Girls wrestling: Talented group shines at Schaumburg sectional

No other sectional in the state could match the sheer star power of the Schaumburg girls wrestling sectional, which featured 80 top 10-ranked wrestlers and several more honorable mention.

The top four from each weight class advanced to the girls state tournament in two weeks at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, but there were far too many who won’t be making the trip.

The 130-pound weight class illustrated just how many high-profile wrestlers were at Schaumburg.

Lilly White (Bartlett), Jasmine Zavaleta (Schaumburg), Keagan Edwards (Glenbard North) and Catherine Diehl (Wheaton Academy) finished in the top four spots at Glenbard West’s regional last weekend.

The fantastic quartet advanced into the semifinals Saturday. White beat Diehl (36-4) in extra time, and Edwards (47-4) edged Zavaleta 3-2.

White (36-3) then defeated Edwards in a tense, tight final 4-0.

“This is a fun time of the year, and right now I am having a lot of fun,” said White, who has beaten Diehl in three straight contests.

Diehl later upended Zavaleta in the third-place match.

There were stunning results all throughout the weight divisions, the most notable coming with a trio of top-rated wrestlers.

Glenbard East’s Nadia Shymkiv (35-3) and Hampshire’s Annabelle Mueller (10-2) were surprised by St. Viator freshman Charlotte Nold (17-1) in back-to-back matches.

Nold, No. 6 at 105 pounds, beat Shymkiv in extra time in their quarterfinal, then turned the table on Mueller in the final with a 10-2 victory.

Allison Grabacz (38-0) from South Elgin pinned Hinsdale South’s Callie Carr at 5:02.

Another No. 1, Schaumburg’s Nadia Razzak (42-2), found herself on the short end of a pin against No. 3 Samantha Diehl (36-3) of Hampshire.

Leyden’s Zoey Dodgers (29-0) continued her unstoppable work at 110 pounds, with a pair of pins sandwiched around a 8-0 decision in her semifinal.

“Zoey is just a workout warriors. She is up at 4 a.m. to get a run in, then puts in extra work after we train,” said Leyden coach Adam Schammert.

York’s freshman Charlie Dolan (30-2) was thrilled to have a second chance after a disappointing result in her regional final last weekend at Glenbard West.

“It was great to have the opportunity to bounce back from that loss. It came at a good time, and it helped motivate me and to clean some things up,” said Dolan, who unloaded on Lincoln-Way Central’s Caleigh Nicholson (37-12) with a technical fall at just 2:08.

Barrington sophomore Nicole Dzuira (32-4) shined all throughout the two days, which ended with a pin in 5:08 over Glenbard East’s Maria Green (42-2) in the 140-pound final.

Phillips sectional:

One week after falling short in its bid to lift a regional championship trophy, Stevenson bounced back and sent three to the girls state championship.

Athena Zappas (115 pounds, 36-2), Nastasia Kobets (120, 16-4) and Karina Lojowski (135, 34-3) all regional champs last weekend, have all advanced, Lojowski for the second consecutive year.

Grayslake Central’s Gianna Arzer, who last weekend earned her 100th varsity victory added three more to her record when the senior recorded a 21-3 tech fall to win the 130-pound title.

Warren’s Tyranna Jackson (41-2, 140 pounds) and Maine South junior Sophia Fortis (23-2, 235) continued their ascent up the charts following their impressive victories to claim their second consecutive major title of the season.

“All of the extra work is paying off,” Jackson said.

Libertyville junior Mary Minogue (12-2) dropped a 10-5 decision to Rain Scott (Oak Forest, 18-1) in the 125-pound final.

Scott, No. 2 in the state polls, is sure to move up a spot after her defeat of No. 1 Ariella Robin (35-1) from Glenbrook North.

Round Lake senior Riley Kongkaeow (19-3) who missed nearly missed two months to an injury, is on her way to a third straight state appearance after her second place finish to No. 1 Alex Sebek (30-0) from Oak Forest.