Feature Stories

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

After having five state qualifiers, three placewinners and two runner-up finishers at the 2023 IHSA Finals, Joliet Township co-op Liz Short was honored by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association as its first Girls Coach of the Year award winner. 

But when others were selected to coach Joliet Central and Joliet West this season, Short had to look for some other position, and thanks to a college association with Andrew boys coach Peter Kowalczuk, she was eventually selected to become the new head coach of the School District 230 co-op girls program for Andrew, Carl Sandburg and Stagg. 

In her first tournament as the co-op’s new head coach, her team turned in an impressive performance as they easily captured championship honors at Wednesday’s 29-team Minooka Thanksgiving Throwdown with 156 points, which was 42 points ahead of West Aurora, who was the champion in last year’s debut of the Thanksgiving Throwdown. Geneseo (113.5) fell .5 points behind West Aurora to take third while Minooka (108.5), Lockport Township (104) and Oswego (102.5) rounded out the top six teams in the field.

The co-op, which consists mainly of individuals from two of the schools, Andrew and Carl Sandburg, had three champions, one runner-up and three other top-six finishers. Winning titles were Jade Hardee (100), Alyssa Keane (140) and Nola Oben (170) while Emma Akpan (235) placed second, Sophia Figueroa (120) finished fourth and Tatum De La Vega (110) and Saja Bader (125) claimed sixth-place showings. Ella Olsen (115), Mackenzie Conry (130), Ahlam Mehyar (145) and Avery Santiago (170) also contributed to the scoring.

“I was super excited about this opportunity,” Short said. “The head boys coach, Pete Kowalczuk, also went to Northern Michigan University, where I went, so that’s where we know each other from. He was looking for a girls coach and I thought it was time to give myself a new opportunity and that’s kind of how you grow as a person. It’s kind of sad starting over and leaving but this position has different things to offer and I can help it grow and everyone has been so supportive, so I’m happy.

“This year they actually had to limit entries, which is a good sign since all teams are growing. We’re getting more quality now and seeing some good wrestling. And there are some really tough middle school girls coming up and they’re coming in already seasoned, so it’s exciting.”

Eleven other schools had a title winners with two of those being IHSA champions from 2024, Lockport Township’s Claudia Heeney (135) and Prairie Central’s Chloe Hoselton (235) while a second-place finisher at state a year ago, Canton’s Kinnley Smith (130), also won a title. 

Other state placewinners from 2024 who were title winners were Lincoln-Way co-op’s Zoe Dempsey (110), Clifton Central’s Payton Temple (190) and Pleasant Valley, Iowa’s Abigail Meyrer (120). Also capturing championships and the unique turkey headwear were Romeoville’s Daniela Santander (105), Oak Lawn’s Allison Nava (115), West Aurora’s Aiyanah Sylvester (125), Plainfield North’s Viki Rodnikova (145) and Oswego’s Makayla Hill (155). 

Heeney and Keane were the only repeat champions in the competition while Sylvester improved from second to first place.

Four 2023 title winners failed to repeat. They were Plainfield Central’s Alicia Tucker (190), a state runner-up last season and IHSA champion in 2023, West Aurora’s Kameyah Young (110), who place second at state in 2024, and Hoffman Estates’ Abigail Ji (140), who all claimed second place finishes and also Geneseo’s Molly Snyder (100), who took third place.

Two others who finished in second place for the second year in a row were Huntley’s Aubrie Rohrbacher (135) and Ottawa Township’s Ava Weatherford (145) with Heeney and Rohrbacher meeting on the title mat for the second year in a row. Another IHSA runner-up from 2024, Hoffman Estates’ Sophia Ball (130), also claimed second place after falling to Smith.

Nava, who trailed Morris’ Makinsi Martin by 14 points in the late going before recording a fall in 5:53 to win the 115 title, led all competitors with 32 team points while Heeney finished with 31 points. Keane, Meyrer, Rodnikova and Sylvester all scored 30 team points, Hill had 29.5, Oben collected 29 points, Dempsey totalled 28 and Temple finished with 27 team points. Hoselton, Martin, Rohrbacher, Santander and Smith all scored 26 team points.

100 – Jade Hardee, Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op

Jade Hardee was a bit nervous as she prepared to compete in the 100 title match at Minooka’s Thanksgiving Throwdown but the freshman on the Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op who had achieved several impressive feats in 2024 didn’t face very much drama as she claimed  a 9-1 major decision over Morris’ Ellie Evans on the title mat to capture her first high school title.

Hardee, who won Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation, Illinois Freestyle and USA Midwest Nationals titles earlier this year, followed a quick fall with a 15-2 major decision over Lincoln-Way co-op’s Emily Peyton in the semifinals before becoming the first of three champions and four finalists for coach Liz Short’s team, who captured top honors in the competition by 42 points.

“I was really nervous but I just kept telling myself that I could do this because I work hard,” Hardee said. “It was definitely nerve-racking since this was my first time and I’m a freshman. It’s just a mental thing. I am a Freestyle state champion and a Folkstyle state champion. This is my fourth year, so it was a lot easier coming in. It’s definitely fun and everyone is really supportive, so if you ever need them, you can just talk to them and they’ve got you.”

Evans, one of two runner-up finishers for coach Lenny Tryner’s Morris team, opened with a pin and then won by fall in 4:40 over Geneseo’s Molly Snyder in the semifinals. Snyder, a champion in the first Throwdown who won 23 matches and was a state qualifier last season for the Maple Leafs, claimed third place with a 15-6 major decision over Peyton. West Aurora’s Melissa Melgar finished fifth with a 10-7 decision over Yorkville’s Analiese Garretson.

105 – Daniela Santander, Romeoville

Daniela Santander admitted that she was hurting a bit as she headed into the final moments of her 105 title match with Lockport Township’s Averi Colella at Minooka’s Thanksgiving Throwdown. But the Romeoville junior toughed it out and was able to capture a 7-6 decision to provide coach John Arlis’ Spartans with a championship in their only title match appearance.

Santander, who won 28 matches last season and fell one win shy of a state appearance at the rugged Schaumburg Sectional, recorded first-period falls in her initial two matches, earning her spot on the title mat with a pin in 0:55 over Minooka’s Marian Nordsell in the semifinals.

“Last year I got third here so to go to first is really amazing,” Santander said. “She’s a state girl so I was nervous going in but my teammates were like, ‘you got it, try your hardest’. She had a half in and it hurt a lot but I couldn’t give up. So even through all of the pain, I sucked it up and I won. Our team grew and I think it doubled. I was surprised when I walked in and saw a bunch of girls, and I was like ‘wow’. I hope to mentor them and help them through. My teammate who graduated last year, Josefina Orozco, was my mentor and she taught me everything. She’s the main reason why I’m so good today, she was an amazing partner.”

Colella, a senior who won 40 matches and qualified for the IHSA Finals last season, became one of two individuals for coach Nathaniel Roth’s Porters who advanced to the title mat, and did so with two falls, with the second of those in 2:00 in the semifinals over Canton’s Shayla Schielein, who went on to claim third place with a fall in 5:02 over Nordsell. For fifth place, Ottawa Township’s Isabel Gwaltney won with a pin in 3:15 over Geneseo’s Addison Hadsall. 

110 – Zoe Dempsey, Lincoln-Way co-op

Zoe Dempsey faced Kameyah Young for the 110 championship, which was the first of five title matches at Minooka’s Thanksgiving Throwdown that featured two returning IHSA placewinners. While three of the five went the distance, Lincoln-Way co-op’s Dempsey, who placed fifth at state a year ago at 105, needed just 50 seconds to win by fall in 0:50 over West Aurora’s Young, who was the runnner-up at 100 a year ago at state and finished fourth at the same weight in 2023 while competing for East Aurora.

Dempsey, a junior who won 20 matches last season while competing for Lincoln-Way West, recorded two first-minute falls to reach the title mat, including one in 48 seconds over Bolingbrook’s Alejandra Flores in the semifinals to become the lone finalist for coach Joshua Napier’s co-op team, that includes athletes from Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East and Lincoln-Way West.

“It was great,” Dempsey said. “We go back a bit and we wrestled each other the past year and we go back and forth, so it was pretty good to pull out a win today. This was a really good way to start the season. With the more girls that are coming into it, there is a really good community with girls wrestling. I saw today that there was a lot of camaraderie between me and a bunch of the other wrestlers so it’s nice to see that building. It’s really exciting stuff (at Lincoln-Way), I’ve never seen that many girls involved with 35 and there’s a pretty good mix. It’s really good to see everybody come together since we come from different wrestling programs so it’s nice with everybody’s different style and we’re learning a whole new way to wrestle at Lincoln-Way.”

Young, a senior who was a champion in the first Throwdown, won 32 matches last year and took second at state at 100 to Glenbard West’s Alycia Perez. She became the first of two individuals for coach Charlie Graves’ Blackhawks who reached the title mat after recording two falls, with the last of those in 3:52 over Larkin’s Ashley Hammond. Flores won by fall in 3:02 over Hammond to claim third place while Lockport Township’s Veronica Skibicki recorded a pin in 5:17 over Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op’s Tatum De La Vega to finish fifth.

115 – Allison Nava, Oak Lawn

Allison Nava demonstrated very clearly in the 115 finals at Minooka’s Thanksgiving Throwdown why it’s always wise to continue to battle until the very end of a match. Facing what looked to be an insurmountable 14-point deficit against Morris’ Makinsi Martin in the waning moments, the Oak Lawn junior was able to capture an unlikely championship by recording a fall at 5:53 to give the Spartans their lone title victory while denying Morris of the same.

The dramatic pin was the fourth of the day for Nava, who won 15 matches last season but failed to advance from the Curie Regional. She followed a first-period fall with one in 1:05 in the semifinals over West Aurora’s Diana Llanos to become one of two members of coach Matt Arthur’s Spartans who were able to advance to the title mat. And thanks to her come-from-behind effort to capture the championship, the junior led all competitors with 32 team points.

“There’s always someone stronger than you, but if you can push yourself, then you can do anything,” Nava said. “Last year was my second year wrestling so I’ve really committed myself to putting in the work and I watch videos every day and wrestling is all I can think about. My stepbrother, Giovanni Romero, goes to Argo and is a freshman. I’ve learned a lot from him and his work ethic. He’s my little brother but I still really look up to him. This is our school’s first time ever having a team. Usually I’m very comfortable in small groups, but this is a new thing and it’s something to get used to. I like how hard you have to work for it and the traits that help you grow as a person. I want to become the best version of myself and wrestling has really helped me with that.”

Martin, a senior who won 13 matches last season but was unable to advance from the Minooka Regional, was one of two individuals from coach Lenny Tryner’s Morris team who reached the title mat. She followed three falls with an 8-6 decision over Lincoln-Way co-op’s Aubrey Barnes in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Llanos won with a pin in 3:43 over Barnes. For fifth place, Plainfield Central’s Shania Davison captured a 15-10 decision over Plainfield East’s Angelina Nettey.

120 – Abigail Meyrer, Pleasant Valley, Iowa

Abigail Meyrer made it 4-for-4 in tournament championships for the young season when the junior from Pleasant Valley in Bettendorf, Iowa became a title winner for the only out-of-state squad that participated in the Minooka Thanksgiving Throwdown. Meyrer, the lone individual from coach Thomas Isaacson’s Spartans who was able to advance to the title mat, where she recorded a fall in 2:55 over Geneseo’s Lydia King to take top honors again.

Meyrer, who won 47 matches and placed fourth at 120 in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Finals last season after capping a 48-win season with the state championship at the same weight in 2023, recorded first-period falls in her other three matches, needing just 32 seconds to claim a win over Prairie Central’s Yurithdzy Vilchis in the semifinals.

King was the lone finalist for coach Carley Rusk’s Maple Leafs, who fell 0.5 points shy of West Aurora for second place in the 29-team tournament. The sophomore, who won 26 matches a year ago but came up short of advancing from the Geneseo Sectional, followed a decision and a pin with a 9-0 major decision over Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op’s Sophia Figueroa in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Vilchis won by fall in 3:34 over Figueroa, a senior who won 28 matches and qualified for state last season. For fifth place, Minooka’s Holli Coughlen won a 10-7 decision over Canton’s Chloe Hedges.

“Honestly, I feel that our whole team has been doing super good at practices,” King said. “We’ve had so many new girls come in and try out wrestling and a lot of them are really good and a lot of them are starting on varsity. Wrestling has grown so much for girls (at Geneseo) and it’s actually really surprising. There was barely anyone in my eighth grade class wrestling but in my freshman year there were so many girls and then sophomore year, there were even more girls. We’re going to definitely have success this year. I like how we all act as a family and we’re all together. My brother Owen is on the wrestling team and I watched him so many times that I liked the sport, so I decided to try it out. If you work hard, you can definitely get to places that you want to go.”

125 – Aiyanah Sylvester, West Aurora

Aiyanah Sylvester claimed the quickest championship victory in the Minooka Thanksgiving Throwdown when she needed just 20 seconds to register a fall over Oswego’s Aaliyah Roldan in the 125 title match. The West Aurora sophomore was one of two finalists for her team, with the other being her cousin, Kameyah Young, who took second at 110. It was the second-straight year that she reached the finals in the tournament and this was her first title.

Sylvester, who won 26 matches last season and qualified for the IHSA Finals, was one of four medalists for coach Charlie Graves’ Blackhawks, the champions at last year’s inaugural Throwdown who edged Geneseo 114-113.5 for second place in the 29-team tournament. She won all of her matches by fall, with her opening match being the longest of the day at 4:15. She earned her spot on the title mat with a pin in 1:11 over Hoffman Estates’ Olivia Pelayo.

“I think West Aurora is going to be the same as last year,” Sylvester said. “We have a lot of new girls and great improvement on the team. Everybody is working hard and we’re all pushing each other, so I feel that our team will be just as far as we did last year. (Brittany Moran) has been wrestling a lot longer than me so I feel like her and my cousin (Kameyah Young) have been showing me all of the moves that I know. I need to train harder and harder every day. I feel like I really need to start pushing myself a little bit more every day just to be where I want to be.”

Roldan, a senior who won 21 matches last season and was one of two finalists for coach Greg Scott’s Panthers in the Throwdown, opened with three falls and advanced to the title mat following a pin in 2:49 over Canton’s Annalee Haschemeyer in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Pelayo recorded a fall in 3:28 over Haschemeyer and for fifth place, Tinley Park’s Juliana Adamski won with a pin in 0:35 over Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op’s Saja Bader. 

130 – Kinnley Smith, Canton

Kinnley Smith and Sophia Ball have met up often throughout the years in big matchups so it came as no real surprise when the pair of two-time state medal winners and 2024 second-place finishers at the IHSA Finals squared off for top honors at 130 in Minooka’s Thanksgiving Throwdown. And the latest meeting certainly didn’t disappoint as the two went back and forth before Canton’s Smith got a late takedown to help her secure an 8-5 decision over Hoffman Estates’ Ball.

Smith, a senior who went 27-4 last season and lost 6-0 to Vandalia’s Sophie Bowers in the IHSA 125 Finals after going 24-5 and placing second at 135 to Boylan Catholic’s Netavia Wickson in the 2023 IHSA Finals, earned her spot as the lone member of coach Zach Crawford’s Little Giants to reach the title mat in the competition by recording two falls, with the second of those pins coming in the semifinals in 1:31 over Pleasant Valley, Iowa’s Ruby Stagg.

“I’ve been working a lot over the offseason, so it’s big to come out and put on a show,” Smith said. “Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of high-level athletes and they talk about gratitude in wrestling. And I think a major thing is that when I struggle and have bad practices, I stay grateful during practice and remember that not everybody gets to be in the same position as me. I think it’s important just to wrestle my style and not to let anyone change that. I knew that Sophia is a good competitor so I had to bring my best work. I’ve been doing a lot of scrambling with my coach and trying to work on positions, so just getting to trust my practice and the process is something that is huge to me. The coach I have is amazing. (Zach) Crawford is one of the best coaches out there and he’s always willing to come in for an extra practice.”

Ball, a senior who fell 4-3 to Hononegah’s Angelina Cassioppi in last year’s 120 IHSA Finals to finish 27-1 after going 42-6 and placing fifth at 120 at state in 2023 and winning 17 matches and falling one win shy of a medal at 115 in the inaugural IHSA Finals in 2022, was one of two finalists in this competition for coach Leo Clark’s Hawks. She won her first three matches by fall, with the third pin in the semifinals coming in 4:35 over Seneca’s Catalina Pacheco,who went on to claim third place with a fall in 1:59 over Stagg. And for fifth place, Geneseo’s Bella Curcuru, who won 18 matches a year ago and qualified for state, recorded a fall in 2:21 over Lincoln-Way co-op’s Dani Schedin. 

135 – Claudia Heeney, Lockport Township

Claudia Heeney heads into the season in pursuit of a second-straight IHSA championship as well as a third appearance on the state title mat. If she can accomplish those two things again, she would join only seven others who have won two state or more state titles and also competed on the championship mat three times. The Lockport Township junior was one of just two repeat title winners in Minooka’s Thanksgiving Throwdown after capturing a 14-2 major decision over Huntley’s Aubrie Rohrbacher in the 135 title match.

Heeney, who capped a 21-1 season with the 2024 IHSA 130 championship after beating Collinsville’s Taylor Dawson 4-2 in the title match and suffered her lone loss in 43 matches as a freshman to Freeport’s Cadence Diduch in the 2023 IHSA Finals at 125, was one of two finalists and the lone champion for coach Nathaniel Roth’s Porters, who took second at state to Lakes Community last season. She won her first three matches by fall, advancing to the title mat with a pin in 1:51 over Glenbard North’s Keagan Edwards in the semifinals.

“We wrestled in this tournament last year in the finals and the sectional finals, we wrestle all of the time and we’re always giving each other a really good match,” Heeney said of her finals opponent. “It’s just fun wrestling her and she’s a good competitor and is really tough. I’m definitely aspiring to go to the (IHSA) Finals this year, but we have a long way to go. As you saw last year, I took some time off in the middle of the season for my thumb, but my thumb is all better now. Hopefully, this year I can wrestle all year long and make it there. The girls team at Lockport, we’re all super close, we have a lot of fun with each other and we hang out outside of the room. I think I’m lucky to be part of a program like this and to have fun with the girls and to grow as a team. It’s super exciting to see the sport grow. When I was a kid, there weren’t that many girls yet, but now we have 34 girls on the team, and that’s a huge number.”

Rohrbacher, a junior who went 45-5 and took third place at 130 last season at the IHSA Finals and won 30 matches and fell one win shy of a state medal at 125 in 2023, was the lone finalist for coach Gannon Kosowski’s Red Raiders. She also recorded three falls to advance to the finals, getting a pin in 5:44 over Seneca’s Sammie Greisen in the semifinals. Greisen, a junior who also placed at 130 in last year’s IHSA Finals, where she took sixth to cap a 31–11 season, claimed third place with a fall in 2:31 over Edwards. There was a double forfeit for fifth, involving Huntley’s Grecia Garcia and Tinley Park’s Madison Monreal.

140 – Alyssa Keane, Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op

Alyssa Keane hopes to bounce back from a frustrating 2023-2024 season where she went 32-4 but was unable to place at 140 at the IHSA Finals by returning to the form that she demonstrated in 2022-2023 when she went 32-5 and finished in third place at 135 at the state finals. The senior from Andrew, who competes for the District 230 co-op team that includes Carl Sandburg and Stagg athletes, was the second of two Throwdown repeat champions after she won by fall in 5:14 over Hoffman Estates’ Abigail Ji in the 140 title match.

Keane was one of three champions and four finalists in the competition for coach Liz Short’s squad, which captured first-place honors in the 29-team competition with 156 points, which was 42 points ahead of second-place West Aurora. She advanced to the title mat as the result of three first-period pins, needing 1:05 in the semifinals to defeat Lincoln-Way co-op’s Ella Giertuga.

“I struggled last year,” Keane said. “I went from third place to kind of just breaking down a little bit but I’ve brought it back up this year and I’m ready to bring my ‘A’ game. (Coach Liz Short) has been a great help and it’s nice to have a new program and new coach because we’ve been switching coaches during the past two years. We’re all strong girls and fast learners, I love the team, we’re a family honestly. We help each other out every single day at practice and show it on the mat in every single tournament that we have. I’m from Andrew and I’d say our team is about 50-50, since we have a lot of girls from Sandburg, as well.”

Ji, a senior who went 34-4 a year ago but failed to place at 125 at the IHSA Finals after falling one win shy of a medal at 130 at state in a 33-win season in 2022-2023, joined Sophia Ball as one of two finalists for coach Leo Clark’s Hawks, who tied for fourth at the 2024 IHSA Finals. After recording falls in her first two matches, Ji earned her spot on the title mat by claiming an 11-5 semifinals decision over Minooka’s Ezra Rodriguez, who went on to edge Giertuga with a 6-5 decision to claim third place. Pleasant Valley, Iowa’s Kyna Moffit recorded a fall in 2:00 over Oswego’s Ameera Murphy for fifth place.

145 – Viki Rodnikova, Plainfield North

Viki Rodnikova enjoyed a successful freshman season at Plainfield North a year ago, going 21-4, but like so many others, she was unable to advance to the IHSA Finals from the tough Schaumburg Sectional. She’s hoping for much bigger and better things this season and is off to a quality start after winning the 145 championship at Minooka’s Thanksgiving Throwdown by getting a fall in 1:54 in the title match over Ottawa Township’s Ava Weatherford.

Rodnikova, the lone varsity entrant and one of just four individuals who competed in the competition for coach Michael Parton’s Tigers, also recorded falls in her other three matches, earning her spot on the championship mat with a pin in 2:28 over Minooka’s Amelia Lemberg in the semifinals.

“It feels great and I’m really happy that I got first place,” Rodnikova said. “My plan is to win the state even though I didn’t even qualify last year, if I keep working hard and going to the gym. This is my fourth year here and I’m from Moscow, Russia. Nothing has really changed, but in Russia it was judo for four years, but then I had a year break and got so much better.”

Weatherford, a junior who went 30-12 a year ago but was unable to advance at 130 from the Geneseo Sectional, was the lone finalist for Peter Marx’s Lady Pirates. After recording a fall in her first match, Weatherford earned her spot in the finals with a 15-0 win by technical fall in the semifinals over Canton’s Kennedy Smith, who bounced back from that setback to record a fall in 3:58 over Lemberg to claim third place. And in the fifth-place match, Geneseo’s Mady Mooney captured a 12-6 decision over Yorkville’s Brooke Coy.

155 – Makayla Hill, Oswego

Makayla Hill had a similar tale to many others last season when she finished her freshman season at Oswego with a 31-8 record but was unable to qualify for the IHSA Finals at 145 from the rugged Schaumburg Sectional. After claiming a championship at Minooka’s Thanksgiving Throwdown with a fall in 4:58 over Plainfield East’s Kaitlyn Bucholz in the 155 title match, she’s excited about what she might be able to accomplish during her second season with the Panthers.

One of two finalists and the lone champion in the competition for coach Greg Scott’s Panthers, she opened the tournament with two pins before capturing a 15-0 win by technical fall over Minooka’s Palmer Calvey in the semifinals.

“We’re doing good,” Hill said of the Panthers. “Some of these girls are first-year wrestling and they’re going out there and doing their best and that’s all that we can ask for. There’s definitely a bunch of great wrestlers out here and a bunch of good teams out here but you can’t let rankings or any of that affect how you wrestle. You just have to go out there, be smart, do what you’re taught and go win matches. Our conference is definitely very competitive and we have a lot of good teams again. My goal is obviously to win state since I will be dropping down to 145 later so that I can have a good run. I came up short last year, but things are very open this year.”

Bucholz, a junior who won 15 matches last season but was unable to advance from the Shepard Regional, was the lone finalist for coach Charles Trabaris’ Bengals. She advanced to the title mat with three falls, including one in 2:27 in the semifinals over Hoffman Estates’ Essenze Reid, who went on to capture third place with a 7-1 decision over Calvey. Geneseo’s Lauren Piquard, who won 26 matches last season and qualified for the IHSA Finals, won the fifth-place match with a fall in 0:44 over Hoffman Estates’ Dayanara Elias-Mena.

170 – Nola Oben, Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op

Nola Oben made it three-for three in title matches of the Minooka Thanksgiving Throwdown for the champion Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op when she captured a 15-7 major decision over Oak Lawn’s Charvelle McLain in the 170 finals.

The senior from Carl Sandburg, who was a member of the program as a sophomore but did not compete last season, used three first-period falls, including one in 1:16 in the semifinals over Romeoville’s Mariyah Mani, to become one of the four finalists in the event for coach Liz Short’s champions, who won the team title by 42 points over runner-up West Aurora.

“I didn’t do this last year but I did my sophomore year, so this is my second year,” Oben said. “It’s a really good feeling since we worked hard for this. It’s good seeing our hard work come to fruition. It was hard, especially my last match where I actually lasted the whole three periods. Everyone is very supportive and is happy for other people when they win and even when they lose, they’re there to pick them back up. There’s always someone there for you. I think it’s a good experience to come back and I wouldn’t have been happy if I didn’t do it again.”

McLain, a senior who went 22-5 last season and qualified for the IHSA Finals, joined 115 title winner Allison Nava as one of two Throwdown finalists for coach Matt Arthur’s Spartans after recording a fall in the semifinals in 0:54 over Huntley’s Natalie Aguirre, who went on to claim third place with a pin in 17 seconds over Mani. In the fifth-place match, Oswego’s Kiyah Chavez captured an 18-11 decision over Geneseo’s Sophie Bellagamba.

190 – Payton Temple, Clifton Central

Payton Temple made history for Central of Clifton last season as a freshman when she won her first two matches at the IHSA Finals to reach the semifinals and became one of the first two individuals from her school to win a medal after placing sixth at 155 to cap an 8-7 season while her senior teammate, Karmen Cody, took sixth at 190. Now she wants to accomplish much more and is off to a great start after winning the 190 title at Minooka’s Thanksgiving Throwdown with a fall in 1:51 over Plainfield Central’s Alicia Tucker, the IHSA champion at 155 in 2023 and an the IHSA runner-up at 170 last season.

The lone competitor in the varsity competition for coach Travis Williams’ Lady Comets, she followed a first-period fall with an 11-1 major decision in the semifinals over Morris’ Morgan Congo, who also was a state qualifier last season, to earn her trip to the finals against the two-time IHSA Finalist.

“It’s great since she’s ranked seventh pound-for-pound, and I’m not ranked yet, and I beat her,” Temple said. “I hope to make it to the (IHSA) Finals this year. I went to a bunch of offseason tournaments and I went to Fargo. I’ve done a lot of work, I just need to get my conditioning up, and if I do, then I can do good things. We just started doing girls last year and there’s only six of us, so we have small practices. But I wrestle with the boys sometimes to get a better workout in. I’ve been lifting over the summer and I feel stronger. So I think that I’m going to do a lot better than last year.”

Tucker, a senior who went 36-2 last season after falling 9-6 in the 170 title match to Peotone’s Kiernan Farmer after becoming the first individual from her program to win a state medal in 2023 when she capped a 34-2 season with a 3-1 decision over Moline’s Maryam Ndiaye in the IHSA 155 title match. The lone finalist for coach Terry Kubski’s Wildcats, she advanced to the title mat with two falls, winning in 3:28 over Lockport Township’s Sophie Kelner in the semifinals. Congo, a senior who won 28 matches last season to qualify for state, took third place with a fall in 2:46 over Kelner. For fifth place, Larkin’s Kimberley Reyes won by fall in 5:04 over Plainfield East’s Jen Serna.

235 – Chloe Hoselton, Prairie Central

Chloe Hoselton added the latest chapter to her family’s impressive legacy at Prairie Central when she won the 2024 IHSA championship at 235 with a 2-1 victory by ultimate tiebreaker over Unity’s Phoenix Molina. Beside becoming the first girl from the Fairbury school to win a state medal, she joined her brothers Brandon (2018 and 2019) and Drew (2018) and her cousin Andy (2011) as the fifth individual from Prairie Central to become an IHSA title winner. The senior would like to join Brandon as a two-time state champ and is off to a great start after winning the 235 title at the Thanksgiving Throwdown with a 5-0 decision over Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op’s Emma Akpan.

The lone finalist and one of two Hawks to compete in the varsity competition, both of who placed in the top three for coach Scott Ziller, she earned her spot on the title mat with a pair of first-period falls, with the second of those pins coming in the semifinals in 1:24 over Romeoville’s Henessis Villagrana.

“I’m very excited to have the season start over again and hopefully repeat as a champ,” Hoselton said. “Last year the Prairie Central program had four girls and this year we have nine. It’s awesome to see this program develop and to have more girls comfortable with the idea of going out and trying something new. And I really like that I can be like a mentor to the five new girls, so it will be kind of cool to be there for them. The growth (of the sport) is really exciting and year after year, the intensity and the drive of every single one of these girls just gets greater. To see more numbers come in and more people really trying to develop and care about it means a lot. One of my friends and fellow teammates, Yuri Vilchis, is just a second-year wrestler and she gave a great fight to every one of these experienced varsity wrestlers. I think she deserves a shout out since she puts in the hard work and goes to two practices almost every single day and she wants it. And I want it for her and for the rest of the team. And if everyone keeps pushing each other during practice, then I think we’ll get it.”

Akpan, a senior who finished 34-8 and took fourth in the IHSA at 190 last season and went 21-8 and placed sixth at state at 235 in 2023, was one of four finalists for coach Liz Short’s championship team, which claimed top honors by a 156-114 margin over West Aurora. She earned her spot in the finals with two falls before advancing after Ottawa Township junior Juliana Thrush, who went 30-6 last season and placed sixth in the IHSA at 235, had to take a medical forfeit. Villagrana, who won 18 matches last season and also qualified for state, took third by injury default over Thrush. And for fifth, Glenbard North’s Asreilla Wallace won by fall in 3:56 over Plainfield Central’s Zyon Jordan.

Minooka Thanksgiving Throwdown championship matches

100 – Jade Hardee (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op) won by major decision over Ellie Evans (Morris), 9-1

105 – Daniela Santander (Romeoville) won by decision over Averi Colella (Lockport Township), 7-6

110 – Zoe Dempsey (Lincoln-Way co-op) won by fall over Kameyah Young (West Aurora), 0:50

115 – Allison Nava (Oak Lawn) won by fall over Makinsi Martin (Morris), 5:53

120 – Abigail Meyrer (Pleasant Valley, Iowa) won by fall over Lydia King (Geneseo), 2:55

125 – Aiyanah Sylvester (West Aurora) won by fall over Aaliyah Roldan (Oswego), 0:20

130 – Kinnley Smith (Canton) won by decision over Sophia Ball (Hoffman Estates), 8-5

135 – Claudia Heeney (Lockport Township) won by major decision over Aubrie Rohrbacher (Huntley), 14-2

140 – Alyssa Keane (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op) won by fall over Abigail Ji (Hoffman Estates), 5:14

145 – Viki Rodnikova (Plainfield North) won by fall over Ava Weatherford (Ottawa Township), 1:54

155 – Makayla Hill (Oswego) won by fall over Kaitlyn Bucholz (Plainfield East), 4:58

170 – Nola Oben (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op) won by major decision over Charvelle McLain (Oak Lawn), 15-7

190 – Payton Temple (Clifton Central) won by fall over Alicia Tucker (Plainfield Central),  1:51

235 – Chloe Hoselton (Prairie Central) won by decision over Emma Akpan (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op), 5-0

Third-place matches

100 – Molly Snyder (Geneseo) won by major decision over Emily Peyton (Lincoln-Way co-op), 15-6

105 – Shayla Schielein (Canton) won by fall over Marian Nordsell (Minooka), 5:02

110 – Alejandra Flores (Bolingbrook) won by fall over Ashley Hammond (Larkin), 3:02

115 – Diana Llanos (West Aurora) won by fall over Aubrey Barnes (Lincoln-Way co-op), 3:43

120 – Yurithdzy Vilchis (Prairie Central) won by fall over Sophia Figueroa (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op), 3:34

125 – Olivia Pelayo (Hoffman Estates) won by fall over Annalee Haschemeyer (Canton), 3:28

130 – Catalina Pacheco (Seneca) won by fall over Ruby Stagg (Pleasant Valley, Iowa), 1:59

135 – Sammie Greisen (Seneca) won by fall over Keagan Edwards (Glenbard North), 2:31

140 – Ezra Rodriguez (Minooka) won by decision over Ella Giertuga (Lincoln-Way co-op), 6-5

145 – Kennedy Smith (Canton) won by fall over Amelia Lemberg (Minooka), 3:58

155 – Essenze Reid (Hoffman Estates) won by decision over Palmer Calvey (Minooka), 7-1

170 – Natalie Aguirre (Huntley) won by fall over Mariyah Mani (Romeoville), 0:17

190 – Morgan Congo (Morris) won by fall over Sophie Kelner (Lockport Township), 2:46

235 – Henessis Villagrana (Romeoville) won by injury default over Juliana Thrush (Ottawa Township), 0:00

Fifth-place matches

100 – Melissa Melgar (West Aurora) won by decision over Analiese Garretson (Yorkville), 10-7

105 – Isabel Gwaltney (Ottawa Township) won by fall over Addison Hadsall (Geneseo), 3:15

110 – Veronica Skibicki (Lockport Township) won by fall over Tatum De La Vega (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op), 5:17

115 – Shania Davison (Plainfield Central) won by decision over Angelina Nettey (Plainfield East), 15-10

120 – Holli Coughlen (Minooka) won by decision over Chloe Hedges (Canton), 10-7

125 – Juliana Adamski (Tinley Park) won by fall over Saja Bader (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op), 0:35

130 – Bella Curcuru (Geneseo) won by fall over Dani Schedin (Lincoln-Way co-op), 2:21

135 – Grecia Garcia (Huntley) and Madison Monreal (Tinley Park), double default

140 – Kyna Moffit (Pleasant Valley, Iowa) won by fall over Ameera Murphy (Oswego), 2:00

145 – Mady Mooney (Geneseo) won by decision over Brooke Coy (Yorkville), 12-6

155 – Lauren Piquard (Geneseo) won by fall over Dayanara Elias-Mena (Hoffman Estates), 0:44

170 – Kiyah Chavez (Oswego) won by decision over Sophie Bellagamba (Geneseo), 18-11

190 – Kimberley Reyes (Larkin) won by fall over Jen Serna (Plainfield East), 5:04

235 – Asreilla Wallace (Glenbard North) won by fall over Zyon Jordan (Plainfield Central),  3:56

Minooka Thanksgiving Throwdown team standings

1. Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op 156.0, 2. West Aurora 114.0, 3. Geneseo 113.5, 4. Minooka 108.5, 5. Lockport Township 104.0, 6. Oswego 102.5, 7. Canton 94.5, 8. Lincoln-Way co-op 92.5, 9. Hoffman Estates 90.0, 10. Morris 73.5, 11. Romeoville 68.0, 12. Pleasant Valley, Iowa 66.0, 13. Huntley 58.0, 14. Oak Lawn 54.0, 15. Plainfield Central 54.0, 16. Ottawa Township 50.5, 17. Prairie Central 45.0, 18. Plainfield East 42.5, 19. Seneca 40.0, 20. Tinley Park 37.5, 21. Glenbard North 33.0, 22 Plainfield North 30.0, 23. Clifton Central 27.0, 24. Yorkville 25.0, 25. East Aurora 24.5, 26. Larkin 24.0, 27. Bolingbrook 21.5, 28, Neuqua Valley 10.0, 29. Pontiac 0.0.

