Warren girls snare regional crown at Round Lake
By Mike Garofola – for the IWCOA
Warren is now a double-crown winner in the last two weeks with its victory at the Round Lake regional, one week after lifting the championship trophy at the Lake County Invite.
The Blue Devils finished the first day of play with a solid advantage over tourney host Round Lake and New Trier, then on the second day slowly pulled away from the field on their way to amassing 173.0 total points, 54 more than second-place Round Lake and its 119.0
New Trier was third overall (116.5) followed closely by Antioch (114.0) and reigning state champion Lakes Community with its 112.0 points.
“(Team) effort is what led to us winning our regional title,” began a proud Warren coach Nick Grujanac, who will lead eight of his wrestlers into the New Trier Sectional in two weeks.
Round Lake and New Trier advanced four, along with Highland Park and Zion-Benton, while Lakes Community will have five at sectionals.
“The great thing about this team is they all wrestle for each – filling roles and spots where we’ve needed them to do so,” continued Grujanac, who wrestled for Shane Cook at Stevenson, before going on to play football at Wabash College.
“Obviously we were very happy that Erin (Bush) won at 170, it was a really good effort from her to get a big win for herself and the team.
“We also have several first-year wrestlers who have come through for us lately, with the entire team coming through with big-time bonus points, regardless of where they finished in their weight class.”
The Blue Devils would record a tourney-high 23 pins overall, and a whopping 223 total match points to help them secure the first regional title in program history.
It’s important to mention the Panthers tournament staff did a wonderful job of keeping things moving at a constant and steady pace all throughout – which would include an exciting final session on two mats centered in the middle of the gym to allow maximum viewing for the big crowd on hand.
Here are the regional champions and sectional qualifiers from the Round Lake Regional:
100 – Riley Kongkaeow, Round Lake
The wide, ear-to-ear smile said it all for Riley Kongkaeow after the Round Lake star heard the final whistle for her 100-pound final.
“To win a regional title – my first ever – here in our home gym is something I will always remember,” said a thrilled Kongkaeow, who celebrated her 40th win (40-2, 26 pins) on the with a 19-8 major decision victory over talented freshman Leah Stringfellow (22-4) from Glenbrook North.
“I was second here a year ago, so this means so much to me, our program and coaching staff to win a regional title, but the work never stops after this,” added the Panthers junior, a state qualifier last season with a 33-5 record.
This season, Kongkaeow has won at Maine East, Sally Berman, and most recently the Lake County Invite.
Sectional qualifiers Sunny Aitzemkour (New Trier) was third and Ester Migues-Gaytan (Grayslake North) was fourth.
105 – Londyn Lloyd, Antioch
Londyn Lloyd has taken on her 105-pound opponents and not looked back.
The Antioch sophomore, who entered the Lake County Invite a week ago with a 9-10 overall record, would emerge from that tournament with a championship bracket, and proceed to add another terrific two-day effort.
Lloyd (11-10) used an impressive tech fall (4:40) victory over New Trier’s Isabella Castro to claim the biggest prize of the season for the Sequoits’ regional champion.
“I was really beginning to doubt myself after not having a lot of success, but I guess everything would begin to click for me when I decided to just go for it out there with an aggressive, attacking style of wrestling,” said Lloyd, with a big smile.
Off the opening whistle, Lloyd recorded a takedown, then a near-fall just 30 seconds into the contest. She continued to add points along the way before reaching a 16-1 advantage.
“It feels good knowing that hard work can eventually pay off, but I still have a lot of work ahead of me if I want to make it to state,” Lloyd said.
Jasmine Medina (Zion-Benton) was third and Natasha Flores (Warren) placed fourth to become sectional qualifiers.
110 – Lola Bianco, New Trier
New Trier senior Lola Bianco credits two very important persons for her success this season, which has led to back-to-back championship efforts, including a wonderful two days here en route to the first regional title of her career.
Bianco (24-5) would roar past the competition at 115 pounds, including a pin at 3:56 in her final with Haven Sylves from Lakes Community.
“There is no doubt that our new head coach (Andrew Ortman) has provided a real positive impact in our room, and for me. He has really helped me improve with my confidence,” began Bianco, who will wrestle in the fall at Carthage College.
“(Ortman) has been great, but I am also very fortunate to have a teammate like Jillian (Giller) who is someone that has so much wrestling knowledge, and is someone who I can lean on for a variety of things.”
