Girls tournament roundup: Conant, Kelly, Lanphier
By Mike Garofola for the IWCOA
CONANT GIRLS TOURNAMENT
The annual Conant Girls Tournament is unique in that it can accommodate 40-plus teams while breaking down each weight class into 8-girl brackets to allow the level of talent on hand to match others of equal ability.
Pratt Gymnasium saw 47 divisions spread across the 14 weight divisions, and although team scores were not kept, fans of the sport were able to view several national- and state-ranked wrestlers compete.
Lockport’s reigning 130-pound state champion and 2023 state runner-up Claudia Heeney (21-1) pinned her way to the 135-pound title, capped by her pin at 2:46 over Kaneland’s Dyani Torres (24-7).
The Lockport star, who is in the top 30 of the most recent USA Wrestling national poll, was a dazzling 29-2 a year ago.
Another nationally ranked wrestler is Glenbrook North sophomore Ariella Dobin, who won her 28th of the season without a loss when she recorded a fall at 3:54 over Alyssa Bentley from Warren Township at 120 pounds.
Dobin, fourth a year ago at state, earned All-American honors in 2024 after her sixth-place Freestyle finish.
Montini Catholic senior Katelyn Bell (25-3) began the final round of play in style when she pinned two-time state qualifier Riley Kongkaeow (27-2) to win the 100-pound crown.
Bell became the first female wrestler in the Broncos program to claim a state medal when she did so last year with her sixth place finish. Bell is ranked No. 3 in the state, while Kongkaeow is ranked fifth.
“(Bell) has won five tournaments this season, and her three losses all came at out-of-state tournaments,” Montini coach Mike Bukovsky said. “She is an outstanding wrestler, and an even better young lady.
“She is the epitome of a high school student-athlete, and commands the respect of the entire Montini community. She’s one of our leaders in the room, and her work ethic and toughness are equally respected in the boys program.”
Lincoln-Way’s 2024 state medal winner Zoe Dempsey (29-1) continued her marvelous season when she needed just over three minutes on the day to earn the 110-pound crown over Valeria Pesantes (9-2) from Elk Grove.
Dempsey sits just behind Kaneland’s No. 1 Angelina Gochis in the state polls. It was a pin by Dempsey in the final match of the IWCOA dual-team state final against Schaumburg that clinched a 40-38 win to give Lincoln-Way the state title.
Ireland McCain (26-4), a two-time state medalist and three-time state qualifier, gave Round Lake its lone championship on the day after the Panthers senior pinned her way to the 115-pound title.
Kaneland senior Brooklyn Sheaffer, who would watch teammate Angelina Gochis win a state title last season in Bloomington, won her title at 125 Saturday when she bookended a pair of pins around a hard fought 12-9 decision win in her semifinal against Oak Park and River Forest’s Anahi Banuelos.
The two-time state qualifier, and sixth place state medalist in 2023, then defeated Riley Moore from Highland Park with a pin at 4:23 for the 125-pound title.
New Trier’s No. 4 Jillian Giller (29-1) won her fourth major title of the season after her terrific three-match effort at 140-pounds, in which she finished with a pin in 31 seconds over Ava Burns (21-4) from Lake Park.
The Trevians senior previously won at Niles West, Berman Holiday Classic and Dundee-Crown.
Hinsdale South’s two-sport star (softball) and two-time state qualifier Callie Carr stayed perfect on the year following another superb day on the mats. The Hornets’ junior used a 19-4 tech-fall to win her 155-pound final against Dana Holt (14-2) from Highland Park.
The Fargo qualifier, is also a two-time conference champion, who went 27-5 a year ago.
2023 state champion, and 2024 state runner-up Alicia Tucker (Plainfield Central) is now 12-1 on the season after overwhelming the field at 170 pounds.
The Wildcats senior, who was 36-2 last season, recorded a tech fall and two pins, one of which came in her final with Romeoville’s Mariyah Mani (20-8).
Ottawa’s No. 2 Juliana Thrush would flex her collective muscle in order to win the 235-pound crown over the talented senior from Fremd, Jasmin Ocampo (13-2) who recently won at the Sally Berman Holiday Classic.