Junior-varsity title matches

100 – Joselyn Llanos (East Aurora) won by decision over Ruby Bolanos-Carbajal (West Aurora), 4-3

105 – Mikaela Najera (Bolingbrook) won by decision over Ellie Glassgow (Pleasant Valley, Iowa), 11-9

110 – Kassandra Reyes (East Aurora) won by fall over Alissa Lessner (Huntley), 1:42

115 – Sierra Heatherly (Lincoln-Way co-op) won by decision over Sophia Mussari (Pontiac), 10-4

115A – Presley Menke (Pleasant Valley, Iowa) won by fall over Jazelle Duron (Bolingbrook), 1:16

120 – Maggie Metke (Minooka) won by fall over Jalena Coyomani (East Aurora), 1:58

120A – Olivia Gaudio (Minooka) won by major decision over Makayla Miller (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op), 12-3

125 – Kaliyah Schmaedeke (Morris) won by fall over Abby Lizak (Lincoln-Way co-op), 0:25

125A – Jocelyn Cobix (Pontiac) won by fall over Kaylee Martinez (West Aurora), 2:28

130 – Kyleigh Green (Lockport Township) won by fall over Piper Booe (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op), 1:07

130A – Kinslee Lawrence (Yorkville) won by major decision over Isabella Chavez (Plainfield North), 14-4

135 – Ava Stoneking (Pleasant Valley, Iowa) won by fall over Jaiyden Provance (Ottawa Township), 2:54

135A – Allison Reichard (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op) won by fall over Nehasri Kommuri (Pleasant Valley, Iowa), 2:13

140 – Amanda Lezama (Bolingbrook) won by fall over Jackie Ortega (Pontiac), 0:25

140A – Keighera Fleming (Minooka) won by fall over Nuray Dzheenalieva (Hoffman Estates), 0:36

145 – Suzanne Stalley (Glenbard North) won by fall over Emmy Rol (Oak Lawn), 2:18

145A – Alex Gutierrez (Hoffman Estates) won by major decision over Celia Rodriguez (East Aurora), 11-2

155 – Joslynn Sheets (Oswego) won by fall over Greer McCrimmon (Oswego), 3:26

155A – Amani Williams (East Aurora) won by fall over Roya Shayestehjah (Huntley), 0:48

170 – Adriana Vela (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op) won by fall over Brianna Felde (Huntley), 1:48

170A – Abigail Underhill (Minooka) won by fall over Leilani Torres (Oak Lawn), 1:28

190 – Jadelin Caballero (Larkin) won by fall over Eva Sanchez (Oswego), 0:41

190A – Jennifer Paul (Plainfield East) won by fall over Jessica Vega (Andrew/Carl Sandburg co-op).  1:36)

235 – Lili Ortiz (East Aurora) won by fall over Alison Vargas (West Aurora), 1:33

235+ – Blessing Ajere Tamatekou (Bolingbrook) won by fall over Mercedes Neal (West Aurora), 0:36 – pool

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Mike Gussarson wrestled for Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero a decade ago, finishing fifth in Illinois at 132 in 2013. Gussarson also won an individual tournament title that year, at Antioch’s inaugural Ted DeRousse Invitational.

After girls wrestling became an IHSA sport in 2021, Antioch soon began hosting a girls tournament and two years ago, Borrero gave that tournament a name. The Sandy Gussarson Girls Invitational was thus born, named after Mike’s mother, who passed away in 2021.

“She was just such an avid supporter of wrestling and of our program,” Borrero said.

On Saturday at Lakes, Mike was present to honor his mother, handing out place-medals to girls on the awards stand at what is certainly one of the few wrestling tournaments- if not the only one – named so deservedly in tribute of a wrestling mom.

Mike Gussarson was fairly stunned when Borrero told him that he wanted to name the girls tournament after his mother.

“It definitely brought a tear to your eye, and it felt great,” Gussarson said. “It means she left her mark on the community.

“She was caring, hard-working — she was just a great person. She was always (Borrero’s) right-hand man, always helping out with fundraising and anything she could.”

More than 200 girls from 26 teams competed this year, with 12 wrestling mats set up in Lakes’ spacious fieldhouse.

Six mats were in use for the Gussarson tournament while six were in use for this year’s DeRousse. Combined, more than 500 wrestlers participated from 50 teams.

“Girls wrestling is huge. It’s blown up and it just keeps growing,” Gussarson said. “And these girls are tough.”

When the dust settled on the girls’ side, Lincoln-Way Central stood as this year’s Sandy Gussarson team champion. One year after placing second, the Knights out-pointed Oswego 457-355. Oak Forest finished third with 337 points.

The team from Lincoln-Way Central includes girls from Lincoln-Way East and West, and coach Josh Napier has seen his program follow a growth curve that mirrors the rise of girls high school wrestling in Illinois.

“We grew from three (girls) to eight to fifteen to now thirty-five girls this season,” Napier said. “So the message since June has been that we’re a wrestling program now and we’re taking it serious. We want to gain respect.”

“I felt pretty good about where we were going to be but I had no idea how we’d do here today. I knew we’d field a full lineup this year and we’re young, but we also have some experience – it’s about half and half. They’re hungry, and that’s what’s cool about them.”

Knights senior Monica Alvarez won a Gussarson title at 100 pounds Saturday and she likes the way this season has kicked off for her squad.

“I hoped that we’d have a lot of (wrestlers) and I like that it’s one big family,” Alvarez said. “And like they say ‘iron sharpens iron’, and we’re all beating each other up in practice.”

Also winning titles for Lincoln-Way Central were Zoe Dempsey (110) and Riley DePolo (235). Napier also got seconds from Emily Peyton (105) and Ella Giertuga (145), a third from Aubrey Barnes (120), and fourths from Abby Lizak (125) and Liv Clumpner (140). Lizak also scored the most points in a single match the entire tournament with 26.

Sierra Heatherly (115), Riley Cooney (130), Claire Bray (135), Kate Bohms (155), Jenna Lee (170), and Liana Zimmer (190) all scored team points in the Knights’ victory.

“This was the expectation coming into the tournament, to do this well, but we want a regional championship and a sectional championship, and a state trophy at some point,” Napier said.

Individual champion DePolo is in her first year of wrestling so she wasn’t sure what to expect from her team entering Saturday’s 26-team tournament.

“I was nervous but we all did really good. Everyone was amazing,” DePolo said. “The program is still very new and it’s been so much fun.”

Second-place Oswego sent four runners-up to the awards stand in Harmony Evans (130), Ameera Murphy (140), Kiyah Chavez (155), and Rikka Ludvigson (170) among coach Greg Scott’s 11 girls scoring team points for the Panthers.

Marjorie Rodriguez (115) and Iyobosa Odiase (145) won individual titles for third-place Oak Forest, and Isabel Peralta (190) placed second for the Bengals and coach Jamie Hubbard.

Other individual Gussarson champions were Dundee-Crown’s Diamond Rodriguez (105), Central’s Tori Macias (120) and Soraya Walikonis (135), Woodstock’s Hannah Olsen (125), Shepard’s Mila Rocush (130), Prospect’s Viola Pianetto (140), Hinsdale South’s Callie Carr (155), Palatine’s Sabrina Cargill (170), and Lakes’ Josie Larson (190).

Dundee-Crown’s Rodriguez, Oak Forest’s Odiase, Hinsdale South’s Carr, and Lakes’ Larson all became two-time Gussarson champs Saturday. The tournament’s outstanding wrestler award for the lower weights went to Rodriguez, and the upper-weight outstanding wrestler award went to Carr (155).

Palatine’s Cargill (170) had the most pins (5) in the least time (4:36) of all wrestlers present, while Antioch’s Londyn Lloyd (110) had the most tech fall wins (3) in the least time (13:30). Lloyd’s 63 total match points were also the most scored by any wrestler. Six girls tied for the most team points scored (52) in Macias, Walkinos, Rocush, Cargill, Carr, and Odiase. In placing sixth at 155, 22nd-seeded Brianna Crown of Woodstock provided the largest seed-place difference in the tournament.

Team scoring: 1. Lincoln-Way Central 457 2. Oswego 355 3. Oak Forest 337 4. Marist 306.5 5. Lakes 291 6. Dundee-Crown 213 7. Grant 211 8. Harvard 203 9. Woodstock 193.5 10. Shepard 174.5 11. Central 162 12. Grayslake North 161.5 13. Wilmont-Union WI 139 14. Freeport 133 15. Palatine 124.5 16. Peotone 121 17. Lake Park 114 18. Hinsdale South 94 19. Prospect 93.5 19. Rolling Meadows 93.5 21. Deerfield 93 22. Antioch 87 23. Guilford 79.5 24. Genoa Kingston 37 25. Carmel 8 26. Ken. St. Joseph Cath Ac. WI 0

Individual Sandy Gussarson Girls Invitational champions:

100 – Monica Alvarez, Lincoln-Way Central
The senior Alvarez went into the tournament as the third seed at 100, then went 5-0 including wins over Freeport’s second-seeded Aurielle Calmese (5-2) to capture the crown.
Alvarez (5-2) placed fifth in the tournament at 100 last season and she was on point at this year’s Gussarson.
“I’m really happy with today,” she said. “I teched my first (opponent), pinned my second, and won by points against my third one,” Alvarez said. “I was being aggressive and I know when they get tired — I see that and I know I’m not as tired as they are. I still have to work on my shots but I’m happy.”

Calmese placed second, Oak Forest’s Aliyah Blount was third, Palatine’s Kevelyn Price took fourth, Grayslake North’s Esther Migues-Gayton placed fifth, and Shepard’s Danielle Almaazan finished sixth at 100.

105 – Diamond Rodriguez, Dundee-Crown
Rodriguez was an IWCOA state champion at 100 pounds last season, and she won the last season’s Gussarson title at 100 pounds. The senior was slated to compete Saturday at 100 this year, but she made a tragic error in judgment on Thursday — she went to Texas Roadhouse with her family for Thanksgiving dinner.
“I should have never walked in there,” Rodriguez said. “Just smelling that place made me gain three pounds.”
Despite her best efforts since Thursday, Rodriguez couldn’t make weight to wrestle at 100 on Saturday. So instead, she wrestled up a weight at 105 as the No. 2 seed and won her second Gussarson title, with a tech fall win on the title mat against Lincoln-Way Central’s top-seeded Emily Peyton.
“I wanted the pin but she put up a hell of a fight,” Rodriguez said. “But I needed that workout, to be honest.”
Rodriguez won the Outstanding Wrestler Award for the lower weights Saturday, and she has her eyes squarely set on becoming a state qualifier this season.
“Last year I lost in the blood round at the sectional, then I was third at freestyle state. I love the sport. I started wrestling as a sophomore and I like the way it puts people on their feet, gets them thinking aggressively, thinking fast. And people might think girls are soft but it really brings it out and lets us be tough.”
Shepard’s Sophia Perez placed third, Central’s Allison Leffew was fourth, Marist’s Shae Halloran took fifth, and Central’s Malania Granda finished sixth at 105.

110 – Zoe Dempsey, Lincoln-Way Central
The Knights’ junior is a returning state qualifier and she posted a pair of tech fall wins and then a pin to reach the title match, where she won by fall over Harvard’s Alexa Herrera. Dempsey improved to 7-0 on the season with the win over Herrera (3-1), and she also won her second individual crown of the young season; Dempsey also won an individual title at Minooka’s 29-team tournament on Nov. 27.
Top-seeded Dempsey (7-0) won by first-period fall over third-seeded Herrera (3-1) for the title. Herrera reached the finals by upsetting second-seeded Haven Sylves by second-period fall. Dempsey won by fall in her semifinal against fourth-seeded Eva Hermansson of Woodstock.
Hermansson went on to place third, Sylves was fourth, Wilmont-Union’s Mya Rodriguez took fifth, and Dundee-Crown’s Melany Sanchez finished sixth at 110.

115 – Marjorie Rodriguez, Oak Forest
Bengals’ senior Rodriguez entered as the top seed at 115 pounds and won her first Gussarson title by fall against second-seeded Iris Torres of Dundee-Crown. Rodriguez is bringing a whole new mindset into her final high school season.
“Last year I had really low self-confidence but this year it’s really high. I’m not thinking negatively like last year, where I was always doubting myself. This summer I went to Fargo, which was a lot of fun and a big eye-opener for me, and since this is my last year I want to make it count.
“I was overall really happy with how I did. I fell in control most of the time and I was trying to be a little less aggressive and more smart. We’ve been doing boys practices, which are pretty intense, and that’s really helping all of us.”
There’s also no substitute for good coaching, and Rodriguez is grateful for hers.
“John Sebek has been with me all four years and he’s always pushing us to be the best,” Rodriguez said. “He’s like another father figure. He treats us like we’re his daughters, we’re all really close, and he’s always really honest about what we need to work on.”
Lakes’ Osmairi Medina placed third, Deerfield’s Belinda Esparza was fourth, Grant’s Kayden Manis took fifth, and Grant’s Jaiydyn Hoffman finished sixth at 115 pounds.

120 – Tori Macias, Central
The Rockets’ senior is a rare breed as one of the few three-time state medalists in girls wrestling in Illinois, having placed fourth once and fifth twice at the IHSA state finals.
She wants more and she’s pulling out all stops to get it.
“It’s my last season and I’m just trying to leave it all out there this year,” Macias said. “I’m putting everything on the mat and doing everything I can. I’m also a captain this year so I’m doing whatever I can to get girls to come out for wrestling at our school.
Top-seeded Macias (5-0) pinned her way to the title mat, where she won by fall over Marist’s Ava Enright (3-1).
“I feel stronger this year and as a veteran of the sport, I feel like I have the upper hand against the underclassmen. Today if I felt gassed or getting down, I just reminded myself that I’m a veteran at this and I know what to do.”
Marist’s Ava Enright (3-1) was seeded 11th at 120 but she won by fall against No. 2-seeded Marijose Avila of Freeport and No. 3 Ruby Vences of Central to reach the finals before losing to Macias. Lincoln-Way Central’s Aubrey Barnes placed third, Avila took fourth, Vences was fifth, and Grant’s Evelyn Gonzalez finished sixth at 120.

125 – Hannah Olsen, Woodstock
After placing 10th at 125 at the tournament last year as a sophomore, fifth-seeded Woodstock junior Olsen (4-0) went unbeaten on the day and claimed her first Gussarson title with two falls, one tech fall, and a 9-2 decision win over second-seeded runnerup Myla Reyes (4-1) of Grant.
Lake Park’s Elida Garcia placed third, Lincoln-Way Central’s Abby Lizak took fourth, Oswego’s Aaliyah Roldan was fifth, and Peotone’s Kaylee Boudreau finished sixth at 125.

130 – Mila Rocush, Shepard
One season after a 9th-place Gussarson finish as a freshman, the sophomore Rocush went 5-0 and took this year’s title at 130. Rocush won by fall over Oswego’s Harmony Evans (4-1) in the finals, and all five of Rocush’s wins came by fall. In placing second, 17th-seeded Evans provided the second-largest seed-place difference in the tournament.
Oak Forest’s Jordan Clyne took third, Lake Park’s Anna Guzman was fourth, Oak Forest’s Brooklyn Strelow placed fifth, and Lakes’ Makayla Williams finished sixth at 130 pounds.

135 – Soraya Walikonis, Central
Top-seeded senior Walikonis went 5-0 in pinning her way to the title at 135 for the Rockets, capped by a third-period pin on the title mat against seventh-seeded Morgan Rutherford (3-1) of Wilmont-Union, WI.
Walikonis pinned Lakes’ fourth-seeded Elise Kaylor to reach the title mat, while Rutherford won by fall in her semifinal match against sixth-seeded Annie Bergeron of Peotone.
Bergeron finished third, Kaylor placed fourth, Lincoln-Way Central’s Claire Bray took fifth, and Harvard’s Khloe Vest was sixth at 135 pounds.

140 – Viola Pianetto, Prospect
One year ago, Prospect senior Pianetto stood on a Gussarson title mat across from one of the best high school wrestlers in the country in Freeport’s Cadence Diduch, a multiple-time Illinois state champion now wrestling for the University of Iowa.
She only began wrestling last year, and when Pianetto lost by fall to Diduch it was a pivot point in her wrestling career.
“I didn’t know who she was going into that match and she was one of the best wrestlers I’ll ever see,” Pianetto said. “After that I knew that if I wanted to have a successful career in college, that match showed me that I had to get a lot stronger.”
Pianetto (7-0) has already committed to wrestle for Minot State in North Dakota. On Saturday she won her first Gussarson title as the tournament’s top seed, winning by fall over Oswego’s Ameera Murphy (3-1).
“It started off as a rough day. I was spitting on the bus, trying to make 135,” Pianetto said, “but I was two pounds over by the time we got here. So I just focused on what I can do and I prayed through every single match. I knew that no matter what happened, I just wanted to be proud of myself.”
Grant’s Annabelle Melton finished third at 140, Lincoln-Way Central’s Liv Clumpner was fourth, Marist’s Stella Harris took fifth, and Marley Gonzalez of Wilmont-Union, Wisconsin, finished sixth.


145 – Iyobosa Odiase, Oak Forest
The second of Oak Forest’s two individual champions on the day, returning state qualifier Odiase (5-0) pinned her way to her second Gussarson title at Lakes. The top-seeded junior ended her run with a title-mat pin against Lincoln-Way Central’s third-seeded sophomore Ella Giertuga (6-3), who was coming in off a fourth-place finish at Wednesday’s Minooka tournament.
Lakes’ Christina Hasner placed third at 145, Grayslake North’s Victoria Marquez took fourth, Marist’s Izzy Locascio was fifth, and Oswego’s Angeles Ponce finished sixth.

155 – Callie Carr, Hinsdale South
Top-seeded junior Carr is now a two-time Gussarson champion after winning by fall on the title mat against Oswego’s third-seeded Kiyah Chavez. She won the Outstanding Wrestler Award for the upper weights at Lakes and Carr is also a two-time state qualifier.

She’s itching to get to the state finals again and she wants nothing short of the top spot on the podium.
“That’s all I’m thinking about right now,” Carr said. “I want to be a state champ. I’ve been wrestling since eighth grade and now I feel like I can get through anything. It’s a great sport and mentally it will take a toll on you but like my pop always says it’s all about the six-inch space between your ears.”
Even if she wins a state title, Carr’s biggest contribution at Hinsdale South may have come off the mat.

“I was the only girl wrestling for a while,” Carr said. “I actually went to the (school) board and told them I didn’t have a coach or a team, while every team in our conference had a team and a coach. A lot of girls ended up joining and now there’s eight or nine of us in the program.”
Third-seeded Chavez won by fall in her semifinal match against second-seeded Makayla Hill of Oswego. Hill went on to place third, while 13th-seeded Joslyn Sheets of Oswego placed fourth. Rolling Meadows’ Janet Brindis placed fifth and Woodstock’s Brianna Crown took sixth at 155.

170 – Sabrina Cargill, Palatine
Pirates senior and 2024 IWCOA state champion Cargill (5-0) was seeded 11th but she burned her way through the girls seeded ahead of her with five pins, capped by a fall on the title mat at 170 against Oswego’s eighth-seeded Rikka Ludvigson (4-1). Ludvigson upset top-seeded Riley O’Grady of Grant to reach the title mat.
Marist’s Samantha Fontaine placed third, Palatine’s Angela Escalera was fourth, O’Grady placed fifth, and Rolling Meadows’ Leilani Brindis finished sixth at 170.

190 – Josie Larson, Lakes
Larson placed second in state at 190 last year and in her senior year for the Eagles, she’s bent on scaling to the top of the podium in every tournament she enters this season.
And she feels more ready than ever before to bring home an individual state title to Lakes.
“I’ve improved a lot. I wrestled a lot in the offseason, went to a lot of different tournaments, and that all helped,” Larson said. “I feel like I’ve refined my style. Last year I really only had one good move and this year I have three or four.”
Top-seeded Larson (5-0) became a two-time Gussarson champion with a fall on the title mat against Oak Forest’s second-seeded Isabel Peralta (4-1).
Last year, Larson and Zion-Benton’s Ileen Castrejon squared off six times, with Castrejon winning over Larson on the state title mat by 2-1 decision.
“I benefited from those matches. They were all close and we pushed each other to work harder and get better,” Larson said. “I’m competitive and I want to push myself to do better no matter what.”
Harvard’s Jarithsie Mercado placed third, Guilford’s Anjanne Haywood was fourth, Marist’s Sarah Parker took fifth, and Lincoln-Way Central’s Maryanna Quezada was sixth at 190.

235 – Riley DePolo, Lincoln-Way Central
Third-seeded sophomore DePolo beat top-seeded sophomore Alison Poole of Grayslake North by first-period fall to win her first Gussarson title. Not bad for a kid who wore a different high school uniform at this time last season.
“Riley was a basketball player at this time last year,” Lincoln-Way Central coach Josh Napier said. “We thought this was a better choice and I think today just solidified that for her.”
DePolo topped Dundee-Crown’s second-seeded Caroline Haiges in their semifinal match before winning by fall for the title against Woodstock’s top-seeded Allison Hill.
Beating two higher seeds en route to a tournament championship always makes for a good day.

“I was good on top today and I broke down a lot of people, so that was good,” DePolo said. “But I’ve got to work on bottom, and I want to keep working on breaking people down.”
Haiges went on to place third, Hill was fourth, Shepard’s Karrine Jenkins took fifth, and Oswego’s Helena Torres finished fifth at 235.

2024 Sandy Gussarson Girls Invitational medalists:

100:
Championship Round 1

Aliyah Blount (Oak Forest) 3-2, So. over Kevelyn Price (Palatine ) 2-3, Sr. (Dec 11-4)

Monica Alvarez (LW Central) 5-2, Sr. over Aurielle Calmese (Freeport) 5-2, Sr. (MD 9-0)

Round 2

Monica Alvarez (LW Central) 5-2, Sr. over Kevelyn Price (Palatine ) 2-3, Sr. (Fall 3:15)

Aurielle Calmese (Freeport) 5-2, Sr. over Aliyah Blount (Oak Forest) 3-2, So. (Fall 3:38)

Round 3

Aurielle Calmese (Freeport) 5-2, Sr. over Kevelyn Price (Palatine ) 2-3, Sr. (Fall 3:39)

Monica Alvarez (LW Central) 5-2, Sr. over Aliyah Blount (Oak Forest) 3-2, So. (MD 12-1)

105:

Championship Round 1

Emily Peyton (LW Central) 6-3, Sr. over Allison Leffew (Central) 2-3, So. (Fall 0:55)

Diamond Rodriguez (Dundee-Crown) 7-0, Sr. over Sophia Perez (Shepard) 3-2, Jr. (Fall 0:51)

Round 2

Emily Peyton (LW Central) 6-3, Sr. over Sophia Perez (Shepard) 3-2, Jr. (Fall 0:44)

Diamond Rodriguez (Dundee-Crown) 7-0, Sr. over Allison Leffew (Central) 2-3, So. (Fall 0:28)

Round 3

Diamond Rodriguez (Dundee-Crown) 7-0, Sr. over Emily Peyton (LW Central) 6-3, Sr. (TF-1.5 4:40 (17-2))

Sophia Perez (Shepard) 3-2, Jr. over Allison Leffew (Central) 2-3, So. (Fall 2:22)

110:

1st Place Match

Zoe Dempsey (LW Central) 7-0, Jr. over Alexa Herrera (Harvard) 3-1, Jr. (Fall 1:25)

3rd Place Match

Eva Hermansson (Woodstock) 4-1, Jr. over Haven Sylves(Lakes) 2-2, Sr. (Dec 10-6)

5th Place Match

Mya Rodriguez (Wilmont-Union) 3-1, . over Melany Sanchez (Dundee-Crown) 2-2, Jr. (Fall 1:25)

115:

1st Place Match

Marjorie Rodriguez (Oak Forest) 5-0, Sr. over Iris Torres (Dundee-Crown) 5-2, Sr. (Fall 1:35)

3rd Place Match

Osmairi Medina(Lakes) 4-1, So. over Belinda Esparza (Deerfield) 2-3, Jr. (Dec 10-3)

5th Place Match

Kayden Manis(Grant) 4-1, So. over Jaiydyn Hoffman(Grant) 3-2, So. (Dec 5-0)

120:

1st Place Match

Victoria Macias (Central) 5-0, Sr. over Ava Enright (Marist) 3-1, So. (Fall 1:52)

3rd Place Match

Aubrey Barnes (LW Central) 5-3, Fr. over Marijose Avila (Freeport) 6-4, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:16 (16-0))

5th Place Match

Ruby Vences (Central) 4-1, Sr. over Evelyn Gonzalez(Grant) 2-2, Sr. (Fall 1:46)

125:

Championship Round 1

Hannah Olsen (Woodstock) 4-0, Jr. over Elida Garcia Torres(Lake Park) 3-2, So. (TF-1.5 4:54 (18-0))

Myla Reyes(Grant) 4-1, So. over Abby Lizak (LW Central) 2-3, Fr. (Fall 1:29)

Round 2

Elida Garcia Torres(Lake Park) 3-2, So. over Abby Lizak (LW Central) 2-3, Fr. (Dec 7-3)

Hannah Olsen (Woodstock) 4-0, Jr. over Myla Reyes(Grant) 4-1, So. (Dec 9-2)

Round 3

Myla Reyes(Grant) 4-1, So. over Elida Garcia Torres(Lake Park) 3-2, So. (Fall 5:17)

Hannah Olsen (Woodstock) 4-0, Jr. over Abby Lizak (LW Central) 2-3, Fr. (Fall 1:05)

130:

1st Place Match

Mila Rocush (Shepard) 5-0, So. over Harmony Evans (Oswego) 4-1, Sr. (Fall 5:29)

3rd Place Match

Jordan Clyne (Oak Forest) 3-1, Jr. over Anna Guzman(Lake Park) 2-2, Sr. (Fall 3:17)

5th Place Match

Brooklyn Strelow (Oak Forest) 3-1, Fr. over Makayla Williams(Lakes) 2-2, Jr. (Fall 1:49)

135:

1st Place Match

Soraya Walikonis (Central) 5-0, Sr. over Morgan Rutherford (Wilmont-Union) 3-1, . (Fall 4:27)

3rd Place Match

Annie Bergeron (Peotone) 3-1, . over Elise Kaylor(Lakes) 2-2, So. (Fall 1:26)

5th Place Match

Claire Bray (LW Central) 3-3, So. over Khloe Vest (Harvard) 2-2, Fr. (Fall 1:09)

140:

1st Place Match

Viola Pianetto (Mt. Prospect (Prospect)) 7-0, Sr. over Ameera Murphy (Oswego) 3-1, Sr. (Fall 1:30)

3rd Place Match

Annabelle Melton(Grant) 4-1, Jr. over Liv Clumpner (LW Central) 2-2, Fr. (Fall 2:36)

5th Place Match

Stella Harris (Marist) 3-1, Jr. over Marley Gonzalez (Wilmont-Union) 2-2, . (Fall 0:40)

145:

1st Place Match

Iyobosa Odiase (Oak Forest) 5-0, Jr. over Ella Giertuga (LW Central) 6-3, So. (Fall 0:44)

3rd Place Match

Christina Hasner(Lakes) 4-1, Jr. over Victoria Marquez (Grayslake North) 5-2, So. (Fall 1:30)

5th Place Match

Izzy Locascio (Marist) 3-1, Jr. over Angeles Ponce (Oswego) 2-2, Fr. (Fall 1:30)

155:

1st Place Match

Callie Carr (Hinsdale S) 5-0, Jr. over Kiyah Chavez (Oswego) 4-1, Sr. (Fall 2:15)

3rd Place Match

Makayla Hill (Oswego) 4-1, So. over Joslyn Sheets (Oswego) 3-2, . (Fall 0:48)

5th Place Match

Janet Brindis (Rolling Meadows) 3-1, Jr. over Brianna Crown (Woodstock) 3-2, Jr. (Fall 4:16)

170:

1st Place Match

Sabrina Cargill (Palatine ) 5-0, Sr. over Rikka Ludvigson (Oswego) 4-1, Sr. (Fall 0:36)

3rd Place Match

Samantha Fontaine (Marist) 4-1, Jr. over Angela Escalera (Palatine ) 3-2, Sr. (MFFL)

5th Place Match

Riley O`Grady(Grant) 4-1, . over Leilani Brindis (Rolling Meadows) 3-2, . (Dec 7-3)

190:

1st Place Match

Josephine Larson(Lakes) 5-0, Sr. over Isabel Peralta (Oak Forest) 4-1, Sr. (Fall 4:29)

3rd Place Match

Jarithsie Mercado (Harvard) 4-1, Jr. over Anjanne Haywood (Guilford)3-2, Jr. (Dec 3-1)

5th Place Match

Sarah Parker (Marist) 4-1, Jr. over Maryanna Quezada (LW Central) 3-2, Jr. (Fall 1:29)

235:

1st Place Match

Riley DePolo (LW Central) 5-2, So. over Alison Poole (Grayslake North) 3-1, So. (Fall 1:47)

3rd Place Match

Caroline Haiges (Dundee-Crown) 4-2, Fr. over Allison Hill (Woodstock) 3-2, So. (Fall 3:03)

5th Place Match

Karrine Jenkins (Shepard) 3-1, So. over Helena Torres (Oswego) 2-2, So. (Fall 0:25)

By Chris Walker For the IWCOA

One of the things that a few of the individual champions shared during Saturday’s 16-team Hruska Classic was that they didn’t become wrestlers until they entered high school.

Elgin senior Fabian Ramirez (175), Leyden junior Erick Worwa (215) and De La Salle Institute senior David McCarthy (285) are each just a few years into the sport, yet they found themselves crowned as champions during their first invite of the season.

Carl Sandburg, which had five champions, won the invite with 299 points, while Glenbard North, which had three champions, took second place with 239.5. Oswego was a distant third at 150.

“I was a fat kid in middle school and I learned that my cousin, before he went into the military, that he wrestled and was a big wrestling fan,” McCarthy said. “My family has always been in martial arts and things like that and used to do karate and a lot of gymnastics stuff, and when I got to high school I played football and they came out and talked to me and said ‘Do you want to wrestle? I was like my whole family wrestled so why not I give it a try? I didn’t make weight freshman year, I was like 315 (pounds), but I made weight sophomore year, went to state and was like, ‘This is it, this is what I want to do.’”

It’s hard to imagine a big kid like McCarthy getting picked on, but he acknowledged that it happened.

“I grew up in a very big, fighting family and I’ve always been the smallest height-wise and weight-wise,” McCarthy said. “I’m always getting picked on by everybody else so I had to learn a way to defend myself and now I’m going head-to-head with 6-5, 300-something pound people and I’m like it’s my defense mechanism.”

