Girls wrestling: Sport’s growth continues with 1st regional competitions

The sport of girls wrestling has grown so dramatically in just three seasons, that in order to accommodate the incredible numbers, the IHSA has afforded the sport eight regional venues around the state after having sectional competition a year ago.

This season, six will qualify from regionals into four sectionals, while also crowning the first ever team regional team champions at the same time.

Wrestlers from around the area found themselves at four regional sites.

At Conant:

The list of high profile wrestlers inside Conant’s William Perry Gymnasium is far too long to mention.

There was quality up and down the 14 brackets, including at 115 pounds where one of the best in the nation, and perhaps greatest ambassadors for the sport, Gabby Gomez (Glenbard North) continues to dominate the field.

"When I see how far the sport has come in my three years in high school, and how exciting it is to see such a packed gym with over 250 wrestlers, and a big crowd to cheer us all on, it's just amazing to be part of the sport of wrestling," said Gomez (31-0) after she pinned her way to the title to further validate her No. 1 spot in the state polls.

The two-time state champion would defeat Angie Carpentiro (25-3) of Bartlett.

Carpentiro’s teammate Emma Engels (28-12), in the marquee match of the day, would defeat Ayane Jasinski (Grant, 15-1) in the 110-pound final that would see a pair of returning state champions treat the audience to a 3-2 contest.

"It was a tough match. I've wrestled mostly against guys this year, so it was nice to come here, wrestle well, and get a big win," said Engels, who came into this weekend No. 2 behind Jasinski, who won it all last year at 110 pounds, while she did so at 100 pounds.

"Emma is so much stronger after spending her summer in the weight room ,which she needed after moving up two weight classes this year," said Hawks coach Matt Pancamo.

One week after lifting its second consecutive MSL Conference trophy, Schaumburg ran away from the field to collect yet another piece of hardware.

The Saxons earned 263.0 points, 84 more than second place Hoffman Estates with Huntley (147.5), McHenry (144.0) and Bartlett (123.0) rounding out the top five.

Hope Zerafa-Lazarevic (140, 31-2) and Valeria Rodriguez (155, 34-1) would fuel the Saxons’ run to victory with impressive individual titles.

"My first two years in this sport has been just amazing. We have a great head coach (Matt Gruszka), a great bunch of teammates, and to be a part of something that is growing like it is makes be so happy to be involved," said Zerafa-Lazarevic, No. 3 in the state, and a two-time state qualifier, who together with Rodriguez forms a dazzling one-two punch for the Saxons.

Rodriguez, No. 2 in the state polls, is a two-time third place state medal winner.

Just as their MSL West rivals, Hoffman Estates has its own dynamic duo: Sophia Ball (120, 21-0) and Abigail Ji (125, 31-1) who together recorded six pins to cruise to victory.

"(Not) getting a state medal after two trips downstate really helped motivate and push me during the off-season where I was training six to seven times a week, and going to Fargo, and the Super 32 to get me ready for this season," said Ball, a junior, now with 16 pins, while Ji is now at 24 pins on the campaign.

Ball is sixth in the state, Ji fourth.

Huntley first-year coach Gannon Kosowski has a quarter of stars in his starting lineup, including Janiah Slaughter (24-1) and Aubrie Rohrbacher (38-3) who made their collective statement of their intent on the postseason with their terrific efforts on the mats.

Slaughter, third a year ago at state, was victorious at 105, with No. 5 Rohrbacher doing the same at 130 following her hard-fought 6-2 decision over Viola Pianetto (19-3) from Prospect.

"It's super cool to be here today in the first ever girls regional(s). I just love this sport, and my teammates, and this regional title today proves that hard work pays off," said the exuberant Red Raiders sophomore, who was a state qualifier last year.

Others here from the area that advanced into the Schaumburg sectional are weight class champions: Diamond Rodriguez (Dundee-Crown, 100, 27-3), Jasmine Zavaleta (Conant, 135, 23-9), Yamile Penaloza (Fenton, 145, 32-0), Lillian Garrett (Maine West, 170, 24-4) and No. 5 Jasmine Rene (Wheeling, 190, 30-1) who was fourth at state a year ago.

