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Kaneland’s Angelina Gochis, top, works on Hampshire’s Amelia Nidelea-Polanin in the 115-pound final of the girls wrestling state meet at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)
Kaneland’s Angelina Gochis, top, works on Hampshire’s Amelia Nidelea-Polanin in the 115-pound final of the girls wrestling state meet at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)
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Two state champions, three state runners-up and stars from team state champ highlight first team.

First Team

Ella Cooper, Oswego East, junior, 145 pounds: Won two matches at state and finished among the top eight. Went 33-11. Also won conference championship.

Norah Cwik, Bartlett, senior, 110: First-time state qualifier finished 36-12. Also captured conference title.

Samantha Diehl, Hampshire, sophomore, 190: Two-time state medalist powered Whip-Purs to state title. Finished second at state. Ended up 39-4. Also won conference, regional and sectional championships.

Lily Enos, Batavia, senior, 100: Three-time state qualifier finished fifth for second career state medal. Went 41-5. Also won conference and regional titles. Committed to North Central College.

Hampshire's Samantha Diehl wrestles against Rock Island's Courtney Walls during the IHSA Girls State Championship 190 pound match at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Troy Stolt for Daily Southtown)
Hampshire’s Samantha Diehl, left, faces off with Rock Island’s Courtney Walls in the 190-pound final of the girls wrestling state meet at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)

Allison Garbacz, South Elgin, sophomore, 155: The 2025-26 Beacon-News/Courier-News Girls Wrestler of the Year punctuated perfect season with pin in second period for state title. Finished 42-0. Has two-year record of 76-2. Also won conference, regional and sectional titles.

Angelina Gochis, Kaneland, junior, 120: Won third straight state championship. Finished 31-2. Improved record to 12-0 at state meet. Also won conference, regional and sectional titles.

Sadie Kinsella, Kaneland, junior, 190: Two-time state qualifier compiled 29-11 record. Also won conference championship.

Annabelle Mueller, Hampshire, freshman, 105: Made spectacular debut with fifth-place finish at state. Went 40-7. Also won conference and regional titles for team state champ.

Amelia Nidelea-Polanin, Hampshire, junior, 120: State runner-up. Only loss was to three-time state champion Angelina Gochis. Finished 25-1. Also won conference, regional and sectional titles.

Stella Piazza, Hampshire, freshman, 115: State runner-up finisher went 28-2. Key component for team that won state championship. Also captured conference and regional titles.

Alketa Picari, Metea Valley, junior, 140: Finished third in the state. Ended up 52-6. Her 52 wins were the highest individual total in the state. Also won conference and regional titles.

Aiyanah Sylvester, West Aurora, junior, 120: Only state qualifier for Blackhawks finished 32-6. Won conference championship.

Lauryn Trotter, Yorkville, sophomore, 155: State qualifier finished 39-11. Also captured conference and regional championships.

Lilly White, Bartlett, senior, 130: Captured second state medal with runner-up finish. Went 39-4. Also won conference, regional and sectional championships.

Bartlett's Lilly White wrestles against Glenbard North's Keagan Edwards during the IHSA Girls State Championship 130 pound final match at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Troy Stolt for the Beacon News)
Bartlett’s Lilly White, right, tangles with Glenbard North’s Keagan Edwards in the 130-pound final of the girls wrestling state meet at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)

Honorable Mention

Ashley Basmajian, Metea Valley, senior, 120 pounds.
Jadelin Caballero-Flores, Larkin, junior, 190.
Jaylene Dealba, East Aurora, freshman, 190.
Analiese Garretson, Yorkville, junior, 105.
Ruby Gavina, Dundee-Crown, junior, 125,
Quinn Janssens, Oswego East, junior, 140.
Joselyn Llanos, East Aurora, sophomore, 110.
Melissa Melgar, West Aurora, sophomore, 100.
Janiya Moore, Metea Valley, junior, 115.
Janiah Murray, Yorkville, senior, 190.
Lilliana Ortiz, East Aurora, junior, 235.
Jazmin Rios, Sandwich, senior, 145.
Audrey Sheldon, Batavia, freshman, 155.
Sydney Stieb, St. Charles East, sophomore, 110.

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.