A three-time state champion and a pair of state runners-up highlight first team of Southland’s best.
First Team
Zoe Dempsey, Lincoln-Way co-op, senior, 115 pounds: Lincoln-Way West student became a three-time state medalist, finishing third for second straight season. Went 49-3. Sectional and regional champion. Three-time all-area.
Ava Enright, Marist, junior, 120: Made history as first Marist girls wrestler to win a state medal, placing sixth. Finished 40-10.
Ella Giertuga, Lincoln-Way co-op, junior, 145: Lincoln-Way Central student earned fifth-place finish, compiling final record of 40-9. Regional champion.
Jade Hardee, Andrew co-op, sophomore, 110: Earned second state medal with fifth-place finish, after taking third as a freshman. Finished 44-8. Sectional champion. Repeat all-area.
Kendra Hayden, Homewood-Flossmoor, sophomore, 190: First-year wrestler made huge postseason run, finishing sixth at state. Went 34-16. Regional champion.
Claudia Heeney, Lockport, senior, 135: Three-time Daily Southtown Girls Wrestler of the Year won her third straight state title, finishing 42-3 and winning every match at state by pin or technical fall. Sectional and regional champion. Four-time all-area. Committed to Menlo.
Karrine Jenkins, Shepard, junior, 235: Won regional championship and advanced all the way to the blood round at state, finishing one win short of the podium. Finished 39-7.
Sophie Kelner, Lockport, senior, 190: Brought home first state medal with a fourth-place showing and helped the Porters finish as the state runner-up as a team. Went 43-12.
Melissa Nance, Hillcrest, junior, 155: Came away with a medal in first trip to state, placing sixth. Finished 28-13.
Nina Nesci, St. Laurence, freshman, 120: Made a huge splash in high school debut, going 39-3 with fourth-place finish at state. Sectional and regional champion.
Molly O’Connor, Lemont, senior, 125: Three-time state qualifier reached podium for first time with sixth-place finish, becoming first Lemont girls wrestler to win a state medal. Finished 44-12.
Rebekah Ramirez, Lockport, junior, 235: Won first state medal with third-place finish, contributing to team trophy for second time in three years for Porters. Finished 43-6. Sectional champion. Repeat all-area.
Rain Scott, Oak Forest, freshman, 125: Made it all the way to state championship match in her first high school season, finishing as runner-up with 21-2 record while helping Bengals win the program’s first state trophy with third-place team finish. Sectional and regional champion.
Alex Sebek, Oak Forest, senior, 100: Returned from two catastrophic knee injuries, which sidelined her previous two postseasons, to finish as state runner-up for second time. Went 33-1. Sectional and regional champion. Two-time all-area.
Honorable Mention
• Ariyah Bradford, T.F. North, sophomore, 155 pounds.
• Mercedes Carrasco, De La Salle, freshman, 135.
• Tatum De La Vega, Andrew co-op, junior, 105.
• Riley DePolo, Lincoln-Way co-op, junior, 170.
• Lily Fish, Reavis, senior, 155.
• Emmy Hoselton, Lincoln-Way co-op, freshman, 105.
• Carmen Jackson, Ag Science, senior, 110.
• Journey Jackson, Oak Lawn, sophomore, 130.
• Brynnley Krauchun, Andrew co-op, sophomore, 120.
• Jermia Moore, T.F. South, senior, 170.
• Taniya Moss, Hillcrest, senior, 105.
• Iyobosa Odiase, Oak Forest, senior, 145.
• Sarah Parker, Marist, senior, 170.
• Ariel Woodfin, Thornton, senior, 110.
