Young and precocious, South Elgin’s Allison Garbacz doesn’t get rattled by the next challenge.
Even though she’s only a rookie as far as the high school level goes, Garbacz still understands the rigorous demands of being elite at her sport. And that comes from past performances.
“I’ve been wrestling for a really long time — I’m not new to this,” she said. “It might not seem like it because I’m just a freshman. But I’ve waited a long time, almost years, just for this moment.”
Garbacz maintained her sensational start Saturday with a 5-1 victory over Schaumburg senior Madeline Zerafa-Lazarevic in the 145-pound championship match of the Schaumburg Sectional.
While remaining unbeaten, Garbacz (30-0) qualified for the individual state meet at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
Zerafa-Lazarevic (44-2) entered Saturday’s final with experience and savvy. Garbacz rendered those advantages null and void, though, taking control with a takedown in the first period.
Without a doubt, Garbacz didn’t blink, either.
“There’s definitely nerves, but I feel that helps me push myself to be the best I possibly can be,” she said. “I work hard, I have good coaches and I put the effort in, which is all you really need.”
Azucena Rodriguez, a junior who went 3-2 Saturday and finished just short of qualifying for state at 115, said Garbacz does a great job of meshing together technique and tenacity.
“I think she has a great consciousness about her moves when she’s out there,” Rodriguez said. “She definitely thinks of everything and knows what she is doing.
“She believes in the coaches, and you see that in her confidence and her support.”
Garcacz’s father is an assistant coach for the girls wrestling program at South Elgin. Her older brother, Austin, was a standout wrestler at Bartlett.
”Her best quality is her technique,” South Elgin coach Robert Tornabene said. “Sometimes, I really have to search for things in the room that she doesn’t really know.
“She started the season at 155 pounds and did really well there. She has this quiet confidence about her.”
A swimmer, Garbacz competes in the sprints and the breaststroke. She also plays defender in soccer. Wrestling, however, is the sport that best suits her manner and nature.
“A lot of other sports, you can hide behind the team,” she said. “With wrestling, there’s nobody doing that for you.
“I feel like wrestling has always helped me work hard and have the mentality of trying to be the best I could be at something.”
In the sectional semifinals, Garbacz gave up her first takedown of the season against Batavia junior Anabelle Guthke, then responded with a pin in the first period.
The championship round was a rare match that went the distance for Garbacz. Her blend of quickness, speed and superior technique has been a revelation.
“My style depends on the day,” she said. “I like shooting except when I don’t like it. (Saturday) I was quick with my shots and got into my offense.
“I’m always going to do whatever I know will work in that moment.”
As the youngest of three children with a significant age gap, Garbacz wanted to mirror her siblings’ success while making her own reputation.
“My siblings were always smart and good at sports,” she said. “I think I’ve always had that desire to be the best at something.”
Bookish and quiet, Garbacz’s favorite subject is math. She has an analytical approach, always looking to optimize her scoring.
“Being good at learning has taught me how to be a student of wrestling,” she said. “It feels really good to put the work in and go to state. I really have to stay focused.
“I know everything I’ve done has prepared me well.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
