Girls wrestling: Scouting the 2025-26 season

Angelina Gochis has taken the wrestling world by storm ever since she arrived in the Kaneland Knights room in 2024.

The Knights junior has been nearly perfect thus far. In fact, she was last season with a sensational 37-0 record en route to her second straight state championship.

Arguably the best 105- and 110-pounder at her weight during her first two seasons on the prep scene, Gochis' incredible drive to win, and strong character, plus the combination of great pace, quickness, tactical genius, high wrestling IQ, and a lethal and skilled shot allowed her to finish with cool precision.

"For me, it's all about working harder than anyone else, having a strong work ethic, and having the confidence needed to be successful out on the mat," said Gochis, who was 47-5 during her state championship rookie season.

"Having Angelina in the room has been great. (Her) success is something that all of her teammates are proud of. They rally around her, and she is just great a being a mentor, and helping them in all facets of the sport," said coach Joshua West.

Gochis, who enters the season as the No. 1 at 120 pounds, recorded 12 pins a year ago, 30 tech-falls, 191 takedowns and an astounding 594 points scored in the first period to set the tone for the rest of the match.

Gochis, who credits her father Chris for her success and the one who helps in her training, fitness, diet, and support, is excited for what her team can achieve this season.

"My teammates are working super hard, so there's no reason why we cannot be a top three team once again, and hopefully challenge for a state team title,“ adds Gochis, who claimed a preseason nationals title in Iowa this summer, and is No. 3 in the most recent national rankings.

The Knights lineup features the state ranked duo of Caitlyn Manier (155) and Sadie Kinsella at 190.

In addition to return of 2024 third place state medalist Amelia Nidelea-Polanin (120, 37-3) and Samantha Diehl (190, 31-6), the crowning achievement at Hampshire was its second place team finish in Bloomington last March.

"The girls have pushed each other during the offseason, and are beginning to gel to make a run at a state title, and it's clear when they come into the room there is a strong focus and chip on their shoulder after finishing second," said coach Matt Todd.

Todd welcomes Annabelle Mueller (100) and Stella Piazza (110), both of whom are considered among the best in this incoming freshman high school class, who will give his club a strong presence at the bottom of his lineup.

Hinsdale South would celebrate its first ever state champion when Callie Carr (39-0) dominated the field at 155 pounds, recording (29) pins on the season to put an exclamation point on her title run.

Carr, a three-time state qualifier, would hold the No. 1 in the state rankings from start-to-finish.

The area has so many memorable stories from a year ago from those who has since graduated, bu/t left an indelible print on the sport, and their individual programs as well.

Sophia Ball (43-1) would complete a brilliant four year career at Hoffman Estates with a state title at 130 pounds, as did Josie Larson (Lakes) state champ at 190 with (29) pins in all of her (29-0) matches.

Emma Engels, state champ in 2003, and three-time state medalist while at Bartlett, joins the aforementioned Ball on the Aurora University wrestling team.

Madeline (Hope) Zerafa-Lazarevic would help build a superb program at Schaumburg, twice as state runner-up, and a three-time state medal winner.

Victoria Macias earned her fourth state medal last season to complete a wonderful career while at Burlington Central

The Saxons were 19-1-0 a year ago, MSL, regional and sectional champions, and return five from last year, including No. 4 Nadia Razzak (47-5, 190) fifth last season at state.

"Veteran leadership will be our strength, but we have to find a way to fill the void left from last year's terrific senior group," says coach Matt Gruszka, who bid farewell to his three-time state qualifier, Madeline (Hope) Zerafa-Lazarevic, twice a state runner-up.

Also in the MSL, one of the best and deepest of all leagues, has Conant (8-4-0) who boasts a pair of state ranked wrestlers in Jasmine Zavaletta and Ewa Krupa, both capable of long postseason runs.

Wheeling will be in the hunt for a league title, and much more as it returns five, beginning with 125-pound state runner-up Elise Burkut, 38-4 last season, and No. 8 in a crowded field at 135.

"The experience we have (back) plus the camaraderie in our room is easily our biggest strength," says coach Anthony Piltaver.

Glenbard West sophomore Khloe Perez (110), and Batavia senior Lily Enos (100)

have each been anointed the No. 1 spot in their respective weight divisions, both are nationally ranked as well.

Zoey Dodgers (26-3) and Sabrina Bono (30-7) gave Leyden its first ever state medals last season, as did Annalee Arseth (Crystal Lake South, 17-3) Dezi Azar (Naperville Central, 39-9), Allison Garbacz (South Elgin, 33-2) and Mary Minogue (15-5) from Libertyville.

No. 1 Aubrie Rohrbacher (Huntley, 45-10) is back with two state medals to her name and ready to make good on her top spot at 130, while Glenbard East senior

Nadii Shymkiv (Glenbard East, 35-2) runner-up last season, and third in 2024 is currently No. 2 at 105 pounds.

Round Lake senior Riley Kongkaeow (45-5) enters her final season with (99) career victories, one of which helped her claim fourth place at state a year ago.

"Riley made appearances at Nationals this summer in Fargo, and preseason nationals in Iowa, and its her constant drive to learn more to foster her own creativity and enjoyment of the sport is that is so impressive," says coach Ender Kongkaeow.

Glenbard North coach Chris Edwards anticipates great things this winter with senior Keagan Edwards (130, 42-8) leading the way of his top returning five, and nearly (140) victories between them.

"With terrific leadership, (13) back with experience, and a dedicated offseason from all, we are see this being the best season to date for Glenbard North girls wrestling," says Edwards.

The same holds true for Ryan Mick at East Aurora, whose club lifted its third consecutive UEC championship trophy last season.

"We have (58) on our roster - it's the first year having a girls wrestling club during the offseason, so we'll look to continue to grow our program, and take the next step to compete with the upper echelon programs as well," says Mick, who lost several high quality senior wrestlers from his 9-2-0 team.