gregory (Galesburg) 10-8, d. Kyah Kaonohi (E Peoria) 19-11, (F 0:55)

140

Annibelle Juarez (Geneseo) 33-8, . d. Jaelyn Hare (United) 13-3, (F 2:27)

Olivia Curtis (Dunlap) 22-9, d. Vivian Aldus (Galesburg) 20-10, (MD 8-0)

145

Taylor Sutton (E Peoria) 23-7, d. Aaliyah Swearingen (Kewanee) 16-3, (F 3:32)

Dru Hyde (Macomb) 22-10, d. Kennedy Smith (Canton) 16-17, (D 12-8)

155

Alyssa Artman (Pekin) 24-6, d. lauren piquard (Geneseo) 30-4, . (Inj.)

Alyssa Young (Dunlap) 20-13, d. Shauna Dvorak (E Peoria) 18-15, (SV-1 18-15)

170

Sydney Johnson (Richwoods) 11-2, d. piper lambert (Pekin) 12-6, (F 4:36)

Ta`liyah Shelton (Moline) 18-18, d. Mallory Feldhaus (E Peoria) 16-13, (F 1:30)

190

Courtney Walls (Rock Island) 26-0, d. Avery Lundgren (Macomb) 20-6, (F 1:53)

Marley Clark (Richwoods) 24-4, d. Atalyssa Craig (Dunlap) 16-11, (D 6-0)

235

Bella Spampanato (E Peoria) 17-5, d. Jakeria Wilson (Moline) 10-4, (F 3:23)

Kya Norman (Richwoods) 10-4, d. Destiny Kaeding (Dunlap) 9-10, (F 0:29)

Statistics
TEAM

Most pins: Geneseo 22, East Peoria 14, Rock Island 10, Galesburg 10
Most tech falls: Canton 4, no other team with more than one
Most total match points: East Peoria 164, Canton 154, Geneseo 145

INDIVIDUAL
Most pins least time: Geneseo’s Ayla Schultz, 4 falls in 5:50
Most tech falls least time: Peoria’s Tarees Alexander, 1 tech in 2:41
Fastest fall: Rock Island’s Courtney Walls 0:14
Most team points: 28 (tie) – Walls, Geneseo’s Annibelle Juarez and Lydia King
Most single-match points: Kewanee’s JenDayia Crowe 25
Most total match points: Dunlap’s Olivia Curtis 38
Largest seed-place difference: Three girls were seeded No. 8 in their weight classes and finished fourth to become sectional qualifiers: Sherrard’s Sophia Bradarich (120), Mercer County’s Kyra Cardine (105) and East Peoria’s Shauna Dvorak (155).

BELVIDERE

DeKalb snared a team regional crown in Belvidere, out-pointing Kaneland 123-107 and sending four girls to this year’s DeKalb sectional meet. Yorkville placed a close third with 106.5 points.

Barbs coach Conor Infelise got regional titles from Alex Gregorio-Perez (100) and Aarianna Bloyd (235), a second from Larisza Gomez (105), and a third from Kara Zimmerman (135) in the win.

“Earning a regional title with the girls who started our program four years ago was special, and something we have been working towards,” Infelise said. “The girls are excited to get on the mat this weekend at home, and punching their tickets down to Bloomington for the IHSA state finals.

“Alex and Aarianna have done an outstanding job leading this team, and our girls have big goals they are looking to accomplish as we finish our season.”

Kaneland had five sectional qualifiers, led by regional champ and returing state champion Angelina Gochis (120), a second-place finish from Sadie Kinsella (190), and fourths from Chloe Cervantes (130), Caitlyn Manier (145) and Reygan Behrends (155).

Yorkville had four sectional qualifiers, led by regional champion Lauryn Trotter (155). Sycamore (89) was fourth, followed by Freeport (86), Hononegah (84), Erie (81.5), Sandwich (75), Belvidere (70) and Fulton (65.5) to round out the top 10 team finishes.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
100 Alex Gregorio-Perez (33-3) DeKalb
105 Saya Hongmoungkhoune (21-1) Rockford East
110 Blair Grennan (29-2) Newman Central Catholic
115 Tessa Fosdick (26-10) Fulton
120 Angelina Gochis (24-2) Kaneland
125 Ryleigh Eriks (39-7) Rock Falls
130 Kerby Germann (35-1) Fulton
135 Bella Castelli (22-1) Hononegah
140 Ema Durst (29-0) Sycamore
145 Emily Taylor (24-5) Belvidere
155 Lauryn Trotter (36-7) Yorkville
170 Kylie Eilken (23-2) Jefferson
190 Anjanne Haywood (16-3) Guilford
235 Aarianna Bloyd (30-7) DeKalb