“Juliana put in a ton of time during the offseason,” Ottawa coach Peter Marx said. “She trained with some of the best in the state, and competed in a number of national level tournaments, including junior nationals at Fargo. She has made great strides with her positioning, and her offense on her feet, and the new take-down rules have been a great benefit to her.
“If she continues to wrestle as she has, she has a legit shot at going deep into the state tournament with Chloe (Hoselton, Prairie Central) and Phoenix (Molina, Unity) both great heavyweights and competition for Juliana.”
Thrash, sixth a year at state, is now 21-2.
Other individual champions at Conant were: Ashley Hammond (105, Larkin), Jasmine Zavaleta (130, 20-4, Conant), Kennedy Murray (145, 23-3, Evanston) and Isabel Peralta (190, 27-3, Oak Forest).
Conant Girls Tournament A Group results:
100A
1st: Katelyn Bell (Montini) 25-3, d. Riley Kongkaeow (Round Lake) 27-2, (F 5:06)
3rd: Leah Stringfellow (Glenbrook N) 16-1, d. Monica Alvarez (Lincoln-Way C) 21-7, (D 6-1)
5th: Emily Peyton (Lincoln-Way C) 22-9, d. Sunny Aitzemkour (New Trier) 15-9, (D 14-10)
7th: Isabel Gwaltney (Ottawa) 11-13, d. Lourdes Hernandez (Elgin) 0-3, (F 1:22)
105A
1st: Ashley Hammond (Elgin (Larkin) 3-0, d. Alexandra Sebek (Oak Forest) 2-1, (Inj. 0:25)
3rd: Daniela Santander (Romeoville) 22-3, d. Valerie Aligia (Glenbard S) 8-7, (TF-1.5 4:00 (17-2)
5th: Mali Patino (Elgin) 1-1, d. Tori Ooms (Downers Grove (South) 10-7, (F 1:37)
7th: Natasha Flores (Warren) 3-11, d. () , . (Bye)
110A
1st: Zoe Dempsey (Lincoln-Way C) 29-1, d. Valeria Pesantes (Elk Grove) 9-2, (F 1:35)
3rd: Sophia Orcasitas (Oak Forest) 17-13, d. Nour Al Radi (Niles West) 8-8, . (F 1:16)
5th: Zoe Zerial (Lincoln-Way C) 10-6, d. Samantha Albaugh (Evanston) 10-11, (F 3:39)
115A
1st: Ireland McCain (Round Lake) 26-4, d. Aaliyah Vazquez (Warren) 19-4, (F 3:14)
3rd: Marjorie Rodriguez (Oak Forest) 25-7, d. Jayden Kurowski (Romeoville) 10-13, (F 0:56)
5th: Val Munoz (Ottawa) 8-15, d. Vanessa Osorio (Mundelein) 18-9, (D 5-0)
7th: Daniela Pallares (Elgin) 1-2, d. Oyetola rachael Jacobs (Evanston) 2-9, (F 3:14)
120A
1st: Ariella Dobin (Glenbrook N) 28-0, d. Alyssa Bentley (Warren) 21-7, (F 3:54)
3rd: Janiya Moore (Metea) 32-3, d. Jesslynne Ochoa (Romeoville) 17-9, (F 4:26)
5th: Pearl Lacey (OPRF) 12-6, d. Samantha Gipson (Evanston) 18-11, (F 3:30)
7th: Ciara Bolf (Ottawa) 7-16, d. () , . (Bye)
125A
1st: Brooklyn Sheaffer (Kaneland) 26-2, d. Riley Moore (Highland Park) 10-6, (F 4:23)
3rd: Gianna Arzer (Grayslake C) 25-3, d. Nichole Castillo (Glenbard S) 15-9, (TF-1.5 1:54 (17-2)
5th: Frankie Abasta (R.-Brookfield) 9-6, d. Emily Pizano (Elgin) 1-2, (F 3:54)
7th: Anahi Banuelos (OPRF) 1-2, d. Samantha De La Torre (Romeoville) 3-9, (F 1:14)
130A
1st: Jasmine Zavaleta (Conant) 20-4, d. Claire Bray (Lincoln-Way C) 21-12, (F 1:34)
3rd: Brianna Perez (Round Lake) 18-10, d. Zuzanna Wegiera (Neuqua) 8-4, (F 1:34)
5th: Jane Kelly (Warren) 24-7, d. Angelica Solis (R.-Brookfield) 8-9, (F 1:43)
7th: Caroline Marogy (Buffalo Grove) 9-5, d. Helen Yuan (Metea) 7-13, (MD 17-8)
135A
1st: Claudia Heeney (Lockport) 29-2, d. Dyani Torres (Kaneland) 24-7, (F 2:46)
3rd: Ewa Krupa (Conant) 24-3, d. Brianna Garcia (Romeoville) 15-9, (For.)
