Girls wrestling: Freshmen stand out at Conant Invite
One thing that can often be seen in girls wrestling is a big splash from a freshman.
Wheaton Academy rookie Catherine Diehl has done just that, and after her second consecutive victory over a top-10 opponent, she will continue to rise in the state polls.
Saturday afternoon at the Conant Invite, Diehl registered a tech fall at 4:39 over the Hawks’ Jasmine Zavaleta (23-3) to capture the 130-pound title.
Conant lifted the first-place trophy at day’s end, edging Lockport and Lincoln-Way Central.
"We had a strong showing from our usual point scorers, but I was really pleased with the performance we received from the back half our roster today" said Conant coach Brad Bessemer. "The format of this tournament is designed to pair elite kids, and developing wrestlers with similar talent and ability, so it made for a terrific day of wrestling.
"Obviously, my first year of high school wrestling has gone pretty well," said Diehl, the lone female wrestler at Wheaton Academy. "My confidence has grown from the start of the season as I continue to train and compete in tournaments, and I feel the biggest adjustment for me at this level is my fitness, and (that) has come along really well also.“
Another wonderful freshmen is Abby Quirk from Grant, who after becoming an Illinois Kids Wrestling Foundation state champion a year ago, has won her first major following her pin in the 135-pound final.
Quirk defeated Warren captain Jane Kelly (25-6) in her semifinal to advance.
"Jane is the consummate captain and teammate, one that just leads by example, and for my money, she will go on to become someone that we will all be proud of," Warren coach Nick Grujanac said of Kelly, who finished third.
When the final session began, Valerie Aliga (15-4) from Glenbard South won the 100-pound title, with No. 5 Janiya Moore of Neuqua Valley (32-3) defeating Lake Zurich sophomore Georgia Hay (17-5) in the 115-pound final.
Reigning state champion Callie Carr (Hinsdale South) remains perfect at 21-0 following her victory at 155.
Palatine sophomore Irma Villa (23-1) won her second major title of the season when she pinned her way to the 190-pound championship.
No. 10 Sarah Bell of Montini (19-7) dropped her 120-pound final to Veronica Skibicki from Lockport.
Two-time state champion Claudia Heeney of Lockport (26-3) pinned Metea Valley’s Alketa Picari (30-3) for the crown at 140 pounds.
Boys wrestling
At Geneva:
Brother Rice ran out to a big lead, then cruised to the team title at Geneva’s Newbill Invite.
The Crusaders, one of four state-ranked teams attending, were ahead of the 20-team field just before the semifinals by 33 points over eventual runner-up Downers Grove North. Then the Crusaders increased their lead to 73 points before the final session, heading back to the South Side of Chicago with 265 overall points.
A successful final session by Downers Grove North (196 points) inspired by a trio of individual championships easily gave the Trojans enough room to finish ahead of Naperville North (168.5).
Wheaton Warrenville South (147.5) was fourth, followed by West Aurora (138.5).
Trojans sophomore Damian Garcia (23-3) won easily at 120 pounds, while teammate Christian Chiarelli needed extra time to defeat Jack Platt of West Aurora with a 6-3 sudden victory in the 138-pound final.
No. 6 Colin Murphy (21-3) continued to excel at the 285-pound weight class for the Trojans, adding a second major title to his resume after his tech fall victory (17-2) over Joliet Central senior Evan Patton.
No. 7 Ismael Chaidez of Glenbard East (126 pounds) is 27-4 after his 7-1 decision over Vinnie Miceli of Brother Rice, while teammate Orlando Hoye (12-1) added a second title for the Rams at 190.
Harvest Christian’s Brennan O'Donnell (26-1) surprised his rivals at 132 pounds when he swept through the competition en route to his sixth major title of the season.
The senior defeated three Class 3A opponents on his way to the title.
West Aurora’s Lucas Marcoux (24-9) won the 175-pound crown.
At Glenbard West:
A valiant effort from host Glenbard West at the Chris Chappell Invite fell short in Glen Ellyn.
Despite claiming a tourney-best five individual titles, the Hilltoppers finished second to Lincoln-Way Central, which amassed 272 points inside Biester Gymnasium.
No. 6 Aidan Ortega (106 pounds, 27-1) and No. 8 Vince Tortoriello (150, 24-3) won for the second consecutive time. Teammates Brennan Myra (144), Tallis Taylor (165) and Phin Codinha (215) made their way to the top of the podium to help the home side earn 257 points.
Carmel Catholic (172.5 points), led by the the second major title by No. 9 Anthony Hinojosa (157 pounds, 19-2) finished a strong third ahead of South Elgin (149).
"Anthony has dealt with injuries the past two years, still was able to get downstate twice, but this year, he's healthy, working hard and looking like he can do something terrific in Champaign," said Carmel Catholic assistant Riley Palm.
Hinojosa recorded a pair of pins to advance to the final where he registered a 16-5 major-decision victory.
Elk Grove sophomore Zander Spatafore (132 pounds, 19-5) became a two-time champion after his hard-fought 3-1 decision over Caleb Rogers (22-11) from Lincoln-Way Central.