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS
100
Alex Gregorio-Perez (DeKalb) 33-3, d. Kendra Ege (Oregon) 9-1, (F 1:25)

Kali Dlercq (Hononegah) 24-3, d. Mya Olejiniczak (Harlem) 22-8, (F 4:55)

105

Saya Hongmoungkhoune (Rockford E) 21-1, d. Larisza Gomez Guevara (DeKalb) 36-5, (D 7-4)

Analiese Garretson (Yorkville) 35-8, d. Taylor Nevel (Lena-Winslow) 20-4, (D 6-5)

110

Blair Grennan (Newman) 29-2, d. Rozlyn Mosher (Erie) 31-4, (F 1:15)

Layla Schemehorn (Galena) 16-5, d. Karah Arnold (Lena-Winslow) 18-7, (F 1:16)

115

Tessa Fosdick (Fulton) 26-10, d. Rylie Dach (Byron) 29-7, (F 2:19)

Lydia Cartwright (Sandwich) 23-9, d. Serena Gunday (Lena-Winslow) 15-10, (F 0:21)

120

Angelina Gochis (Kaneland) 24-2, d. Kaiya Galindo (Freeport) 33-7, (F 1:34)

Kaylee Benyo (Newman) 16-11, d. Violet Sanders (G-Kingston) 28-15, (F 0:37)

125

Ryleigh Eriks (Rock Fs) 39-7, d. Emma Duncan (Galena) 11-8, (F 1:52)

Gianna Figueroa (Dakota) 10-2, d. Cammyla Macias (Rochelle) 13-9, (F 3:40)

130

Kerby Germann (Fulton) 35-1, d. Madison Heneks (Harlem) 27-7, (TF 4:13)

Ryleigh Stephens (Erie) 21-15, d. chloe Cervantes (Kaneland) 19-9, (F 2:50)

135

Bella Castelli (Hononegah) 22-1, d. Michelle Naftzger (Erie) 28-4, (MD 15-6)

Kara Zimmerman (DeKalb) 27-10, d. Winter Beard (Sycamore) 24-13, (F 0:42)

140

Ema Durst (Sycamore) 29-0, d. Aviana Froelich (Yorkville) 31-10, (TF 2:48)

Alana Lorenzen (Dixon) 7-6, d. Marilu Mercado (G-Kingston) 22-17, (F 2:20)

145

Emily Taylor (Belvidere) 24-5, d. Jazmin Rios (Sandwich) 34-9, (F 3:18)

Vivianna Torres (Sterling) 26-12, d. Caitlyn Manier (Kaneland) 18-16, (F 0:51)

155

Lauryn Trotter (Yorkville) 36-7, d. NaJeyah Wallace (Freeport) 28-8, (F 0:11)

Kate Costello (Stillman Valley) 9-1, d. reygan Behrends (Kaneland) 10-10, (F 5:07)

170

Kylie Eilken (Jefferson) 23-2, d. Frankie McMurtry (Sycamore) 28-7, (F 5:04)

Linda Villa (Hononegah) 13-4, d. Bella Martins (Freeport) 22-11, (F 0:35)

190

Anjanne Haywood (Guilford) 16-3, d. Sadie Kinsella (Kaneland) 25-7, (F 3:37)

Janiah Murray (Yorkville) 27-9, d. Lily Wurster (Freeport) 20-11, (F 4:43)

235

Aarianna Bloyd (DeKalb) 30-7, d. Jasmine Enriquez (Sycamore) 28-4, (F 3:14)

Savannah Trevino (Belvidere) 21-8, . d. Arianna Tamayo (Sterling) 18-11, (D 9-5)

Statistics
TEAM

Most pins: DeKalb 17, Yorkville 14, Sandwich 13
Most tech falls: 2 (tie) – Kaneland, Sycamore, Erie, Lena-Winslow
Most total match points: DeKalb 187, Yorkville 172, Erie 145