5th: Emily Anaya (R.-Brookfield) 10-7, d. Haley Fugelseth (Warren) 4-4, (F 1:30)
7th: Aryna Latushkina (Vernon Hills) 15-9, d. Aileen Trejo (Evanston) 8-6, (F 1:15)
140A
1st: Jillian Giller (New Trier) 29-1, d. Ava Burns (Lake Park) 21-4, (F 0:31)
3rd: Alketa Picari (Metea) 23-7, d. Lloyd Kowalczyk (Fremd) 11-7, (MD 12-3)
5th: Ava Weatherford (Ottawa) 10-3, d. Khloe Heerdegen (Mundelein) 15-7, (TF-1.5 4:13 (18-2)
7th: Ella Giertuga (Lincoln-Way C) 23-12, d. Jessica Sanchez (Round Lake) 13-11, (D 11-4)
145A
1st: Kennedy Murray (Evanston) 23-3, d. Lyobosa Odiase (Oak Forest) 24-5, (F 5:03)
3rd: Joscelin Ritthamel (Lake Park) 25-5, d. Alex Arquillo (Glenbard S) 18-9, (F 2:39)
5th: Karimot Lawal (Palatine) 17-8, d. Hanna Bairstow (Warren) 11-7, (F 4:26)
7th: Cassidy Graham (Grant) 21-14, d. Giovanna Sampognaro (Lake Park) 16-12, (F 1:55)
155A
1st: Callie Carr (Hinsdale S) 22-0, d. Dana Holt (Highland Park) 14-2, (TF-1.5 5:06 (19-4)
3rd: Danely Villagomez (R.-Brookfield) 10-4, d. Adr Bille (Oak Forest) 19-14, (F 0:23)
5th: Ashley Fugelseth (Warren) 14-11, d. Zamaya Taylor (Elgin (Larkin) 1-2, (F 5:11)
7th: Isabella Vernon (Evanston) 9-12, d. () , . (Bye)
170A
1st: Alicia Tucker (Plainfield (Central) 12-1, d. Mariyah Mani (Romeoville) 20-8, (F 1:35)
3rd: Sabrina Cargill (Palatine) 21-3, d. Lily Ludford King (Grant) 12-10, (TF-1.5 3:06 (15-0)
5th: Jenna Lee (Lincoln-Way C) 16-12, d. Addison Shay (Warren) 1-2, (F 0:49)
7th: Alyssa Dunn (Romeoville) 4-5, d. Lindy Hamilton (New Trier) 7-12, (F 1:41)
190A
1st: Isabel Peralta (Oak Forest) 27-3, d. Sadie Kinsella (Kaneland) 15-6, (F 1:09)
3rd: Janiah Murray (Yorkville) 11-2, d. Zyon Jordan (Plainfield (Central) 7-5, (F 2:22)
5th: Jadelin Caballero (Elgin (Larkin) 2-1, d. Myra Vicencio (Lockport) 21-9, (D 8-1)
7th: Fatima Gomez (Evanston) 11-9, d. () , . (Bye)
235A
1st: Juliana Thrush (Ottawa) 21-2, d. Jasmin Ocampo (Fremd) 13-2, (MD 11-0)
3rd: Riley DePolo (Lincoln-Way C) 19-12, d. Zuza Cebulski (DG South) 6-5, (F 1:59)
5th: Andrea Gordillo (Elgin) 2-1, d. Lariyah Apollo (OPRF) 2-3, (F 4:43)
7th: Kayllee Farias (Warren) 12-10, d. () , . (Bye)
JACK GARDNER MEMORIAL GIRLS TOURNAMENT
The Jack Gardner Memorial Girls Tournament attracted 14 teams to Springfield on Saturday, and when it was over, it would be Springfield Co-op that took home the championship trophy at Lanphier.