McCarthy had some family members hooting and hollering for his efforts after his victory. In a rematch of last year’s title bout, McCarthy won by fall over Round Lake senior William Cole in 1:47. Last year, McCarthy was pinned by Cole in the opening minute. 

“I love my family but they are a little embarrassing,” McCarthy said. “But they come out and support every tournament. Somebody is coming, no matter who it is, somebody is there, two or three people. Somebody is always there to support, it always goes deep with the family.”

Elgin’s Ramirez started wrestling during his freshman year. Now a senior, Ramirez finished in third place at Conant last year. He won the title on Saturday after pinning Oswego East senior Demetrius Walker-Hill in 11 seconds.

“I saw it coming in and he shot, and I was like in awe because I’ve been in this position before,” Ramirez said. “I thought that if this is what he’s going to do then you got to punish that, and then just lifted him over, an 11-second pin. It’s something I can’t even explain. I just don’t think when I wrestle, I just go, I just react.”

Conant is a familiar place for Ramirez. Last year he won the Class 3A Conant sectional at 190 with a 9-5 decision against St. Charles East sophomore Cooper Murray. Two years ago, his sophomore season ended after he got pinned by Glenbard North senior Johnnie Robertson in the quarterfinals at 170 of the Class 3A Conant sectional.

“My brother wrestled so I wanted to do it and did that, and then during my sophomore year I was here at sectionals,” he said, “I lost in the first round and that really broke me. I was very very angry that I had lost that match because, you know, I was inexperienced and I hadn’t even wrestled for this long so it made me want to commit to it. I’ve gone to Gomez Wrestling RTC ever since then and he just made me who I am. It doesn’t matter who is in front of me anymore, it’s just another thing.”

Ramirez just finished up the football season as the Maroons went 3-6.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” Ramirez said, “I’m still in shock because I’m from Elgin so it’s like … an unknown school. (Soccer) is the only thing we got. But I don’t like stereotypes and I try to break them. So I’m going to come out and ranked fourth at 190 I saw that and I don’t know, I’m here to make waves, some changes, to change the system (at Elgin).”

Leyden’s Worwa is another kid who hadn’t wrestled before high school. In fact, Worwa really wasn’t into athletics until he signed up for wrestling just a couple years ago. Now a junior, Worwa is only in his second varsity season, but already has a tournament championship on his resume for the new year. He won it with a 12-9 decision over South Elgin senior Deremit Zamora.

Just like Ramirez, Worwa has to thank an older brother for inspiring him to give wrestling a shot.

“No sports at all before wrestling,” he said. “It was pretty much my brother wrestling. When he was a senior I was a freshman and he told me I should join wrestling so I did. Freshmen year went well. I was all-conference and went to fresh-soph state that year and fell in love with the sport and really enjoyed myself. I figured this is my life now so let’s enjoy it as well as I can.”

At last year’s Chris Hruska Wrestling Classic, Worwa got dropped by Sandburg senior Ahmad Jaffal in his second match of the day.

“Last year I didn’t place at this tournament and this year I got first and am currently undefeated,” Worwa said. “It feels really good. I’ve been practicing and been pushing myself everyday. It just feels good to get started and to get on top. I’m starting to win more and be more confident in myself.”

He outlasted Zamora to earn the 215 title.

“I think the difference was pure determination,” Worwa said, “Me and the other guys, we were really determined. We were pushing each other. We were trying to get it. I was just going for the points, going for the shots, I didn’t want to lose so I was pushing myself. I was just in my mind ‘Don’t lose, push yourself, you’ve been pushing yourself all week hard. You earned it,’ and I just wanted to prove it to myself.”

It didn’t take long for Worwa to fall in love with the sport and the team while also becoming a talented competitor.

“I love the team,” he said. “Spending time with basically guys who have become your brothers over the season feels really good, especially when you push yourself constantly and you’re getting better. It feels amazing. That’s what I like about it. You see yourself improving that’s what I really enjoy about it.”

Sandburg’s Rocco Hayes (120), Madden Parker (138) and Ryan Hinger (150) won for the second straight year at Conant. Hayes was named Most Valuable Wrestler for the second consecutive year.

“Yeah, so today was a pretty good day overall,” Hayes said. “Getting to my offense has been a big part of my success and just having a great mindset going into matches.”

Hayes is coming off an off-season of hard work, including some at the University of Virginia where he’ll continue next year.

“My off-season was good,” he said. “I trained at Virginia for some time and just made sure I got better and stronger overall. I’m a new me from last year. I’m a totally new person on the mat. I’m coming for a lot this season and I have a great mentality right now. From last year, I have just gotten bigger and stronger and that is what I needed. I became more technical and more offensive.”

He took care of business quickly and efficiently, earning pins at 0:55 in the quarterfinals, 2:29 in the semifinals, and 2:39 in the final. 

Tyson Bruce (132) and Wyatt Hochgraber (165) also won for the Eagles.

Bruce took fifth last year at Conant and did not qualify for state, 

“Since the season ended last year I’ve just been grinding basically all off-season through freestyle and Greco and I was practicing at R13 Wrestling with Carson Beebe and I think he helped me get a lot better,” Bruce said. “I’m way more focused on on my technique and foot work and being real smart on the mat and knowing what to do. I think that really helped with the jump there, and then just being more focused this year than anything.”

Sandburg coach Clinton Polz likes what he’s seeing from Bruce.

“He’s put in a lot of time over the years and it’s really starting to pay off and show on the mat,” Polz said. “So I’m really happy for him. He’s become a leader in our room and in the off-season and in-season.”

Polz said the Eagles were still missing one wrestler but expect to be at full strength soon.

“A lot of our guys aren’t down to their certification weights yet so that’ll happen next week for a lot of them.” Polz said .”So a lot of guys will be sliding down a weight class. I’m pretty happy with what we saw today with most of them up a weight class today.”

Glenbard North freshman Vannak Khiev won in his debut high school tournament. Kalani Khiev (126) and Julian Holland (190) also enjoyed championship days for the Panthers.

Oswego senior Brayden Swanson defeated Sandburg sophomore Brady Ritter, 4-1, to win at 150.

South Elgin’s Nick Dilallo won at 113, beating fellow freshman Kyle Hayes of Sandburg by tech fall. 

New Trier senior Tagg Miller scored a 13-9 decision win at 157 over Oswego senior Ethan Essick.

Sandburg also won the Hruska last year. Runner-up Glenbard North won it in 2022. The Eagles finished third that year.

“I think this team has only one goal in mind and it’s to win a state title this year and compete,” Bruce said. “It’s an uphill battle this year with some of the teams, but we finished pretty strong here today and that’s just great motivator for next week and weeks to come. I just hope we continue to do that.”

Motivating athletes was one of the late Chris Hruska’s many abilities. The former Conant wrestling coach died of cancer in 2011 and the school now hosts the Chris Hruska Wrestling Classic each winter.

Conant Chris Hruska Wrestling Classic championship matches

106 – Vannak Khiev (Glenbard North) 2-0, Fr. over Anthony Hayes (Carl Sandburg) 2-1, Jr. (Fall 1:35)

113 – Nick Dilallo (South Elgin) 6-0, Fr. over Kyle Hayes (Carl Sandburg) 3-1, Fr. (TF-1.5 4:38 (20-2))

120 – Rocco Hayes (Carl Sandburg) 4-0, Sr. over Sammy Sikorsky (Geneva) 2-1, Sr. (Fall 2:39)

126 – Kalani Khiev (Glenbard North) 3-0, Sr. over John Sheehy (Notre Dame) 2-1, Sr. (Dec 11-6)

132 – Tyson Bruce (Carl Sandburg) 4-0, Sr. over Trey Thompson (Glenbard North) 3-1, Jr. (Dec 4-1)

138 – Madden Parker (Carl Sandburg) 4-0, Sr. over Matt Goolish (Conant) 3-1, Sr. (Fall 1:11)

144 – Brayden Swanson (Oswego) 5-0, Sr. over Brady Ritter (Carl Sandburg) 3-1, So. (Dec 4-1)

150 – Ryan Hinger (Carl Sandburg) 4-0, Sr. over Dillon Griffin (Oswego) 4-1, Jr. (Fall 2:38)

157 – Tagg Miller (New Trier) 3-0, over Ethan Essick (Oswego) 2-1, Sr. (Dec 13-9)

165 – Wyatt Hochgraber (Carl Sandburg) 4-0, Jr. over Adnan Askar (Carl Sandburg) 3-1, (Fall 1:34)

175 – Fabian Ramirez (Elgin) 4-0, Sr. over Demetrius Walker-Hill (Oswego East) 5-1, Sr. (Fall 0:11)

190 – Julian Holland (Glenbard North) 4-0, Sr. over Chris Davis (Carl Sandburg) 3-1, Jr. (Fall 0:26)

215 – Erick Worwa (Leyden) 4-0, Jr. over Deremit Zamora (South Elgin) 6-2, Sr. (Dec 12-9)

285 – David McCarthy (De La Salle) 3-0, Sr. over William Cole (Round Lake) 6-1, Sr. (Fall 1:47)

Third-place matches

106 – Evan Hamilton (South Elgin) 2-4, Jr. over Ryu Yamazaki (Conant) 1-2, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:31 (19-3))

113 – Ray Long (Notre Dame) 2-1, So. over Jaden Quito (Glenbard North) 1-2, So. (MD 18-5)

120 – Alex Rodriguez (Leyden) 2-1, Jr. over Jaylen Sandy (Bloomington) 1-2, So. (Dec 13-6)

126 – Luis Flores (Conant) 3-1, Jr. over Aiden Ortiz (Oswego) 4-2, Jr. (MD 10-2)

132 – Andrew Wendt (Geneva) 2-1, Sr. over Mike Goolish (Conant) 2-3, So. (Fall 1:39)

138 – Braeden Grisham (Oswego East) 6-1, Sr. over Richard Morales (Glenbard North) 1-2, Sr. (Dec 5-3)

144 – John Greifelt (Notre Dame) 2-1, Jr. over Tyler Barlow (Bloomington) 1-2, Jr. (Dec 12-8)

150 – Victor Chevganov (Conant) 3-1, Sr. over Dane Henson (South Elgin) 2-5, Jr. (Fall 3:30)

157 – Nick Nicosia (Carl Sandburg) 4-1, Sr. over Rylan Kradle (Glenbard North) 1-2, Sr. (Dec 5-3)

165 – Erik Esquivel (Glenbard North) 3-1, Jr. over Mylan Williams (Curie) 2-2, Sr. (MD 9-1)

175 – Ahmad Alomari (Carl Sandburg) 4-1, Sr. over Edgar Gomez (Round Lake) 6-2, Sr. (Fall 3:32)

190 – Terrelle Jackson (De La Salle) 3-1, Sr. over Michael Keany (Notre Dame) 2-2, Sr. (Fall 3:13)

215 – Malic Breish (Carl Sandburg) 3-1, Sr. over Kelvin Harris (Bloomington) 2-2, Sr. (Fall 0:47)

285 – Brodie Slou (Oswego) 4-1, Sr. over Joshua Edwards (Oswego East) 4-4, Sr. (Fall 1:32)

Fifth-place matches

113 – Damian Ramos (Conant) 4-1, Fr. over Justin Forbes (De La Salle) 3-2, Fr. (Fall 4:36)

120 – Isaac Velasco (Glenbard North) 2-1, Sr. over Vincent Arvetis (De La Salle) 2-2, So. (Fall 0:50)

126 – Oscar Kalman (Carl Sandburg) 4-1, So. over Jack Schweitzer (Bloomington) 3-2, Fr. (Fall 1:38)

132 – Brady Krueger (Notre Dame) 4-1, Jr. over Ryan Geogoplous (New Trier) 3-2, (Fall 0:56)

138 – Vincent Manfre (Oswego) 5-1, Sr. over Aamir Nieves-Allen (South Elgin) 2-5, Sr. (Fall 5:27)

144 – Angelo Gatses (Glenbard North) 4-1, So. over Sharjeel Saqibuddin (New Trier) 3-2, (Fall 2:43)

150 – Donovan Walsh (Notre Dame) 4-1, Sr. over Emir Mustapayev (Glenbard North) 3-2, Sr. (Fall 1:45)

157 – David Rueth (Geneva) 4-1, Jr. over Deniz Ozturk (Notre Dame) 3-2, Sr. (Fall 1:21)

165 – Marcus Regalado (New Trier) 4-1, over Kevin O`Grady (Oswego) 3-2, Sr. (MD 16-5)

175 – Joey Fitak (Glenbard North) 4-1, So. over Jackson Spizzirri (Conant) 3-3, So. (Dec 12-7)

190 – Karl Pretzer (South Elgin) 4-3, Sr. over Charlie Anderson (Oswego East) 5-2, Jr. (Fall 2:27)

215 – Jovan Cerny (Oswego East) 6-3, Jr. over Tyler Hvorcik (Glenbard North) 3-2, Jr. (Fall 1:03)

285 – Omar Alhmoud (Carl Sandburg) 5-1, Sr. over Jaylen Raab (Bloomington) 3-2, So. (UTB 3-2)

Seventh-place matches

113 – Nolan O´Grady (Oswego) 3-2, So. over Mateo Marin (Round Lake) 3-4, Jr. (TF-1.5 3:15 (16-0))

120 – George Driesbach (Geneva) 2-2, So. over Raval Drew (South Elgin) 0-4, Sr. (Fall 1:09)

126 – Matt Miralles (New Trier) 2-2, over Macarten Parker (Carl Sandburg) 2-3, . (MD 14-4)

132 – Emilio Chavarria (Round Lake) 7-2, Jr. over Jayden Edgar Gray (Elgin) 1-3, So. (Dec 12-8)

138 – Henry Quntar Jr. (Oswego) 2-2, over Melvin Cannon (De La Salle) 0-3, Sr. (Fall 4:55)

144 – Vladimir Castaneda (Conant) 2-2, over Gio Ortiz (Leyden) 1-3, Fr. (Fall 2:51)

150 – Yassin Aitzemkour (New Trier) 3-2, over Yuliel Quinonez (Curie) 1-3, Sr. (Fall 3:14)

157 – Nathan Jung (South Elgin) 3-5, Sr. over Emilio Guzman (Elgin) 1-3, Jr. (For.)

165 – Triston Stinson (Oswego East) 5-3, Jr. over Ian Hernandez (Round Lake) 4-4, Sr. (Dec 8-3)

175 – Daniel Aguas (Bloomington) 3-2, Jr. over Matthew Kessel (Notre Dame) 2-3, Sr. (Fall 2:36)

190 – Cooper Wynn (Oswego) 4-2, Sr. over Jaiden Thorney (Conant) 2-3, So. (Fall 1:53)

215 – Aiden Heiden (Oswego) 3-2, over Alaa Alrabi (Carl Sandburg) 2-3, (Fall 1:06)

285 – Dylan Hendee (Glenbard North) 3-2, Sr. over Victor Juarez (Elgin) 1-3, So. (Dec 4-3)

Team standings

1. Carl Sandburg 299, 2, Glenbard North 239.5, 3. Oswego 150, 4. Notre Dame 124, 5. South Elgin 114.5, 6. Conant 113.5, 7. Oswego East 90, 8. New Trier 86.5, 9. Bloomington 74.5, 10. De La Salle 72.5, 11. Geneva 67, 12. Leyden 61.5, 13. Round Lake 48.5, 14. Elgin 44, 15. Curie 22.

By Chris Walker For the IWCOA

Some wrestlers were able to loosen their belts and truly enjoy Thanksgiving on Thursday, including second helpings and desserts, after opening their 2024-2025 high school season by competing in the inaugural Marmion Cadet Invite on Wednesday in Aurora.

“This is the first year we put this tournament together and I would say every program that is here is either a friend of the staff or friend of the program,” Cadets coach Anthony Cirrincione said. “We just wanted to put together an event where these guys could wrestle before Thanksgiving and give the kids their Thanksgiving day to engage with their families and not worry about making weight on the weekend. There were a lot of good teams here.”

As what’s always expected at the beginning of the season, there’s a great deal of excitement amongst the competition but teams aren’t anywhere close to where they hope to be once the postseason rolls in. That includes the wrestlers themselves,

A couple state champions did not compete. Marmion junior Nicholas Garcia, who won at 113 in 3A last year and was fourth at 106 the year before, wasn’t in action. Marian Central Catholic senior Brayden Teunissen, last year’s state champion at 120 in 1A, also did not compete. Teunissen is shooting for his third state finish after taking second place in 1A at 106 during his sophomore season.

“No Nick (Garcia), no Joe (Favia), no Vinnie (Testa), no Aidan McClure,” Cirrincione said. “When those guys come back we’ll be a different team, believe it or not. That’s a lot of horsepower that’s sitting out right now. But they’ll be back probably within the next two to three weeks and looking to compete right on the other side of Christmas.”

All but Garcia is coming off Marmion’s fall football season. Heavyweight Mateusz Nycz is coming off of football and he scored in a big way, defeating Glenwood Chatham’s Cody Moss by tech fall in the championship bout to give the Cadets five champions on the day.

Marmion needed those champs to win its own invite, fighting its way past runner-up Marist, 211.5 to 206. Lincoln-Way West was third with 172.5 while Lockport had 147 and Glenwood Chatham had 140.5 to round out the top five team finishers.

Colton Wyller (106), Demetrios Carrera (132), Zach Stewart (138) and Ashton Hobson (150) also were crowned champions for the Cadets.

Marian Central Catholic had a pair of champions in Austin Hagevold (113) and Jimmy Mastny (190).

The final seven champions were the lone ones from their school which says a lot about the quality of the competition and its diversity. 

Huntley’s Radic Dvorak (157), Lincoln-Way West’s Nate Elstner (215), Marist’s Will Denny (165), Naperville Central’s Henry Rydwelski (175), Oakwood/Salt Ford’s Mason Swartz (120), St. Patrick’s Patrick Hulne (144) and West Chicago’s Ryan Alvarado (126) will go done in history as the first winners in their weight classic in this new tournament. 

Stewart (138 in 3A), Denny (150 in 3A) and Mastny (157 in 1A) are all returning after winning state titles a season ago. Stewart is the only one of the three wrestling in the same weight class.

“There was great competition today for sure,” Swartz said, after winning the crown at 120. “I didn’t have an easy match all day and every single match I had, I had to work as hard as I could to win. There were no shortcuts today.”

There may have been shorter ways for Swartz to get from Filthian to Aurora, but a flight didn’t seem like an option. Instead, he was up early with his team for the nearly three-hour drive. He also was able to pose for photos afterward on the award stand before the rest of the invite was complete in order to begin the long journey back home.

“It was an early morning, had to get up here super early and get weighed in and then just wrestled the whole day,” Swartz said. “The final match was a challenge. The first match is always hard and getting into it for the second match I felt a lot better, and the third match I felt even better. It feels good to progress throughout the day.”

Swartz, who was making his high school debut, is coming off a soccer season in which he scored 19 goals. He’s obviously a multi-sport athlete who has made a quick leap onto the scene in both sports at the high school level.

“A lot of hard work, early mornings and late nights,” he said. “Grinding. I’m working as hard as I can.”

Unlike Swartz, Rydwelski and Alvarado are both seniors who are coming off disappointing losses during the sectional last year. Both dedicated a great deal of their time in the off-season for their final high school seasons and both have already seen that work pay off immensely as they won titles.

“Last year I got knocked out of sectionals before the blood round which was heartbreaking as a junior,” Rydwelski said. “I wanted to get to state and where I’m at now I’m just proud of the work I put in during the off-season. I went to these tournaments, these high level tournaments and I lost a lot but those, you know, losses build character and I think those losses made me much better as a wrestler than any of the wins that I’ve had. I think that the losses are more important than anything in that losses taught me how to win against those good kids, how to wrestle those good kids in those good matches.”

Such wisdom did not arrive overnight.

“It’s something that has come later for me,” he said. “I just started wrestling freshman year so you know I was just a kid and every loss I would throw my head gear so I’ve learned to take those losses on the chin and really think about what I can do better and I think that’s why I won today.”

At 175, Rydwelski won by fall against Marmion’s Carsten Zink to open up his day before rattling off three wins by decision against Glenwood Chatham’s Eli Smith (4-1), Huntley’s Waylon Theobald (12-8) and Marist’s Kevin Tompkins (5-2).

“I saw people that I’ve never wrestled and I saw schools I’ve never heard of,” he said. “I just approached every match as it’s a new match and was not sure if I was going to win or lose, I just wrestled as hard as I could for six minutes and we’ll see what happens.”

The Redhawks placed eighth overall with 119.5

“We lost a lot of seniors, but we have a lot of good young guys and I’m really proud to be a leader on this team and a captain,” Rydwelski said. “I’m really proud with how my team performed today. We did take a lot of tough losses and heartbreaking defeats but I feel we got much better because we came to this tournament.”

Like Rydwelski, Alvarado saw his junior season end at sectionals last winter.

“I got knocked out in the blood rounds and took a little, small break for a month or two after it and then got right back,” he said. “I was lifting (weights) right after (the season) because I knew strength was a big difference. I got a tattoo and was out for a bit for that to heal, but I’ve wrestled every day of the week or at least three days a week to be where I’m at right now.”

Alvarado pinned Plainfield North’s Aidan Durell to begin his day. Durell would bounce back to take third place at 126.

“I felt nervous at the weigh-in so I wasn’t sure how I was going to do,” Alvarado said. “You could see I was nervous in the first match, my foot work is very stiff. In the finals I felt calm and confident and didn’t feel like I had much to lose. I really felt like I found how to calm myself compared to last year. I feel more mature and confident.”

Alvarado defeated a couple Lockport kids to get to the finals at 126 and pinning Glenwood Chatham’s Tyler Clarke, a state qualifier from a year ago, in 3:07.

“It was really surprising, I mean, I heard it was going to be a tough tournament so I wasn’t expecting to be at the top of the podium,” Alvarado said. Winning four matches in one day to open the season is not easy.

“I was pretty tired, but I knew that if I had given up there would be regret so I had to push through and keep going for what I wanted, Alvarado said. “I had to stay up without falling down. It was a pretty long day but I felt it was all worth it.”

Arguably the most-anticipated bout of the day came at 150, matching Hobson with Lockport junior Justin Wardlow. Last year, Wardlow was the Class 3A runner-up at 138. The year before that he also placed second, going home as runner-up at 120 in Class 2A.

The two had battled during the summer with Hobson sneaking past Wardlow, 1-0. It happened again while Hobson battled a bloody nose that was resilient.

As shouts of “tape his face!,” drifted towards the mats after a second injury delay, Hobson began to wonder if an injury time loss was his destiny. 

“It was definitely frustrating getting a bloody nose and it wouldn’t stop,” he explained. “I thought I was going to lose on injury time to be honest.”

Hobson credited his preparation in giving him just enough to prevail.

“I definitely knew it was going to be a battle,” he said. “I think it comes down to going harder in the room. I didn’t think he’d cut me in the second (period) but I knew I would be able to get out, and in the third I knew I could ride him and I’m really confident in my ability to ride. A pretty gritty match and it came down to me being able to ride him.”

The 106 match between Colton Wyller and Preston Morrison was the lone one to pair athletes from the same school as the Marmion sophomores went head-to-head like they so often do during training.

“We wrestle a lot with each other, doing tournaments together,” Wyller said. “We get a good feel for each other in practice, and in tournaments we just show up and wrestle. It went pretty well for both of us getting to the final.

Wyller prevailed this time, 3-1.

“This tournament was fun,” Morrison said. “It was something new, which is what I like, and I met a lot of new kids.”

Morrison said he was able to muscle up via off-season conditioning and put on some weight.

“I worked out a lot, I wasn’t too big last year,” he said. “I got some muscle on me and got more technique which is pretty good.”

Similarly, Wyller put in a lot of work to be in position to fight for titles.

“Toward the end of last year I got a lot better,” he said. “I worked a lot of one-on-ones with coaches and then in the summer I got a lot better. I got to wrestle at Fargo and got to the blood rounds. I’ve been working really hard, sometimes doing three practices a day.”

Marist may have only had a single champion, but its depth led to it narrowly winning the team title. The RedHawks had 14 placers including four runner-ups as Michael Esteban (132), George Marinopoulos (138), Kevin Tomkins (175) and Ricky Ericksen (190) advanced to championship bouts. They were without Donavon Allen, a senior who took third at 138 in Class 3A last year.

Other placers for the Redhawks included Eddie Astorga (138), Gordo Gil (106), Tommy Fidler and Kyle Herzog (215) who all took fourth place, Tommy O’Brien (215) and Jack Watson (285) who each were fifth and Colin Phelan (113) Joe Bronske (120) and Ethan Sonner (157) who each placed sixth.

Lincoln-Way West had 10 placers in addition to Elstner winning at 215.

Brady Glynn (113) and Haden Anderson (144) were runner-ups, Jakob Siwinski (138) and Brandon Bavirsha (285) took third each,  Shane Stream (126) and Jimmy Talley (190) placed fourth, Max Munn (120) was fifth and Carter Dibenedetto (132), Henry Finley (144) and Cole Yirsa (190) were sixth. The Warriors did not have Luke Siwinski, who took fifth in the state at 138 in Class 3A last season, in their lineup. 

Coming off their Class 1A state title season, Marian Central is talented and experienced again this winter, but was short-handed in the opener.

In addition to not having Teunissen, the Hurricanes were without Vance Williams, a three-time state placer at 132 and state qualifiers, Andrew Alvarado (138) and Dan French (190).

The football season obviously is playing a factor with the start of some wrestlers, particularly with multi-sport athletes who play football like French. Naperville Central’s William Erbeck is another one who isn’t back yet.

Championship matches
106 – Colton Wyller (Marmion Academy) 4-0, So. over Preston Morrison (Marmion Academy) 3-1, So. (Dec 5-1)
113 – Austin Hagevold (Marian Central Catholic) 3-0, Jr. over Brady Glynn (Lincoln-Way West) 2-1, So. (TF 2:53 (21-5))
120 – Mason Swartz (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 3-0, over Calvin Stahl (St. Patrick) 2-1, Jr. (Dec 4-2)
126 – Ryan Alvarado (West Chicago) 4-0, Sr. over Tyler Clarke (Glenwood) 3-1, (Fall 3:07)
132 – Demetrios Carrera (Marmion Academy) 4-0, Jr. over Michael Esteban (Marist) 3-1, Sr. (Dec 4-0)
138 – Zach Stewart (Marmion Academy) 4-0, Jr. over George Marinopoulos (Marist) 3-1, Sr. (Fall 3:37)
144 – Patrick Hulne (St. Patrick) 3-0, So. over Haden Anderson (Lincoln-Way West) 3-1, Jr. (Dec 8-6)
150 – Ashton Hobson (Marmion Academy) 4-0, Jr. over Justin Wardlow (Lockport Township) 3-1, Jr. (Dec 1-0)
157 – Radic Dvorak (Huntley) 3-0, So. over Andrew Haritos (Marmion Academy) 3-1, Sr. (Fall 0:58)
165 – Will Denny (Marist) 3-0, Sr. over Van Grasser (St. Patrick) 2-1, Jr. (Fall 3:12)
175 – Henry Rydwelski (Naperville Central) 4-0, Sr. over Kevin Tomkins (Marist) 2-1, Sr. (Dec 5-2)
190 – Jimmy Mastny (Marian Central Catholic) 3-0, So. over Ricky Ericksen (Marist) 2-1, Sr. (Dec 9-2)
215 – Nate Elstner (Lincoln-Way West) 3-0, Sr. over Wyatt Theobald (Huntley) 3-1, Sr. (Fall 5:24)
285 – Mateusz Nycz (Marmion Academy) 4-0, Sr. over Cody Moss (Glenwood) 3-1, Jr. (TF 4:52 (29-12))

Third-place matches
106 – Jack Koenig (St. Patrick) 5-1, So. over Gordo Gil (Marist) 4-2, So. (Dec 5-4)
113 – Logan Conover (Marmion Academy) 3-1, So. over Colin Abordo (Huntley) 2-2, Jr. (Fall 3:55)
120 – Cameron Abordo (Huntley) 4-1, Jr. over Austin Aguinaldo (Naperville Central) 2-2, Jr. (Dec 5-4)
126 – Aidan Durell (Plainfield North) 5-1, Jr. over Shane Stream (Lincoln-Way West) 3-2, So. (Dec 13-11)
132 – Liam Zimmerman (Lockport Township) 5-1, Sr. over Jacob Cochran (Naperville Central) 3-2, Jr. (Fall 2:21)
138 – Jakob Siwinski (Lincoln-Way West) 4-1, Jr. over Eddie Astorga (Marist) 4-2, So. (Fall 1:13)
144 – Santino Milazzo (West Chicago) 4-1, Sr. over Anthony Diorio (Lockport Township) 3-3, Jr. (Fall 4:32)
150 – Leo Rosas (West Chicago) 4-1, Jr. over Tommy Fidler (Marist) 3-2, Jr. (Dec 4-3)
157 – Luke Grindstaff (Plainfield North) 4-1, Jr. over Yusuf Sikander (Naperville Central) 4-2, Jr. (MD 15-3)
165 – Nic Astacio (Marian Central Catholic) 4-1, So. over Maizon Milestone (Glenwood) 3-2, Sr. (Fall 3:14)
175 – Eli Smith (Glenwood) 5-1, So. over Christian Czerwinski (Lockport Township) 5-2, So. (Fall 2:31)
190 – Max Wiezorek (Glenwood) 3-1, Sr. over Jimmy Talley (Lincoln-Way West) 3-2, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:34 (17-1))
215 – Drew Silzer (Lockport Township) 5-1, Jr. over Kyle Herzog (Marist) 3-2, Jr. (Fall 1:38)
285 – Brandon Bavirsha (Lincoln-Way West) 5-1, Sr. over Kaleb Eckman (Marian Central Catholic) 4-2, Sr. (Dec 3-2)

Fifth-place matches
106 – Dalton Meluch (Naperville Central) 3-2, Jr. over Ethan Bell (Marmion Academy) 2-3, So. (Fall 0:46)
113 – Danny Goodwin (St. Patrick) 2-2, Jr. over Colin Phelan (Marist) 1-3, So. (Fall 3:56)
120 – Max Munn (Lincoln-Way West) 3-2, Jr. over Joe Bronske (Marist) 1-3, Jr. (Fall 4:21)
126 – Isaac Zimmerman (Lockport Township) 4-3, Jr. over Justin Godina (Lockport Township) 2-3, Jr. (For.)
132 – Grayson Garcia (Marmion Academy) 4-2, So. over Carter Dibenedetto (Lincoln-Way West) 3-3, Jr. (Fall 2:32)
138 – Gavin Nischke (Huntley) 4-2, So. over Evan Curry (Lockport Township) 2-3, So. (For.)
144 – Carter Chambliss (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 2-2, Sr. over Henry Finley (Lincoln-Way West) 2-3, Jr. (Dec 7-2)
150 – Staverous Gerousis (Naperville Central) 4-2, Jr. over Larson Nestar (Glenwood) 3-3, Sr. (Dec 6-4)
157 – Julian Rammelkamp (Glenwood) 4-2, So. over Ethan Sonne (Marist) 2-3, So. (For.)
165 – Chris Miller (Lockport Township) 4-2, Jr. over Anthony Haddad (Marmion Academy) 3-3, Sr. (Fall 1:16)
175 – Waylon Theobald (Huntley) 3-2, So. over Jacob Reece (Plainfield North) 2-3, Jr. (Fall 3:20)
190 – Luke Boersma (Marmion Academy) 4-2, So. over Cole Yirsa (Lincoln-Way West) 2-3, So. (Fall 1:42)
215 – Tommy O`Brien (Marist) 2-2, Jr. over Bryson Melgoza (Lockport Township) 3-3, Sr. (Fall 3:44)
285 – Jack Watson (Marist) 3-2, Jr. over Abe Bonano (St. Patrick) 2-3, (Fall 3:59)

Team scoring

1. Marmion Academy 211.5, 2. Marist 206, 3. Lincoln-Way West 172.5, 4. Lockport Township 147, 5. Glenwood 140.5, 6. St. Patrick 128.5, 7. Huntley 120, 8, Naperville Central 119.5, 9. Marian Central Catholic 98.5, 10. West Chicago 89, 11. Oakwood/Salt Fork 61.5, 12. Plainfield North 55.

For information regarding registration for this event, click HERE.

It is with great pleasure that the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Illinois Chapter announces their 2024 selections for Lifetime Service Awards. This year’s Induction ceremony for the Class of 2024 will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton-Alsip Hotel, 5000 W. 127th St., Alsip, IL on Sunday, October 6, 2024.  A Social begins at 3:00 PM with dinner and the presentation of awards to follow. To register for tickets to the Honors Banquet, simply click on this link: https://il-nwhof.ticketleap.com/2024nwhof-ilbanquettickets/ 

Selected to be recognized as Lifetime Service Award recipients are: 

Pete Alber, Dakota – Pete has a 30 plus career as coach at Dakota High School. During this time his teams won 6 IHSA Dual Team State Titles and 397 dual meets. 

Jim Chaloupka, Berwyn – A 2010 IWCOA Hall of Fame Inductee, Jim officiated and coached for 44 years. He officiated at 9 IHSA State Championships. 

