Highland’s Aleksandra Bastaic, Merrillville’s Joy Cantu and Crown Point’s Ava Strayer, all state champions, headline the first team.
FIRST TEAM
Aleksandra Bastaic, Highland, junior, 145: Won the state title in dominant fashion, prevailing by fall in 10 of 11 postseason matches. Finished 36-0.
Kylie Benoit, Crown Point, junior, 130: Placed third in the state. Finished 32-2.
Joanna Cantu, Hobart, junior, 105: Placed seventh in the state. Finished 27-5.
Joy Cantu, Merrillville, senior, 110: Won the state title by pinning her way through the entire postseason bracket. Finished 33-0.
Julianne Cantu, Merrillville, freshman, 130: Placed second in the state. Finished 28-5.
Gabriella Costello, Illiana Christian, junior, 115: Placed second in the regional to qualify for the state meet. Finished 24-6.
Diana Hernandez, Hammond Central, senior, 100: Placed second in the regional to qualify for the state meet. Finished 19-5.
Reese Kasprzak, Lake Central, senior, 110: Placed eighth in the state. Finished 22-4.
Charisma Lawrence, Merrillville, junior, 135: Placed fifth in the state. Finished 30-4.
Madisyn Mikels, Portage, junior, 100: Placed second in the state. Finished 20-2.
Amelia Mitchell, Munster, freshman, 120: Placed seventh in the state. Finished 27-2.
Grace Pinkelton, Griffith, sophomore, 105: Placed sixth in the state. Finished 20-2.
Ava Strayer, Crown Point, freshman, 125: Won the state title by pinning every postseason opponent. Finished 35-0.
Avionah Widner, Wheeler, senior, 145: Placed sixth in the state. Finished 17-6.
HONORABLE MENTION
- Elani Alvarez, Merrillville, junior, 125
- Lilly Culbreth, Kankakee Valley, junior, 130
- Honesty Lacy, Merrillville, senior, 140
- Jacqueline Mallory, Lowell, junior, 100
- Karlie Mann, Valparaiso, senior, 140
- Aubrey Miller-Ramirez, Griffith, senior, 190
- Anastasia O’Shea, LaPorte, junior, 110
- Helene Papadakis, Crown Point, freshman, 135
- Jaila Powers, Crown Point, freshman, 105
- Lena Raygoza, Hobart, junior, 235
- Samaya Taylor, Boone Grove, sophomore, 155
- Meagan Thomas, Merrillville, freshman, 100
- Melody Vazquez, Highland, freshman, 155
- Keewa Yu, Crown Point, junior, 115
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter.