Springfield Co-op’s 59 points were the most scored by any team (per Track Wrestling, followed by North Mac (28), Quincy (26), Eisenhower (25.0) of Decatur and University (23) to round out the top five.
Although a handful of weight divisions were sparse, one of the top 235-pounders in the state in Unity’s Phoenix Molina was on hand to showcase her magnificent talent. Molina placed second in state a year ago with 28-6 overall record.
Molina lost in her state final to nationally-ranked Chloe Hoselton (Prairie Central) in a thrilling 2-1 ultimate tie-breaker contest, and figures to be one of the favorites this season along with Hoselton and Julianna Thrush from Ottawa.
Molina registered the fastest tech-fall on the day at 1:39, while adding a tourney high 35 total match points.
1st place: Springfield Co-op (59 points)
The tourney champs would celebrate four individual champions in Phoenix Criss (105), Reaghan Madura (110, 18-4), Madison Bradley (120, 10-8), and Ariella Miloncus (130, 16-5), plus three runners-up in Meredith Gumz (120), Tala Asad (135), Makenna Smith (170), and Crishonna Seals (235).
Adding to the final total were third-place medal winners Cecelia Irwin (110), Jazlyn Britton (115), Leah Kean (120), Lily Walden (125) and Maya Bennett (155).
Springfield Co-op recorded a tourney high (13) pins on the day, and 147 total match points to help them cruise to victory.
2nd place: North Mac (28)
Ashley Ronan (115) and teammate Maggie Hawkins (170) earned championship trophies, with Constance Brand second overall at 125 pounds. Ronan was second to the aforementioned Phoenix Molina with (32) total match points.
3rd Place: Quincy (26)
Zoe Boyd (7-3) who was first at 135 pounds, led the tournament with three pins in 4:02 minutes, along with Hailey Watson from Normal University. Maggie Quinn was second at 155 for Quincy.
Other individual champions at Kelly were Hailey Watson (Normal University, 125), Jessica Toomey (Mt. Zion, 145), Anna Vasey (Tolono Unity, 155, 22-3), Phoenix Molina (Tolono Unity, 235, 20-3).
Jeff Gardner girls tournament results:
105
1st: Phoenix Criss (Springfield) 10-3, d. Jasmine Johnson (Rantoul) 5-7, (F 3:44)
110
1st: Reaghan Madura (Springfield) 18-4, d. Carlly Ho (Rochester) 16-6, (F 2:00)
3rd: Cecelia Irwin (Springfield) 8-13, d. Elizabeth Farney (Unity) 9-15, (F 5:45)
115
1st: Ashley Ronan (North Mac) 3-0, d. Lucie Eisenbarth (Rochester) 16-10, (Dec 11-10)
3rd: Jazlyn Britton (Springfield) 2-10, d. Danielle Porter (Eisenhower) 4-7, (F 2:00)
120
1st: Madison Bradley (Springfield) 10-8, d. Meredith Gumz (Springfield) 9-6, (TF-1.5 1:44 (18-3)
3rd: Leah Kean (Springfield)
125
1st: Hailey Watson (University) 3-0, d. Constance Brand (North Mac) 1-1, (F 1:11)
3rd: Lily Walden (Springfield) 3-9, d. Lana Jackson (Eisenhower) 1-7, (F 4:58)
5th: Maryn Tarver (Hillsboro) 0-1, d. () , . (Bye)
130
1st: Ariella Miloncus (Springfield) 16-5, d. Joselyn Hauck (University) 1-1, (F 1:33)
3rd: Alena Warren (Eisenhower) 2-7, (F 0:21)
135
1st: Zoe Bloyd (Quincy () 7-3, .d. Tala Asad (Springfield) 3-13, (F 2:45)
3rd: Arrayah Yellowhair (Eisenhower) 1-5, d. Vynessah Verry (Auburn) 0-3, (F 0:32)
145
1st: Jessica Toomey (Mt. Zion) 2-0, d. Claire Zorns (Unity) 5-16, (F 1:10)
155
1st: Anna Vasey (Unity) 22-3, d. Maggie Quinn (Quincy () 7-1, (F 1:11)
3rd: Maya Bennett (Springfield) 11-11, d. Zaniah Manuel (Eisenhower) 1-7, (F 0:34)
5th: Corinne Walker (University) 0-1, d. () , . (Bye)
170
1st: Maggie Hawkins (North Mac) 2-0, d. Makenna Smith (Springfield) 4-11, (F 2:23)
235
1st: Phoenix Molina (Unity) 20-3, d. Crishonna Seals (Springfield) 2-6, (TF-1.5 1:39 (20-3)
KELLY GIRLS INVITATIONAL
The 14-team invite at Kelly in the Brighton Park neighborhood featured three high profile clubs that were participants in the recent IWCOA dual-team state tournament in December.