Bianco won at Maine East earlier in the season, then needed just under six minutes to record a trio of pins to capture a CSL title a week ago.
Haven Sylves (Lakes Community) was runner-up, Hanna Lee (Vernon Hills) third, and Bella Esparza (Deerfield) fourth.
115 – Harlee Hiller, Loyola Academy
The big crowd here would be treated to another brilliant performance from Loyola Academy’s Harlee Hiller, who proved once again why she is the top rated 115-pounder in the state, and No. 6 in the most recent national polls.
The senior brushed opponents aside in break-neck speed, needing under three minutes to register a pin and two tech falls to easily win the regional title.
“At this point in the season, my focus is on keeping my fitness and cardio at its highest, staying mentally sharp, dictating the pace in my matches, and above all staying healthy,” said Hiller (20-1) after her tech fall of No. 6 Ireland McCain from Round Lake (40-5), who recently claimed her 100th career victory.
“My technique, pace and fitness is so important to me, but even with that, health is so important and right now I feel so much better than I did last year at this time coming off a dislocated elbow,” recounted Hiller.
That Hiller was able to finish second overall last season to Glenbard North’s Gabby Gomez at 115 speaks volumes of her metal after clearly not being a hundred percent due to her elbow injury.
Hiller was the 2023 105-pound state champion, and third-place state medalist at 105 in 2022.
Sectional qualifiers Aaliyah Vazquez (Warren) was third and Osmairi Medina (Lakes Community) was fourth.
120 – Ariella Dobin, Glenbrook North
Ask Ariella Dobin what provided the motivation for an offseason training regimen that would fuel a long and successful postseason run, and with a twinkle in her eye and a wry smile, the affable Glenbrook North star quickly responds:
“That one-point loss at state last year for third place.”
Dobin, now a dazzling 39-1 on the season, put the finishing touches on her second straight regional title here in Round Lake, and further confirmed her ranking at No. 4 in the state.
“I lost 6-5 in my third place match (to Norah Swaim of Edwardsville) and that was all the inspiration I needed to put more extra time into my training to help me prepare for this year,” said Dobin.
“My confidence is so much better than a year ago, and I am much more aggressive with my attacks and shots, I’ve put a lot of time in and out of the room to become a 12-month wrestler,” added Dobin, following her pin (1:04) of Lake County Invite champion Mary Minogue (9-1) from Libertyville.
Last July, Dobin earned All-American honors after her sixth place finish in 16U freestyle competition.
Alyssa Bentley (Warren) was third and Mirabelle Duboef (Lake Forest) was fourth.
125 – Gianna Arzer, Grayslake Central
Gianna Arzer continues to make her mark on the 125-pound landscape with her clinical finishing, infectious approach to the sport, and terrific technique and ability to pry open her opponents on a consistent basis.
The Grayslake Central junior easily went through to her championship bout, with a trio of pins that would require all but 4:42 minutes, including a pin at 1:41 over junior Karina Lojowski (24-5) from Stevenson.
“There’s always a bit of a challenge when you face an opponent three times in a season, we both know what to expect of each other – but for me – it was all about being confident in with what I do best, and just taking control of the match right from the start,” said Arzer, No. 4 in the state.
The affable Arzer (39-4) admits to having the perfect mentor on her side in former Grayslake Central star and two-time state champion Matty Jens, now wrestling at the University of Wisconsin.
“Matty is like a big brother,” Arzer said. “When he’s home, we train together, and he’s just a huge influence in my approach to wrestling, the mindset I need to be in to compete at a high level, and just someone that I can lean on for just about everything in the sport.”
CSL champion Riley Moore (Highland Park) finished third, and Dylyah Patterson (Antioch) was fourth overall.
130 – Emily Ortiz, Zion-Benton
Zion-Benton’s No. 6 Emily Ortiz (33-5) made quick work of all three of her rivals, pinning her way to earn her second consecutive regional crown.
The Zee-Bees junior used all of 2:43 minutes to dash the hopes of her opponents, much to the delight of head coach Hal Lunsford.
“Emily is showing so much more patience this year,” Lunsford said. “Plus she has improved tremendously with taking more angle shots, which has helped open up her attack, and find other ways to score take-downs.”
“I feel a lot more confident this year compared to last year,” admitted Ortiz who won at the Sally Berman and, more recently, the Lake County Invite where she won an 11-5 decision over Jane Kelly from Warren (35-10). Ortiz put forth another wonderful effort in the final with Kelly, which led to a pin at 1:35.
