Girls wrestling: Glenbard East takes title at 30-team Waukegan invite
There were plenty of opportunities to see some terrific girls wrestling in the area on Saturday, including the 8-team round-robin invite at Schaumburg, and the 30-team tournament at Waukegan.
The 2024 Honey Badger girls tourney at Schaumburg featured five teams that will compete in the first girls dual-team state tournament later this month at host Hoffman Estates.
The Saxons, plus MSL rival Hoffman Estates, in addition to West Aurora, East Aurora and Minooka will all be a part of the 16-team dual-state field on Saturday, December 28.
"(That) is going to be a very exciting day for the sport of girls wrestling, and to have five of those teams here today, as well as three other terrific teams, made for a perfect day of wrestling," said Schaumburg coach Matt Gruszka.
"With the round-robin format, we were able to guarantee everyone here three matches against competition comparable to theirs, which made for a great day," added Gruszka.
"It was a good day today for us a team. We're a team that has a great mix of talent (that) has our younger wrestlers ready to step up this season," said Saxons senior Madeline Zerafa-Lazarevic, second a year ago at state with a sparkling record of 37-3.
Zerafa-Lazarevic and teammate Madyson Meyer, a state qualifier a year ago, both were 3-0 on the day.
State runner-up at 120, Hoffman Estates senior Sophia Ball (27-1) was a perfect 3-0, as was her teammate, Anjali Gonzalez, fifth a year ago at state.
"I was happy with my fifth-place finish, but this season I am going for all of it this season, and if I stay healthy, I feel like I can get into the state final," said Gonzalez, 32-7 last season at 235 pounds.
Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates would tie for fourth overall at the 2024 state tournament.
West Aurora, second at regionals last year to Andrew by just 4.5 points (195.5-191.0), features one of the best around in senior Kameyah Young. She dropped a heartbreaker a year ago in her state final to Alycia Perez of Glenbard West, 1-0.
Young, 32-4 last season, opened play here with a 21-4 major decision, before recording back-to-back pins.
East Aurora coach Ryan Mack points to a quartet of four-year veterans for the reason he feels his club can make a run at a third consecutive conference championship this February.
"Ruby (Becerra), Britany (Chavarria), Yoheadi Contreras and Brenda Escobedo have been rock solid since their first day with us, and have been great leaders both in the room, and the classroom," said Mack.
Waukegan invite:
Glenbard East led from start to finish to claim the top prize at the Waukegan 30-team Invite Saturday afternoon.
The Rams received individual titles from 2024 third place state medalist Nadiia Shymkiv (110) and Maria Green (140) to secure their tourney crown over Rossview, Tenn. by 8 points, 161.5-153.5.
Round Lake’s dynamic duo of Riley Kongkaeow (105) and Ireland McCain (115) are now two-time champions at this tournament, as is the nationally ranked senior Josie Larson (190) from Lakes Community.
"Riley and Ireland battled all day through their brackets to earn their well deserved second championships here," said Round Lake coach Ender Kongkaeow.
Sabrina Cargill (Palatine) would decision Maine West senior Lillian Garrett, 3-2, in their 170-pound final.
Palatine would finish third overall in the team race with 116.0 points, followed by Morton (107.5) and fifth-place Zion-Benton with 103.5.
Janiya Moore (Metea Valley) recorded a 12-3 major decision to win the 120-pound title, while Asreilla Wallace used a pin to earn the 235-pound title.