Morton, Phoenix Military Academy and Homewood-Flossmoor each enjoyed varying degrees of success at the dual-team tournament, and all three were all on hand at Kelly. And in the end it would be Morton which had too much firepower and depth for the field.
The Mustangs amassed 171.5 points, far more than second-place Wheeling (120.5) and third place Kelly (112). Reigning city champion Phoenix Military Academy was fourth with 109 points, with Homewood-Flossmoor next at 102.
1st place: Morton (171.5 points)
The tourney champs had far too much firepower for this 14-team affair with four individual champs: Andaira Marron (100), Hope Donnamario (105), Monica Garcia (120) and Anali Wilson at 190.
Donnamario, a 2024 state qualifier with a 33-10 record, would pin her way to her title, as did Marron and Wilson. Garcia would register the quickest tech-fall on the day at 1:44 during her tournament opener.
The Mustangs received a second-place medal from Isabella Sanchez (155) and third overall from Brianna Carbajal at 115, while the trio of Karla Munoz (110), Fatima Martinez (115) and Quetzali Delgado (135) contributed fourth-place finishes.
“There was a lot of good wrestling at Kelly on Saturday,” Morton coach Fernando Arratia said. “The girls are improving, and highly-motivated after this weekend.”
“Andaira (Marron) at 100 is a hard-working young lady, and I’m super happy to have her in our program. Things just click for her, and although the only other sport she played was soccer, watching her wrestle you would think she has been doing it for a while.
“Hope Donnamario (105) is really motivated this year after having a couple of years of success under her belt. She is tough, and has a ton of confidence. Our 120-pound champ, Monica Garcia, is hungry and has really grown. She wants to reach new heights this season. She has really figured things out in her wrestling, and can still improve.
“Anali Wilson (190) is a first-year wrestler who really cares about her success and she began the season hot, before an injury slowed her down a bit. This weekend she looked to be back in form, adjusting when things didn’t pan out in her matches to earn some good wins.”
Arratia was quick to praise three other Mustangs: Brianna Carabal, Violet Mayo, and Isabel Sanchez, for the work they’re putting in.
“Bri) is so tough, and I believe is flying under the radar, while Violet and Isabel are great partners in the room,” he said. “Isabel found her confidence at this tournament, and Violet is on the verge of developing something new in her wrestling.”
The Mustangs were one of 16 lucky participants invited to the first-ever IWCOA dual-team state tournament on December 28 at tourney host Hoffman Estates High School.
The Mustangs earned fourth-place honors in the consolation bracket after going 1-2 in their first three contests of the tournament.
“(What) a great experience for the girls,” Arratia said. “We have a young team, and the exposure to something like that tournament was a really good thing for all of us. We obviously would have liked to have a little more success but in the big picture, we were competitive against some really great teams. It gave all the girls a morale boost, and it really unified the team.”
2nd place: Wheeling (120.5)
The Wildcats have won the last two MSL East titles, and are led by its two champions at Kelly, in junior Elise Burkut (130) and sophomore I Orendarchuk (155).
Teammates Haydee Cruz (100), Layah Woods (135) and Krystal Diaz (145) were all third overall, while Isabella Gomez was fourth at 120.
3rd place: Kelly (112)
The tourney hosts celebrated the effort from 170-pound champion Sara Martinez Lopera, who also won a CPS title a year ago.
Earning second place medals for Kelly were Leylani Bahena (130), N’Dyia Mahon-Godfrey (190) and Laura Sofia Martinez Lopez at 235. Annie Aguilar-Cruz (105), Liliana Monserrat Dimas (140) and Bryana Diaz (170) would add team points with their fourth place medals.