“Last year I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I feel so much better about all parts of my game, so my goal is to get downstate, and do some great things there,” Ortiz said.
Sectional qualifier CC Brubaker (Deerfield) was third, and Bree Hirsch (Lake Forest) finished fourth.
135- Brianna Perez, Round Lake
The look on the face of Riley Kongkaeow was without equal, but the look of sheer joy on the face of Round Lake’s Brianna Perez after her stunning pin over Alyson Alvarenga to give the home side its second regional crown, and Perez’ first major title was priceless.
Admittedly in trouble in the opening stages of the second period after Alvarenga (21-12) went up 5-3. The Grayslake North junior rode Perez with terrific force and energy, all the while having total control of her both wrists.
“I was in big trouble, and I knew it. She was riding me hard and she was looking to turn me,” recounted Perez, still fighting back the tears of joy after her dramatic ending in this 135-pound final.
Perez (30-14) found a way to execute a reversal to level things at 5-5 with 30 seconds remaining, before a quick move led to putting Alvarenga onto her back.
“Everything happened so fast after my reversal, I knew I had to do my best to finish her off for good, and not go to the third period,” added Perez.
“Last year I lost almost 20 matches, and this year there have been a lot of third, fourth and fifth place finishes, so it feels great right now to win regionals, and in my home gym.”
Elise Kaylor (Lakes Community) finished third and Isabel Hilinski (Stevenson) was fourth.
140 – Jillian Giller, New Trier
The 2024-2025 season has seen Jillian Giller cement herself among the elite in the state at 140, and one whose lethal attack, ability to finish, defend and add points at a rapid pace have taken the New Trier star to another level.
“Jillian is such a student of the sport, her work ethic, and desire to (be) better is what sets her apart from others this season,” said Trevians first-year head coach Andrew Ortman.
“My confidence has never been better (this) year I go into each match expecting to win, which I can attribute to coach Ortman, who is easily the best coach I’ve ever been associated with,” says Giller, following her third-straight pin on the day, this one coming at the expense of Grace Johnson (35-6) from Zion-Benton.
“(Ortman) brings a real presence into the room, he pays so much attention to the little things and (from) the notes he takes, we go ‘live’ (then) to work on the little things, and that has really made me a better wrestler, as well as the rest of the girls,” continued the Trevians senior, who was a state qualifier a year ago with a 33-6 overall record.
The No. 4 rated Giller (42-1), who recently collected her 100th career victory on Senior Night, will wrestle in the fall at Illinois Wesleyan.
Miranda Tellez (Grayslake Central) was third and Sasha Johnson (Antioch) was fourth overall.
145- Naomi Foote, Zion-Benton
In another intense Naomi Foote-Kennedy Murray 145-pound final Saturday, it would be No. 2 Foote from Zion-Benton claiming a third hard-fought victory over her terrific opponent from Evanston.
Twice before these two combatants played it close to the vest with Foote holding off the CSL champion each time, the most recent with a 4-0 decision in the Sally Berman final.
Foote-Murray III would be no different.
After a scoreless opening period, Murray (23-4) would choose down, which allowed Foote (34-1) to ride her talented opponent for two hard minutes.
Foote would begin the third period on bottom, from which she escaped, the record a well-l executed takedown with 30 seconds from time that proved enough in a 4-0 triumph.
“(Murray) is athletic, and long, Naomi can match her length, but was smart and composed, and never got frustrated when Murray did not want to get into a high scoring match,” said Z-B head coach Hal Lunsford.
“All of our matches have been the same way, she is difficult to get in on, and she is really defensive, so I’ve had to learn to be patient and just take what is there, and not (to) force anything,” opined Foote, who was a 2024 state qualifier with a 39-11 overall record.
Christina Hasner (Lakes Community) finished third and Tyanna Jackson (Warren) took fourth.
155- Dana Holt, Highland Park
Dana Holt would take little time to establish who the favorite would be in this weight class, opening with a pin, followed by another in less than 35 seconds to send the Highland Park sophomore into the 155-pound final against Lake County Invite runner-up Ashley Fugelseth from Warren, where she won with a fall in 1:20.
“Last year I really did not have much success, so since I didn’t want to have another year like (that) I just worked my butt off during the offseason, and now I see how all of that work is beginning to pay off,” said Holt, now 24-3 overall, with 16 of her 20 pins coming in the first period.
