Girls wrestling roundup: East Aurora takes title at Larkin’s Royal Rumble; Wheeling, Antioch perform well at Waukegan

The East Aurora girls wrestling program has been the leader in the Upstate Eight Conference during the past three seasons.

Saturday afternoon, the Tomcats outperformed the 16-team field at the annual Larkin Girls Royal Rumble as it ran out to an almost insurmountable lead that saw Ryan Micks' club lift the championship trophy.

"We lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team (so) we didn't really know were we would be this year," said Mick, whose club amassed 211 points on the day, 39.5 more than reigning dual-team state champion Andrew.

"(But) this team we have just never stops wanting to put in the extra work, and they are such a close knit bunch of girls, which has led to some nice early success, and just a great way to start the season.“

Batavia, behind its three-time state medal winner and individual champions Lilly Enos (100) and Audrey Sheldon (155), was third with 167.5, with Conant (164.5) and West Chicago (153) rounding out the top five.

The tourney champs would claim just one individual title (Lupita Garcia, 145) but it did collect three second place medals, and 12 top six medals on the day, using its depth to outpace the field.

"I got a late start to the sport (eighth grade), but today is an amazing day for my teammates who have supported me, and have become great friends," said Garcia.

The aforementioned Enos-Sheldon dynamic duo was near untouchable, as was Glenbard West’s Khloe Perez. The sophomore unleashed a devastating attack as she pinned her way into the 115-pound final where she recorded a tech-fall victory over Janiya Moore from Metea Valley.

Enos, who broke her own program record of 42 wins with 45 last season, is currently the No. 2 rated in the state at 100 pounds, with Perez the same at 110 pounds.

"I put a lot of extra time into my training during the offseason, so I feel like I'll be ready to make a strong run in the state tournament this year," said Perez, who was fourth a year ago.

Teammate Karolina Konopka proved to be too much to handle at 125 pounds, pinning her way to a title in just over 4 1/2 minutes.

Bartlett's four-year star Lilly White was an easy winner at 130, while Conant senior Jasmine Zavaletta did the same at 135.

White used just over four minutes to win her first major of the season, while Zavaletta recorded the quickest pin of the day (12 seconds) in her final.

"I am so excited for this season, and also really proud to be the captain of our team this season as well," said White.

Others from the area who would climb to the top of the podium were: Alketa Picari (Metea Valley), Olivia Halmaniak (West Chicago, 170) and Jadelin Caballero, who thrilled the home crowd with her 2-1 ultimate tiebreaker victory over Jaylene Dealba from East Aurora in the 190-pound final.

"It is so exciting to win my first ever tournament championship in my home gym," said Caballero.

AT WAUKEGAN: There were plenty of Illinois state ranked wrestlers at the Waukegan Girls Tournament on Saturday. However, it would be the team from Rossview, Tenn., that would hold off the 22-team field to claim the big trophy by a slim margin.

The Hawks, who were the state runners-up in 2022 and 2023, edged MSL power Wheeling 161.5-159 to win the title. Antioch (135), Glenbard East (134) and Stevenson with 130.5 would round out a very competitive top five.

Glenbard East was led by the nationally ranked Nadiia Shymkiv (110 pounds), who was second a year ago with a sensational 35-2 overall record.

Shymkiv and teammates Karla Sarabia (100) and Maria Green (140) were individual champions, while second place Wheeling would celebrate two championship efforts from Elise Burkut (130) and Jasmine Rene at 235.

The No. 7 rated Burkut was second a year ago at state with a 38-4 overall record. Rene, who began at Wheeling, moved to Streamwood, and is now back in the Wildcats room, is No. 3 at 190 pounds.

No. 3 Riley Kongkaeow, the senior from Round Lake who recently won her 100th career match, was first at 105 pounds.

Athena Zappas (Stevenson, 115), Kaylie Aguiar (Grayslake Central, 120), Haley Ramos (Carmel Catholic, 125), Keagan Edwards (Glenbard North, 135) and Josie Blau (170) from Antioch were crowned champions on the day at their respective weight divisions.

Edwards, who is a four-year veteran for the Panthers, is also the team captain who will wrestle next season at Western Colorado University.

AT FENTON: South Elgin, behind No. 2 Allison Garbacz (155), won the team title in Bensenville Friday afternoon.

Garbacz, fourth a year ago at state (145) with a record of 34-2, was the individual champion to help the Storm accumulate 167 points.

Runner-up Palatine, which finished with 137.5 points, would revel in its two champions: Evelyn Arreola (135) and Irma Villa at 190.

Metea Valley, who would compete at the Larkin Girls Royal Rumble on Saturday, was third with 126 points, five more than fourth place Waubonsie Valley.

The Mustangs duo of Janiya Moore (115) and Alketa Picari (140) would pick up first place medals; for Picari, it would be her second in two days.

The host Bison, who would tie with Waubonsie Valley for fourth, enjoyed a tourney high four individual champions: Maria Quintero (100), Kai Zamora at 110, Giselle Castillo (125) and Ariana Solideo at 235 pounds.

Rolling Meadows senior Leilani Brindis was first at 170.