Ed Giese, Westmont – A 2X IHSA State Champion, Ed had a high school career record of 172-5. He was a two time Big Ten Champion for the University of Minnesota, Pan Am Champ and has 37 years of coaching, including head coach at the prestigious Dave Schultz Wrestling Club. 

Mike Matozzi, Oswego – With over 43 years of service to wrestling, Mike was an assistant coach and head coach at Hinsdale South High School in Darien. A long-time Executive Board Member of the IWCOA, he served as President and was IWCOA Man of the Year in 2013. 

John Welter, Ingleside – John has coached for over 53 years at several youth and high school programs across northern Lake County. A 2018 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee, he served as Grand Marshal of the IESA State Tournament in 2009, was inducted into the Grant High School Hall of Fame in 2014, and the College of Lake County Hall of Fame in 1994. 

In addition, the Illinois Chapter will also recognize two individuals to receive the Outstanding American and Medal of Courage Awards along with the Dave Schultz and Tricia Saunders Student Excellence Awards. 

Dru Goodman, Riverwoods will be honored as Outstanding American. He is a highly accomplished Illinois businessman whose success is due in great part to the foundational skills he learned through his involvement with Illinois wrestling as a competitor, coach and official. 

Selected to receive this year’s Medal of Courage Award is Adam Sikes. Adam is a former U.S. Marines – Silver Star Recipient who wrestled for the Lake Zurich Bears while in high school. He is an acclaimed author of espionage thrillers and has been a 20+ year CIA & Hollywood consultant. 

The Illinois Chapter will also honor a male and female to receive the Dave Schultz and Tricia Saunders Award for 2024. To be recognized will be: 

Dillon Johnson, Joliet (Catholic Academy), (University of Wisconsin) – Schultz Award

Cadence Diduch, Freeport H.S., (University of Iowa) – Saunders Award 

The State Chapters Program was established by the Board of Governors of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1993. Its purpose is to pay tribute to those coaches, officials and contributors who represent the best qualities of what the sport of wrestling has to offer and who share those characteristics with young people day in and day out. The Illinois Chapter was formed in 1997. Since this time, 173 men and women of Illinois have been recognized.

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

Here is a summary of the Midwest Nationals Wrestling Tournament, which took place on June 29 at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Shirk Center in Bloomington.

A total of 1,078 boys took part in the event while 195 girls participated. The Men College and Open division featured 122 individuals while 17 took part in the Women College and Open division bringing the total number of competitors in the tournament to 1,412.

2024 Midwest Nationals Highlight Video

There were 159 champions in the competition, with 104 of those being in the Boys division. The Girls division featured 42 of the title winners while there were nine champions in the Men College and Open Division and four in the Women College and Open division.

The largest number of participants in the Boys divisions were 9th and 10th grade (311), followed by 7th and 8th grade (235), 11th and 12th grade (220), 5th and 6th grade (114), 3rd and 4th grade (112) and 1st and 2nd grade (86). The division with the highest number of girls taking part was 9th and 10th grade (53), followed by 7th and 8th grade (46), 11th and 12th grade (42), 3rd and 4th grade (23), 5th and 6th grade (18) and 1st and second grade (13).

In the overall team scoring, Ozark Wrestling Club led the way with 324.5 points while Alber Athletics (267.5), Jr. Raiders/ SS (265.5), Built By Brunson (264), STL Warrior (256.5), Backyard Brawlers-Midwest (251.5), Relentless Training Center (210.5), Kewanee (147), Victory Elite (145.5) and Team Nazar (137.5) rounded out the top 10 in the field.

Others who scored 80 or more points were PSF Wrestling Academy (136.5), Gomez RTC (127.5), Team Mascotah (125.5), SouthStrong (124), ISI (121), Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club (120.5), Sauk Valley Wrestling (112.5), DeKalb WC (106), Bobcat Wrestling Club (101), nWo Wrestling Club (99.5), Oregon (98), TJ Trained Wrestling (94.5), The Foundation (93), Dixon (91), Bulls WC (88.5), Cahokia (87.5) and St. Charles Wrestling Club (84.5). Unattached and unaffiliated individuals accounted for 439 points.

Top three teams in the Boys 11th and 12th grade division were Ozark Wrestling Club (92), Mundelein (55) and Jr. Raiders/ SS (51); Leading the way in Boys 9th and 10th division were Jr. Raiders/ SS (100), Relentless Training Center (84) and SouthStrong (70). And the top three in the Boys 7th and 8th grade division were Team Nazar (70.5), Alber Athletics (69) and Jr. Raiders/ SS (63.5).

Top scoring teams in the Boys 5th and 6th grade division were STL Warrior (115.5), Built By Brunson (93) and Backyard Brawlers-Midwest (89). The top three in the Boys 3rd and 4th grade division were Backyard Brawlers-Midwest (87), Built By Brunson (68.5) and Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club (53). And leading the way in the Boys 1st and 2nd grade division were Little Giant WC (40), Wilmington WC (39.5) and Roxana WC (39).

Teams with the most points in the Girls divisions were Ozark Wrestling Club (82) and Gomez RTC (37.5) in 11th and 12th grade, Chatham Glenwood (50) and Bobcat Wrestling Club (47) in 9th and 10th grade, Bobcat Wrestling Club (54) and Ozark Wrestling Club (51) in 7th and 8th grade, P3 Warrior Wrestling Academy (19) and Belleville Little Devils WC (18) in 5th and 6th grade, Bulls WC (26) and Sparta Junior Bulldogs (26) in 3rd and 4th grade and RTC Wrestling (16) and Thunder Wrestling (10) in 1st and 2nd grade.

The top three finishers in the Men College and Open division were Team Strope (64), Sauk Valley Wrestling (56) and Herrin Tigers WC (40.5). Unattached and unaffiliated competitors accounted for 106.5 points. The top three teams in the Women College and Open division were The Compound (19), Eureka College (12) and Young Guns Kenosha (12) while those not affiliated with any team accounted for 53 points.

Individuals collecting the most total team points were Mason Boulanger (Team Nazar, 30), Cohenn Stark (Northwest Jr. Lions, 30), Lyndon Thies (PSF Wrestling Academy, 29.5), Dillon Hinton (Vandalia High School, 29), Clayton McClelland (Champions Wrestling Club, 29), Aaron Camacho (Jr. Raiders/ SS, 29), Samuel Golden (Francis Howell Central, 28), Henry Golembiewski (Unattached, 28), Luke Cline (Team Hammer, 28), Logan Staver (Alber Athletics, 28), Owen Uppinghouse (Quincy, 28), Robert Watt (Roxana, 28), Norman Kieffer (The Foundation, 28) and Noah Woods (Washington, 28).

Participants who collected the most total match points were Brayden Drew (PSF, 74), Oliver McPeek (Alber Athletics, 71), Kaaden Wood (Braidwood Reed-Custer, 69), Logan Salm (Team Nazar (69), Ali Adel (Harper Hawks, 69), Kingston Hamilton (Wildcat Wrestling Academy, 64), Bennett Westfallen (Built By Brunson, 63), Nolen Yeary (Olympia Wrestling, 62), Zachary Bryant (Petersburg PORTA, 62) and Patrick Provost (Fort Zumwalt, 62).

Boys 11th & 12th grade Finalists

Champions in the Boys 11th and 12th grade division were Kanyon Shurtz (Fort Zumwalt South) at 94-119, Edgar Mosquera (Beat the Streets) at 119-122, Noah Woods (Washington) at 123-135, Isaac Smith (Carbondale) at 129-137, Bradley Ruckman (Civic Memorial) at 138-145, Rikyis Doss (Peoria Wizards WC) at 142-144, Brock Ross (Team Mascoutah) at 144-151 and Mark Martinez (Relentless Training Center) at 151-159.

Other title winners in the Boys 11th and 12th grade division were Dillon Hinton (Vandalia High School) at 155-161, Tyler Sternstein (Naperville North High School) at 160-167, Marco Casillas (Illinois Top Dawg) at 167-175, Dawson McConnell (Lincoln) at 175-190, Robert Watt (Roxana) at 186-199, Gavin Gentille (OTHS Panthers) at 200-224, Ruben Arvizu (Ozark Wrestling Club) at 226-252 and Jose Deltoro (East Peoria Crossface WC) at 255-300.

Second-place finishers in the Boys 11th and 12th grade division were Justin Winter (P3 Warrior Wrestling Academy) at 94-119, Riddick Cook (PSF Wrestling Academy) at 119-122, Neftali Cernas (Mundelein) at 123-135, Grant Madl (Izzy Style Wrestling) at 129-137, Dylan Crouch (Dwight Wrestling Club) at 138-145, Oliver Davis (Harvey Twisters) at 142-144, Caden Harrington (Ozark Wrestling Club) at 144-151 and Gianni Panozzo (Clifton Central) at 151-159. 

Other runner-up finishers in the Boys 11th and 12th grade division were Jack Probasco (MVKWA Kettering Youth Wrestling) at 155-161, Marquis Deloach (Unattached) at 160-167, Ryan Muslimovic (ISI) at 167-175, James Harris (Franklin County Flyers Wrestling) at 175-190, Ryan Darnell (Quincy Notre Dame) at 186-199, Cole Bauer (Olympia Wrestling) at 200-224, Alejandro Duarte (Kewanee) at 226-252 and Remington Hiser (Mt. Zion Kids Wrestling Club) at 255-300.

Boys 9th & 10th grade Finalists

Title winners in the Boys 9th and 10th grade division were Nathan Lower (Rockridge) at 88-99, Symon Woods (Washington) at 100-111, Jakob Crandall (Izzy Style Wrestling) at 112-118, Caden Helton (Combative Sports Athletic Center) at 116-126, Dashawn Armstrong (Jacksonville High School) at 119-127, Carsten Burkemper (Fort Zumwalt Wrestling Club) at 126-134, Nolan Lowe (The Compound-SOTC) at 131-137, Mason Boulanger (Team Nazar) at 132-139, Brock Jackson (Mason Comets) at 139-143, Kaidge Richardson (Lincoln-Way WC) at 144-147 and Brady Ritter (Jr Raiders/ SS) at 147-148.

Other champions in the Boys 9th and 10th grade division were Aaron Camacho (Jr Raiders/ SS) at 148-159, Colin Weiss (Fort Zumwalt South) at 149-156, Talyn Vanhorn (Ozark Wrestling Club) at 152-157, Norman Kieffer (The Foundation) at 159-166, Kaden Meyer (Minooka) at 166-175, Lyndon Thies (PSF Wrestling Academy) at 172-182, Samuel Golden (Francis Howell Central) at 178-191, Cohenn Stark (Northwest Jr Lions) at 186-205, Ethan Miller (Westville High School) at 207-227 and Prosper Livingston-Holmes (Maritime Wrestling) at 230-331. 

Second-place finishers in the Boys 9th and 10th grade division were Frankie Pichler (Ozark Wrestling Club) at 88-99, Jaden Bradley (DeKalb WC) at 199-111, Charlie Olson (Sycamore Wrestling Club) at 112-118, Kingston Peterson (Kewanee) at 116-126, Andrew Salmieri (Relentless Training Center) at 119-127, Bodee Fathauer (Shelbyville Rams Wrestling) at 126-134, Jack Platt (West Aurora High School) at 131-137, Cristian Helton (Combative Sports Athletic Center) at 132-139, Gavin Woodmancy (St. Charles Wrestling Club) at 139-143 and Ethan Lowe (The Compound-SOTC) at 144-147.

Other runner-up finishers in the Boys 9th and 10th grade division were Carter Skoff (Morris) at 147-148, Jaxon Jorgensen (Victory Elite) at 148-159, Malan Hatfield (West Aurora High School) at 149-156, Marko Tagle (Team St. Louis) at 152-157, Xavier Smiley (Gomez RTC) at 159-166, AJ Tack (Unattached) at 166-175, Jeremiah Clines (Thoroughbred Wrestling Academy) at 172-182, Casen Lyons (Unaffiliated) at 178-191, Johnny Ramaker (Trico WC) at 186-205, Teigen Moreno (Relentless Training Center) at 207-227 and Anthany Berry (Clinton Wrestling Club) at 230-331.

Boys 7th & 8th grade Finalists

Champions in the Boys 7th and 8th grade division were Colton Bevers (Iguana Wrestling Club) at 69-74, Connor Collins (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) at 77-84, Cam Whitehead (Alber Athletics) at 85-93, Dominick Turner (STL Warrior) at 94-100, Henry Golembiewski (Unattached) at 100-105, Peyton Boston (Van Buren High School) at 105-110, Clayton McClelland (Champions Wrestling Club) at 110-116, Ethan Hamilton (Victory Elite) at 116-120 and Luke Cline (Team Hammer) at 118-125.

Other title winners in the Boys 7th and 8th grade division were  Sammy Toth (Mt. Zion Kids Wrestling Club) at 124-129, Kai Balice (Naperville North) at 128-134, Mason Boulanger (Team Nazar) at 134-146, Caleb Linneman (Harvard Wrestling Club) at 141-152, Da`Kevion Rose (Cahokia) at 154-164, Noah Stout (Alber Athletics) at 164-176, Anthony Busby Jr. (STL Warrior) at 185-202, Jackson Ritch (Bloomington) at 205-211 and Isaiah Collins (Ozark Wrestling Club) at 222-233.

Second-place finishers in the Boys 7th and 8th grade division were Ashtyn Copley (Ridgeview Junior High School) at 69-74, Braxton McCall (Team Mascoutah) at 77-84, Daniel Macatangay (Jr Raiders/ SS) at 85-93, Julian Hanson (nWo Wrestling Club) at 94-100, Carter Pryor (Hillsboro Wrestling Club-MO) at 100-105, Peyton Nowicki (Relentless Training Center) at 105-110, Te`Jon Beals (Victory Elite) at 110-116, Derik Lohmeyer (QWB) at 116-120 and Jesse Swiney (Champaign Wrestling Club) at 118-125.

Other runner-up finishers in the Boys 7th and 8th grade division were Jase Ites (Premier Wrestling Center) at 124-129, Connor Petrakis (Unattached) at 128-134, Jaylin Bellamy (Maritime Wrestling) at 134-146, Talon Tassoul (Team Nazar) at 141-152, Anthony Castro (Wheeling High School) at 154-164, Ace LaFollette (Kewanee) at 164-176, James Long (Knoxville) at 185-202, Emmanuel Ramirez (Jr Raiders/ SS) at 205-211 and Michael Danial (Illinois) at 222-233.

Boys 5th and 6th grade Finalists

Title winners in the Boys 5th and 6th grade division were Chasen Burke (STL Warrior) at 59-64, Dominic Bruno (Built By Brunson) at 65-69,  Teidan Delisi (Built By Brunson) at 67-72, Landon Edwards (STL Warrior) at 70-75, Cayden Mango (STL Warrior) at 76-80, Dominik Budzyk (Jr Raiders/ SS) at 77-82, Wyatt Gillen (Sauk Valley Wrestling) at 82-90, Gavin Lamers (Wrightstown Wrestling) at 85-91 and Kellan Spisok (The Compound-SOTC) at 91-94.

Other champions in the Boys 5th and 6th grade division were Miyon Alkubechy (Young Guns) at 95-102, Torin McPeek (Alber Athletics) at 95-103, Jake Mushinsky (TJ Trained Wrestling) at 101-110, Anderson Gonzalez (Harvard Wrestling Club) at 106-112, Cruz Cortez (Kewanee) at 114-122, Bentley Colp (Herrin Tigers WC) at 127-136, Drake Tucker (Team Tucker) at 130-142 and Colton Moreno (Harvard Wrestling Club) at 150-176.

Runner-up finishers in the Boys 5th and 6th grade division were Drake Melton (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) at 59-64, Kade Roeder (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) at 65-69, David Wisbrock (Southside Outlaws Wrestling Club) at 67-72, Colt Roeder (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) at 70-75, Cameron Ramp (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) at 76-80, Apollo Rock (STL Warrior) at 77-82, Dante Bruno (Built By Brunson) at 82-90, Landon Piontek (X-Factor Elite) at 85-91 and Jaxson Barton (Young Guns) at 91-94.

Other second-place finishers in the Boys 5th and 6th grade division were Carson Planer (Region Wrestling Academy) at 95-102, Maxwell McGhee (Team Mascoutah) at 95-103, Dominic Englese (St. Charles Wrestling Club) at 101-110, Bryar Smith (Champions Wrestling Club) at 106-112, Caine Rogers (Fighting Farmers) at 114-122, Easton Ammer (Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club) at 127-136, Liam Munson (Little Giant WC) at 130-142 and Ramone Rias (Cahokia) at 150-176.

Boys 3rd and 4th grade Finalists

Champions in the Boys 3rd and 4th grade division were Evan Ross (Stillman Valley Wrestling Club) at 49-52, Liam Gatt (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) at 54-58, Anthony Ragona (Built By Brunson) at 57-61, Quinten Shaffer (Lawrence County Knights) at 60-62, Ethan Wagner (Alber Athletics) at 61-64, Kade Chilson (Victory) at 63-67, Michael Fangerow (Lincoln-Way WC) at 66-69, Kasen Cargo (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) at 67-70 and Adriana Ragona (Built By Brunson) at 68-73. 

Other title winners in the Boys 3rd and 4th grade division were Emilio Ortiz (Rhyno Academy of Wrestling) at 73-77, Oz Bellamy (Force Elite) at 77-83, Eden Hickman (Bulls WC) at 80-86, Payt Titus (Relentless Training Center) at 89-95, Raheem Busby (STL Warrior) at 91-94, Jaxon Anderson (Siwa) at 103-111, Jacob Cannon (RTL Wrestling Club) at 117-119 and Landry Agney (Shelbyville Rams Wrestling) at 142-142 and at 167-167.

Second-place finishers in the Boys 3rd and 4th grade divisions were Kai Chambers (Iguana Wrestling Club) at 49-52, Tagg Hefner (TJ Trained Wrestling) at 54-58, Crew Bullerman (Heartland Wrestling Academy) at 57-61, Blakley Richards (Sandwich Wrestling Club) at 60-62, Julian Trujillo (Built By Brunson) at 61-64, Karson West (Bulls WC) at 63-67, Dawson Dyer (Mattoon Youth WC) at 66-69, Giovanni Salas (Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club) at 67-70 and 

Ryder Wiegand (Eureka Wrestling Club) at 68-73.

Other runner-up finishers in the Boys 3rd and 4th grade division were Tanner Brucker (Falcon Wrestling Club) at 73-77, Brayden Duitsman (Fisher) at 77-83, Alexander Martinez (Red Raiders Wrestling Team) at 80-86, Carter Fleisher (Little Giant WC) at 89-95, Aidan Keilman (Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club) at 91-94, Nathaniel Shelton (Panther Powerhouse Wrestling) at 103-111, Justice Fields (Gladiator Elite WC) at 117-119 and Liam Munson (Little Giant WC) at 142-142.

Boys 1st and 2nd grade Finalists

Champions in the Boys 1st and 2nd grade division were Vaughn Seibel (Belleville Little Devils WC) at 37-41, Easton Sanders (Contenders Wrestling Academy) at 43-44, Cristiano Gutierrez (Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club) at 45-48, Layton Kraemer (Maritime Wrestling) at 49-53, JT Tsokolas (Mustangs WC) at 50-54, Oliver Carlisle (Roxana WC) at 54-58, Kingston Smith (Thunder Wrestling) at 55-57 and Nico Poeta (Relentless Training Center) at 58-60. 

Other title winners in the Boys 1st and 2nd grade division were Jordan Benefiel (nWo Wrestling Club) at 61-65, Lincoln Projansky (Built By Brunson) at 63-68, Chase Stroot (Team Mascoutah) at 69-72, Kingston Hamilton (Wildcat Wrestling Academy) at 74-79, Jackson Mateo (Built By Brunson) at 83-90, Leonard Morgan (Wilmington WC) at 98-112 and Tony Hess (Wildcat Wrestling Academy) at 124-130. 

Second-place finishers in the Boys 1st and 2nd grade divisions were Jaxson Green (Sandwich Wrestling Club) at 37-41, Ryder Gatt (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) at 43-44, Sam Smith (Stockton Renegades) at 45-48, Boston Blakely (Alber Athletics) at 49-53, William Fitzgerald (Little Celtic Wrestling Club) at 50-54, Leo Hooker (Mattoon Youth WC) at 54-58, Quincy Noland (Little Giant WC) at 55-57 and Camden Powell (STL Warrior) at 58-60.

Other runner-up finishers in the Boys 1st and 2nd grade division were Isaiah Carroll (Little Giant WC) at 61-65, Miles Maes (X-Factor Elite) at 63-68, Londyn Bellamy (Chicago Wrestling Club) at 69-72, Anthony Quiroz (Region Wrestling Academy) at 74-79, Hunter Voss (DC Wrestling Club) at 83-90, Ethan Kennedy (Bulls WC) at 98-112 and Hunter Lindsey (Dwight Wrestling Club) at 124-130.

Girls 11th and 12th Grade Finalists

Champions in the Girls 11th and 12th grade division were Emily Price (Ozark Wrestling Club) at 90-108, Emily Price (Ozark Wrestling Club) at 113-118, Alexis Seymour (Jacksonville Area Wrestling) at 119-132, Viola Pianetto (Built By Brunson) at 134-142, Valerie Hamilton (The Compound) at 142-158, Jasmine Rene (Gomez RTC) at 160-178 and Anjali Gonzalez (Hoffman Estates H.S.) at 191-211.

Second-place finishers in the Girls 11th and 12th grade division were Adilyn Hoelzle (Ozark Wrestling Club) at 90-108, Rilynn Younker (The Foundation) at 113-118, Paige Tihen (Fort Zumwalt South High School) at 119-132, Jalah Wilson (Thornton HS) at 134-142, Autumne Williams (Unattached) at 142-158, Jessica Stover (Oswego Wrestling Club) at 160-178 and Henessis Villagrana (Jr Raiders/ SS) at 191-211

Girls 9th and 10th Grade Finalists

Winning titles in the Girls 9th and 10th grade division were Fallon Dames (RPA) at 94-107, Kadi Wilbern (Chatham Glenwood) at 108-112, Alejandra Flores (Sloth Strong WC) at 108-115, Rain Scott (Springs Elite) at 116-125, Avery Crouch (Dwight Wrestling Club) at 123-131, Isabella Resendez (Chatham Glenwood) at 134-146, Natalie Beaumont (PSF Wrestling Academy) at 144-154 and Kaleigh Mehrkens (Unattached) at 159-175.

Finishing in second place in the Girls 9th and 10th grade division were Lainie Galvan (Bobcat Wrestling Club) at 94-107, Ariel Woodfin (Thornton) at 108-112, Mialee Copeland (Purler Wrestling Academy) at 108-115, Sydney Cannon (Patton Trained WC) at 116-125, Kyla Janowitz (Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club) at 123-131, Allison Garbacz (ISI) at 134-146, Makayla Faulkner (Bobcat Wrestling Club) at 144-154 and Emma Gischer (Team Mascoutah) at 159-175.

Girls 7th and 8th Grade Finalists

First-place finishers in the Girls 7th and 8th grade division were Molly Rzab (Oak Forest Warriors Wrestling) at 71-82, Kendra Ege (Oregon) at 86-97, Fallon Dames (RPA) at 104-113, Baileigh Self (Collinsville Wrestling Club) at 112-121, Ilyana Martinez (Rough Riders Wrestling) at 127-133, Allison Garbacz (ISI) at 141-147, Nevaeh Redd (Lion`s Den Wrestling Academy) at 147-157 and Shelby Michel (Ozark Wrestling Club) at 176-176.

Claiming second-place finishes in the Girls 7th and 8th grade division were McKenzie Steinke (Frankfort Gladiator Wrestling) at 71-82, Petra Hart (Unaffiliated) at 86-97, Saphira Parrett (Ozark Wrestling Club) at 104-113, Payton Charles (Bobcat Wrestling Club) at 112-121, Kyla Janowitz (Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club) at 127-133, Willow Rademacher (Bobcat Wrestling Club) at 141-147, Maliha Hamidou (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) at 147-157 and Emma Gischer (Team Mascoutah) at 176-176.

Girls 5th and 6th Grade Finalists

Champions in the Girls 5th and 6th grade division were Caroline Krupa (P3 Warrior Wrestling Academy) at 65-75, Kelianna Larkin (ISI) at 76-84, Hadley Vold (Team Nazar) at 92-93, Ella Anderson (RWC Rochester) at 99-101, Emilee Meier (Belleville Little Devils WC) at 106-113, Piper Sandell (Alber Athletics) at 130-131, Kylie Williams (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) at 147-147 and Aliana Bonilla (Gomez RTC)  at 181-181.

Second-place finishers in the Girls 5th and 6th grade division were Chloe Meiners (Rough Riders Wrestling) at 65-75, Elise Slaten (Bulls WC) at 76-84, Randelle McKay (Dixon) at 92-93, Aspynn Hursey (Individual) at 99-101, Francesca Yurs (ISI) at 106-113 and Penelope Anderson (DC Wrestling Club) at 130-131.

Girls 3rd and 4th Grade Finalists

Winning titles in the Girls 3rd and 4th grade division were Sloane Gabler (Sauk Valley Wrestling) at 54-54, Bailey Flanigan (Bulls WC) at 60-64, Koralee Larkin (ISI) at 64-69, Brynlee Jones (SOTC) at 71-74, Ilyssa Martine (Rough Riders Wrestling) at 81-85 and Norah Hay (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) at 90-97. 

Finishing in second place in the Girls 3rd and 4th grade division were Ava Voyles (Bulls WC) at 54-54, Elizabeth Agajanian (Sandwich Wrestling Club) at 60-64, Raelynn Jadin (Oak Forest Warriors Wrestling) at 64-69, Londyn Bellamy (Chicago Wrestling Club) at 71-74, Ella Deterding (Sparta Junior Bulldogs) at 81-85 and Raya Windham (Oregon) at 90-97.

Girls 1st and 2nd Grade Finalists

First-place winners in the Girls 1st and 2nd grade division were Zoey Willis (DC Wrestling Club) at 42-47, Patricia Tytus (RTC Wrestling) at 51-55, Alannah Carter (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) at 61-65, Lexi Suits (Gladiator Elite WC) at 69-69 and Raya Windham (Oregon) at 94-94. 

Placing second in the Girls 1st and 2nd grade division were Ayah Garrett (Gladiator Elite WC) at 42-47, Penelope Hall (Thunder Wrestling) at 51-55, Katherine Kirkbride (Shelbyville Rams Wrestling) at 61-65 and Ava Barber (Belvidere Bandits Wrestling Club) at 69-69.

Men College and Open Finalists

Champions in the Men College and Open division were Austin Brown (Hannibal) at 121-135, Jason Strope (Team Strope) at 137-153, William Tucker (Team Tucker) at 148-157, Andrew Marten (Fenwick High School) at 155-164, Owen Uppinghouse (Quincy) at 165-178,  Ryan Strope (Team Strope) at 173-191, Sincere Hall-Osbourne (CMWC) at 190-198, Max Schmitz (Unattached) at 201-214 and Logan Staver (Alber Athletics) at 221-266. 

Second-place finishers in the Men College and Open division were Joey Sikorsky (Batavia Pinners) at 121-135, Gianni Ruiz (Unaffiliated) at 137-153, Adam Meenen (Sauk Valley Wrestling) at 148-157, Hakeem Banks (Don`t Have A Team) at 155-164, Brody Ivey (Sauk Valley Wrestling) at 165-178, Alonzo Smiley (Gomez RTC) at 173-191, Devin Rogers (Young Guns Kenosha) at 190-198, Connor Rogers (Unattached) at 201-214 and Matthew Wilke (Unattached) at 221-266

Women College and Open Finalists

Finishing in first place in the Women College and Open division were Irelan Powell (Unattached) at 110-121, Haylie Nappier-Feth (Unattached) at 129-143, Valerie Hamilton (The Compound) at 144-154 and Autumne Williams (Unattached) at 147-158. 

Claiming second-place finishes in the Women College and Open division were Angelina 

Graff (Individual) at 110-121, Josie Barham (Individual) at 129-143, Jade Martin (No Team) at 144-154 and Nadia Flores (Young Guns Kenosha) at 147-158.

Boys – 11th & 12th Grade

1st Place Matches

94-119:  Kanyon Shurtz (Fort Zumwalt South) won by tech fall over Justin Winter (P3 Warrior Wrestling Academy) (TF 17-0)

119-122: Edgar Mosquera (Beat the Streets) won by decision over Riddick Cook (PSF Wrestling Academy) (Dec 4-3)

123-135: Noah Woods (Washington) won by major decision over Neftali Cernas (Mundelein) (Maj 16-4)

129-137: Isaac Smith (Carbondale) won by decision over Grant Madl (Izzy Style Wrestling) (Dec 9-5)

138-145: Bradley Ruckman (Civic Memorial) won by decision over Dylan Crouch (Dwight Wrestling Club) (Dec 7-2)

142-144: Rikyis Doss (Peoria Wizards WC) won by decision over Oliver Davis (Harvey Twisters) (Dec 5-1)

144-151: Brock Ross (Team Mascoutah) won by decision over Caden Harrington (Ozark Wrestling Club) (Dec 7-0)

151-159: Mark Martinez (Relentless Training Center) won by decision over Gianni Panozzo (Clifton Central) (Dec 9-8)

155-161: Dillon Hinton (Vandalia High School) won by tech fall over Jack Probasco (MVKWA Kettering Youth Wrestling) (TF 17-1)

160-167: Tyler Sternstein (Naperville North High School) won by major decision over Marquis Deloach (Unattached) (Maj 11-2)

167-175: Marco Casillas (Illinois Top Dawg) won by decision over Ryan Muslimovic (ISI) (Dec 5-3)

175-190: Dawson McConnell (Lincoln) won by fall over James Harris (Franklin County Flyers Wrestling) (Fall 1:33)

186-199: Robert Watt (Roxana) won by fall over Ryan Darnell (Quincy Notre Dame) (Fall 1:50)

200-224: Gavin Gentille (OTHS Panthers) won by tech fall over Cole Bauer (Olympia Wrestling) (TF 16-0)

226-252: Ruben Arvizu (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by decision over Alejandro Duarte (Kewanee) (Dec 3-2)

255-300: Jose Deltoro (East Peoria Crossface WC) won by decision over Remington Hiser (Mt. Zion Kids Wrestling Club) (Dec 2-1)

Boys – 11th & 12th Grade 

3rd Place Matches

94-119: Brayden Edwards (Fithian Oakwood) won by fall over Jordan Quinn (Dubuque RTC) (Fall 0:27)

119-122: Tyler Lockhart (Sycamore Wrestling Club) won by decision over Vincent Moore (The Foundation) (Dec 2-0)

123-135: Jared Craig (Jr Raiders/ SS) won by decision over Kayson Duffney (Fried Daze) (Dec 6-0)

129-137: Kacper Kosciarz (Suplex) won by decision over Keaton Ellis (Liberty County) (Dec 5-0)

138-145: Jakob Siwinski (Victory Elite) won by injury default over Teagon Patterson (Ozark Wrestling Club) (Inj. 1:24)

142-144: Devan Hornback (Blue Line Training Academy) won by decision over Benjamin Messier (Naperville North) (Dec 8-2)

144-151:Colton Bendure (Mason Comets) won by major decision over Owen Kelly (Downers Grove Wrestling Club) (Maj 14-3)

151-159: Austin Perez (R13) won by tech fall over Keyton King (PSF Wrestling Academy) (TF 16-0)

155-161: Blake Forke (Eureka High School) won by fall over Joe Gonzalez (Fort Zumwalt South High School) (Fall 1:17)

160-167: Gage Decker (Illinois Top Dawg) won by decision over Gael Diaz (Mundelein) (Dec 7-0)

167-175: Dayton Moison (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by decision over Terence Willis (Black Ops WC) (Dec 7-0)

175-190: Jean-luc Guerra (Jr Raiders/ SS) won by decision over Max Wiezorek (Chatham Glenwood) (Dec 3-2)

186-199: Oliver McPeek (Alber Athletics) won by major decision over Kristian Hibbard (Clinton) (Maj 17-4)

200-224: Nolen Yeary (Olympia Wrestling) won by decision over Jamal Jones (DeKalb WC) (Dec 6-3)

226-252: Chunk Dailey (Beardstown) won by decision over Kael Morlock (Clinton) (Dec 6-2)

255-300: Jamir Thomas (Romeoville) won by decision over Abisai Hernandez (Mundelein) (Dec 10-4)

Boys – 11th & 12th Grade

5th Place Matches

94-119: Jayden Wiegand (OTHS Panthers) won by forfeit over Francisco Rodriguez (Munster) (FF)

119-122: Dylan McGrew (Normal West) won by tech fall over Trevor Hancock (Concordia Wrestling Club) (TF 17-2)

123-135: Tyler Perry (Unattached) won by major decision over Drayden Ramsey (Pontiac Township High School) (Maj 15-5)

129-137: Aaron Wilson (Pontiac Elite) won by medical forfeit over Yashua Amen (Team St. Louis) (MFF)

138-145: Chase Mccluskey (Harper Hawks) won by forfeit over Braden Kelly (Lion`s Den Wrestling Academy) (FF)