INDIVIDUAL
Most pins least time: Newman Central’s Blair Grennan, 4 falls in 2:56
Most tech falls least time: Sycamore’s Ema Durst, 2 techs in 4:09
Fastest fall: Belvidere’s Savannah Trevino 0:09
Fastest tech fall: Kaneland’s Angelina Gochis 0:40
Most team points: 28 (tie) – Grennan, DeKalb’s Alex Gregorio-Perez, Yorkville’s Lauryn Trotter, Fulton’s Tessa Fosdick, Jefferson’s Kylie Eilken
Most single-match points: Erie’s Ayden Grawe 24
Most total match points: Durst 47
Largest seed-place difference: Newman Central’s Kaylee Benyo and Galena’s Emma Duncan; Benyo placed third as the No. 7 seed at 120 pounds, and Duncan placed second as the No. 6 seed at 125 pounds.

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Qualifiers from these regionals feed the North Mac sectional on Feb. 14

MT. ZION

A hotly-contested battle for a team regional plaque played out in Mt. Zion, where Mahomet-Seymour finished with a 105-100 edge over the second-place co-op team from Westville/Georgetown-Ridge Farm.
Urbana wasn’t far behind with 91 team points, followed by Champaign Central (84.5) and St. Joseph-Ogden (82) to round out the top five team finishes.

Mahomet-Seymour coach Jeff Castor had five sectional qualifiers on the day, in regional champion Sierra Tuttle (100), second-placers Jocelyn Deedrick (140) and Jaycee Weitekamp (170), and fourths from Lily Daniels (115) and Cailyn Jones (235).

“I’m very proud of my team,” Castor said. “The girls came to win and gave it their all. Westville and Urbana fought us all the way.  Couldn’t ask for a better group of girls. They have grown so much and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings. We have a young team to build on and Bulldog Girls Wrestling has a bright future.”

Second-place Westville/G.-Ridge Farm also advanced five girls to the sectional round, in regional champions Kiley Knight (115) and Addison Briggs (190). Third-place Urbana had four qualifiers, led by regional champion Ricky Ivy (140).

Oakwood/Salt Fork (66) placed sixth, followed by Paris (57), Charleston (53.5), Robinson (49) and Unity (46) to round out the top 10 team finishes.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
100 Sierra Tuttle (18-12) Mahomet-Seymour
105 Sandy Clark (19-6) Clinton
110 Madison Poll (20-6) St. Thomas More
115 Kiley Knight (25-9) Westville/G.-Ridge Farm
120 Delaney Ledbetter (11-5) Lawrenceville
125 Yariah Shaw (12-0) Danville
130 Sydney Cannon (34-0) Mt. Zion
135 Candice Wright (20-7) St. Joseph-Ogden
140 Ricky Ivy (41-1) Urbana
145 Natalie Beaumont (17-1) Cumberland
155 Taylor Owens (14-5) Oakwood/Salt Fork
170 ly’Jah Grant (16-1) Champaign Central
190 Addison Briggs (22-4) Westville/G.-Ridge Farm
235 Phoenix Molina (31-0) Unity

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS
100
1st- Sierra Tuttle (Mahomet-Seymour) 18-12,  d. Serenity Canady (Robinson) 11-4,  (F 1:28)
3rd- Charlee Emmerich (Effingham) 6-5, d. Janelle Willoughby (Mattoon) 4-5, (F 1:58)
105
1st- Sandy Clark (Clinton) 19-6, d. Madison Siler (Robinson) 14-4, (F 4:40)

3rd- Kaidence Eveland (Paris) 11-5, d. Charisma Badman (Eisenhower) 3-11, (D 14-8)

110
1st- Madison Poll (St. Thomas More) 20-6, d. Paisley Reed (Paris) 11-4, (MD 15-2)

3rd- Taylor Garner (Centennial) 9-8, d. Mackenzie Gound (Rantoul) 13-20, (F 1:11)

115
1st- Kiley Knight (Westville/Georgetown-Ridge Farm) 25-9, d. Kate Wochner (Oakwood-Salt Fork) 19-8, (D 3-0)
3rd- Kami Sager (Fairfield) 4-14, d. Lily Daniels (Mahomet-Seymour) 15-19, (F 1:41)

120
1st- Delaney Ledbetter (Lawrenceville-Red HIll) 11-5, d. Morgan Krone-Smallhorn (Charleston) 24-5, (F 3:09)

3rd- Lainey Ehler (Oakwood-Salt Fork) 21-9,  d. Madison Alsip (SJ-Ogden) 16-13, (F 1:22)