Penaloza won at the Upstate Eight Conference tournament last weekend, while Garrett needed just under two minutes to win her crown at the CSL.

"With her hard work and dedication, Lillian has turned herself into a great wrestler," said Maine West coach Anthony Lonigro.

At Minooka:

Minooka would edge Joliet Central (196.0-191.0) to win its own regional, but an impressive championship effort from Angelina Gochis (105, 38-5) helped power Kaneland to a third-place finish.

The Knights would earn 128.0 overall points, 13 more than fourth place Lincoln-Way Central (115.0) and DeKalb (89.0) who would edge Burlington Central by five points.

Rockets junior and two-time state qualifier Victoria Macias (30-3) would fall to Lincoln-Way Central's Gracie Guarino (20-0) in the 115-pound final.

At Round Lake:

Lakes Community and the rest of the field were unable to catch eventual regional champion Phoenix Military Academy from Chicago, but the Eagles were still able to enjoy plenty of success.

Zaryia Mouzan (105, 30-4) and Ava Babbs (125, 25-0, 21 pins) claimed the top prize in their respective weight divisions, while five other teammates will join them in two weeks at the Evanston sectional.

Lakes finished second overall (164.0) to Phoenix Military Academy (195.5). Grayslake North, which sends nine to sectionals, was fourth (129.0-123.0) behind Zion-Benton.

"Zaryia is having an awesome season, and has really grown into herself to be an aggressive, attack-minded wrestler, while Ava has the type of raw ability and explosive power that can make her a true contender for a state title," said Lakes coach Devin Tortorice.

For the third time this season, No. 4 Josephine Larsen (Lakes, 27-6) fifth a year ago at state, dropped another heart-breaking match to No. 3 ILene Castrejon (18-1) of Zion-Benton in the 190-pound final.

Quinna Sheets (22-7) gave Grayslake North its lone individual title at 135. No. 6 Riley Kongkaeow (100 29-3) and teammates Ireland McCain (29-7, No. 6 at 115) and Yareli Macias (235) all were second overall.

No. 4 Olivia Heft (Lakes, 27-2) was runner-up at 120, as was her teammate Christina Hasner (135, 21-11).

Stevenson senior Sajra Sulejmani, a two-time state qualifier, is one step closer following her second-place finish at 145.

Those who advance from this regional move on to the Evanston sectional.

At Shepard:

This regional site, along with the aforementioned Conant venue, were easily the most competitive of the eight in the state with the likes of powers West Aurora, Andrew, East Aurora and Batavia which will flood the brackets at sectionals in two weeks, and later at the state tournament in Bloomington.

Andrew and West Aurora would take turns all day long atop the leaderboard until a late push by Andrew sent them over the Blackhawks for the top prize at Shepard High School in Palos Heights.

The point difference would be 4.5 (195.5-191.0) with DuKane Conference champion Batavia in third with 176.5 overall points.

Batavia would watch No. 1 Sydney Perry (145, 34-0) capture its lone title on the day with Glenbard West senior Alycia Perez (28-0) doing the same for her club at one of the deepest weight classes at this site.

Perez, No. 1 at 100, would defeat No. 4 Kat Bell (Montini Catholic, 20-4) in her semifinal, and later pin Kameyah Young (West Aurora, 26-2) in the final.

Young would defeat No. 2 Lily Enos (Batavia, 35-9) in her semifinal, 5-3.

Bell later pinned Enos for third place.

No. 5 Nadiia Shykiv (Glenbard East, 15-0) won at 105, as did No. 5 Callie Carr (155, 23-2), the sophomore from Hinsdale South who was a state qualifier a year ago.

Downers Grove North senior Kayleigh Loo (18-0) remains undefeated after she pinned her way to the 170-pound title.

West Aurora fans were treated to an exciting win at 190 pounds where No. 6 Brittany Moran (27-1) upended No. 2 Jayden Huesca (16-2), the West Chicago senior who is a two-time state medal winner and 2023 state champion.

Moran, sixth a year ago at state, and a two-time state qualifier, would pin Huesca at 1:14 to claim her third major trophy of the season.

Regional qualifiers advance to the Schaumburg sectional in two weeks.