142-144: Drew Woolsey (SouthStrong) won by decision over Karter Hild (Lincoln) (Dec 8-6)

144-151: Angel Negron (SouthStrong) won by major decision over Hudson Meek (Lawrence County Wrestling) (Maj 12-4)

151-159: Brandon Watson (Glen Ellyn) won by fall over Alex Konewko (Mundelein) (Fall 1:23)

155-161: Ian O`Connor (Illini Bluffs) won by tech fall over Max Kenny (Fenwick High School) (TF 16-1)

160-167: Noah DeMarco (Oswego Wrestling Club) won by decision over Carson Maxey (GCMSF) (Dec 8-3)

167-175: Anthony Bauer (Alber Athletics) won by fall over Nathan Overley (Mason Comets) (Fall 0:36)

175-190: Zakery Wrobel (Sturgeon Bay/Sevastopol) won by major decision over Vinny Busalacchi (Blue Collar Wrestling Club) (Maj 14-3)

186-199: Calvin Gross (One Unit Wrestling Academy) won by forfeit over Russell Mattsson (Illinois) (FF)

200-224: Alec Deltoro (East Peoria Crossface WC) won by fall over Jabarie Brown (Sauk Village) (Fall 2:14)

226-252: Cohen Kean (Patton Trained WC) won by decision over Logan Wachendorf (Lincoln) (Dec 4-0)

255-300: Junior Rudd (Fort Zumwalt South) won by forfeit over Michael Sisk (Jr Raiders/ SS) (FF)

Boys – 9th & 10th Grade

1st Place Matches 

88-99: Nathan Lower (Rockridge) won by major decision over Frankie Pichler (Ozark Wrestling Club) (Maj 11-0) Round Robin

100-111: Symon Woods (Washington) won by injury default over Jaden Bradley (DeKalb WC) (Inj. 2:00)

112-118: Jakob Crandall (Izzy Style Wrestling) won by tech fall over Charlie Olson (Sycamore Wrestling Club) (TF 16-0)

116-126: Caden Helton (Combative Sports Athletic Center) won by tech fall over Kingston Peterson (Kewanee) (TF 17-1)

119-127: Dashawn Armstrong (Jacksonville High School) won by decision over Andrew Salmieri (Relentless Training Center) (Dec 10-7)

126-134: Carsten Burkemper (Fort Zumwalt Wrestling Club) won by decision over Bodee Fathauer (Shelbyville Rams Wrestling) (Dec 6-4)

131-137: Nolan Lowe (The Compound-SOTC) won by major decision over Jack Platt (West Aurora High School) (Maj 12-3)

132-139: Mason Boulanger (Team Nazar) won by decision over Cristian Helton (Combative Sports Athletic Center) (Dec 9-3)

139-143: Brock Jackson (Mason Comets) won by decision over Gavin Woodmancy (St. Charles Wrestling Club) (Dec 4-1)

144-147: Kaidge Richardson (Lincoln-Way WC) won by decision over Ethan Lowe (The Compound-SOTC) (Dec 7-0)

147-148: Brady Ritter (Jr Raiders/ SS) won by decision over Carter Skoff (Morris) (Dec 7-4)

148-159: Aaron Camacho (Jr Raiders/ SS) won by fall over Jaxon Jorgensen (Victory Elite) (Fall 0:36)

149-156: Colin Weiss (Fort Zumwalt South) won by decision over Malan Hatfield (West Aurora High School) (Dec 5-3)

152-157: Talyn Vanhorn (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by decision over Marko Tagle (Team St. Louis) (Dec 3-1)

159-166: Norman Kieffer (The Foundation) won by fall over Xavier Smiley (Gomez RTC) (Fall 2:28)

166-175: Kaden Meyer (Minooka) won in tie breaker – 1 over Aj Tack (Unattached) (TB-1 3-1)

172-182: Lyndon Thies (PSF Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Jeremiah Clines (Thoroughbred Wrestling Academy) (Fall 0:31)

178-191: Samuel Golden (Francis Howell Central) won by major decision over Casen Lyons (Unaffiliated) (Maj 14-4)

186-205: Cohenn Stark (Northwest Jr Lions) won by fall over Johnny Ramaker (Trico WC) (Fall 0:38)

207-227: Ethan Miller (Westville High School) won by decision over Teigen Moreno (Relentless Training Center) (Dec 7-2)

230-331: Prosper Livingston-Holmes (Maritime Wrestling) won by decision over Anthany Berry (Clinton Wrestling Club) (Dec 1-0)

Boys – 9th & 10th Grade 

3rd Place Matches

88-99: Kyler Guercio (Lawrenceville Parkview) won by fall over Aden Doolen (PSF Wrestling Academy) (Fall 0:38) Round Robin

100-111: Owen Sater (Morris) won by decision over Riley Paredes (Dixon) (Dec 5-4)

112-118: Justin Forbes (Victory Elite) won by medical forfeit over Nathan Fisher (Cahokia) (MFF)

116-126: Jayden Hernandez (St. Charles Wrestling Club) won by decision over Jack Timothy Ragan (Dixon) (Dec 3-3)

119-127: Colton Wilson (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by decision over Ethan Hamilton (Victory Elite) (Dec 7-0)

126-134: Lucas Oliverio (No Team) won by decision over Ruben Rivera (Normal University High) (Dec 7-0)

131-137: Zachary Bryant (Petersburg PORTA) won by major decision over Patrick Provost (Fort Zumwalt) (Maj 13-0)

132-139: Max Mulhearn (Riot Room) won by decision over Aidan Eisenberg (Relentless Training Center) (Dec 1-0)

139-143: Maurice Bush (Englewood Live Wire) won by major decision over Broady Kelly (Robinson) (Maj 10-2)

144-147: Patrick Hulne (Team 312) won by decision over Gavin Nischke (Club 1:7) (Dec 8-3)

147-148: Connor Graham (Metamora) won by decision over Davian Hall (Englewood Live Wire) (Dec 13-10)

148-159: Brayden Drew (PSF) won by decision over Matthew Walsh (Breese Central) (Dec 11-4)

149-156: Giona Panozzo (Clifton Central) won by decision over Josiah Williams (Danville High) (Dec 8-1)

152-157: Cole Yarbrough (Vandalia Junior Wrestling Club) won by decision over Landon VanAcker (Belvidere Co-Op) (Dec 10-9)

159-166: Bennett Westfallen (Built By Brunson) won by fall over Michael Brannigan (Relentless Training Center) (Fall 2:54)

166-175: Tyler Sandusky (Alphas Wrestling) won by decision over Kaleb Belcher (Northwest Lions) (Dec 3-0)

172-182: Noah Greene (Jr Raiders/ SS) won by decision over Colton Mckee (Morton) (Dec 9-2)

178-191: Maddoxx Jones (Liberty Eagles Wentzville) won by decision over Hector Villagrana (Jr Raiders/ SS) (Dec 8-4)

186-205: Carter Hintz (Red Raiders Wrestling Team) won by tech fall over Vincent Goodman (Waterloo Bulldog Wrestling) (TF 15-0)

207-227: James Brouilette (Prospect) won by fall over Christopher Cali Jr (SouthStrong) (Fall 3:31)

230-331: Kashius Taylor (SouthStrong) won by forfeit over Nathaniel Olona (War Dog Training Center) (FF)

Boys – 9th & 10th Grade

5th Place Matches

88-99: Chase Cook (Sycamore Wrestling Club)

100-111: Pierce Bultmann (Patton Trained WC) won by decision over Gabriel Richmond (West Aurora High School) (Dec 6-4)

112-118: Kaaden Wood (Braidwood Reed-Custer) won by medical forfeit over David Perez (Wheeling High School) (MFF)

116-126: Michael Goolish (Unattached) won by fall over Lemar Treshansky (Murphysboro Wrestling) (Fall 2:37)

119-127: Michael Olson (Sycamore Wrestling Club) won by major decision over Hunter Kroll (Unattached) (Maj 16-7)

126-134: Carson Owens (STL Warrior) won by fall over Landyn Greenhagen (Kewanee) (Fall 2:51)

131-137: Jadon Dinwiddie (SouthStrong) won by forfeit over Carter DiBenedetto (Lincoln Way Warriors) (FF)

132-139: Nehemie Mbangi (Champaign Wrestling Club) won by fall over Emmanuel Adedeji (Thornton) (Fall 3:49)

139-143: Colton Huff (Beat the Streets) won by decision over Wyatt Roland (Omega) (Dec 6-1)

144-147: Kainoa Ancog (Johnsburg Area Wrestling) won by fall over Mark Norris Jr. (Cahokia) (Fall 1:13)

147-148: Evan Cox (Clifton Central) won by decision over Timothy Garmon (Naperville North) (Dec 6-2)

148-159: Brodi Willnerd (Liberty Eagles Wentzville) won by decision over Maksym Yakymyshyn (SouthStrong) (Dec 8-3)

149-156: Henry Finley (Victory Elite) won by decision over Derek Wilkey (PSF) (Dec 8-1)

152-157: Bryce Bryant (Unattached) won by fall over Jayden Allison (Individual) (Fall 1:25)

159-166: James Escobar (RWC Rochester) won by decision over Jasper Hintz (Red Raiders Wrestling Team) (Dec 8-3)

166-175: Ryne Peavler (Shelbyville Rams Wrestling) won by medical forfeit over Nicholas Montesinos (Wheeling High School) (MFF)

172-182: Duke Mays (Johnsburg Area Wrestling) won by tech fall over Douglas Gemberling (Sycamore Wrestling Club) (TF 20-2)

178-191: Gavin Payne (Suplex) won by major decision over Owen Moser (Illinois Valley Central) (Maj 14-5)

186-205: Elvis Mora (DeKalb WC) won by decision over Jack Helsdon (War Dog Training Center) (Dec 4-2)

207-227: Josh McCurry (Clifton Central) won by forfeit over Benjamin Buis (El Paso Gridley Youth Wrestling) (FF)

230-331: Christopher Damitz (Galesburg) won by fall over Joey Humphries (Big Game Wrestling Club) (Fall 3:44)

Boys – 7th & 8th Grade

1st Place Matches

69-74: Colton Bevers (Iguana Wrestling Club) won by decision over Ashtyn Copley (Ridgeview Junior High School) (Dec 3-0) Round Robin

77-84: Connor Collins (Backyard Brawlers – Midwest) won by tech fall over Braxton McCall (Team Mascoutah) (TF 20-0)

85-93: Cam Whitehead (Alber Athletics) won by major decision over Daniel Macatangay (Jr Raiders/ SS) (Maj 16-5)

94-100: Dominick Turner (STL Warrior) won by decision over Julian Hanson (nWo Wrestling Club) (Dec 11-6)

100-105: Henry Golembiewski (Unattached) won by major decision over Carter Pryor (Hillsboro Wrestling Club – MO) (Maj 8-0)

105-110: Peyton Boston (Van Buren High School) won by major decision over Peyton Nowicki (Relentless Training Center) (Maj 10-0)

110-116: Clayton McClelland (Champions Wrestling Club) won by major decision over Te`Jon Beals (Victory Elite) (Maj 13-0)

116-120: Ethan Hamilton (Victory Elite) won by decision over Derik LOHMEYER (QWB) (Dec 6-0)

118-125: Luke Cline (Team Hammer) won by decision over Jesse Swiney (Champaign Wrestling Club) (Dec 9-2)

124-129: Sammy Toth (Mt. Zion Kids Wrestling Club) won by decision over Jase Ites (Premier Wrestling Center) (Dec 6-0)

128-134: Kai Balice (Naperville North) won by fall over Connor Petrakis (Unattached) (Fall 1:52)

134-146: Mason Boulanger (Team Nazar) won by fall over Jaylin Bellamy (Maritime Wrestling) (Fall 0:24)

141-152: Caleb Linneman (Harvard Wrestling Club) won by major decision over Talon Tassoul (Team Nazar) (Maj 8-0)

154-164: Da`Kevion Rose (Cahokia) won by fall over Anthony Castro (Wheeling High School) (Fall 1:45)

164-176: Noah Stout (Alber Athletics) won by decision over Ace LaFollette (Kewanee) (Dec 2-1)

185-202: Anthony Busby Jr. (STL Warrior) won by decision over James Long (Knoxville) (Dec 11-4)

205-211: Jackson Ritch (Bloomington) won by major decision over Emmanuel Ramirez (Jr Raiders/ SS) (Maj 9-1) Round Robin

222-233: Isaiah Collins (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by decision over Michael Danial (Illinois) (Dec 2-0) Round Robin

Boys – 7th & 8th Grade

3rd Place Matches

69-74: Caleb Bevers (Iguana Wrestling Club) won by fall over Ryan Conway (Kewanee) (Fall 2:44) Round Robin

77-84: Ryken Hedgpeth (Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club) won by decision over Braden Edwards (STL Warrior) (Dec 6-1)

85-93: Javier Salas III (Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club) won by decision over Julian Medina (Jr Raiders/ SS) (Dec 6-0)

94-100: Tyler Gerhold (DC Elite) won by major decision over Bentley Fields (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) (Maj 8-0)

100-105: Landon Near (nWo Wrestling Club) won by fall over Damian Garcia (War Dog Training Center) (Fall 1:21)

5th Place Match

105-110: Julian Hernandez (DeKalb WC) won by decision over Pedro Hernandez (Jr Raiders/ SS) (Dec 4-3)

110-116: Sean Monroe (Edwardsville WC) won by major decision over Camden Brucker (SOTC) (Maj 11-0)

116-120: Jacob Powers (Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club) won by major decision over Boone Alderks (Oregon) (Maj 9-1)

118-125: Brandon Buck (Nashville Catholic Wrestling) won by decision over Benjamin Kaminski (R13) (Dec 3-0)

124-129: Obie Vee (Crass Trained) won by decision over Bentley Stroder (Northwest Jr Lions) (Dec 12-7)

128-134: Logan Salm (Team Nazar) won by decision over Abayomi Alase Jr. (Bloomington) (Dec 12-6)

134-146: Lain Taylor (Kewanee) won in tie breaker over Finn Hoffman (Eureka Wrestling Club) (TB-2 12-3)

141-152: Joshua Tuttle (Ceberus) won by decision over Bentley Treece (Northwest Jr. Lions Wrestling) (Dec 3-0)

154-164: Alijah Atkins (Olympia Wrestling) won in sudden victory over Trevor Henning (Jr. Pirates) (SV-1 3-0)

164-176: Ryker Czubak (SouthStrong) won by major decision over Blake Dingley (Dixon) (Maj 14-0)

185-202: Blake Lively (Rough Riders Wrestling) won by fall over Darius Russell (DeKalb WC) (Fall 1:42)

205-211: Vann Olcott (United) won by fall over Sean Seibel (Dixon) (Fall 1:58) Round Robin

222-233: Yovanni Carreno (Oregon) won by fall over Reginald Luckett (Iguana Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:00) Round Robin 

Boys – 7th & 8th Grade

5th Place Matches 

77-84: Maurizio Castro (Gomez RTC) won by major decision over Juan Rosales (Omega) (Maj 15-4)

85-93: Leonidas Walker (Tecumseh Wrestling Club) won by major decision over Kaden Daugherty (Vandalia Junior Wrestling Club) (Maj 14-6)

94-100: Ian Rotramel (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) won by fall over Riley Hinton (Vandalia Jr High) (Fall 0:42)

100-105: Charlie Strezo (Victory Elite) won by fall over Jordan Lowe (Oregon) (Fall 1:21)

105-110: Jack Benesh (Alber Athletics) won by fall over Hank Wettstein (Eureka Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:36)

110-116: Colton Drinkwine (Callan Wrestling Academy) and Carson Yokel (Normal Community High School) (DFF)

116-120: Rylan Moore (PSF Wrestling Academy) won by decision over Xavier Sonon-Hale (Team Mascoutah) (Dec 7-3)

118-125: Matthew Leonchik (Unknown) won by decision over Dylan Woolsey (SouthStrong) (Dec 8-1)

124-129: Jackson Trotter (R13) won by decision over Joseph Guidi (Naperville North) (Dec 4-0)

128-134: Blake Konichek (Prairie du Chien) won by major decision over Connor Misner (Mt Zion Kids WC) (Maj 19-6)

134-146: Jack Taylor (Don`t have a team) won by fall over Jaxon Klaus (Eureka High School) (Fall 2:00)

141-152: Jeret Edwards (Murphysboro Wrestling) won by decision over Collin Rux (Harlem Huskies WC) (Dec 6-0)

154-164: Timothy Presley (Alphas Wrestling) won by fall over Broden Wilson (Western Boone) (Fall 0:26)

164-176: Alexander Vega (Red Raiders Wrestling Team) won by major decision over Anderson Fisher (Shelbyville Rams Wrestling) (Maj 14-2)

185-202: Gabe Deltoro (TJ Trained Wrestling) won by fall over Andre Jones (Harlem Huskies WC) (Fall 2:25)

205-211: James Simmons of The Foundation

Boys – 5th & 6th Grade

1st Place Matches

59-64: Chasen Burke (STL Warrior) won by decision over Drake Melton (Backyard Brawlers – Midwest) (Dec 9-2) Round Robin

65-69: Dominic Bruno (Built By Brunson) won by decision over Kade Roeder (Backyard Brawlers – Midwest) (Dec 8-5)

67-72: Teidan Delisi (Built By Brunson) won by major decision over David Wisbrock (Southside Outlaws Wrestling Cl) (Maj 14-0)

70-75: Landon Edwards (STL Warrior) won by decision over Colt Roeder (Backyard Brawlers – Midwest) (Dec 10-6)

76-80: Cayden Mango (STL Warrior) won by decision over Cameron Ramp (Backyard Brawlers – Midwest) (Dec 1-0)

77-82: Dominik Budzyk (Jr Raiders/ SS) won by decision over Apollo Rock (STL Warrior) (Dec 7-1)

82-90: Wyatt Gillen (Sauk Valley Wrestling) won by fall over Dante Bruno (Built By Brunson) (Fall 0:48)

85-91: Gavin Lamers (Wrightstown Wrestling) won by fall over Landon Piontek (X-Factor Elite) (Fall 2:45)

91-94: Kellan Spisok (The Compound-SOTC) won by major decision over Jaxson Barton (Young Guns) (Maj 8-0)

95-102: Miyon Alkubechy (Young Guns) won by decision over Carson Planer (Region Wrestling Academy) (Dec 9-2)

95-103: Torin McPeek (Alber Athletics) won by fall over Maxwell McGhee (Team Mascoutah) (Fall 2:00)

101-110: Jake Mushinsky (TJ Trained Wrestling) won by major decision over Dominic Englese (St. Charles Wrestling Club) (Maj 9-1)

106-112: Anderson Gonzalez (Harvard Wrestling Club) won by fall over Bryar Smith (Champions Wrestling Club) (Fall 2:48)

114-122: Cruz Cortez (Kewanee) won by fall over Caine Rogers (Fighting Farmers) (Fall 2:17)

127-136: Bentley Colp (Herrin Tigers WC) won by tech fall over Easton Ammer (Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club) (TF 17-2) Round Robin

130-142: Drake Tucker (Team Tucker) won by fall over Liam Munson (Little Giant WC) (Fall 0:18, Fall 0:23)

150-176: Colton Moreno (Harvard Wrestling Club) won by fall over Ramone Rias (Cahokia) (Fall 1:27) Round Robin

Boys – 5th & 6th Grade

3rd Place Matches

59-64: Carter Noland (Fort Zumwalt Wrestling Club)

65-69: Wyatt McClain (Demolition WC) won by decision over Paxson Minkie (Alber Athletics) (Dec 8-3)

67-72: Miguel Sanders (STL Warrior) won by major decision over Makai Steele (Olney Cubs Wrestling Club) (Maj 15-4)

70-75: Alejandro Gomez (R13) won by fall over Dominic Boblak (Demolition WC) (Fall 1:37)

76-80: Oz Bellamy (Chicago Wrestling Club) won by decision over Landon Delisi (Built By Brunson) (Dec 8-2)

77-82: Jacob Wagner (Alber Athletics) won by fall over Grayson Tracy (Storm Youth WC) (Fall 1:23)

82-90: Cahree Smart (STL Warrior) won by tech fall over Kolten Lowe (Oregon) (TF 18-1)

85-91: Brady Ramirez (Contenders Wrestling Academy) won by decision over Brady Lowe (Backyard Brawlers – Midwest) (Dec 10-4)

91-94: Bradley De Lisio (Built By Brunson) won by tech fall over Cash Ware (STL Warrior) (TF 15-0)

95-102: Kardiais Richardson (Lincoln-Way WC) won by decision over Everett Garretson (Yorkville Wrestling club) (Dec 6-0)

95-103: Liam Lane (Bulls WC) won by decision over Marcelo Villarreal (Sandwich Wrestling Club) (Dec 9-4)

101-110: Rayshaad Watkins (DeKalb WC) won by decision over Carter Swearingen (Kewanee) (Dec 6-1)

106-112: Emelio Grey (Cahokia) won by decision over Zane Sundberg (nWo Wrestling Club) (Dec 9-7)

114-122: Beau Reed (Alber Athletics) won by fall over Dominic Trumpy (Pekin Boys & Girls Club) (Fall 2:34)

127-136: Jaxon Siler (Crawford County WC)

150-176: Joseph Brannigan (Red Raiders Wrestling Team) won by fall over Dominic Airoldi (Demolition WC) (Fall 0:19) Round Robin

Boys – 5th & 6th Grade

5th Place Matches 

65-69: Heston Sharp (HXS) won by fall over Da`Ryan Collier (Cahokia) (Fall 0:42)

67-72: Joshua Strode (Demolition WC) won in sudden victory over Teddy Millard (Rochelle Wrestling Club) (SV-1 3-0)

70-75: Mason Poll (Sabers WC) won by major decision over Finnley Wood (Braidwood Reed-Custer) (Maj 10-1)

76-80: Scott Kilmer (Lion`s Den Wrestling Academy) won by decision over Camden Chapman (Gladiator Elite WC) (Dec 8-6)

77-82: Kyler Roeder (Backyard Brawlers – Midwest) won by fall over Lawson Kurtz (Sparta Junior Bulldogs) (Fall 1:22)

82-90: Jaxton Trumpy (Pekin Boys & Girls Club) won by decision over Jacob Cory (Harlem Huskies WC) (Dec 9-4)

85-91: Truman Dames (RPA) won by fall over Trevor Hale (West Frankfort Redbirds) (Fall 1:22)

91-94: Odysseus Hale (Midwest Central Youth Wrestling) won by decision over Gavin Crowley (Westmont) (Dec 7-0)

95-102: Colton Zabinski (Backyard Brawlers – Midwest) won by major decision over Michael Tasnic (Force Elite) (Maj 10-0)

95-103: Cristopher Ornelas (Ridgeview Jr High) won by fall over Rylan Kumer (Little Giant WC) (Fall 0:54)

101-110: Austin Wilson (Rhyno Academy of Wrestling) won by medical forfeit over Brycen Berkowski (Harlem Huskies WC) (MFF)

106-112: Jarrett Ites (Premier Wrestling Center) won in sudden victory – 1 over Donald Simpson (West Frankfort Redbirds) (SV-1 10-7)

114-122: Leland Dambacher (Belleville Little Devils WC) won by fall over Jase Cha (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) (Fall 2:55)

Boys – 3rd & 4th Grade

1st Place Matches

49-52: Evan Ross (Stillman Valley Wrestling Club) won by major decision over Kai Chambers (Iguana Wrestling Club) (Maj 10-0)

54-58: Liam Gatt (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) won in sudden victory over Tagg Hefner (TJ Trained Wrestling) (SV-1 10-7)

57-61: Anthony Ragona (Built By Brunson) won by fall over Crew Bullerman (Heartland Wrestling Academy) (Fall 0:45)

60-62: Quinten Shaffer (Lawrence County Knights) won by fall over Blakley Richards (Sandwich Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:12)

61-64: Ethan Wagner (Alber Athletics) won by major decision over Julian Trujillo (Built By Brunson) (Maj 9-0)

63-67: Kade Chilson (Victory) won by decision over Karson West (Bulls WC) (Dec 9-3)

66-69: Michael Fangerow (Lincoln-Way WC) won by fall over Dawson Dyer (Mattoon Youth WC) (Fall 0:17)

67-70: Kasen Cargo (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) won by major decision over Giovanni Salas (Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club) (Maj 11-0)

68-73:Adriana Ragona (Built By Brunson) won by decision over Ryder Wiegand (Eureka Wrestling Club) (Dec 2-0)

73-77: Emilio Ortiz (Rhyno Academy of Wrestling) won by tech fall over Tanner Brucker (Falcon Wrestling Club) (TF 16-0)

77-83: Oz Bellamy (Force Elite) won by tech fall over Brayden Duitsman (Fisher) (TF 20-3)

80-86: Eden Hickman (Bulls WC) won by major decision over Alexander Martinez (Red Raiders Wrestling Team) (Maj 12-0)

89-95: Payt Titus (Relentless Training Center) won by major decision over Carter Fleisher (Little Giant WC) (Maj 14-1)

91-94: Raheem Busby (STL Warrior) won by major decision over Aidan Keilman (Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club) (Maj 14-5)

103-111: Jaxon Anderson (Siwa) won by major decision over Nathaniel Shelton (Panther Powerhouse Wrestling) (Maj 12-0), (Maj 11-1)

117-119: Jacob Cannon (RTL Wrestling Club) won by fall over Justice Fields (Gladiator Elite WC) (Fall 1:30), (Fall 0:27)

142-142: Landry Agney (Shelbyville Rams Wrestling) won by fall over Liam Munson (Little Giant WC) (Fall 0:44), (Maj 15-1)

167-167: Landry Agney of Shelbyville Rams Wrestling

Boys – 3rd & 4th Grade

3rd Place Matches

49-52: Marcelo Domena (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) won by decision over Dominic Flores (Cory Clark Wrestling) (Dec 3-2)

54-58: Louie Tuason (Region Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Rafael Lopez (Cory Clark Wrestling) (Fall 0:20)

57-61: Nolan Gatt (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) won by tech fall over Hudsyn Pfanz (TJ Trained Wrestling) (TF 17-2)

60-62: Mason Black (Springs Elite) won by fall over Mason Holland (STL Warrior) (Fall 2:11)

61-64: Camden Fitzgerald (Little Celtic Wrestling Club) won by fall over Jack DeGroot (Sauk Valley Wrestling) (Fall 1:00)

63-67: Gabe Gillette (Gladiator) won by decision over Ahmose Amen (Team St. Louis) (Dec 10-7)

66-69: Lucas Whalen (LeRoy Panthers) won by major decision over Johnny Demonte (nWo Wrestling Club) (Maj 15-7)

67-70: Konnor Knight (Collinsville Wrestling Club) won by decision over Jax Kiethline (Fort Zumwalt Wrestling Club) (Dec 8-1)

68-73: Gus Korniak (Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club) won by decision over Beau Fields (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) (Dec 3-1)

73-77: Thomas Suits (Gladiator Elite WC) won by tech fall over Quinn Shelby (Little Celtic WC) (TF 17-1)

77-83: Neklous Jones (Alber Athletics) won by fall over Paxton Tasker (TJ Trained Wrestling) (Fall 0:49)

80-86: Kingston Simms (RTL Wrestling Club) won by tech fall over Clayton Moen (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) (TF 16-0)

89-95: Patrick Lawlor (Gomez RTC) won by tech fall over Adam Glause (Decatur Lakers Wrestling Club) (TF 19-2)

91-94: Roman Simms (RTL Wrestling Club) won by decision over Joseph Englese (St. Charles Wrestling Club) (Dec 3-0)

Boys – 3rd & 4th Grade

5th Place Matches

49-52: Rhett White (Roxana WC) won by decision over Grayson Shute (Panther Powerhouse Wrestling) (Dec 9-7)

54-58: Aaron Munks (SOTC) won by decision over Diezel Steele (Olney Cubs Wrestling Club) (Dec 12-5)

57-61: Brycen Legue (Stillman Valley Wrestling Club) won by fall over Elijah Foss (Gladiator Elite WC) (Fall 1:57)

60-62: Easton Benyo (Sauk Valley Wrestling) won by fall over Ryder Carroll (DC Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:15)

61-64: Grayson Short (The Foundation) won by decision over Oliver Tasnic (Force Elite) (Dec 12-9)

63-67: Oakley Davis (Iguana Wrestling Club) won by fall over Knox Raines (Sandwich Wrestling Club) (Fall 2:45)

66-69: Dominic Nava (ISI) won by major decision over Kash McKee (Unknown) (Maj 24-13)

67-70: Kree Burkey (Gladiator Elite WC) won by decision over Byron Cowman (PSF Wrestling Academy) (Dec 7-0)

68-73: Maddox Martinez (Tribe WC) won by fall over Kye Gillette (Gladiator) (Fall 2:38)

73-77:Graham Kaskavage (Oregon) won by major decision over Jake Meeks (Lawrence County Knights) (Maj 17-3)

77-83: Conrad Barber (Belvidere Bandits Wrestling Cl) won by fall over Griffin Heuck (DC Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:38)

80-86: Jase Spain (Relentless Training Center) won by tech fall over Konner Jacobson (Alber Athletics) (TF 16-0)

89-95: Charley Crouch (Eureka Wrestling Club) won by fall over Harrison Van Sickel (Franklin County Flyers Wrestling) (Fall 0:51)

91-94: Vincent Englese (St. Charles Wrestling Club) won by decision over Liam Lee (Built By Brunson) (Dec 9-2)

Boys – 1st & 2nd Grade

1st Place Matches

37-41: Vaughn Seibel (Belleville Little Devils WC) won by tech fall over Jaxson Green (Sandwich Wrestling Club) (TF 19-1) Round Robin

43-44: Easton Sanders (Contenders Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Ryder Gatt (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) (Fall 2:39) Round Robin

45-48: Cristiano Gutierrez (Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club) won by fall over Sam Smith (Stockton Renegades) (Fall 1:08)

49-53: Layton Kraemer (Maritime Wrestling) won by decision over Boston Blakely (Alber Athletics) (Dec 8-2)

50-54: JT Tsokolas (Mustangs WC) won by major decision over William Fitzgerald (Little Celtic Wrestling Club) (Maj 8-0)

54-58: Oliver Carlisle (Roxana WC) won by fall over Leo Hooker (Mattoon Youth WC) (Fall 1:47)

55-57: Kingston Smith (Thunder Wrestling) won by fall over Quincy Noland (Little Giant WC) (Fall 0:49)

58-60: Nico Poeta (Relentless Training Center) won by fall over Camden Powell (STL Warrior) (Fall 0:33)

61-65: Jordan Benefiel (nWo Wrestling Club) won by major decision over Isaiah Carroll (Little Giant WC) (Maj 13-4)

63-68: Lincoln Projansky (Built By Brunson) won by fall over Miles Maes (X-Factor Elite) (Fall 2:40)

69-72: Chase Stroot (Team Mascoutah) won by fall over Londyn Bellamy (Chicago Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:31)

74-79: Kingston Hamilton (Wildcat Wrestling Academy) won by decision over Anthony Quiroz (Region Wrestling Academy) (Dec 10-9) Round Robin

83-90: Jackson Mateo (Built By Brunson) won by fall over Hunter Voss (DC Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:53), (TF 16-1)

98-112: Leonard Morgan (Wilmington WC) won by major decision over Ethan Kennedy (Bulls WC) (Maj 12-2), (TF 19-1)

124-130: Tony Hess (Wildcat Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Hunter Lindsey (Dwight Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:38), (Fall 1:48)

Boys – 1st & 2nd Grade

3rd Place Matches 

37-41: Jaycin Boongaling (Gomez RTC)

43-44: David Kalmanovsky (Built By Brunson)

45-48: Sawyer Whelan (Liberty Mean Mugz) won by tech fall over Wylder Cookson (Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club) (TF 16-0)

49-53: Josiah Salas (Bulldog Premier Wrestling Club) won by decision over Dallas Morales (Cory Clark Wrestling) (Dec 7-4)

50-54: Tre`Lyn Morrow (Crystal Lake Wizards Wrestling) won by major decision over Jack Newsom (Cory Clark Wrestling) (Maj 14-0)

54-58: Chase Bronstein (Individual) won by major decision over Ryan Campos (Fox Lake WC) (Maj 13-4)

55-57: Knox Ferry (Belvidere Bandits Wrestling Cl) won by fall over Augustine Martinez (Tribe WC) (Fall 0:33)

58-60: Knoxx Larkin (ISI) won by fall over Jersi Cooper (Harvey Twisters) (Fall 0:17)

61-65: Gunnersyn Schulz (El Paso Gridley Youth Wrestling) won by major decision over James Klockowski (Champaign Wrestling Club) (Maj 17-5)

63-68: Lodi Morgan (Wilmington WC) won by fall over Knox Kamp (Roxana WC) (Fall 0:26)

69-72: Cahlil Powell (STL Warrior) won by decision over Peyton Ladd (DC Wrestling Club) (Dec 12-5)

74-79: Declan Wilking (Wilmington WC) won by fall over Nicolas Milazzo (Springs Elite) (Fall 1:00) Round Robin

Boys – 1st & 2nd Grade

5th Place Matches

45-48: Everett Sledge (Mattoon Youth WC) won by fall over Tennyson Anderson (DC Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:14)

49-53: Graier Vold (Team Nazar) won by tech fall over Myles Shick (Lawrence County Knights) (TF 15-0)

50-54: Carter Tompkins (Granite City WA) won by fall over Corbyn Tipsord (Panther Paw Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:36)

54-58: Lane Kesler (Fisher) won by tech fall over Connor Self (Collinsville Wrestling Club) (TF 17-0)

55-57: Wesson Coffey (Gladiator Elite WC) won by fall over Brixton Gomez (nWo Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:40)

58-60: Aiden Wilking (Wilmington WC) won by fall over Griffin Akers (Lawrence County Knights) (Fall 0:34)

61-65: Andre Ivy Jr (Thunder Wrestling) won by fall over Jaxon Eisch (Team Nazar) (Fall 1:23)

63-68: Maverick Tasker (TJ Trained Wrestling) won by fall over Damien Givhan (nWo Wrestling Club) (Fall 2:54)

69-72: Wyatt Schmieding (O’Fallon Little Panthers WC) won by decision over Ava Barber (Belvidere Bandits Wrestling Club) (Dec 6-0)

74-79: Jacob Deterding (Sparta Junior Bulldogs)

Girls 11th and 12th Grade

1st Place Matches

90-108: Emily Price (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by fall over Adilyn Hoelzle (Ozark Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:09) Round Robin

113-118: Emily Price (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by fall over Rilynn Younker (The Foundation) (Fall 1:01)

119-132: Alexis Seymour (Jacksonville Area Wrestling) won by decision over Paige Tihen (Fort Zumwalt South High School) (Dec 3-1)

134-142: Viola Pianetto (Built By Brunson) won by decision over Jalah Wilson (Thornton HS) (Dec 9-8)

142-158: Valerie Hamilton (The Compound) won by tech fall over Autumne Williams (Unattached) (TF 19-2)

160-178: Jasmine Rene (Gomez RTC) won by fall over Jessica Stover (Oswego Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:58) Round Robin

191-211: Anjali Gonzalez (Hoffman Estates H.S.) won by fall over Henessis Villagrana (Jr Raiders/ SS) (Fall 1:56)

Girls 11th and 12th Grade

3rd Place Matches

90-108: Mya Downs (Unattached)

113-118: Leti Covello (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by decision over Veronica Cosio (Greg Gomez Trained) (Dec 8-3)

119-132: Kendall Smith (Civic Memorial) won by decision over Elise Burkut (Gomez RTC) (Dec 12-5)

134-142: Maelynn Sundlie (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by fall over Janelle Spohn (Ozark Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:37)

142-158: Natalie Beaumont (PSF Wrestling Academy) won by decision over Julian Smith (St Louis) (Dec 8-3)

160-178: Lillian Garrett (Gomez RTC) won by fall over Kendra Sadler (Fort Zumwalt South) (Fall 0:57)

191-211: Jathziry Valencia-Carranza (Unattached)

Girls 11th and 12th Grade

5th Place Matches

113-118: Adilyn Hoelzle (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by fall over Maggie Gordon (Morris) (Fall 1:59)

119-132: Karina Lojowski (Built By Brunson) won by fall over Allison Kroesch (U-High) (Fall 1:44)

134-142: Brooke Coy (Oswego Wrestling Club) won by major decision over Liriana Rakoci (Hoffman Estates H.S.) (Maj 10-0)

142-158: Yuridia Colin Fajardo (House Springs) won by injury default over Allison Garbacz (ISI) (Inj. 0:00)

160-178: Isabella Chiovari (Hoffman Estates H.S.)