125
1st- Yariah Shaw (Danville (H.S.) 12-0, d. Ainsley Freeman (SJ-Ogden) 25-6, (F 5:51)

3rd- Rita Grant (Central) 10-8, d. Leonie Dubson (Mattoon) 5-4, (F 0:45)

130
1st- Sydney Cannon (Mt. Zion) 34-0, d. Ava Beldo (Tolono (Unity) 31-6, (F 1:17)

3rd- Londyn Grant (Central) 13-4, d. Laney Cook (Westville/G.-Ridge Farm) 23-10, (F 1:15)

135
1st- Candice Wright (SJ-Ogden) 20-7, d. Tamya Terry (Urbana) 24-10, (F 3:34)

3rd- Jasmyn Bennett (Westville/Georgetown-Ridge Farm) 14-5, d. Miley Peach (Mt. Carmel) 6-11, (F 5:03)

140 

1st- Ricky Ivy (Urbana) 41-1, d. Jocelyn Deedrick (Mahomet-Seymour) 17-14,  (F 1:01)

3rd- Zaiyrah Bailey (Central) 11-10, d. Bayah Good (Paris) 9-8, (F 4:00)

145
1st- Natalie Beaumont (Cumberland) 17-1, d. McKenzie Miller (GCMS/Fisher) 25-5, . (F 3:16)

3rd- Makenna Roedl (Westville/Georgetown-Ridge Farm) 22-12, d. Macee Hammond (Robinson) 19-6, (F 5:11)

155
1st- Taylor Owens (Oakwood-Salt Fork) 14-5, d. Maddie Wells (SJ-Ogden) 22-1, (F 5:08)
3rd- Lillien Roughton (Datur (Unity Christian) 12-9, d. Onisty Murphy (Central) 15-10, (F 0:21)
170 1st- Iy`Jah Grant (Central) 16-1,  d. Jaycee Weitekamp (Mahomet-Seymour) 20-6,  (TF-1.5 2:42 (19-3)

3rd- Summer Nichols (Cumberland) 16-6, d. Brinna Fox – Cook (Fairfield) 3-8, (F 0:39)

190
1st- Addison Briggs (Westville/G.-Ridge Farm) 22-4, d. Jocelyn Arreola (Urbana) 19-18,  (F 0:27)

3rd- Alexus Dodge (Charleston) 6-5, d. Ashlynn Blevins (Fairfield) 5-12, (F 1:02)

235
1st- Phoenix Molina (Tolono (Unity) 31-0, d. Lilly Disanto (Urbana) 37-6, (F 1:57)

3rd- Olivia Rosine (Charleston) 20-7,  d. Cailyn Jones (Mahomet-Seymour) 16-11, (TF 3:13)

Statistics
TEAM

Most pins: Westville/G.-Ridge Farm 14, Mahomet-Seymour 13, Champaign Central 12
Most tech falls: 1 (tie) Cumberland, Mt. Zion, Champaign Central, Charleston
Most total match points: Urbana 103, Paris 98, Mahomet-Seymour 94

INDIVIDUAL
Most pins least time: Westville/G.-Ridge Farm’s Makenna Roedl, 4 falls in 13:58
Most tech falls least time: Cumberland’s Natalie Beaumont, 1 tech in 1:40
Fastest fall: Unity Christian’s Lillien Roughton 0:11
Most team points: 28 (tie)- Oakwood/Salt Fork’s Taylor Owens, Lawrenceville’s Delaney Ledbetter, Unity’s Phoenix Molina
Most single-match points: Robinson’s Madison Siler 23
Most total match points: Cumberland’s Natalie Beaumont 41
Largest seed-place difference: Effingham’s Charlee Emmerich placed third as the No. 7 seed at 100 pounds.

GRANITE CITY

Edwardsville dominated the competition in securing the team regional title Saturday at Granite City, posting 222.5 team points and advancing nine girls to the sectional round.

Edwardsville coach Jon Wagner sent five wrestlers to the top of the awards stand in regional champions Maddy Allen (100), Emma Rogers (105), Adleigh DeWerff (110), Genevieve Dykstra (115) and Victoria White (190). Placing second for the Tigers were Allie Chong (120) and Brooklyn Alldredge (130), while Olive Linhorst (125) placed third and Geeta Jonardhan (170) placed fourth to qualify.

