Girls wrestling: Lakes’ Larson completes perfect season with state championship

BLOOMINGTON — It was short and sweet, but what a magnificent 41-second performance from Josie Larson Saturday afternoon at the girls state wrestling tournament at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

Larson maintained her perfect 2024-2025 campaign when the Lakes senior pinned Payton Temple (Clifton Central, 27-2) to win the 190-pound state final.

A key figure in Lakes’ 2024 team state title, the No. 2 rated 190-pounder in the country recorded her 29th pin on the season, 28 of which came in the first period, much to the delight of Eagles fans who raised a 'All She Does is Pin' poster following her championship effort.

"It's all just surreal right now," said an emotional Larson (29-0) who needed almost six minutes to pin Nadia Razzak (Schaumburg, 47-5) in her semifinal.

"(That) match really got me back focused on what I needed to do in my final. It's kind of what I needed at this point in the tournament," said Larson.

The area celebrated a handful of individual state championships. Hoffman Estates senior Sophia Ball (43-1, 135) earned the first girls state title in school history when she pinned No. 1 Kinley Smith (43-3) at 3:29 to avenge an early season loss to the Canton senior.

"I don't know how I will celebrate this state title, but right now it feels just amazing," said the affable Hawks star who capped a brilliant four-year career with this marvelous performance, one year after finishing second here.

Ball will leave a lasting memory on the Hawks program with the most career pins, take-downs, three state medals, a four-time state qualifier, three-time MSL champion, and much more.

Kaneland sophomore Angelina Gochis (36-0) is now a two-time state champion after a blistering attack proved too much for Crystal Lake South sophomore Annalee Aarseth (17-2) in their 110-pound final.

"I got myself in some trouble in my semifinal with (Khloe) Perez (Glenbard West, 39-2) when I tried a head lock that didn't work," said Gochis.

Gochis chased a 6-1 first period lead against Perez, but roared back to claim a 7-6 decision to advance.

"It feels great to get a second state title, and to help our team finish third in the team race," added Gochis.

Andrew would be crowned state champion with 66.0 overall points, Hampshire was second (51.0) with Kaneland third at 45.5 points.

Hinsdale South junior Callie Carr (39-0), who was anointed the No. 1 spot at 155 pounds from the very start of the season, showed she deserved that honor when she dominated over the two days en route to the first girls state title in any sport at South.

"I just worked and worked during the offseason in and out of the room, and I never stopped working right up until this weekend," said Carr, who recorded 29 pins on the season.

"Callie is humble, helpful to all, and is someone who does not have an ego, and on the mat, her opponents can never figure her out because she is always able to counter and attack with a different approach each time," said Hornets coach Michael Uhlir.

There were so many here this weekend who came close to climbing atop the podium. Madeline Zerata-Lazarevic (Schaumburg, 145, 47-3), Viola Pianetto (Prospect, 135, 39-2), and Elise Burkut (Wheeliing, 38-4) all were runners-up in their respective weight classes.

For most of the season, Zerata-Lazervic was No. 1 at 145 pounds. On this day, the senior would fall to Natalie Beaumont (Cumberland, 30-3) by a score of 5-0.

The Saxons’ four-year star, twice a state runner-up, is a three-time state medal winner with close to 140 career victories.

Pianetto turned in a magnificent senior campaign, defeating several high profile opponents, including No. 2 and nationally ranked Alyssa Keane (Andrew, 42-4) in her quarterfinal.

Pianetto would fall in her final to two-time state champion Claudia Heeney (Lockport, 46-2).

Burkut, who won a thrilling overtime semifinal over Brooklyn Sheaffer (Kaneland, 44-4) with a pin, dropped her 125-pound final against No. 1 Sophie Bowers (43-0) from Vandalia.

Bartlett senior Emma Engels (44-4), a three-time state medal winner and 203 state champion, was unable to reach the 120-pound final where Hononegah senior Angelina Cassioppi (32-0) won her fourth consecutive state title.

"It's been a great time wrestling here at Bartlett. The program has grown really well, and it looks like it will continue to do so," said Engels, third here this weekend, who will wrestle in the fall at UW-Oshkosh.

Grayslake Central Gianna Arzer (46-5) was third at 125 pounds, as was Round Lake junior Riley Kongkaeow (45-5) at 100 pounds.

Burlington Central senior Victoria Macias (34-9) became a four-time state medal winner after her sixth-place finish at 115.