Girls 9th and 10th Grade

1st Place Matches

94-107: Fallon Dames (RPA) won by fall over Lainie Galvan (Bobcat Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:54) Round Robin

108-112: Kadi Wilbern (Chatham Glenwood) won by fall over Ariel Woodfin (Thornton) (Fall 1:42) 

108-115: Alejandra Flores (Sloth Strong WC) won by major decision over Mialee Copeland (Purler Wrestling Academy) (Maj 13-2)

116-125: Rain Scott (Springs Elite) won by injury default over Sydney Cannon (Patton Trained WC) (Inj. 2:27)

123-131: Avery Crouch (Dwight Wrestling Club) won by fall over Kyla Janowitz (Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:28)

134-146: Isabella Resendez (Chatham Glenwood) won by injury default over Allison Garbacz (ISI) (Inj. 0:00)

144-154: Natalie Beaumont (PSF Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Makayla Faulkner (Bobcat Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:31)

159-175: Kaleigh Mehrkens (Unattached) won by fall over Emma Gischer (Team Mascoutah) (Fall 1:41) Round Robin

Girls 9th and 10th Grade

3rd Place Matches

94-107: Kierra Kerns (Ozark Wrestling Club)

108-112: Elaine Hay (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) won by fall over Miley Locke (Bobcat Wrestling Club) (Fall 2:29)

108-115: Blair Grennan (Newman Central Catholic) won by fall over Baileigh Self (Collinsville Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:36)

116-125: Amelia Huncovsky (Northwest) won by major decision over Delaney Locke (Bobcat Wrestling Club) (Maj 12-0)

123-131: Bree Hirsch (Toss Em Up Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Alauni Muex (Carterville Lions) (Fall 3:22)

134-146: Kiana Mayne (No Team) won by disqualification over Scarlett Gentille (OTHS Panthers) (DQ)

144-154: Jasmine Zaveleta (Conant HS) won by fall over Cait Jones (ISI) (Fall 0:57)

159-175: Yazmin Bonilla (Gomez RTC)

Girls 9th and 10th Grade

5th Place Matches

108-112: Jordan Rodriguez (Raiders) won by medical forfeit over Adalyn Raue (Hustisford) (MFF)

108-115: Rilynn Younker (The Foundation) won by fall over Maggie Lewellen (Northwest) (Fall 1:32)

116-125: Katie Hartgraves (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by decision over Amelia Robison (Northwest Lions) (Dec 3-2)

123-131: Kamila Sandoval Florencio (Schaumburg) won by decision over Gretchyn Dunbar (Sycamore Wrestling Club) (Dec 10-4)

134-146: Hannah Maskrod (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by fall over Joelene Nappier-Feth (Unattached) (Fall 2:41)

144-154: Ewa Krupa (Unattached) won by fall over Roxie Royster (Murphysboro Wrestling) (Fall 0:27)

Girls 7th and 8th Grade

1st Place Matches

71-82: Molly Rzab (Oak Forest Warriors Wrestling) won by major decision over McKenzie Steinke (Frankfort Gladiator Wrestling) (Maj 8-0) Round Robin

86-97: Kendra Ege (Oregon) won by major decision over Petra Hart (Unaffiliated) (Maj 10-1)

104-113: Fallon Dames (RPA) won by major decision over Saphira Parrett (Ozark Wrestling Club) (Maj 10-1)

112-121: Baileigh Self (Collinsville Wrestling Club) won by fall over Payton Charles (Bobcat Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:46)

127-133: Ilyana Martinez (Rough Riders Wrestling) won by fall over Kyla Janowitz (Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:19)

141-147: Allison Garbacz (ISI) won by major decision over Willow Rademacher (Bobcat Wrestling Club) (Maj 11-0) Round Robin

147-157: Nevaeh Redd (Lion`s Den Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Maliha Hamidou (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) (Fall 1:42) Round Robin

176-176:Shelby Michel (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by fall over Emma Gischer (Team Mascoutah) (Fall 1:44) Round Robin

Girls 7th and 8th Grade

3rd Place Matches

71-82: KyLynn Larkin (ISI)

86-97: Hadley Vold (Team Nazar) won by decision over Autumn Starr (Iguana Wrestling Club) (Dec 4-0)

104-113: Olivia Hay (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) won by major decision over Cailyn Young (Bobcat Wrestling Club) (Maj 8-0)

112-121: Macy Fordyce (Central Indiana Academy Of Wrestling) won by fall over Zoey Meadows (Ozark Wrestling Club) (Fall 2:28)

127-133: Easton Bosley (Bobcat Wrestling Club) won by decision over Stella Wheeler (Ozark Wrestling Club) (Dec 7-1)

141-147: Kylie Williams (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) won in sudden victory over Aaliyah Swearingen (Kewanee) (SV-1 5-2) Round Robin

147-157: Phoebe Jones (Ozark Wrestling Club) won by fall over Reese Scardina (Bobcat Wrestling Club) (Fall 2:32)

176-176: Aliana Bonilla (Gomez RTC)

Girls 7th and 8th Grade

5th Place Matches

86-97: Shayla Garner (Team Mascoutah) won by major decision over Penelope Kaplan (West Lafayette) (Maj 13-0)

104-113: Sydney Stieb (St. Charles Wrestling Club) won by fall over Kara Knipp (Team Mascoutah) (Fall 1:27)

112-121: Zandra Vock (Oregon) won by fall over Lulu Festner (Concordia Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:42)

127-133: Chloe Rice (Bulls WC) won by decision over Londyn Long (Lion`s Den Wrestling Academy) (Dec 1-0)

141-147: Zoe Ruhland (Jefferson Wrestling Club)

147-157: Cierra Jo Damitz (Galesburg)

Girls 5th and 6th Grade

1st Place Matches

65-75: Caroline Krupa (P3 Warrior Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Chloe Meiners (Rough Riders Wrestling) (Fall 1:00) Round Robin

76-84: Kelianna Larkin (ISI) won by decision over Elise Slaten (Bulls WC) (Dec 4-2), (Dec 8-2)

92-93: Hadley Vold (Team Nazar) won by fall over Randelle McKay (Dixon) (Fall 1:49)

99-101: Ella Anderson (RWC (Rochester)) won over Aspynn Hursey (Individual) (Maj 10-0), (Fall 1:21)

106-113: Emilee Meier (Belleville Little Devils WC) won by fall over Francesca Yurs (ISI) (Fall 0:14)

130-131: Piper Sandell (Alber Athletics) won by fall over Penelope Anderson (DC Wrestling Club) (Fall 2:48), (Fall 2:27)

147-147: Kylie Williams (Brown Deer Jr Falcons)

181-181: Aliana Bonilla (Gomez RTC)  

Girls 5th and 6th Grade

3rd Place Matches

65-75: Marli Cobbs (Belleville Little Devils WC) won by fall over Emelia Cecchetti (Dixon) (Fall 2:50) Round Robin

92-93: Teagan Phillips (Olympia Wrestling)

106-113: Avery Rygol (Concordia Wrestling Club)

Girls 3rd and 4th Grade

1st Place Matches

54-54: Sloane Gabler (Sauk Valley Wrestling) won over Ava Voyles (Bulls WC) (Fall 2:00), (TF 18-2)

60-64: Bailey Flanigan (Bulls WC) won by decision over Elizabeth Agajanian (Sandwich Wrestling Club) (Dec 5-0) Round Robin

64-69: Koralee Larkin (ISI) won by fall over Raelynn Jadin (Oak Forest Warriors Wrestling) (Fall 0:53) Round Robin

71-74: Brynlee Jones (SOTC) won by decision over Londyn Bellamy (Chicago Wrestling Club) (Dec 6-4) Round Robin

81-85: Ilyssa Martine (Rough Riders Wrestling) won by decision over Ella Deterding (Sparta Junior Bulldogs) (Dec 7-1)

90-97: Norah Hay (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) won by tech fall over Raya Windham (Oregon) (TF 15-0) Round Robin

Girls 3rd and 4th Grade

3rd Place Matches

60-64: Cale Duckett (Shelbyville Rams Wrestling) won by tech fall over Aubrey Schmieding (O’Fallon Little Panthers WC) (TF 16-1) Round Robin

64-69: Makenna Austra (Bulls WC) won by fall over Natalya Moberg (RWC (Rochester)) (Fall 2:56) Round Robin

71-74: Alivia Deterding (Sparta Junior Bulldogs) won by fall over Sawyer Goldman (Sandwich Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:44) Round Robin

81-85: Chevi Sanchez (Champaign Wrestling Club) won by decision over Linzee Mason (Northwest Jr Lions) (Dec 5-0)

90-97: Stella Nava (ISI WC)

Girls 3rd and 4th Grade

5th Place Matches

81-85: Aryana Resendez (Chatham Glenwood) won by medical forfeit over Raya Reading (Little Giant WC) (MFF)

Girls 1st and 2nd Grade

1st Place Matches 

42-47: Zoey Willis (DC Wrestling Club) won by fall over Ayah Garrett (Gladiator Elite WC) (Fall 1:41) Round Robin

51-55: Patricia Tytus (RTC Wrestling) won by major decision over Penelope Hall (Thunder Wrestling) (Maj 13-2) Round Robin

61-65:Alannah Carter (Brown Deer Jr Falcons) won over Katherine Kirkbride (Shelbyville Rams Wrestling) (Fall 0:25), (TF 20-4) 

69-69: Lexi Suits (Gladiator Elite WC) won over Ava Barber (Belvidere Bandits Wrestling Club) (Maj 9-0), (Fall 2:29)

94-94: Raya Windham (Oregon)

Girls 1st and 2nd Grade

3rd Place Matches

42-47: Kendall Short (The Foundation)

51-55: Grace Danielle Sinks (TJ Trained Wrestling) won by fall over Penelope Flores (Cory Clark Wrestling) (Fall 0:16)

Girls 1st and 2nd Grade

5th Place

51-55: Miley Smith (Team Smith)

Men College and Open

1st Place Matches

121-135: Austin Brown (Hannibal) won by fall over Joey Sikorsky (Batavia Pinners) (Fall 2:32)

137-153: Jason Strope (Team Strope) won by major decision over Gianni Ruiz (Unaffiliated) (Maj 8-0)

148-157: William Tucker (Team Tucker) won by fall over Adam Meenen (Sauk Valley Wrestling) (Fall 1:58)

155-164: Andrew Marten (Fenwick High School) won by tech fall over Hakeem Banks (Don`t Have A Team) (TF 15-0)

165-178: Owen Uppinghouse (Quincy) won by tech fall over Brody Ivey (Sauk Valley Wrestling) (TF 15-0)

173-191: Ryan Strope (Team Strope) won by decision over Alonzo Smiley (Gomez RTC) (Dec 4-0)

190-198: Sincere Hall-Osbourne (CMWC) won by major decision over Devin Rogers (Young Guns Kenosha) (Maj 8-0)

201-214: Max Schmitz (Unattached) won by decision over Connor Rogers (Unattached) (Dec 6-4)

221-266: Logan Staver (Alber Athletics) won by major decision over Matthew Wilke (Unattached) (Maj 12-1)

Men College and Open

3rd Place Matches

121-135: Caleb Scott (Civic Memorial) won by forfeit over Aaron Meenen (Sauk Valley Wrestling) (FF)

137-153: Brady Grennan (UW Platteville) won by forfeit over Ethan Pullum (Herrin Tigers WC) (FF)

148-157: Warren Zeisset (Black Ops WC) won by decision over Guiseppe Guerra (Jr Raiders/ SS) (Dec 5-3)

155-164: Joseph Beck (One Unit Wrestling Academy) won by decision over Jordan Carson (PSF) (Dec 4-3)

165-178: Michael Anderson (Chicago Wrestling Club) won by decision over Maguire Hoeksema (Young Guns Kenosha) (Dec 12-6)

173-191: Shamar Pugh (Morton College) won by decision over Drake Holland (Herrin Tigers WC) (Dec 6-0)

190-198: David Papach (Berg Wrestling Training Center) won by decision over Ali Adel (Harper Hawks) (Dec 5-1)

201-214: Cadence Hecox (Hecox Team Benaiah) won by fall over Braiden Young (Unattached) (Fall 1:22)

221-266: Jared Shafer (Pedigo Submission Wrestling Academy) won by major decision over Ashton Brown (Unattached) (Maj 10-0)

Men College and Open

5th Place Matches

121-135: Ian Rosborough (Relentless Training Center) won by fall over Kayson Duffney (Fried Daze) (Fall 1:13)

137-153: Coby Windle (Backyard Brawlers-Midwest) won by decision over Dennis Belleh (no team) (Dec 10-3)

148-157: Cody Strope (Team Strope) won by medical forfeit over Christopher Borders (Herrin Tigers WC) (MFF)

155-164: Dylan Watts (Unaffiliated) won by forfeit over Dylan Burnoski (Jr Raiders/ SS) (FF) 

165-178: Diego Garcia (Gomez RTC) won by tech fall over Benjamin Mitchell (Unattached) (TF 21-6)

173-191: Charley Murray (Illinois) won by fall over Andrew McAllister (Unattached) (Fall 2:14)

190-198: Tyren Moore (Eureka Wrestling Club) won by decision over Darren Eads (Bloomington South) (Dec 12-7)

201-214: Anthony Pavia (N/A) won by fall over Justin Dallas (Unaffiliated) (Fall 0:50)

221-266: Jaalen Banner (Chicago Wrestling Club) won by fall over Weston Swise (Unattached) (Fall 1:38)

Women College and Open

1st Place Matches

110-121: Irelan Powell (Unattached) won by fall over Angelina Graff (Individual) (Fall 1:08) Round Robin

129-143: Haylie Nappier-Feth (Unattached) won by fall over Josie Barham (Individual)

(Fall 1:24)

144-154: Valerie Hamilton (The Compound) won by fall over Jade Martin (No Team) (Fall 1:18) Round Robin

147-158: Autumne Williams (Unattached) won by decision over Nadia Flores (Young Guns Kenosha) (Dec 4-3) Round Robin

Women College and Open

3rd Place Matches

110-121: Kyley-Ann Bair (Eureka College) won by fall over Rilynn Younker (The Foundation) (Fall 3:00)

129-143: Katerina Conrad (Los Guerreros)

144-154: Abigail Ji (Honey Badgers) won by fall over Savannah Berry (Eureka College) (Fall 1:42) Round Robin

147-158: Natalie Beaumont (PSF Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Nakiza Williams (Eureka College) (Fall 1:58) Round Robin

Women College and Open

5th Place

110-121: Mckenzy Mason (Tech Fall Elite)

147-158: Mannie Anderson (Individual)

It is with great pleasure that the National High School Athletic Coaches Association announces the upcoming induction of Joseph Cliffe from Fairbury, Illinois into the NHSACA National Hall of Fame. This year’s induction ceremony for the Class of 2024 will take place at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s national convention at the Dakota Ballroom at the Bismarck Hotel and Convention Center on June 25, 2024. This year’s class includes forty coaches from twenty-three states across the nation.

Coach Cliffe coached for over forty years at Georgetown, Plano, Fairbury (Prairie Central) and most recently El Paso-Gridley High School.  He has coached over 560 dual meet wins and eleven state champions.  He has also served on the board of the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Official Association and was President from 2006-2007.  In addition, Coach Cliffe served on the Executive Committee of the NHSACA from 2013 through 2022.   He was President of the NHSACA in 2016-17 and again in 2018-19.

Coach Cliffe was selected for this national honor by Illinois Coaches Association. This selection was based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, and other specific state criteria. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the oldest coaches association in the nation formed by coaches, for coaches, and has honored coaches from across the nation with induction into the NHSACA National Hall of Fame since 1996. Coach Joseph Cliffe will now be added to this illustrious list of coaches in honor of his outstanding career.

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

Much as the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association’s Boys Freshman/Sophomore State Championships has served as a second-chance for boys who missed out on qualifying for the IHSA Individual Finals for nearly three decades, the IWCOA Girls Open Championships now has a similar role after being a catalyst for the foundation for the young sport’s IHSA Individual Finals series, which capped its third season with many significant accomplishments as well as a tremendous amount of enthusiasm due to the explosive early growth of the sport.

A total of 301 girls met to determine the 15 champions and the 120 medal winners who finished in eighth-place or better. Any individual who had competed at the eight sectional sites, Evanston Township, Granite City, Heyworth, Lake Zurich, Naperville Central, Shepard, Sterling and Thornton Township, could participate in the two-day event at Bank of Springfield Center.

Among the eight IWCOA Sectionals, Thornton Township produced the most state champions with five. They were Minooka seniors Bella Cyrkiel (145) and Abbey Boersma (155), Romeoville sophomore Daniela Santander (95), Seneca/Plainfield Central senior Courtni Chuway (110) and Homewood-Flossmoor junior Nina Hamm (120).

Other champions who also won IWCOA sectionals were Sherrard senior Brianna Bynum (135) and  Sycamore freshman Jasmine Enriquez (235) at Sterling, Dundee-Crown junior Diamond Rodriguez (100) at Lake Zurich, Centennial freshman Ava Beldo (115) at Heyworth, Proviso West freshman Tierra Hardin (125) at Evanston Township and West Aurora junior Brittney Moran (190) at Naperville Central.

Granite City’s two champions, sophomore Ma’Kayla Bonner (105) and freshman Audrey Barnes (130), did not win titles at their own sectional with Barnes and Bonner taking second. Along with Minooka’s two champions, seniors Bella Cyrkiel (145) and Abbey Boersma (155), this is the first time since the initial tournament in 2017 that two athletes from two schools won four of titles. 

Bloomington sophomore Alicia Swank (140) also didn’t win an IWCOA Sectional title, finishing second at Heyworth. And Palatine junior Sabrina Cargill (170) also went from taking second at the Lake Zurich Sectional to a title winner in Springfield. Cyrkiel and Swank won IWCOA Girls Open Championships for the second year in a row, at the same weights as they did in 2023. They join seven other individuals who have won two or more titles in the competition.

Second-place finishers in the IWCOA Girls Open were Canton freshman LT Diephuis (95), Curie Metropolitan sophomore Giselle Arambula (100), Wauconda senior Lilliana Aly (105), Edwardsville junior Gianna Linhorst (110), Neuqua Valley senior Veronika Arabova (115), Kaneland junior Dyani Torres (120), Addison Trail sophomore Brithany Mondragan (125) and Shepard senior Stacey Massey (130).

Other IWCOA Girls Open Championships runners-up were Geneseo senior Gia Ritter (135), Plainfield North freshman Viktoriia Rodnikova (140), Oswego freshman Makayla Hill (145), Oswego East junior Jessica Stover (155), Bloom Township junior Kinnidi Riley (170), Fremd junior Jazz Ocampo (190) and Palatine freshman Monika Irazoque (235).

All of the finalists but four of the second-place finishers advanced to the IHSA sectionals. The four second-place finishers who did not advance from their regional were Addison Trail’s Mondragon, Oswego East’s Stover, Palatine’s Irazoque and Bloom Township’s Riley, with the latter not being able to qualify from a boys regional.

Five of the champions and six runners-up saw their IHSA seasons conclude at the rugged Schaumburg Sectional. Six of the title winners and three second-place finishers missed out on trips to state at the Geneseo Sectional. Three champions and one runner-up were eliminated at the Richwoods Sectional while one title winner and one second-place finisher saw their hopes dashed at the Evanston Township Sectional.

The Southwest Prairie Conference prides itself as one of the top conferences in the sport and the 10-team league from the southwest suburbs dominated the field at the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association’s Girls Open Championships as it had five individuals who competed in the SPC Tournament who won titles and three others who took second place. 

The SPC stood out in consecutive weight classes, 145 and 155, with all four of the finalists being from the Southwest Prairie Conference. Of the conference’s eight finalists, five were SPC champions and two took second place. Santander (95), Chuway (110), Cyrkiel (145) and Moran (190) all won titles in both the IWCOA Girls Open and in their conference.

Boersma (155), who took fourth in the SPC, won the IWCOA title at 155. Rodnikova (140), who won the SPC title, took second. Hill (145) and Stover (155) took second place in both the 

IWCOA Open Championships and in the SPC meet. 

The Southwest Prairie Conference finished with 12 medal winners while the Mid-Suburban League had 10 individuals who were medalists for top-eight finishes.

Belleville West had consecutive champions in the inaugural Girls Open Championships in 2017, Kaylee Foster (146) and Brooke Holt (156). Relentless Pursuit also had two champions in 2017’s debut Open, Riverside-Brookfield’s Jelitza Cortes (96) and Amanda Martinez (136) and Relentless Pursuit also had two title winners in 2018, but they were from different schools.

Swank and Cyrkiel join seven others who won two or more IWCOA Girls Open Championships. El Paso-Gridley’s Gabrielle Hamilton (191 in 2017 and 2018, 180 in 2019) won three titles while Vandalia’s Morgan Dothager (101), Belvidere’s Mia Rodriguez (111) and Jacksonville’s Jocelyn Murphy (117) took firsts in 2017 and 2018. The other two-time champions in the competition are East Peoria’s Randi Robison (122 in 2017, 132 in 2019), Stevenson’s Sara Sulejmani (145 in 2019, 138 in 2021) and Lanphier’s Ella Miloncus (105 in 2022, 110 in 2023).

Geneseo and Schaumburg both had four medal winners to lead all schools. Others that had three medalists included Lincoln-Way Central, Morris, Oswego, Shepard and Wheaton North.

Schools that had the most participants included Shepard (10), Batavia (7), Schaumburg (7), Maine East (6), Oswego (6), Rickover Naval Academy (6), Geneseo (5), Kankakee (5), Larkin (5), Lincoln-Way Central (5) and Metea Valley (5).

Here’s a look at the 15 champions and the other medalists from the 2024 Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association’s Girls Open Championships:

95 – Daniela Santander, Romeoville

After falling one win shy of earning a trip to state from the the tough Schaumburg Sectional to conclude a 28-8 sophomore season, Romeoville’s Daniela Santander was looking for a better  way to close things out and found it at the IWCOA Girls Open Championships when she won the title at 95 by recording a fall at 4:07 over Canton’s LT Diephuis. Santander, the only medalist of the three individuals the Spartans had at the tournament, recorded two-straight falls, including one in 1:53 over New Trier’s Sunny Aitzemkour in the quarterfinals, before winning a 12-4 major decision over East Peoria’s Abella Brown in the semifinals.

Canton freshman LT Diephuis concluded a 10-16 season at the Geneseo Sectional and likely

felt much better after winning three-straight matches by fall to advance to the 95 title match at the IWCOA Girls Open. The top finisher of two medal winners and one of three Little Giants who competed in the tournament, she recorded a fall in 3:34 over Naperville Central’s Annika Hull in the semifinals to earn her spot in the finals. For third place, Triad’s Claire Crouch won by fall in 2:49 over Naperville Central’s Annika Hull. In the fifth-place match, Wheaton North’s Izzy Paz captured a 6-4 decision over East Peoria’s Abella Brown. And for seventh place, Curie Metropolitan’s Melani Martinez won with a pin in 4:25 over New Trier’s Sunny Aitzemkour.

100 – Diamond Rodriguez, Dundee-Crown

Dundee-Crown junior Diamond Rodriguez joined many other competitors who knew that they were good enough to qualify for the IHSA Individual Finals but were unable to get there as the result of competing in the Schaumburg Sectional. But she was able to get some consolation after closing out a 28-5 season by capturing top honors at 100 at the IWCOA Girls Open Championships when she won by fall in 0:41 over Curie Metropolitan’s Giselle Arambula. Rodriguez, who was eliminated in the sectional by the IWCOA’s 95 champion, Romeoville’s 

Daniela Santander, was one of two champions for the Chargers in Springfield, with Teigen Moreno winning the IWCOA Frosh/Soph Boys title at 215. Rodriguez pinned her way to the title with four falls, with three of those ending in the first period, including in 1:54 over TF South’s Dakodia Kelly in the quarterfinals. She won by fall in 4:29 over Lincoln-Way Central’s Emily Peyton in the semifinals.

“Honestly, my second match was harder, but this was exhausting,” Rodriguez said. “A lot of these girls were pretty tough so I was really glad that I was able to win this. (At the Schaumburg Sectional) I actually lost 6-7 to the girl that was the champion at 95 pounds. I feel like it was cut short for me, maybe if I was in a different sectional I probably could have gone. I’m just glad that I had the opportunity to wrestle here after not competing at state. It was kind of a second opportunity. So even though I didn’t get to state individually, I’m still glad that I got this far.”

Curie Metropolitan sophomore Giselle Arambula lost in both the semifinals and consolation semifinals at the Evanston Township Sectional to fall one win shy of a trip to the IHSA Finals and conclude a 22-7 season. The top finisher of the Condors’ two medalists, she opened with a fall, won a 13-11 decision and then got a pin in 3:43 over Canton’s Shayla Schielein in the semifinals. For third place, Sandwich’s Norah Vick captured a 7-2 decision over Dunlap’s Aerith Adams. In the fifth-place match, Lincoln-Way Central’s Emily Peyton won by fall in 1:43 over Canton’s Shayla Schielein. And Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin’s Gracie Pattison claimed seventh place by medical forfeit over Mt. Vernon’s Lilly Davis.

105 – Ma’Kayla Bonner, Granite City

Granite City’s Ma’Kayla Bonner and Audrey Barnes both came up a bit short of trips to the IHSA Finals at the Richwoods Sectional, so they decided to take part in the IWCOA Girls Open Championships to end things on a better note and they both wound up winning titles with Bonner taking first at 105 and Barnes placing first at 130 to make the Warriors and Minooka the only two schools in the competition that had two title winners. Bonner, a sophomore who went 24-15 this season, took top honors at 105 when she won 6-4 in sudden victory over  Wauconda’s Lilliana Aly. She opened with a fall and then won 10-9 over Westinghouse College Prep’s Kimani Glasper before prevailing 7-5 in sudden victory over Schaumburg’s Justice Girod in the semifinals. 

Wauconda senior Lilliana Aly joined a lot of other quality individuals who were unable to qualify from the rugged Schaumburg Sectional and closed out her final season with a 19-10 record. She opened the IWCOA Girls Open Championships with three-consecutive falls and earned her spot on the title mat by winning an 8-5 decision over Larkin’s Ashley Hammond in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Westinghouse College Prep’s Kimani Glasper claimed an 8-3 decision over Schaumburg’s Justice Girod. For fifth place, Larkin’s Ashley Hammond captured a 13-0 major decision over Rochester’s Carlly Ho. And in the seventh-place match, Morris’ Maggie Gordon recorded a fall in 2:38 over Neuqua Valley’s Sofia Gold.

110 – Courtni Chuway, Seneca

Plainfield Central senior Courtni Chuway lost in both the semifinals and consolation semifinals at the Geneseo Sectional to fall short of a trip to the IHSA Individual Finals by one win as she concluded her high school career with a 29-8 record this season. She decided to compete in the IWCOA Girls Open Championships and did so representing Seneca and that move paid off as she took first place at 110 thanks to a fall in 2:17 over Edwardsville’s Gianna Linhorst in the title match. Chuway won all five of her matches with pins, recording a fall in 2:18 over Stevenson’s Nastasia Kobets and then getting a pin in 1:32 over Burlington Central’s Ruby Vences.

Edwardsville junior Gianna Linhorst, who also came up one victory shy of advancing to the IHSA Finals from the Richwoods Sectional after losing in both the semifinals and consolation semifinals to conclude a 26-11 season, was one of two Tigers who competed in the event and they both won medals. Linhorst opened with a fall and then won decisions in her next three matches, edging Metea Valley’s Janiya Moore 3-2 in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Geneseo’s Lydia King won by fall in 4:28 over Stevenson’s Nastasia Kobets. For fifth place, Metea Valley’s Janiya Moore got a pin in 2:50 over Burlington Central’s Ruby Vences. And in the seventh-place match, Reed-Custer senior Judith Gamboa, who finished in fifth place at 105 in 2023 at the IHSA Individual Finals, recorded a fall in 0:33 over Mascoutah’s Zoey Nelson. 

115 – Ava Beldo, Centennial

Like so many others who competed in the IWCOA Girls state series, Ava Beldo lost in both the semifinals and consolation semifinals of a sectional to miss out on advancing to the IHSA Individual Finals in Bloomington by one win. Centennial freshman Beldo concluded a successful 32-12 debut season when she was unable to qualify from the Richwoods Sectional. Beldo, the Chargers’ lone competitor in the IWCOA Girls Open, recorded falls in all four of her matches. She won the 115 championship with a pin in 1:40 over Neuqua Valley’s Veronika Arabova after reaching the title mat with a fall in 1:35 over Edwardsville’s Alexandra Chong in the semifinals and another pin in 2:34 in the quarterfinals over Mt. Vernon’s Deziare Jones.

“It was very hard to get to state,” Beldo said. “I got a bad pool in the bracket, but everything happens for a reason. And with God, you can do anything. I stumbled down, but coming back to state, I pulled myself back up and won the title and I’m proud of what I’ve done. I am very happy with how I did as a freshman. There’s a lot of good wrestlers at Centennial, and there’s a lot of good seniors that are leaving us like Trevor Schoonover and Ando Beldo, they were really good leaders. It was such a blessing to be able to win this state title as a freshman.”

Neuqua Valley senior Veronika Arabova went 16-4 in her final season but came up one win shy of advancing from the Schaumburg Sectional. One of two medal winners and four individuals in the IWCOA Girls Open for the Wildcats, Arabova recorded four falls to reach the 115 title mat, getting a pin in the semifinals in 0:41 over Kankakee’s Taniyah Sherman, who went on to finish in third place after winning by fall in 3:53 over Edwardsville’s Alexandra Chong. For fifth place, West Aurora’s Lailonie Molina captured a 9-5 decision over Naperville Central’s Gracie Meluch. And in the seventh-place match, Civic Memorial’s Kendall Smith recorded a fall in 1:26 over Morris’ Makensi Martin.