“The Tigers had an excellent tournament, with the girls battling real hard,” Wagner said. “The first round Saturday was real important as we won seven of eight semifinals. Adleigh DeWerff and Genevieve Dykstra had great performances winning their championships. Two girls also fought their way back through the wrestlebacks.

“The regional was very competitive, with girls from many different schools making it through to the sectional.”

Collinsville (136) placed second, led by regional champions Londyn Long (125), Addyson Bailey (135) and Leann Cory (145). Regional champ Te’Aja Young (130) led Cahokia (111) to a third-place finish, followed by Belleville West (108.5), Triad (108), Marion (95.5), Granite City (93), Waterloo (87.5), Freeburg (72) and Mascoutah (62.5) to round out the top 10 team finishes.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
100 Maddy Allen (26-4) Edwardsville
105 Emma Rogers (28-6) Edwardsville
110 Adleigh DeWerff (28-4) Edwardsville
115 Genevieve Dykstra (29-2) Edwardsville
120 Alauni Muex (41-2) Marion
125 Londyn Long (43-4) Collinsville
130 Te’Aja Young (22-1) Cahokia
135 Addyson Bailey (31-13) Collinsville
140 Audrey Barnes (29-1) Granite City
145 Leann Cory (40-4) Collinsville
155 Grace Stratton (35-0) Freeburg
170 Demi Barnes (26-2) Granite City
190 Victoria White (29-0) Edwardsville
235 Beckah Burrelsman (18-9) Triad

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS
100
1st – Maddy Allen (Edwardsville) 26-4, d. Jhayla Lawson (Mascoutah) 16-9, (F 3:05)

3rd- Faith Husky (Johnston City) 16-8, d. Shaina Pierce (Pinckneyville) 9-12, (F 0:57)

105

1st- Emma Rogers (Edwardsville) 28-6, d. Brielle Becker (Freeburg) 22-4 (TF 2:57)

3rd- Shayla Garner (Mascoutah) 21-8, d. Morgan Adams (Benton) 16-12, (TF 3:30)

110

1st- Adleigh DeWerff (Edwardsville) 28-4, d. Ivana Torres (Collinsville) 32-10, (D 6-3)

3rd- Riley Weems (Belleville W) 26-9, d. Kishelle Gray (Marion) 32-13, (F 2:30)

115

1st- Genevieve Dykstra (Edwardsville) 29-2, d. Baileigh Self (Althoff Cath) 29-3, (D 5-1)

3rd- Ma`Kayla Bonner (Granite City) 23-8, d. Trinity Phelps (Benton) 27-10, (F 1:03)

120

1st- Alauni Muex (Marion) 41-2, d. Allie Chong (Edwardsville) 22-5, (MD 10-2)

3rd- Catelyn Reese (Frankfort) 22-7, d. Kathleen Loyola (Carbondale) 30-12, (F 1:45)

125
1st- Londyn Long (Collinsville) 43-4, d. Dakota Bell (Cahokia) 19-5, (F 1:07)

3rd- Olive Linhorst (Edwardsville) 20-6, d. Zoey Nelson (Mascoutah) 14-7, (F 1:05)

130

1st- Te`Aja Young (Cahokia) 22-1, d. Brooklyn Alldredge (Edwardsville) 29-7, (TF-1.5 4:28 (17-2))

3rd- Lamia Irby (Belleville E) 17-6, d. Joelene Nappier-Feth (Marion) 37-6, (F 4:59)

135

1st- Addyson Bailey (Collinsville) 31-13, d. Jacee Mardirosian (Carterville) 32-3, (F 1:18)

3rd- Makenna Steele (Triad) 23-4, d. Madelyn Edler (Waterloo) 28-12, (F 0:52)

140

1st- Audrey Barnes (Granite City) 29-1, d. Jariyah Powell (E St. Louis) 18-6, (F 1:55)

3rd- Alyssa Hardt (Belleville W) 27-9, d. Sophia Elkins (Highland) 21-10, (F 3:23)

145

1st- Leann Cory (Collinsville) 40-4, d. Kyla Ford (Carbondale) 25-6, (F 1:17)

3rd- Josselin Mateo (Murphysboro) 16-3, d. Adaliah Roth (Triad) 16-9, (F 0:36)

155

1st- Grace Stratton (Freeburg) 35-0, d. Nahima Mateo (Murphysboro) 21-4, (F 0:44)