Others earning championship medals at Kelly were London Gandy (110, Homewood-Flossmoor), Alejandra Flores (115, Bolingbrook), Gia Mezzano (125, Ridgewood),
Viola Piancetto (135, Prospect), America Cabrera (140, Phoenix Military Academy), Aj Grant (145, Phoenix Military Academy), Rim Ayouchi (235, Taft).
Final Team Standings: Morton 171.5, Wheeling 120.5, Kelly 112.0, Phoenix Military Academy 109.0, Homewood-Flossmoor 102.0, Bolingbrook 91.5, Mother Macauley 55.5, Ridgewood 53.0, Prospect/Taft 52.0 each, Cumberland 36.0, Metamora 35.0, Glenbard North 30.0, Niles North 0.0.
Kelly Girls Invitational results:
100
1st: Andaira Marron (Morton) d. Elanie Taboada (Prospect) (F 4:41)
3rd: Haydee Cruz (Wheeling) d. Ella Quigley (Mother McCauley) (F 0:46)
105
1st: Hope Donnamario (Morton) d. Mikaela Najera (Bolingbrook) (F 1:06)
3rd: Grace Aeschliman (Metamora) d. Annie Aguilar-Cruz (Kelly) (F 0:57)
110
1st: London Gandy (Homewood-Flossmoor) d. Jordan Rodriguez (Bolingbrook) (F 3:28)
3rd: Kaydence Klein (Metamora) d. Karla Munoz (Morton) (F 0:30)
115
1st: Alejandra Flores (Bolingbrook) won by decision over Diana Lopez-Jimenez (Phoenix Military Academy) (Dec 10-5)
3rd: Brianna Carbajal (Morton) d. Fatima Martinez (Morton) (F 1:18)
120
1st: Monica Garcia (Morton) d. Mia Thomas (Phoenix Military Academy) (F 2:55)
3rd: Jennifer Arenas (Taft) won by decision over Isabella Gomez (Wheeling) (Dec 4-1)
125
1st: Gia Mezzano (Ridgewood) d. Nayeli Nieto (Bolingbrook) (F 2:12)
3rd: Marisol Castro-Duran (Phoenix Military Academy) d. Mylee Edwards (Metamora) (F 3:59)
130
1st: Elise Burkut (Wheeling) d. Leylani Bahena (Kelly) (F 1:49)
3rd: Sophia Kellikidis (Ridgewood) won by disqualification over Nyima Outlaw (Bolingbrook) (DQ)
135
1st: Viola Pianetto (Prospect) d. Amara Nwoye (Homewood-Flossmoor) (F 3:40)
3rd: Layah Woods (Wheeling) d. Quetzalli Delgado (Morton) (F 1:11)
140
1st: America Cabrera (Phoenix Military Academy) won by decision over Maggie Zuber (Mother McCauley) (Dec 4-3)
3rd: Rachel Griggs (Homewood-Flossmoor) d. Liliana Monserrat Dimas (Kelly) (F 3:51)
145
1st: Aj Grant (Phoenix Military Academy) won by major decision over Natalie Beaumont (Cumberland) (Maj 12-2)
3rd: Krystal Diaz (Wheeling) d. Denise Brown (Homewood-Flossmoor) (F 3:44)
155
1st: Nikol Orendarchuk (Wheeling) d. Isabella Sanchez (Morton) (F 1:28)
3rd: Violet Mayo (Morton) d. Rachel Nugin (Homewood-Flossmoor) (F 4:52)
170
1st: Sara Martinez Lopera (Kelly) d. Summer Nichols (Cumberland) (F 1:27)
3rd: Olivia Haywood (Homewood-Flossmoor) d. Bryana Diaz (Kelly) (F 2:44)
190
1st: Anali Wilson (Morton) d. N`Dyia Mahon-Godfrey (Kelly) (F 2:13)
3rd: Gabriella Teufackmomo (Mother McCauley) d. Gianna Tammo (Glenbard North) (F 0:18)
235
1st: Rim Ayouchi (Taft) d. Laura Sofia Martinez Lopera (Kelly) (F 1:18)
3rd: Asreilla Wallace (Glenbard North) d. Esther Delcid (Kelly) (F 2:29)