120 – Nina Hamm, Homewood-Flossmoor

One real good indicator of just how difficult it was for girls to advance to the IHSA Individual Finals this season was the fact that two state placewinners from a year ago won titles at the IWCOA Girls Open Championships in Springfield. One of those was Homewood-Flossmoor junior Nina Hamm, who took sixth place at 110 last season at the second IHSA Finals to cap a 31-14 season. Hamm lost in the consolation semifinals in sudden victory at the Evanston Township Sectional to fall one win shy of a trip to state and closed out this season with a 27-11 record. One of four Vikings qualifiers and their lone medalist, Hamm won the 120 title after capturing a 14-4 major decision over Kaneland’s Dyani Torres in the championship match. She opened with two falls, including one in 4:12 in the quarterfinals over Rock Falls’ Ryleigh Eriks before earning her spot on the title mat with a 9-7 win by sudden victory over J. Sterling Morton’s Monica Garcia in the semifinals.

“There’s a lot of work to put in because this is such a physically exhausting sport,” Hamm said. “We didn’t really have consistent practices and also the girls that didn’t make it along the way kind of stopped coming to practice, which left me without a partner. And the part about making weight was huge, too, because with the whole week off, it was so hard to maintain your weight.”

Kaneland junior Dyani Torres, who lost in the semifinals of the Geneseo Sectional to eventual IHSA 120 champion Angelina Cassioppi and again the consolation semifinals to fall short of advancing to the IHSA Finals to end a 39-10 season, was one of two IWCOA medalists for the Knights, who made history this season by getting their first IHSA champion, freshman Angelina Gochis at 105. Torres got a fall in her first match, won a 4-2 decision over Fenton’s Giselle Castillo in the quarterfinals and earned her spot on the 120 title mat by getting a pin in 2:19 over Morris’ Danica Martin in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Fenton’s Giselle Castillo recorded a fall in 2:22 over Morris’ Danica Martin, For fifth place, Wheaton North’s Ryan Mark was a winner by medical forfeit over J. Sterling Morton’s Monica Garcia. And Rock Falls’ Ryleigh Eriks captured a 6-2 decision over Marion’s Alauni Muex to finish in seventh place.

125 – Tierra Hardin, Proviso West

Like so many others who had the misfortune of trying to claim one of the four qualifying spots at the rugged Schaumburg Sectional, Proviso West freshman Tierra Hardin bounced back from the disappointment of not being able to advance to the IHSA Individual Finals in an otherwise successful 25-5 season by winning the 125 title at the IWCOA Girls Open Championships when she captured a 9-5 decision over Addison Trail’s Brithany Mondragon. One of two individuals who competed for the Panthers and their lone medal winner, Hardin recorded falls in her first three matches, including one in 1:55 over Wilmington’s Ava Cupples in the quarterfinals before she captured a 10-2 major decision over Shepard’s Mila Rocush in the semifinals.

Addison Trail sophomore Brithany Mondragon went 20-10 this season but was unable to even compete in the Schaumburg Sectional after failing to advance from the Conant Regional. So finishing in second place in the IWCOA Girls Open was obviously a great way to see her season conclude. She opened with a fall before capturing a 4-2 decision in the quarterfinals over J. Sterling Morton’s Sofia Petronijevic and earned her spot on the 125 title mat with a 2-0 decision over Durand’s Evie Anderson in the semifinals. For third place, Somonauk’s Rylie Donahue won a 9-4 decision over Shepard’s Mila Rocush. In the fifth-place match, J. Sterling Morton’s Sofia Petronijevic was a 6-1 victor over Durand’s Evie Anderson. And for seventh, Stevenson’s Karina Lojowski won by fall in 0:42 over Charleston’s Morgan Krone-Smallhorn.

130 – Audrey Barnes, Granite City

Audrey Barnesmade it 2-for-2 for Granite City as it became one of two teams with two title winners in the IWCOA Girls Open Championships, with Minooka the other, when Barnes won the 130 title by recording a fall in 3:42 over Shepard’s Stacey Massey to add to the earlier championship at 105 that was claimed by teammate Ma’Kayla Bonner. Barnes, a freshman who went 22-13 this season and fell one victory short of advancing to the IHSA Finals from the Richwoods Sectional, was one of three qualifiers and two champs for the Warriors. She got falls in her other three matches, including in 2:53 over Schaumburg’s Sharon Olorunfemi in the quarterfinals and in 2:41 over Glenwood’s Isabella Resendez in the semifinals.

Shepard senior Stacey Massey was the top finisher of her team’s 10 participants and three medalists with her second-place showing. She concluded her final season with a 19-8 record after being unable to advance to the IHSA Finals from the challenging Schaumburg Sectional. Massey opened with a 9-2 win before recording falls in her next two matches, winning in 1:36 over Batavia’s Anabelle Guthke in the quarterfinals and in 0:56 over O’Fallon’s Scarlett Gentille in the semifinals. In the third-place match, O’Fallon’s Scarlett Gentille won by fall in 0:40 over Glenwood’s Isabella Resendez. For fifth place, Ottawa Township’s Ava Weatherford got a pin in 2:57 over Schaumburg’s Sharon Olorunfemi. And in the seventh-place match, Glenbard East’s Maria Green captured a 7-6 decision over Lincoln-Way Central’s Eleanor Giertuga.

135 – Brianna Bynum, Sherrard

Brianna Bynum made history in 2022 when she finished sixth at 125 to become Sherrard’s first all-stater at the inaugural IHSA Individual Finals to highlight her sophomore season. As a senior, she was hoping to close her career with another state medal this season but came up one win shy of advancing from the Geneseo Sectional after falling in both the semifinals and consolation semifinals to finish with a 21-13 record. But the lone qualifier for the Tigers hoped to end things on a more positive note and she did just that by winning the 135 title at the IWCOA Girls Open Championships when she captured a 12-0 major decision over Geneseo’s Gia Ritter. Bynum won her other three matches by fall, getting a pin in 0:39 over Oswego’s Ameera Murphy in the quarterfinals and a win by fall in 1:43 over Buffalo Grove’s Christina Marogy in the semifinals.

“I fell short (at the Geneseo Sectional) and I wasn’t going to come here, but my coach convinced me and I’m really happy that I did,” Bynum said. “I worked with the other girl that was on my team (Nadia Anderson), who went to IHSA State. I definitely made history for Sherrard and I’m very happy that I did. I first started wrestling when the first IHSA (tournament) came out, so the difference between then and now is huge. And everyone loves each other and they’re supportive and I really like the community.”

Geneseo senior Gia Ritter also fell a bit short of advancing to the IHSA Finals from the sectional that her school hosted to close out her career with a 30-11 season. She was the best finisher among four medalists for the Maple Leafs, who tied Schaumburg for the most placewinners. Ritter earned her spot in the IWCOA Girls Open 135 title match with a 9-3 win over Batavia’s Amelia Howell in the semifinals. She opened with a fall and claimed a 9-0 major decision over Freeburg’s Aubrey Raban in the quarterfinals. In the third-place match, Buffalo Grove’s Christina Marogy prevailed 2-0 in sudden victory over Batavia’s Amelia Howell. For fifth place, Hillcrest’s Christiara Finley won by fall in 3:32 over East Aurora’s Britany Chavarria. And St. Joseph-Ogden’s Maddie Wells took seventh by claiming a 6-3 win over Oswego’s Ameera Murphy.

140 – Alicia Swank, Bloomington

Alicia Swank enjoyed winning the 140 title at the 2023 IWCOA Girls Open Championships in Springfield so the Bloomington sophomore decided to give it another try after falling a bit short of advancing to the IHSA Finals from the Geneseo Sectional when she lost in her final match to the eventual IWCOA 145 champion, Minooka’s Bella Cyrkiel, to conclude a 19-10 sophomore season. Swank, one of two qualifiers and the lone medalist for the Purple Raiders, won her second-straight title in the competition when she captured a 6-3 decision over Plainfield North’s Viktoriia Rodnikova in the 140 championship match. She won all of her other three matches by fall, getting a pin in 4:40 over St. Charles East’s Addison Wolf in the quarterfinals and winning by fall in 1:49 over Oak Park and River Forest’s Isabella Miller in the semifinals.

“The sectional was really fun but my sectional was also really hard,” Swank said. “The two weeks gave us more time to get ready for it but it also had us in and out of it and I know that some girls had trouble making the weight. I remember last year when there were maybe six girls in my bracket and there’s 18 of us this year. I’ve seen girls for the past year or two, and then there are a bunch of freshmen who are coming up to high school and getting into it or some of the juniors and seniors who want to do something in their last years in high school.”  

Plainfield North freshman Viktoriia Rodnikova came up a bit short of qualifying for the IHSA Finals from the rugged Schaumburg Sectional to conclude a 21-4 debut season. The Tigers’ lone qualifier for the IWCOA Girls Open Championship, she recorded falls in her first three matches, winning in 1:50 in the quarterfinals over Hoffman Estates’ Liriana Rakoci before getting a pin in 4:14 in the semifinals over Normal West’s Vivian Guither. For third place, Vandalia’s Brynn Swyers captured a 17-5 major decision over Lincoln-Way Centrral’s Bailey Mitchell. In the fifth-place match, Normal West’s Vivian Guither recorded a fall in 3:44 over Oak Park and River Forest’s Isabella Miller. And for seventh place, St. Charles East’s Addison Wolf claimed an 8-6 decision over Hoffman Estates’ Liriana Rakoci.

145 – Bella Cyrkiel, Minooka

Minooka’s Bella Cyrkiel and Oswego’s Makayla Hill were well aware of each other since they 

met for the Southwest Prairie Conference championship with senior Cyrkiel winning a 5-0 decision over freshman Hill in the 145 finals. The two faced off again at the IWCOA Girls Open Championships for the 145 title and Cyrkiel won another decision by five points, this time by a 6-1 score, to give the Indians two champions in the competition as Abbey Boersma, the Indians’ other qualifier, followed with a first-place finish at 155 in another matchup of SPC competitors. Cyrkiel, who also won the the 145 title at the IWCOA Girls Open Championships in 2023, went 36-6 this season after falling one win shy of a trip to the IHSA Finals from the Geneseo Sectional, was one of five individuals from her conference who won IWCOA titles as well as one of eight finalists and 12 medalists. She opened with three falls, winning in 0:57 over Hoffman Estates’ Nikki Hubbard in the quarterfinals before getting a pin in 1:57 over Lake Park’s Joscelin Ritthamel. With Granite City also having two champions, this was the first time since the initial Girls Open in 2017 that a school had two title winners and that two teams pulled off that feat.

“I had a tough loss there, so this is part of my redemption coming back,” Cyrkiel said of her loss in the Geneseo Sectional. “We have great coaches and a great program and it keeps getting better and better. We have a lot of good competition and that helps us get better.”

Oswego freshman Makayla Hill came up a bit short of qualifying for a trip to the IHSA Finals at the Schaumburg Sectional as she closed out a 31-8 season. One of six qualifiers and the top-finisher of three medalists for the Panthers, Hill followed a pin with a 5-0 decision over Jersey Community’s Rory Speidel in the quarterfinals and then captured a 16-2 major decision over Unity’s Anna Vasey in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Metea Valley’s Alketa Picari won 4-2 by sudden victory over Lake Park’s Joscelin Ritthamel. For fifth place, Unity’s Anna Vasey won by fall in 4:07 over Woodstock’s Brianna Crown. And in the seventh-place match, Jersey Community’s Rory Speidel claimed a 2-1 decision over Chicago Marshall’s Cecilia Colon.

155 – Abbey Boersma, Minooka

On a day where individuals from Southwest Prairie Conference schools captured five of the 15 titles, senior Abbey Boersma followed in the footsteps of her teammate and 145 champion Bella Cyrkiel to give Minooka two title winners in the IWCOA Girls Open Championships, which made it and Granite City the only schools in the competition with two champions. Boersma, who went 35-13 after falling one win shy of a trip to state from the Geneseo Sectional, which featured the two IHSA Finalists at her weight, was the only one of the five title winners from the SPC who didn’t also win conference. Like Cyrkiel, she faced an SPC opponent in the finals, where she won a 12-6 decision over Oswego East’s Jessica Stover. Boersma opened with a victory by technical fall before getting a pin in 0:55 over Wheeling’s Nikol Orendarchuk in the quarterfinals. She earned her spot on the 155 title mat with a 4-0 decision over Geneseo’s Madelyn Mooney.

“I don’t like how our postseason was spread out with two weeks in between,” Boersma said. “I am so grateful for everything that I’ve gained from wrestling at Minooka. We have the best coaches and Paige Schoolman is the best.The sport has gotten so much tougher.  I think it’s so cool seeing the little girls that are wrestling and I know that by the time that they’re my age, they’re going to be great because I only wrestled for two years.”

Oswego East junior Jessica Stover failed to advance from the Shepard Regional and finished with a 21-7 record. One of two participants in the IWCOA Girls Open and the lone medalist for the Wolves, Stover recorded falls in her first three matches, which included one in 4:21 in the quarterfinals against another individual from her conference, Plainfield East’s Kaitlyn Bucholz, before earning her spot on the 155 title match with a 6-2 decision over Larkin’s Zamaya Taylor, who lost by fall in 3:39 in the third-place match to Geneseo’s Madelyn Mooney. For fifth place, Oak Park and River Forest’s Caliyah Campbell got a pin in 2:30 over Mt. Vernon’s Derika Gradford and in the seventh-place match, two more SPC competitors squared off with Oswego’s Kyiah Chavez getting a fall in 1:30 over Joliet Township’s Noelie Perez-Bedolla.

170 – Sabrina Cargill, Palatine

Sabrina Cargill advanced to the challenging Schaumburg Sectional but was unable to compete in it and finished her junior season with a 24-5 record. So it’s understandable that her title win at 170 in the IWCOA Girls Open Championships was a good way to close things out and she took top honors in impressive fashion, winning all four of her matches by fall, recording a pin in 1:45 over Bloom Township’s Kinnidi Riley for the championship. One of five IWCOA individuals from her team who competed and one of two finalists for the Pirates, Cargill recorded a pin in 1:38 in the quarterfinals over Richwoods’ Sydney Johnson and then earned her spot on the 170 title match after getting a fall in 0:39 over Lake Park’s Paige Washburn in the semifinals.

“I think that I really improved from last year,” Cargill said. “I qualified for IHSA state last year but I didn’t place. The sport is growing so big now and there’s a lot of experience so you really have to buckle up. It’s really surprising that there are a lot of girls that are joining the sport because boys dominated, so it’s good since it shows that women can do any sport that they want. What I like the most about girls wrestling is win or lose, we’re all there for each other. No matter if we’re on a different team, we’re always cheering each other on and saying hi to each other and giving hugs. I see that most boys don’t do that, they’re all too serious. We kind of have a twist to it that makes it serious, but fun at the same time.”

Bloom Township junior Kinnidi Riley didn’t take part in the IHSA girls state series, instead she competed with the boys co-op team for Bloom and Bloom Trail in the Class 3A Rich Township Regional. So it was a big deal that a member of the Blazing Trojans was able to compete for an IWCOA Girls Open Championships title at 170. One of three qualifiers and the lone medalist for Bloom Township, Riley opened with a fall and then won two close decisions, claiming a 9-7 win over Schaumburg’s Alya Razzak in the quarterfinals and edging Urbana’s Franciana Kalanga 1-0 in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Schaumburg’s Alya Razzak got past Richwoods’ Sydney Johnson 2-1 and for fifth, Lake Park’s Paige Washburn claimed a 6-1 decision over Urbana’s Franciana Kalanga. In the seventh-place match, Conant’s Anaelise Aberman won by fall in 4:16 over Batavia’s Caoimhe Mitchell, whose Bulldogs placed third at the IHSA Finals.

190 – Brittney Moran, West Aurora

After placing sixth the past two seasons at 190 in the IHSA Individual Finals, West Aurora’s Brittney Moran was sick while competing in the Schaumburg Sectional, which thwarted her attempt to try to get back to state for the third time and also become one of the 20 individuals who were the first three-time medalists in the tournament. So the junior, who went 28-3 this season with two of her losses coming at the sectional, decided to close out her season on a more positive note and she did that by winning the IWCOA Girls Open Championships at 190 when she recorded a fall in 1:42 over Fremd’s Jazz Ocampo. One of three individuals who competed in the event and the best finisher among two medalists for the Blackhawks, Moran won all three of her matches with pins, needing 0:56 to beat Highland’s Sophia Elkins in the quarterfinals and won in 2:45 in the semifinals over Schaumburg’s Nadia Razzak, who ended her season at the Schaumburg Sectional and denied her of a third trip to the IHSA Finals.

“It was difficult,” Moran said. “I got sick and everything and I didn’t wrestle my best (at the sectional). This actually kind of helps me a little because I beat one of the girls that beat me. This year was difficult, for sure, but I honestly feel like that’s a good thing because the sport is growing.  I just wish that they would separate from the guys’ teams to just the girls and they should add classes, too.”

Fremd junior Jazz Ocampo went 24-12 this season and finished one win shy of a state trip from the Schaumburg Sectional. Ocampo, the only qualifier for the Vikings, won narrow decisions in her first two matches, prevailing 5-2 over Robinson’s Shyiema Poole in the quarterfinals and edging Kaneland’s Sadie Kinsella 2-1 in the semifinals to earn her spot on the 190 title mat. Schaumburg’s Nadia Razzak took third place after winning by fall in 2:08 over Kaneland’s Sadie Kinsella. For fifth place, Robinson’s Khyiema Poole recorded a pin in 1:19 over Maine East’s Angelica Wszolek. And for seventh place, Rickover Naval Academy’s Julia Augello won by fall in 2:16 over Highland’s Sophia Elkins. 

235 – Jasmine Enriquez, Sycamore

After falling just short against the eventual IHSA 235 champion, Prairie Central’s Chloe Hoselton, in the consolation semifinals of the Geneseo Sectional, Sycamore’s Jasmine Enriquez wanted to show that she could also finish on top of the awards stand when she was able to compete again at the IWCOA Girls Open Championships, and that’s just what she did by winning the 235 title by fall in 1:55 over Palatine’s Monika Irazoque. Enriquez, a freshman who went 6-5 this season and was the lone entrant for the Spartans, won her other two matches with pins, recording one in 1:26 over Shepard’s Kassandra Lee in the quarterfinals and earning her spot on the 235 title mat with a fall in 3:56 over Fenton’s Ariana Solideo.

Palatine freshman Monika Irazoque, who failed to advance from the Conant Regional in the IHSA series, was a real success story for the IWCOA Girls Open Championships since she won twice in Springfield, which was how many wins she had after going 0-2 in the regional. She recorded a fall in 2:08 over Geneseo’s Aislan Leetch in the quarterfinals and joined 170 champion Sabrina Cargill as a finalist for the Pirates after getting a pin in 0:27 over Maine East’s Lyric Walton, who went on to finish in third place following her win by fall in 1:49 over Glenbard North’s Asreilla Wallace. In the fifth place match, Fenton’s Ariana Solideo recorded a pin in 2:35 over Wheaton North’s Iana Victory. And for seventh place, Geneseo’s Aislan Leetch was a winner by fall in 1:51 over Shepard’s Kassandra Lee.

Championship matches
 95 – Daniela Santander (Romeoville) won by fall over LT Diephuis (Canton) Fall 4:07
100 – Diamond Rodriguez (Dundee-Crown) won by fall over Giselle Arambula (Curie Metropolitan) Fall 0:41
105 – Ma`Kayla Bonner (Granite City) won in sudden victory over Lilliana Aly (Wauconda) SV 6-4
110 – Courtni Chuway (Seneca) won by fall over Gianna Linhorst (Edwardsville) Fall 2:17
115 – Ava Beldo (Centennial) won by fall over Veronika Arabova (Neuqua Valley) Fall 1:40
120 – Nina Hamm (Homewood-Flossmoor) won by major decision over Dyani Torres (Kaneland) Maj 14-4
125 – Tierra Hardin (Proviso West) won by decision over Brithany Mondragon (Addison Trail) Dec 9-5
130 – Audrey Barnes (Granite City) won by fall over Stacey Massey (Shepard) Fall 3:42
135 – Brianna Bynum (Sherrard) won by major decision over Gia Ritter (Geneseo) Maj 12-0
140 – Alicia Swank (Bloomington) won by decision over Viktoriia Rodnikova (Plainfield North) Dec 6-3
145 – Bella Cyrkiel (Minooka) won by decision over Makayla Hill (Oswego) Dec 6-1
155 – Abbey Boersma (Minooka) won by decision over Jessica Stover (Oswego East) Dec 12-6
170 – Sabrina Cargill (Palatine) won by fall over Kinnidi Riley (Bloom Township) Fall 1:45
190 – Brittney Moran (West Aurora) won by fall over Jazz Ocampo (Fremd) Fall 1:42
235 – Jasmine Enriquez (Sycamore) won by fall over Monika Irazoque (Palatine) Fall 1:55

Third-Place Matches
 95 – Claire Crouch (Triad) won by fall over Annika Hull (Naperville Central) Fall 2:49
100 – Norah Vick (Sandwich) won by decision over Aerith Adams (Dunlap) Dec 7-2
105 – Kimani Glasper (Westinghouse) won by decision over Justice Girod (Schaumburg) Dec 8-3
110 – Lydia King (Geneseo) won by fall over Nastasia Kobets (Stevenson) Fall 4:28
115 – Taniyah Sherman (Kankakee) won by fall over Alexandra Chong (Edwardsville) Fall 3:53
120 – Giselle Castillo (Fenton) won by fall over Danica Martin (Morris) Fall 2:22
125 – Rylie Donahue (Somonauk) won by decision over Mila Rocush (Shepard) Dec 9-4
130 – Scarlett Gentille (O`Fallon) won by fall over Isabella `Izzy` Resendez (Glenwood) Fall 0:40
135 – Christina Marogy (Buffalo Grove) won in sudden victory over Amelia Howell (Batavia) SV 2-0
140 – Brynn Swyers (Vandalia) won by major decision over Bailey Mitchell (Lincoln-Way Central) Maj 17-5
145 – Alketa Picari (Metea Valley) won in sudden victory over Joscelin Ritthamel (Lake Park) SV 4-2
155 – Madelyn Mooney (Geneseo) won by fall over Zamaya Taylor (Larkin) Fall 3:39
170 – Alya Razzak (Schaumburg) won by decision over Sydney Johnson (Richwoods) Dec 2-1
190 – Nadia Razzak (Schaumburg) won by fall over Sadie Kinsella (Kaneland) Fall 2:08
235 – Lyric Walton (Maine East) won by fall over Asreilla Wallace (Glenbard North) Fall 1:49

Fifth-Place Matches
 95 – Izzy Paz (Wheaton North) won by decision over Abella Brown (East Peoria) Dec 6-4
100 – Emily Peyton (Lincoln-Way Central) won by fall over Shayla Schielein (Canton) Fall 1:43
105 – Ashley Hammond (Larkin) won by major decision over Carlly Ho (Rochester) Maj 13-0
110 – Janiya Moore (Metea Valley) won by fall over Ruby Vences (Burlington Central) Fall 2:50
115 – Lailonie Molina (West Aurora) won by decision over Gracie Meluch (Naperville Central) Dec 9-5
120 – Ryan Mark (Wheaton North) won by medical forfeit over Monica Garcia (J. Sterling Morton) MFF
125 – Sofia Petronijevic (J. Sterling Morton) won by decision over Evie Anderson (Durand) Dec 6-1
130 – Ava Weatherford (Ottawa Township) won by fall over Sharon Olorunfemi (Schaumburg) Fall 2:57
135 – Christiara Finley (Hillcrest) won by fall over Britany Chavarria (East Aurora) Fall 3:32
140 – Vivian Guither (Normal West) won by fall over Isabella Miller (Oak Park and River Forest) Fall 3:44
145 – Anna Vasey (Unity) won by fall over Brianna Crown (Woodstock) Fall 4:07
155 – Caliyah Campbell (Oak Park and River Forest) won by fall over Derika Gradford (Mt. Vernon) Fall 2:30
170 – Paige Washburn (Lake Park) won by decision over Franciana Kalanga (Urbana) Dec 6-1
190 – Khyiema Poole (Robinson) won by fall over Angelica Wszolek (Maine East) Fall 1:19
235 – Ariana Solideo (Fenton) won by fall over Iana Victory (Wheaton North) Fall 2:35

Seventh-Place Matches
 95 – Melani Martinez (Curie Metropolitan) won by fall over Sunny Aitzemkour (New Trier) Fall 4:25
100 – Gracie Pattison (Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin) won by medical forfeit over Lilly Davis (Mt. Vernon) MFF
105 – Maggie Gordon (Morris) won by fall over Sofia Gold (Neuqua Valley) Fall 2:38
110 – Judith Gamboa (Reed-Custer) won by fall over Zoey Nelson (Mascoutah) Fall 0:33
115 – Kendall Smith (Civic Memorial) won by fall over Makensi Martin (Morris) Fall 1:26
120 – Ryleigh Eriks (Rock Falls) won by decision over Alauni Muex (Marion) Dec 6-2
125 – Karina Lojowski (Stevenson) won by fall over Morgan Krone-Smallhorn (Charleston) Fall 0:42
130 – Maria Green (Glenbard East) won by decision over Eleanor Giertuga (Lincoln-Way Central) Dec 7-6
135 – Maddie Wells (St. Joseph-Ogden) won by decision over Ameera Murphy (Oswego) Dec 6-3
140 – Addison Wolf (St. Charles East) won by decision over Liriana Rakoci (Hoffman Estates) Dec 8-6
145 – Rory Speidel (Jersey Community) won by decision over Cecilia Colon (Chicago Marshall) Dec 2-1
155 – Kyiah Chavez (Oswego) won by fall over Noelie Perez-Bedolla (Joliet Township) Fall 1:30
170 – Anaelise Aberman (Conant) won by fall over Caoimhe Mitchell (Batavia) Fall 4:16
190 – Julia Augello (Rickover Naval Academy) won by fall over Sophia Elkins (Highland) Fall 2:16
235 – Aislan Leetch (Geneseo) won by fall over Kassandra Lee (Shepard) Fall 1:51

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

In a familiar script that has played out often throughout the years, individuals who fell a bit short of trips to the IHSA Individuals Finals again got the chance to finish on a better note when they competed in the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association’s Freshman/Sophomore State Championships at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield.

A total of 479 individuals advanced to the Finals of the 28th annual tournament, and when the two days of competition were complete, there were champions from 15 different schools. Eleven of the title winners were sophomores and four were freshmen.

Normal Community’s Jackson Soney won the competition for the second time when he took top honors at 101. Other sophomores who captured titles were Hononegah’s Jackson Olson (106), Morton’s Harrison Dea (113), Glenbard East’s Ismael Chaidez (120), Lockport Township’s Isaac Zimmerman (126), Morris’ Carter Skoff (132), Lincoln-Way Central’s Jalen Byrd (144), Hersey’s Frank Tagoe (150), Marmion Academy’s Vincenzo Testa (175), Dundee-Crown’s Teigen Moreno (215) and Lincoln-Way East’s Ryan Stingily (285).

Freshmen champions were Barrington’s Danel Blanke (138), Marian Central Catholic’s Nic Astacio (157), Grant’s Aaden Arroyo (165) and Harvard’s Blake Livdahl (190).

Sophomores who finished second were Stevenson’s Evan Mishels (106), Yorkville’s Liam Fenoglio (113), Jacobs’ Ben Arbotante (120), Shelbyville’s Bodee Fathauer (126), Homewood-Flossmoor’s Robye Williams (132), Downers Grove North’s Caden Chiarelli (138), Normal Community’s Carter Mayes (144) and Grayslake Central’s Warren Nash III (150). 

Other sophomores who took second were Hampshire’s Michael Brannigan (157), Unity’s Abram Davidson (165), Rolling Meadows’ John Rappa (175), Springfield Southeast’s Christopher Hull (190), Marist’s Tommy O’Brien (215) and Barrington’s Clarence Jackson (285). The lone freshman who finished second was IC Catholic Prep’s Dominic Pasquale (101).

One champion, Arroyo, and one runner-up, Nash III, finished fourth in their regionals and didn’t advance to the sectional. Two finalists who didn’t compete in the IHSA state series were champion Stingily and runner-up Mayes. And Dea was the lone champion who placed last season at the IHSA Individual Finals, taking fifth place at 106 in Class 2A. 

Beside Soney (first at 101 in 2023), the other individual who competed in a title match for the second time was Zimmerman (second at 106 in 2023). Other champions who placed in last year’s IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals were Stingily (fourth at 285), Chaidez (sixth at 113), Brannigan (eighth at 152), Moreno (eighth at 220) and Olson (eighth at 106).

Soney led all competitors with 34 team points while Blanke, Byrd and Moreno scored 32 points and Dea collected 31 team points. Chaidez, Skoff and Testa had 30 team points. Arroyo and Zimmerman each scored 29.5 team points, Astacio had 28.5 points while Brannigan, Hull and Livdahl collected 28 team points and Olson and Williams finished with 27.5 points. 

Yorkville’s Caleb Viscogliosi and Soney both recorded five falls, with the latter needing 7:37 to pull that off. Maine South’s Jake Colleran led all entrants by scoring 71 match points while Naperville Central’s Vince Bern had 68 match points and Plainfield North’s Aidan DuRell finished with 65 match points.

Marist led the way with 241 match points while Lockport Township was second with 209 and St. Charles East ranked third with 191 match points. Maris recorded the most falls with 13 while Lincoln-Way Central and Moline both collected nine pins.

Programs with the most qualifiers for the Frosh/Soph State Finals were Marist (16), Lockport Township (10), Grant (7), Lincoln-Way East (7), Maine South (7), St. Charles East (7), Shepard (7), Carl Sandburg (6), Glenbard West (6), Lincoln-Way Central (6), Lincoln-Way West (6), Moline (6), Downers Grove South (5), Edwardsville (5), Evanston Township (5), Glenbrook South (5), Joliet Catholic Academy (5), Normal Community (5) and Washington Community (5).

Here’s a look at the 15 champions and their weight classes at the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association’s Freshman/Sophomore State Championships:

101 – Jackson Soney, Normal Community

Last season, Jackson Soney wasn’t able to compete much with Class 3A fifth-place finisher and 51-match winner Caden Correll at 106, so he entered the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals and beat Washington Community’s Symon Woods to win the title at 101. After going 40-4 this season and not being able to qualify at 113 at the Quincy Senior Sectional, the Normal Community sophomore again took part in the Frosh/Soph Tournament and won once again at 101 after recording a fall in 0:24 over IC Catholic Prep’s Dominic Pasquale. He was one of two finalists and medal winners among five qualifiers for the Ironmen, with 144 runner-up Carter Mayes being the other placewinner. Soney won all five of his matches by fall, with the first two also ending in the opening period before winning in 2:45 over St. Charles East’s Kaden Potter in the quarterfinals and in 2:31 over Niles Notre Dame’s Ray Long in the semifinals. Soney won by fall against all of the opponents that he faced in the IWCOA regional and sectional tournaments.

“I won this tournament last year,” Soney said. “Obviously I wish that I could have placed at the IHSA but this is the next best thing, that’s what my parents and coaches tell me. They always say to get the next best thing and this is the next best thing that I could get. This one was different because I pinned everyone in the regionals, sectionals and state. It does light the fire in me. I’m very excited about this tournament and about how I performed and I’m excited for next season, as well. I put in my work during the offseason and lifted more. And I focused more on what my weak points were. All of the training and everything that I’ve done has helped a lot.”

IC Catholic Prep freshman Dominic Pasquale, who went 24-16 and fell a bit short of advancing to state from the Class 2A Grayslake Central Sectional, used two falls and two wins by ultimate tiebreaker to reach the title mat, winning 7-5 on an ultimate tiebreaker over St. Patrick’s Jack Koening in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Marist’s Dylan Weber won a 10-2 major decision over St. Charles East’s Kaden Potter. For fifth place, Niles Notre Dame’s Ray Long captured a 14-4 major decision over St. Patrick’s Jack Koenig. And in the seventh-place match, Marmion Academy’s Colton Wyller captured a 4-2 decision over Andrew’s Gerald Donnelly.

106 – Jackson Olson, Hononegah

Jackson Olson got to experience a lot of positive things during his sophomore season at Hononegah. He qualified for the Class 3A Barrington Sectional, claimed a win in his final match while competing with his team that advanced to the IHSA Dual Team Finals for the first time since 2016 and had four teammates who placed third or better at the IHSA Individual Finals who all figure to be back next season. With a lot of positives happening in his program, Olson, who went 19-13 this season, seems well-positioned to be a state qualifier or medalist in the future after winning the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State title at 106 with an 8-3 decision over Stevenson’s Evan Mishels. The Indians’ lone qualifier for the tournament opened with a 2-0 decision but then won a major decision and got a win by technical fall over Proviso West’s Andre Rice in the quarterfinals, before winning 11-0 over Montini Catholic’s Bobby Ruscitti in the semifinals. This was the second medal that Olson won in the event after placing eighth at 106 last season.