3rd- Kaitlin Wood (Triad) 23-6, d. Addison mabry (Benton) 25-10, (F 0:54)

170

1st- Demi Barnes (Granite City) 26-2, d. Kira Thompson (O’Fallon) 9-1, (F 5:49)

3rd- Janylah Holman (Cahokia) 24-5, d. Geeta Jonardhan (Edwardsville) 17-16, (F 1:25)

190 

1st- Victoria White (Edwardsville) 29-0, d. Brooke Stellhorn (Belleville W) 20-2, (MD 10-1)

3rd- Izabell McBride (Waterloo) 18-4, d. Kamryn Brown (Cahokia) 24-11, (TF-1.5 2:31 (15-0)

235
1st- Beckah Burrelsman (Triad) 18-9, d. Andre`a Kirkpatrick (Belleville W) 27-6, (D 5-0)

3rd- Kiowa Quillen (Johnston City) 18-4, d. Gabrielle Conner (Cahokia) 10-8, (F 0:57)

 
Statistics
TEAM

Most pins: Edwardsville 21, Marion 18, 17 by Collinsville, Triad and Belleville West
Most tech falls: Edwardsville 4, Marion 3
Most total match points: Edwardsville 281, Marion 229, Belleville West 171

INDIVIDUAL
Most pins least time: Triad’s Makenna Steele, 5 in 8:39
Most tech falls least time: Edwardsville’s Emma Rogers, 2 in 4:57
Fastest fall: Waterloo’s Madelyn Edler 0:13
Fastest tech fall: Althoff’s Baileigh Self 1:24
Most team points: Collinsville’s Addyson Bailey 32
Most single-match points: Cahokia’s Nyla Bryant 22, Marion’s Alauni Muex 22
Most total match points: Muex 61, Freeburg’s Aubrey Rutmanis 61
Largest seed-place difference: Cahokia’s Gabrielle Conner became a sectional qualifier by placing fourth at 235 as the No. 10 seed in the tournament.

 JACKSONVILLE REGIONAL

The closest race for a team regional title in Illinois played out in Jacksonville, where the Springfield co-op team edged Civic Memorial by a single team point, 126.5-125.5.

Springfield coach Cody Watts saw seven of his girls become sectional qualifiers, led by regional champions Phoenix Criss (105), Kimoreyee Ballard (140) and Abigail Kinison (235). Springfield also got third-place finishes from Alina Edwards (110), Alliyah Powell (130) and Tala Asad (135), and a fourth from Makenna Smith (170).

Sprinfield led all teams with four tech falls and tied for the second-most pins with ten.

Civic Memorial also advanced seven to the sectional meet, led by regional champions Chloe Rice (135) and Izabella Darr (155), and coach Jeremy Christeson also got seconds from Laila Earney (120), Claire Shaw (125) and Audrey Whipple (170), and fourths from Lillian McGuiggan (105) and Averi Lowe (110).

Glenwood (101) placed third, followed by Jacksonville (83.5) and Roxana (57) to round out the top five team finishes.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
100 Madelynn Murphy (19-5) Roxana
105 Phoenix Criss (25-7) Springfield co-op
110 Chloe Skiles (22-1) Roxana
115 Rilynn Younker (32-11) Litchfield-Mt. Olive
120 Olivia Jarrett (24-13) Glenwood
125 Aryanna Jones (19-8) Alton
130 Isabella Resendez (27-9) Glenwood
135 Chloe Rice (11-8) Civic Memorial
140 Kimoreyee Ballard (22-9) Sprinfield co-op
145 Leah Brammeier (22-9) Olympia
155 Izabella Darr (10-8) Civic Memorial
170 Brynn Swyers (15-6) Vandalia
190 Abigail Kinison (6-13) Sprinfield co-op
235 Madeleine Cooley (11-5) Jacksonville