“Dana has put more work in a year into this sport than any athlete I’ve directly coached,” begins Giants head coach Kaleb Carter.
“She sustained a freak injury last season at a competition in Evanston (which) forced her to miss the CSL tourney, and the postseason, but she has been driven for over a year by that inability to finish last season.”
“Her effort(s) in the weight room have put her physically in a place that is hard to match up to, and there are few girls who are more committed to making themselves better than her.”
Mma Akela (Loyola Academy) finished third and Natalie Rumpel (Deerfield) was fourth.
170- Erin Bush, Warren
The sweet smell of success has encaptured Erin Bush to the point where the Warren sophomore is ready to enjoy plenty more in the weeks ahead.
Bush has spent little time on the mats during the last two weekends, just under 6 1/2 minutes to be exact, during that time she has outmatched her competition.
Most recently at the Lake County Invite where she pinned her way to victory, and again, here in Round Lake where a trio of pins in 3:52, Bush (30-7) claimed her first regional title of her career.
“I’m having a good time right now, and I feel like it will continue this way for the next couple of weeks,” said the Blue Devils star, who has recorded six pins in the last two weekends to help her club carry off the team trophy.
“I feel like I am one of the hardest workers around, and all of that hard work is beginning to pay off,” continued Bush, who has an extensive background in the sport of judo.
Bush needed just 1:18 to pin top-seed Julissa Az from Mather (29-5) in the final, after a pin at 1:55 over Nancy Licona from Round Lake in the semifinals. Bush defeated Licona in her Lake County Invite final.
Dorothy Perez (Highland Park) beat Licona for third place.
190 – Josie Larson, Lakes Community
Josie Larson was just being Josie Larson, according to Lake Community head coach Mark Stave.
“Josie is Josie,” begins Stave. “She is a great teammate, great leader, and a really great wrestler.”
The top rated 190-pounder in the state, who also happens to be No. 2 in the nation, cut a swath through her bracket on her way to her regional title. She won by fall in 0:54 over Josie Blau of Antioch in the 190 title match.
Larson claimed second place at 190 in the 2024 IHSA Finals to Zion-Benton’s ILeen Castrejon after taking fifth at 190 in 2023.
“It’s all about working hard, being humble and using your time wisely in order to stay sharp, fit and doing all the little things in order to be prepared for each opponent you face,” said Larson, now 22-0 on the season, with 22 first-period pins.
“Being No. 1 in the state, and No. 2 in the country means nothing, what’s important is to respect each opponent, and to be prepared for each one that I face.”
Lexi Rosenthal (Highland Park) took third and Fatima Gomez (Evanston) was fourth.
235- Allison Poole, Grayslake North
If there were an eight day week, Allison Poole would find a way to fill that extra day with an activity or organization to belong to.
Luckily for Grayslake North wrestling, the sophomore can find the time to shine as the Lady Knights’ 235-pounder.
The sophomore pinned her way to her first regional crown, and second in program history after Quinna Sheets did so here a year ago. She captured the 235 title with a pin in 1:17 over Rim Ayouchi of Taft.
“I did okay last season, but I realized if I want to be better (there) was a lot of work that I needed to (do) in order to compete at a higher level,” said Poole, now 22-7.
Poole, who won a Lake County Invite title last weekend, began to train with Josie Larson at her club, and the time spent with the Lakes Community star has paid immediate dividends.
How Poole is able to do what she does is quite amazing in that she throws (shot put, discus) for her track and field team, is on the debate team, drumline, Boy Scouts, and several other activities too long to mention.
Jereni Marshall (Evanston) placed third and Kaylee Farias (Warren) finished fourth.