Stevenson sophomore Evan Mishels, one of two qualifiers and medalists for the Patriots, won his first three matches, which were all close decisions. Mishels, who went 35-16 this season and fell one win shy of advancing to state from the Class 3A Barrington Sectional, earned his spot on the 106 title mat by capturing a 3-0 victory over St. Charles North’s Declan Sons in the semifinals. Montini Catholic’s Bobby Ruscitti recorded a fall in 2:11 over Schaumburg’s Austin Phelps in the third-place match. Burlington Central’s Jackson Marlett captured a 2-1 decision over St. Charles North’s Declan Sons to finish in fifth place and Proviso West’s Andre Rice won a 10-9 decision over Joliet Catholic Academy’s Matthew Laird to claim seventh place.

113 – Harrison Dea, Morton

When a freshman is fortunate to not only qualify for the Individual State Finals but to place there but then falls just short of another trip to Champaign the following year, it can be disappointing. That’s what happened to Morton sophomore Harrison Dea, who went 37-11 last season and took fifth place in Class 2A at 106 but then lost in the semifinals of the Class 2A Sycamore Sectional and also the consolation semifinals to finish 29-7 this year. One of two Potters who advanced to the IWCOA Frosh/Soph Finals and placed, with Colton McKee (fifth at 165), the other, Dea took first place at 113 after capturing a 5-4 decision over Yorkville’s Liam Fenoglio in the championship match. Dea opened with three-consecutive falls, winning in 0:46 in the quarterfinals over Fremd’s Trentin Odachowski and then he claimed a 12-0 major decision over Naperville Central’s Jacob Cochran in the semifinals.

“I had a really rough sectional,” Dea said of the Class 2A Sycamore Sectional. “In my semifinal match, I was up until the last 10 seconds against Geneseo’s Tim Sebastian and then I had to turn back around and wrestle my blood-round match and I was up 6-0 and I got caught in a cradle. It was really a heart break, but as soon as that happened, I just focused on what was next and just kept moving and kept pushing forward and I went back in the room and trained hard and now I’m standing on top of the podium. In my freshman year I took fifth at IHSA state, Then when I came back, I was up a weight class and I had to learn to wrestle a different style because the kids from 106 to 113 are definitely stronger.”

Yorkville sophomore Liam Fenoglio went 27-20 this season and got the opportunity to compete in the IHSA Dual Team Finals for the Class 3A runner-up Foxes, where he went 2-1. Fenoglio, one of three qualifiers and two medal winners for Yorkville, claimed a 6-4 decision over Carl Sandburg’s Oscar Kalman in the quarterfinals and then captured a 12-4 major decision in the semifinals over Morris’ Brock Claypool, who took third place with an 8-7 decision over Maine South’s Brett Harman. In the fifth-place match, Naperville Central’s Jacob Cochran won by fall in 3:00 over Crystal Lake Central’s Dylan Ramsey and Fremd’s Trentin Odachowski claimed seventh place by medical forfeit over Carl Sandburg’s Oscar Kalman.

120 – Ismael Chaidez, Glenbard East

When someone reaches the semifinals of one of the state’s toughest sectionals but then fails to advance to the IHSA Individual Finals, it can be disheartening. Someone who certainly can understand that dejection is Glenbard East sophomore Ismael Chaidez, who won his first two matches at 126 in the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional only to run into Mount Carmel’s Seth Mendoza, who claimed his third-straight state championship one week later. A subsequent 7-6 consolation semifinal loss ended his 37-8 season. The Rams’ lone qualifier for the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals, Chaidez captured a 5-1 decision over Jacobs’ Ben Arbotante to win the 120 title. He opened with three falls, winning in 3:43 over Lincoln-Way West’s Carter DiBenedetto in the quarterfinals before claiming a 3-0 victory over Oswego’s Aiden Ortiz to earn his spot in the 120 championship match. Chaidez also participated in the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals last season and claimed a sixth-place finish at 113.

Jacobs sophomore Ben Arbotante, who fell short of earning a trip to state at the Class 3A Barrington Sectional to finish 29-13, was one of three medalists out of four qualifiers for the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals for the Golden Eagles. He won his first match by technical fall before capturing three-straight decisions, which included a 4-2 victory over Olympia’s Austin Kisner in the quarterfinals and a 5-4 win in the semifinals over Triad’s Glen Henry, who took third place with a 6-3 decision over Batavia’s Kyle Pasco. In the fifth-place match, Oswego’s Aiden Ortiz won 6-5 by ultimate tiebreaker over Plainfield North’s Aidan DuRell. For seventh place, Olympia’s Austin Kisner won a 5-1 decision over Oakwood/Salt Fork’s Tyler Huchel.

126 – Isaac Zimmerman, Lockport Township

Lockport Township’s Isaac Zimmerman won 34 matches as a freshman and then went 33-14 this season but for the second year in a row, he fell one win shy of advancing to the IHSA Individual Finals, after reaching the semifinals and consolation semifinals at the Class 3A Quincy Senior Sectional. After taking second at 106 to Mount Carmel’s Kavel Moore in last year’s IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals, he would now like to get medals the next two seasons at the IHSA Finals. Zimmerman, one of 10 Porters who qualified for and three who claimed medals at the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals, won the championship at 126 by recording a fall in 3:45 over Shelbyville’s Bodee Fathauer. He earned his spot on the title mat\ with a win by technical fall over Bremen’s Izaiah Gonzalez. After opening with a fall, he won two decisions, which included a 13-12 victory over Mascoutah’s Desi Wade in the quarterfinals.

“Jameson Oster became our new coach last year and took over for Josh Oster,” said Zinmerman, who wanted to thank all of the Porters’ assistant coaches, Josh Zimmerman, Dan Swan, Mike Mucha, Rob Melgoza, Colin Holler, Josh Oster, Doug Chesna, Jim Ranney, Dave Mackey and Ron Farina. “The coaching staff has been great. My brother, Liam, who’s a junior, got to coach me in the Frosh/Soph and my dad has been coaching me since I was like five. We have a newer coach, Mike Mucha, and Abdullah (Assaf) didn’t coach that much this year, but he’s still one of my favorite coaches. In our room, we have Justin (Wardlow), who took second again, and I know that’s not what he was shooting for, but he’s really, really good. I don’t wrestle my brother often, but my brother also wrestles everybody else, so I get to wrestle everybody else, too. Iron sharpens iron, so everybody gets better.”

Shelbyville sophomore Bodee Fathauer went 30-16 this season and also advanced to the semifinals and consolation semifinals at his sectional, Class 1A Vandalia, to fall one win shy of a trip to Champaign. The lone IWCOA Frosh/Soph qualifier for the Rams, he followed a major decision and a pin with a 9-7 win by sudden victory over Joliet Catholic Academy’s Aurelio Munoz in the quarterfinals before recording a fall in 4:30 over Deerfield’s Adrian Cohen in the semifinals.In the third-place match, Naperville Central’s Vince Bern won a 10-5 decision over Bremen’s Izaiah Gonzalez. For fifth place, Joliet Catholic Academy’s Aurelio Munoz captured a 4-2 decision over Deerfield’s Adrian Cohen and in the seventh-place match, St. Charles East’s Gavin Woodmancy was a winner by medical forfeit over Stevenson’s Mikey Polyakov.

132 – Carter Skoff, Morris

Carter Skoff was one of four individuals from Morris that entered the Class 2A Sycamore Sectional with over 30 or more wins but only one of them was able to advance to state, Owen Sater, who won the sectional title at 106. So Skoff, a sophomore who went 35-8 this season, opted to compete in the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals for the second time. He split four matches at last year’s tournament but this time his showing was much improved as he won all five of his matches, which included two falls and two major decisions before capturing a 9-8 decision over Homewood-Flossmoor’s Robye Williams in the 132 title match. Skoff, one of two medalists for Morris, got a major decision in his opener and a pin after that before winning another major decision, this time 11-3 over Granite City’s Braxton Tolley in the quarterfinals and added a second fall, in 1:33, over Lincoln-Way Central’s Jadon Zimmer in the semifinals.

Homewood-Flossmoor sophomore Robye Williams (14-9) came up one victory away from a trip to state on two occasions at the Class 3A Quincy Senior Sectional after falling in the semifinals and the consolation semifinals. Williams, who also took part in last year’s Frosh/Soph State Finals and fell a bit short of getting a medal, opened with two falls and then got a win by technical fall over Fenwick’s Burke Burns in the quarterfinals and claimed a win by fall in 3:48 over West Aurora’s Jack Platt. In the third-place match, Maine South’s Jake Colleran captured an 8-3 decision over Glenbard West’s Alejandro Aranda. For fifth place, Lincoln-Way Central’s Jadon Zimmer won a 5-1 decision over West Aurora’s Jack Platt. And in the seventh-place match, Granite City’s Braxton Tolley prevailed by an ultimate tiebreaker over Hoopeston Area’s Aiden Bell.

138 – Daniel Blanke, Barrington

Considering how hard it is for experienced individuals to qualify for state, most freshmen might be content if they fell just one win shy of advancing in their first attempt. While Daniel Blanke did just that at his own Class 3A Barrington Sectional to conclude a 26-12 season, the Broncos freshman wanted to finish on a better note and he accomplished that by winning the 138 title in the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals by getting a fall in 2:14 over Downers Grove North’s 

Caden Chiarelli. One of two qualifiers for the Broncos, with Clarence Jackson also getting to the title match at 285 and taking second, Blanke won four of his five matches by fall, including the first three. He got a pin in 2:54 over Lincoln-Way Central’s Ethan Harvey in the quarterfinals and reached the title mat by capturing a 7-3 decision over Sandwich’s Ian Hawkins in the semifinals.

“I did pretty well, but I didn’t qualify for state, which was a bummer,” Blanke said. “We have coach (Dan) Keller, and he’s a great coach and we’ve got a bunch of studs in our room. This makes me feel a lot better. And I’m definitely going to aim for being a medalist next year.”

Downers Grove North sophomore Caden Chiarelli also fell one win shy of a state trip at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional after losing in both the semifinals and consolation semifinals to conclude a 26-18 season. Chiarelli, one of two Trojans to qualify for the Frosh/Soph State Finals and their lone medalist, opened with a fall and then won three-straight close decisions, claiming a 1-0 victory over Maine South’s Caden Ljubenko in the quarterfinals and prevailing 5-3 in sudden victory over Geneseo’s Grady Hull in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Sandwich’s Ian Hawkins claimed a 5-0 decision over Geneseo’s Grady Hull. For fifth place, Quincy Senior’s Cale Mixer got a fall in 2:47 over Maine South’s Caden Ljubenko. And in the seventh-place match, Lincoln-Way Central’s Ethan Harvey won 6-2 over Lockport Township’s Christian Czerwinski.

144 – Jalen Byrd, Lincoln-Way Central

When you’re the son of an IWCOA Hall of Fame wrestler, who also happens to be your head coach, trying to follow in your father’s footsteps is a typical goal. And if Lincoln-Way Central sophomore Jalen Byrd is able to achieve just a fraction of what his father Tyrone, a 2020 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee, accomplished first at Clinton and later at the University of Illinois, then he too will have a successful career. Coming up a bit short of a state trip at the Class 3A Quincy Senior Sectional to conclude a 22-6 season after finishing with 39 victories and falling one win shy of advancing to state a year ago, Byrd led the Knights’ six qualifiers and three medalists at the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals when he won the 144 title with a fall in 2:12 over Normal Community’s Carter Mayes. He also had pins in his first three matches, which was capped by a fall in 2:33 over Prospect’s Bennett Westfallen in the quarterfinals and then he captured a 7-0 decision over DeKalb’s Cam Matthews in the semifinals.

“Sometimes it’s tough mentally and physically, and other times you get a lot of a reward out of it,” Byrd said of being able to compete for his father. “The work that he puts me through helps me to perform at my best. This year, I got hurt pretty early on in the season and came back, but I didn’t do too well at sectionals. But I came here and finished out the season with a good win. We’ve got a young team, too, and we’ll have two seniors next year, and that’s it. This will help me to get better so that I can get on the podium next year, that’s the biggest goal now, and on top of that is the best goal, to win that state title.”

Normal Community sophomore Carter Mayes was 31-10 after his team won the title at the Big 12 Conference Tournament but he didn’t compete in the IHSA state series. He was one of five qualifiers and two finalists and medalists at the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals for the Ironmen, with 101 champion Jackson Soney the other. Mayes opened with two falls and then won an 18-4 major decision over Alton Senior’s Brayden Drew before winning 7-0 over Oswego’s Dillon Griffin in the semifinals. In the third-place match, York’s Jackson Hanselman won a 3-0 decision over Alton Senior’s Brayden Drew. For fifth place, Oswego’s Dillon Griffin captured a 6-4 victory over DeKalb’s Cam Matthews. And in the seventh-place match, Lockport Township’s Naseem Jaber claimed a 6-4 decision over Prospect’s Bennett Westfallen.

150 – Frank Tagoe, Hersey

Frank Tagoe got the opportunity to be on a special team in his sophomore season as Hersey qualified 12 individuals, including eight seniors, for the Class 3A Barrington Sectional and advanced six to the IHSA Individual Finals, where two were All-Staters. While Tagoe came up a bit short of joining his teammates in Champaign and finished with a 17-13 record, he did get to end things on a high note after taking first place at the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals when he won a 7-0 decision over Grayslake Central’s Warren Nash III in the 150 title match. One of two qualifiers and the lone medalist for the Huskies, he had one fall and three other decisions. In the quarterfinals, he won 4-1 over Robinson’s Benjamin Mullins and he earned his spot on the title mat with an 8-7 victory over Evanston Township’s Rodrigo Salinas in the semifinals.

“I just have to keep putting that work in and hopefully I get there,” Tagoe said. “Everyone in our room has a common goal and when you have people in a room like we have, everyone just pushes each other every day to get better, and it’s the same with the coaching staff.”

Grayslake Central sophomore Warren Nash III is one of the success stories of those who advanced to a title match at the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals since he failed to qualify for the Class 2A sectional that his school hosted after taking fourth at the Antioch Regional to conclude a 32-17 season. Nash III, the lone medalist of the Rams’ four qualifiers,  opened with two major decisions before winning 8-6 by sudden victory over New Trier’s Yassin Aitzemkour in the quarterfinals and then he recorded a fall in 3:57 over Wheaton Academy’s Tyler Jones in the semifinals. In the third-place match, East St. Louis Senior’s Pierre Walton was a winner by fall in 4:28 over Wheaton Academy’s Tyler Jones. For fifth place, Robinson’s Benjamin Mullins captured a 6-3 decision over Evanston Township’s Rodrigo Salinas and for seventh-place, Warren Township’s Nicholas Hermsen got a fall in 4:54 over Woodstock’s Logan Wisner.

157 – Nic Astacio, Marian Central Catholic

Things couldn’t have gone much better for Nic Astacio during his freshman season at Marian Central Catholic since he not only had the chance to compete along with his senior brother Max, but he got the rare opportunity as a freshman to be a major contributor for a team that won the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team champion to claim its first title and the Woodstock school won its first title in a boys sport since 1989. He fell one win shy of joining eight of his Hurricanes teammates as state qualifiers at the rugged Class 1A Byron Sectional but then went 2-1 in at the IHSA Dual Team finals to finish 32-25 for the season and he helped Marian Central Catholic beat defending champion Coal City 34-27 in the championship dual meet. Astacio, the only qualifier from his school, won the IWCOA Frosh/Soph title at 157 by recording a fall in 2:01 over Hampshire’s Michael Brannigan. He opened with a win by technical fall before capturing a 4-1 victory. He followed that with a 5-1 decision over Washington Community’s Cruise Brolley and then won a 12-2 major decision over Downers Grove South’s Noah Greene in the semifinals.

“That was the best training that I could get,” said Astacio of wrestling against his senior brother, Max, who overcame injuries to take sixth at 165 in Class 1A to capture his second state medal. “I practiced with Max almost every single day in the wrestling room. He’s a senior and he’s been in this way longer than me. He’s the best mentor, and in fact, he was my coach these past two weeks. And everything that I’ve learned is from my father, Mario. It certainly was one helluva team. I have some of the best coaches that I could ask for. There’s a bright future for Marian Central, for sure. There’s a lot of kids who would wish to be in my spot and I just couldn’t be more grateful to be here. The main thing that I take away from this is the state championship. I’ve learned so much this freshman year. I’ve learned how to high school wrestle.”

Hampshire sophomore Michael Brannigan also fell a bit short of earning a state trip at the Class 3A Barrington Sectional and finished with a 30-15 record. One of three qualifiers and two medal winners for the Whip-Purs in the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals, Brannigan recorded falls in his other four matches, including in 3:26 in the quarterfinals over Galesburg’s Anthony Makwala and in 3:21 over Moline’s Deanthony Simpson in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Lincoln-Way East’s Declan Dircks won with a pin in 2:39 over Marquette Academy’s Reily Leifheit. For fifth place, Moline’s Deanthony Simpson captured a 5-3 decision over Downers Grove South’s Noah Greene. And in the seventh-place match, Libertyville’s James Scanio won 4-2 in sudden victory over Washington Community’s Cruise Brolley.

165 – Aaden Arroyo, Grant 

When you look at most of the individuals who win titles at the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals, you expect to see a majority who fell just shy of advancing to the IHSA Individual State Finals, while those who failed to qualify from a regional or had season records below .500 are unusual. But that really didn’t matter very much to Grant freshman Aaden Arroyo, who went 8-9 this season and finished in fourth place at 175 in the Class 3A Libertyville Regional. One of seven qualifiers and the lone medalist for the Bulldogs, Arroyo captured the IWCOA Frosh/Soph title at 175 when he won 7-5 by sudden victory over Unity’s Abram Davidson in championship match. He won a second-round match by technical fall and had pins before and after that, winning in 1:51 in the quarterfinals over Batavia’s Colin Peyton and Arroyo earned his spot in the title match with another close decision, winning 6-5 over Morton’s Colton McKee in the semifinals.

“I think I did very well,” Arroyo said. “I definitely could have done a lot better at the start of the season. But then I really started to work harder for it. Coming into this tournament, I placed second at the regional and third at the sectional and I really wanted it, so I kind of pushed myself to keep going. (Competing at Grant) Definitely the team pushes you to be better and the coaches are always trying to help you strive for more. So I’m constantly trying to be better and focusing on what needs to be done.”

By contrast, Unity sophomore Abram Davidson was a typical IWCOA finalist who fell in both the semifinals and consolation semifinals at 157 at the Class 1A Olympia Sectional and finished 39-11 after competing with his team in the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals in Bloomington. One of four qualifiers and the only medal winner for the Rockets, Davidson followed a fall in his opener with two close decisions, including a 4-1 win in the quarterfinals over Lena-Winslow/Stockton’s John Mensendike in the quarterfinals. He earned his spot in the title match by getting a pin in 3:53 over Civic Memorial’s Luke McCoy, who claimed third place after capturing a 6-0 decision over Yorkville’s Caleb Viscogliosi. In the fifth-place match, Morton’s Colton McKee recorded a fall in 1:57 over Yorkville Christian’s Tyler Gleason, and for seventh place, Oak Forest’s Jason Janke captured a 7-2 decision over Lincoln-Way East’s Colton Zvonar.

175 – Vincenzo Testa, Marmion Academy

Marmion Academy sophomore Vincenzo Testa got the opportunity to be on one of the state’s top 3A teams this season and one of its 10 qualifiers for the rugged Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional, but he fell one win shy of joining seven other Cadets in Champaign and finished with a 27-13 record after his team fell to eventual 3A Dual Team champion Mount Carmel in the Downers Grove South Sectional. Testa, one of two medalists and four qualifiers for Marmion Academy at the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals, captured the 175 championship with a 3-1 decision over Rolling Meadows’ John (Jack) Rappa. He opened his title run by recording three-straight falls, including a pin in 2:37 over Rich Township’s Kelcey Span in the quarterfinals and followed that with an 8-3 decision over Naperville Central’s Paul Peradotti in the semifinals.

Rolling Meadows sophomore John (Jack) Rappa, who went 25-13 this season and fell a bit short of advancing to state from the Class 3A Barrington Sectional, was one of two qualifiers and the lone medalist for the Mustangs in the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals. After opening with two falls, he won a pair of two-point decisions, prevailing 3-1 over Lincoln-Way East’s Brody Gish in the quarterfinals and then he claimed a 2-0 victory over Yorkville Christian’s Jackson Allen in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Naperville Central’s Paul Peradotti captured a 3-0 decision over Libertyville’s Jack Treutelaar. For fifth place, Yorkville Christian’s Jackson Allen won by fall in 4:38 over Trico’s Johnny Ramaker. And Jacobs’ Johnny Strauss won by injury default over Marist’s Kyle Herzog to claim seventh place.

190 – Blake Livdahl, Harvard

When a freshman has a 20-5 record and falls one win shy of qualifying for state at a tough sectional, it usually is a good way to conclude a debut season. Harvard freshman Blake Livdahl did just that, losing in both the semifinals and consolation semifinals at the Class 2A Sycamore Sectional. The lone qualifier for the Hornets at the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals, Livdahl won the 190 title match by capturing an 8-1 decision over Springfield Southeast’s Christopher Hull.  He opened with a pin and then claimed another 8-1 decision before winning a 13-4 major decision over Olympia’s Darian Holloway in the quarterfinals. Livdahl earned his spot in the 190 championship mat with another major decision, this time 11-2 over Freeburg’s Dane Olmstead.

Springfield Southeast sophomore Christopher Hull also came up one win shy of advancing to state from the Class 2A Mahomet-Seymour Sectional to conclude a 29-10 season. The lone IWCOA Frosh/Soph State qualifier for the Spartans, Hull recorded falls in his first four matches. He won in 0:42 over Marmion Academy’s Luke Boersma in the quarterfinals and then pinned Joliet Catholic Academy’s Derrick Pomatto in 3:36 in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Lena-Winslow/Stockton’s Oliver McPeek captured an 8-1 decision over Lincoln-Way West’s James Talley, Jr. For fifth place, Freeburg’s Dane Olmstead won by medical forfeit over Joliet Catholic Academy’s Derrick Pomatto. And in the seventh-place match, Hampshire’s Carter Hintz pulled out an 11-10 victory over Westville’s Ethan Miller.

215 – Teigen Moreno, Dundee-Crown

Dundee-Crown sophomore Teigen Moreno fell one win short of qualifying for the IHSA Individual Finals from the Class 3A Barrington Sectional to close out a 28-10 season. He hopes that winning the 215 title at the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals helps him to qualify for state and possibly medal there next year. Moreno, the lone qualifier for the Chargers, recorded a fall in 1:23 over Marist’s Tommy O’Brien in the 215 championship match. He also got pins in his first three matches, which included one in 2:10 over Lincoln-Way Central’s Aiden Hennings in the quarterfinals. Moreno earned his spot on the title mat by claiming a 5-4 decision over Mahomet-Seymour’s Noah Daniels. He placed eighth at 220 at the Frosh/Soph State Finals a year ago.

Marist sophomore Tommy O’Brien fell a bit short of joining eight of his teammates as state qualifiers from the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional and finished with a 20-15 record for one of the top 3A teams this season. O’Brien was the lone finalist and one of three medal winners for the RedHawks, who had 16 individuals who participated in the IWCOA’s Frosh/Soph State Finals. O’Brien got a pin in his opener and then won two decisions, including a 3-2 victory over Minooka’s Santino Capodice in the quarterfinals. He advanced to the 215 title match with a fall in 4:29 over Vandalia’s Dominic Swyers. In the third-place match, Mahomet-Seymour’s Noah Daniels won a 9-4 decision over Vandalia’s Dominic Swyers in a meeting of individuals who were on teams that advanced to the IHSA Dual Team Finals with the Vandals placing fourth in Class 1A. For fifth place, Horizon Science Academy – Southwest Chicago’s Samel Marerro won a 10-1 major decision over Minooka’s Santino Capodice. And in the seventh-place match, Oak Forest’s Andrius Vasilevskas prevailed 5-3 in sudden victory over Jacobs’ Lucas Retzler.

285 – Ryan Stingily, Lincoln-Way East

Ryan Stingily had a 12-12 record in mid-January and then did not compete in the IHSA Class 3A Rich Township Regional. So it’s easy to see why the Lincoln-Way East sophomore was excited to close out his season by claiming top honors at 285 at the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals. In the 285 championship match, he won 4-2 on a tiebreaker over Barrington’s Clarence Jackson. Stingily, the lone finalist and one of three medal winners for the Griffins, who had seven competitors who advanced to Springfield, received a bye in his opener and then won two decisions, including 3-1 over Washington Community’s Sean Thornton in the quarterfinals. He earned his spot on the title mat by recording a fall in 2:07 over Wheeling’s Pablo Morales. Stingily also placed in the IWCOA Frosh/Soph State Finals last year, finishing fourth at 285.

“It’s a great feeling and I’ve been working all season to get to this point,” Stingily said. “Being with my teammates and me cheering them on and them cheering me on. I like the family aspect of it (competing for Lincoln-Way East). When you’re part of a team at East, it’s like you’re part of a big family. It’s fun looking back on it to see where I started to where I am now. When I first started, I couldn’t even get into a stance and now I’m holding this plaque.”

Barrington sophomore Clarence Jackson and the 138 champion, freshman Daniel Blanke, were the Broncos’ only qualifiers and they both advanced to the title mat. Jackson, who went 30-13 this season and fell one win shy of advancing from his school’s Class 3A sectional, got pins in his first two matches and won 5-3 by sudden victory over East Peoria’s Keegan Barnes in the quarterfinals before recording a fall in 4:33 over Evanston Township’s Ian Sims in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Fenton’s Josh Zuniga won by fall in 1:32 over Evanston Township’s Ian Sims. For fifth place, Wheeling’s Pablo Morales captured a 3-1 decision over Dakota’s Randy McPeek. And in the seventh-place match, St. Charles East’s Matt Medina, who got the opportunity to compete with his team in the IHSA Class 3A Dual Team Finals where the Fighting Saints took third place,  recorded a pin in 1:33 over Fremd’s Owen Jakubczak.

Championship Matches

101 – Jackson Soney (Normal Community) won by fall over Dominic Pasquale (IC Catholic Prep) Fall 0:24
106 – Jackson Olson (Hononegah) won by decision over Evan Mishels (Stevenson) Dec 8-3
113 – Harrison Dea (Morton) won by decision over Liam Fenoglio (Yorkville) Dec 5-4
120 – Ismael Chaidez (Glenbard East) won by decision over Ben Arbotante (Jacobs) Dec 5-1
126 – Isaac Zimmerman (Lockport Township) won by fall over Bodee Fathauer (Shelbyville) Fall 3:45
132 – Carter Skoff (Morris) won by decision over Robye Williams (Homewood-Flossmoor) Dec 9-8
138 – Daniel Blanke (Barrrington) won by fall over Caden Chiarelli (Downers Grove North) Fall 2:14
144 – Jalen Byrd (Lincoln-Way Central) won by fall over Carter Mayes (Normal Community) Fall 2:12
150 – Frank Tagoe (Hersey) won by decision over Warren Nash III (Grayslake Central) Dec 7-0
157 – Nicolas Astacio (Marian Central) won by fall over Michael Brannigan (Hampshire) Fall 2:01
165 – Aaden Arroyo (Grant) won in sudden victory over Abram Davidson (Unity) SV 7-5
175 – Vincenzo Testa (Marmion Academy) won by decision over John Rappa (Rolling Meadows) Dec 3-1
190 – Blake Livdahl (Harvard) won by decision over Christopher Hull (Springfield Southeast) Dec 8-1
215 – Teigen Moreno (Dundee-Crown) won by fall over Tommy O’Brien (Marist) Fall 1:23
285 – Ryan Stingily (Lincoln-Way East) won in tie breaker over Clarence Jackson (Barrrington) TB 4-2

Third Place Matches

101 – Dylan Weber (Marist) won by major decision over Kaden Potter (St. Charles East) Maj 10-2
106 – Bobby Ruscitti (Montini Catholic) won by fall over Austin Phelps (Schaumburg) Fall 2:11
113 – Brock Claypool (Morris) won by decision over Brett Harman (Maine South) Dec 8-7
120 – Glen Henry (Triad) won by decision over Kyle Pasco (Batavia) Dec 6-3
126 – Vince Bern (Naperville Central) won by decision over Izaiah Gonzalez (Bremen) Dec 10-5
132 – Jake Colleran (Maine South) won by decision over Alejandro Aranda (Glenbard West) Dec 8-3
138 – Ian Hawkins (Sandwich) won by decision over Grady Hull (Geneseo) Dec 5-0
144 – Jackson Hanselman (York) won by decision over Brayden Drew (Alton Senior) Dec 3-0
150 – Pierre Walton (East St. Louis Senior) won by fall over Tyler Jones (Wheaton Academy) Fall 4:28
157 – Declan Dircks (Lincoln-Way East) won by fall over Reily Leifheit (Marquette Academy) Fall 2:39
165 – Luke McCoy (Civic Memorial) won by decision over Caleb Viscogliosi (Yorkville) Dec 6-0
175 – Paul Peradotti (Naperville Central) won by decision over Jack Treutelaar (Libertyville) Dec 3-0
190 – Oliver McPeek (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) won by decision over James Talley, Jr. (Lincoln-Way West) Dec 8-1
215 – Noah Daniels (Mahomet-Seymour) won by decision over Dominic Swyers (Vandalia) Dec 9-4
285 – Josh Zuniga (Fenton) won by fall over Ian Sims (Evanston Township) Fall 1:32

Fifth Place Matches

101 – Ray Long (Niles Notre Dame) won by major decision over Jack Koenig (St. Patrick) Maj 14-4
106 – Jackson Marlett (Burlington Central) won by decision over Declan Sons (St. Charles North) Dec 2-1
113 – Jacob Cochran (Naperville Central) won by fall over Dylan Ramsey (Crystal Lake Central) Fall 3:00
120 – Aiden Ortiz (Oswego) won in the ultimate tie breaker over Aidan DuRell (Plainfield North) UTB 6-5
126 – Aurelio Munoz (Joliet Catholic Academy) won by decision over Adrian Cohen (Deerfield) Dec 4-2
132 – Jadon Zimmer (Lincoln-Way Central) won by decision over Jack Platt (West Aurora) Dec 5-1
138 – Cale Mixer (Quincy Senior) won by fall over Caden Ljubenko (Maine South) Fall 2:47
144 – Dillon Griffin (Oswego) won by decision over Cam Matthews (DeKalb) Dec 6-4
150 – Benjamin Mullins (Robinson) won by decision over Rodrigo Salinas (Evanston Township) Dec 6-3
157 – Deanthony Simpson (Moline) won by decision over Noah Greene (Downers Grove South) Dec 5-3
165 – Colton McKee (Morton) won by fall over Tyler Gleason (Yorkville Christian) Fall 1:57
175 – Jackson Allen (Yorkville Christian) won by fall over Johnny Ramaker (Trico) Fall 4:38
190 – Dane Olmstead (Freeburg) won by medical forfeit over Derrick Pomatto (Joliet Catholic Academy) MFF
215 – Samel Marerro (Horizon Science Academy – Southwest Chicago) won by major decision over Santino Capodice (Minooka) Maj 10-1
285 – Pablo Morales (Wheeling) won by decision over Randy McPeek (Dakota) Dec 3-1

Seventh Place Matches

101 – Colton Wyller (Marmion Academy) won by decision over Gerald Donnelly (Andrew) Dec 4-2
106 – Andre Rice (Proviso West) won by decision over Matthew Laird (Joliet Catholic Academy) Dec 10-9
113 – Trentin Odachowski (Fremd) won by medical forfeit over Oscar Kalman (Carl Sandburg) MFF
120 – Austin Kisner (Olympia) won by decision over Tyler Huchel (Oakwood/Salt Fork) (Dec 5-1
126 – Gavin Woodmancy (St. Charles East) won by medical forfeit over Mikey Polyakov (Stevenson) MFF
132 – Braxton Tolley (Granite City) won in the ultimate tie breaker over Aiden Bell (Hoopeston Area) UTB 6-6
138 – Ethan Harvey (Lincoln-Way Central) won by decision over Christian Czerwinski (Lockport Township) Dec 6-2
144 – Naseem Jaber (Lockport Township) won by decision over Bennett Westfallen (Prospect) Dec 6-4
150 – Nicholas Hermsen (Warren Township) won by fall over Logan Wisner (Woodstock) Fall 4:54
157 – James Scanio (Libertyville) won in sudden victory over Cruise Brolley (Washington Community) SV 4-2
165 – Jason Janke (Oak Forest) won by decision over Colton Zvonar (Lincoln-Way East) Dec 7-2
175 – Johnny Strauss (Jacobs) won by injury default over Kyle Herzog (Marist) Inj. 2:38
190 – Carter Hintz (Hampshire) won by decision over Ethan Miller (Westville) Dec 11-10
215 – Andrius Vasilevskas (Oak Forest) won in sudden victory over Lucas Retzler (Jacobs) SV 5-3
285 – Matt Medina (St. Charles East) won by fall over Owen Jakubczak (Fremd) Fall 1:33