Girls wrestling: Grant earns hard fought runner-up finish at Sally Berman tourney
Callie Carr enjoyed the type of season a year ago that just a few are fortunate to experience.
The Hinsdale South senior was a perfect 39-0 on her way to the 155-pound state championship — the first in either program in the sport — and it appears that the affable Hornets star is headed toward another chance at lifting the big trophy.
Carr is now 17-0 after dominating the 155-pound weight division Tuesday afternoon at the fifth annual Sally Berman Tournament in Palatine. Homewood-Flossmoor won over a valiant effort by second place Grant.
"My first trip to nationals at Fargo went pretty well for me. I learned how to keep my head (up) after suffering a couple of losses there to some great competition, so I feel having to go through that experience has helped me to be ready for whatever comes my way this season," said Carr following her pin at 2:36 over Lyobosa Odiase (10-1) from Oak Forest.
Carr would later be named Outstanding Wrestler for her superb effort on the day.
Grant, which at one point was atop the leaderboard by 19 points, slowly saw its lead evaporate to Homewood-Floosmoor, who carried off the team trophy with 150.5 overall points, 17 more than the Bulldogs.
Conant (124) was third, West Chicago (119) fourth and Andrew fifth with 118.5 points.
The up-and-coming Bulldogs advanced four into the finals. However, they would celebrate just one individual title, that coming from junior Myla Reyes who recorded a pin at 5:43 over Brea Hoffman (Conant) in the 125-pound finale.
"Getting that first takedown was big for me. It helped set the tone for the rest of the match," said Reyes.
Hoffman's teammate, Jasmine Zavaleta (16-1), claimed her second major title of the season when she registered a fall over Grant freshman Abby Quirk.
"I've been much more diligent in the little things compared to last year," said the senior, a state qualifier a year ago with 38 wins and currently No. 10 in the state polls.
Palatine sophomore Irma Villa (20-1) would treat the home side fans to their lone championship on the day with a trio of pins, including her final with Kendra Hayden (Homewood-Flossmoor) that would end at 1:33.
"It feels great to win in my home gym. I wanted to win for my teammates, and to represent Palatine the best way that I could," said Villa.
Round Lake junior Nancy Licona (10-5) would pin her way to her first varsity title at 170, as did Ester Migues-Gayton (Grayslake North) at 100 pounds.
"It helped me a lot to get the first takedown of my match, and when I got my cradle (in) I was able to get the pin," said Lincoln, who trailed 5-4 with one minute remaining in the second half before recording a pin at 3:51.
Junior Ti'ara Saunders, new to the sport this season, won her first varsity title when she won a hard-fought 4-2 decision over Ava Adorni (11-3) from Conant.
"Ti'ara is just a terrific young lady to have in our room. She is very funny, has a great personality, and because she is so athletic, it makes up for her inexperience, but she has improved with each week," said Lake Zurich coach Chad Hay.
No. 2 Quinn Janssens (Oswego East, 14-1) further validated her lofty place in the state polls with four pins in just under four minutes to capture the 140-pound crown.
"I am so much more stronger mentally than last year, and it's important for me to be that way as a team leader, and as someone that has a target on my back because I am No. 2 in the state," said Janssens, who was a dazzling 48-5 last season.
Ella Cooper (15-3) would join Janssens atop the podium at 145 pounds.
The 130-pound final would feature No. 6 Lilly White (Bartlett) and No. 10 Emily Ortiz (Zion-Benton, 9-0) in a contest between returning state qualifiers.
White took a 3-0 advantage into the second period. But after the two started in neutral position, it would be Ortiz who would stun White with a pin at 2:24 to send the Hawks star to her first loss (17-1) of the season.