Place matches for the Round Lake Regional
100
1st: Riley Kongkaeow (Round Lake) 40-2, Jr. over Leah Stringfellow (Glenbrook N) 22-4, Fr. (MD 19-8)
3rd: Sunny Aitzemkour (New Trier) 21-13, So. over Ester Migues-Gaytan (Grayslake N) 21-13, So. (F 4:37)
105
1st: Londyn Lloyd (Antioch) 11-10, So. over Isabella Castro (New Trier) 18-15, So. (TF-1.5 4:40 (16-1)
3rd: Jasmine Medina (Z.-Benton) 19-10, Fr. over Natasha Flores (Warren) 11-18, So. (F 2:33)
110
1st: Lola Bianco (New Trier) 24-5, Sr. over Haven Sylves (Lakes) 15-8, Sr. (F 3:56)
3rd: Hanna Lee (Vernon Hills) 21-8, Jr. over Bella Esparza (Deerfield) 14-11, Jr. (F 1:01)
115
1st: Harlee Hiller (Loyola Academy) 20-1, Sr. over Ireland McCain (Round Lake) 40-5, Sr. (TF-1.5 1:09 (20-5)
3rd: Aaliyah Vazquez (Warren) 28-8, So. over Osmairi Medina (Lakes) 22-16, So. (F 1:12)
120
1st: Ariella Dobin (Glenbrook N) 39-1, So. over Mary Minogue (Libertyville) 9-1, So. (F 1:04)
3rd: Alyssa Bentley (Warren) 33-11, Sr. over Mirabelle Duboeuf (Lake Forest) 15-12, So. (F 1:33)
125
1st: Gianna Arzer (Grayslake (Central) 39-4, Jr. over Karina Lojowski (Stevenson) 24-5, Jr. (F 1:41)
3rd: Riley Moore (Highland Park) 21-7, So. over Dylylah Patterson (Antioch) 20-14, So. (TF-1.5 2:33 (17-1)
130
1st: Emily Ortiz (Z.-Benton) 33-5, Jr. over Jane Kelly (Warren) 35-10, Jr. (F 1:35)
3rd: CC Brubaker (Deerfield) 15-8, Sr. over Bree Hirsch (Lake Forest) 29-13, . (F 4:43)
135
1st: Brianna Perez (Round Lake) 30-14, Sr. over Alyson Alvarenga (Grayslake N) 21-12, Jr. (F 3:36)
3rd: Elise Kaylor (Lakes) 21-11, So. over Isabel Hilinski (Stevenson) 12-14, Fr. (F 2:21)
140
1st: Jillian Giller (New Trier) 42-1, Sr. over Grace Johnson (Z.-Benton) 35-6, Sr. (F 1:55)
3rd: Miranda Tellez (Grayslake (Central) 23-13, Fr. over Sasha Johnson (Antioch) 19-19, So. (F 5:53)
145
1st: Naomi Foote (Z.-Benton) 34-1, Sr. over Kennedy Murray (Evanston) 23-4, Sr. (Dec 4-0)
3rd: Christina Hasner (Lakes) 29-13, Jr. over Tyanna Jackson (Warren) 17-7, Fr. (Dec 3-2)
155
1st: Dana Holt (Highland Park) 24-3, So. over Ashley Fugelseth (Warren) 23-16, Sr. (F 1:20)
3rd: Mma Akela (Loyola Academy) 11-4, Jr. over Natalie Rumpel (Deerfield) 15-9, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:15 (20-3)
170
1st: Erin Bush (Warren) 30-7, So. over Julissa Az (Mather) 29-5, Jr. (F 1:18)
3rd: Dorothy Perez (Highland Park) 15-7, Jr. over Nancy Licona (Round Lake) 12-6, Fr. (F 5:53)
190
1st: Josephine Larson (Lakes) 22-0, Sr. over Josie Blau (Antioch) 21-17, Fr. (F 0:54)
3rd: Lexi Rosenthal (Highland Park) 15-5, So. over Fatima Gomez (Evanston) 12-14, Jr. (F 2:48)
235
1st: Allison Poole (Grayslake N) 22-7, So. over Rim Ayouchi (Taft) 2-1, . (F 1:17)
3rd: Jereni Marshall (Evanston) 10-10, Sr. over Kaylee Farias (Warren) 20-14, Sr. (F 2:37)
Team scores
1 Warren 173.0, 2. Round Lake 119.0, 3. New Trier 116.5, 4. Antioch 114.0, 5. Lakes Community 112.0, 6. Zion-Benton 102.0, 7. Highland Park 82.5, 8. Evanston 69.0, 9. Grayslake North 68.0, 9. Stevenson 68.0, 11. Deerfield 63.0, 12. Glenbrook North 54.0, 13. Loyola Academy 52.0, 14. Grayslake Central 50.0, 15. Taft 48.0, 16. Mather 46.0, 17. Vernon Hills 40.0, 18. Lake Forest 31.5, 19. Libertyville 25.0, 20. Mundelein 20.0, 21. Niles West 12.0, 22. Waukegan 10.0, 23. Niles North 6.0, 24. Carmel Catholic, Glenbrook South, North Chicago 0.0.