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS
100
1st- Madelyn Murphy (Roxana) 19-5, d. Chloe Collins (Olympia) 27-4, (F 2:17)
3rd- Kadi Wilbern (Glenwood) 26-7, d. Haley Richter (Heyworth) 7-9, (F 0:58)
105
1st- Phoenix Criss (Springfield) 25-7, d. Alexia Gld. (PORTA) 23-8, (F 5:09)
3rd- Karsynn Vogel (Quincy) 20-6, d. Lillian Mcguiggan (Civic Memorial) 13-13, (F 2:55)
110
1st- Chloe Skiles (Roxana) 22-1, d. Leena Cavender (Jacksonville) 17-9, (F 0:36)
3rd- Alina Edwards (Springfield) 5-7, d. Averi Lowe (Civic Memorial) 14-13, (F 3:01)
115
1st- Rilynn Younker (Litchfield-Mt. Olive) 32-11, d. Asher Ronan (N Mac-Waverly) 15-5, (F 0:47)
3rd- Kaitlyn Knight (Jacksonville) 16-9, d. Lily Robinson (Olympia) 4-12, (F 0:33)
120
1st- Olivia Jarrett (Glenwood) 24-13, d. Laila Earney (Civic Memorial) 16-12, (F 1:57)
3rd- Lucie Eisenbarth (Rochester) 18-7, d. Baylie Boggs (Pleasant Plains-New Berlin) 9-12, (F 1:15)
125
1st- Aryanna Jones (Alton ()) 19-8, d. Claire Shaw (Civic Memorial) 13-13, (F 4:45)
3rd- Heaven Kennedy (N Mac-Waverly) 12-13, d. Lily Jones (Jacksonville) 13-13, (F 1:29)
130
1st- Isabella Resendez (Glenwood) 27-9, d. Aubree Murphy (Quincy) 23-5, (D 5-2)
3rd- Alliyah Powell (Springfield) 22-14, d. Sidney Ufert (Roxana) 14-8, (TF-1.5 3:29 (15-0)
135
1st- Chloe Rice (Civic Memorial) 11-8, d. Madison Brewer (Glenwood) 14-11, (F 2:38)
3rd- Tala Asad (Springfield) 17-9, d. Layla Garcia (Beardstown) 10-11, (D 8-6)
140 

1st- Kimoreyee Ballard (Springfield) 22-9, d. Elsie Dozier (Glenwood) 24-8, (F 4:54)
3rd- Amber Louderback (Camp Pt. Central) 19-4, d. Zoe Bloyd (Quincy) 24-5, (F 2:25)
145
1st- Leah Brammeier (Olympia) 22-9, d. Bailey Davis (Seymour) 3-1, (F 1:00)
3rd- Cali Fulcher (Heyworth) 19-22, d. Charlie Bono (Litchfield-Mt. Olive) 15-25, (D 9-4)
155
1st- Izabella Darr (Civic Memorial) 10-8, d. Violet Gray (Vandalia) 14-5, (D 8-6)
3rd- Skylee Howell (Jersey) 13-18, d. Libby Scheland (PORTA) 3-19, (F 0:54)
170
1st- Brynn Swyers (Vandalia) 15-6, d. Audrey Whipple (Civic Memorial) 19-10, (F 1:46)
3rd- Olivia Monroe (Jacksonville) 16-9, d. Makenna Smith (Springfield) 15-17, (F 3:40)
190
1st- Abigail Kinison (Springfield) 6-13, d. Violet Beck (Illinois School for the Visually Impaired co-op) 1-2, (F 1:49)
3rd- BYE
235
1st- Madeleine Cooley (Jacksonville) 11-5, Fr. over Abbie Heusing (Carlinville) 12-15 (F 1:53)
3rd- Mikayla Means (Southwestern) 3-13, d. Sophie Brown (Shelbyville) 1-1, (M. For.)

Statistics
TEAM

Most pins: Jacksonville 11; Civic Memorial, Glenwood, Springfield 10
Most tech falls: Springfield 4; Quincy, Jacksonville, PORTA, Civic Memorial 1
Most total match points: Springfield 173, Civic Memorial 106, Glenwood 82

INDIVIDUAL
Most pins least time: Jacksonville’s Kaitlyn Knight, 3 falls in 2:10
Fastest fall: Carlinville’s Mary Emmick 0:20
Fastest tech fall: Quincy’s Karsynn Vogel 2:00
Most team points: Civic Memorial’s Chloe Rice 27.5
Most single-match points: Springfield’s Kimoreyee Ballard 2, Jacksonville’s Leena Cavender 2
Most total match points: 39 (tie)- Springfield’s Alliyah Powell and Tala Asad, Camp Point Central’s Amber Louderback
Largest seed-place difference: Glenwood’s Olivia Jarrett and Olympia’s Lily Robinson; Jarrett won the regional title at 120 pounds as the No. 4 seed, and Robinson placed fourth and became a sectional qualifier at 115 as the No. 7 seed.