Four individuals from Andrew co-op’s state championship run headline the Southland’s first team.
First Team
Zoe Dempsey, Lincoln-Way co-op, junior, 110 pounds: Became a two-time state medalist with a third-place finish. Piled up the most wins of any area medalist, going 47-4. Regional champion. Repeat all-area.
Sophia Figueroa, Andrew co-op, senior, 115: Two-time state qualifier won two matches at the state meet and helped the Thunderbolts win the team state championship. Regional champion. Finished 37-15.
Christiara Finley, Hillcrest, senior, 140: Took an undefeated record into the state semifinals before finishing 30-3 and placing sixth. Became the program’s first state medalist and school’s first wrestling medalist of any gender since 1981. Sectional and regional champion.
London Gandy, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, 110: Made her first appearance on state podium with a sixth-place showing. Finished 43-10.
Jade Hardee, Andrew co-op, freshman, 100: Capped a terrific rookie high school season with a third-place finish at state, leading the Thunderbolts to the team state championship. Went 37-5. Sectional and regional champion.
Claudia Heeney, Lockport, junior, 135: Won second straight state championship. Finished with a 46-2 overall record, including an unbeaten mark against in-state competition. Repeated as Daily Southtown Girls Wrestler of the Year. Sectional and regional champion. Three-time all-area.
Alyssa Keane, Andrew co-op, senior, 135: The veteran leader of the state champion Thunderbolts placed third individually, finishing 42-4. Sectional and regional champion. Three-time all-area.
Grace Laird, Joliet Catholic, senior, 130: The first female wrestler in Joliet Catholic history also won the program’s first medal, placing third and ending up with a 24-6 record.
Charvelle McLain, Oak Lawn, senior, 155: Became the first state medalist in program history with her fifth-place finish. Went 36-10.
Nola Oben, Andrew co-op, senior, 155: Capped breakthrough senior season with a fourth-place finish at state and a 41-6 record for the state champion Thunderbolts. Regional champion.
Isabel Peralta, Oak Forest, senior, 190: Three-time state qualifier reached the podium for the first time with a sixth-place finish. Went 40-10.
Rebekah Ramirez, Lockport, sophomore, 235: Was a sectional and regional champion and won a match at state, finishing 43-11.
Sadie Sparks, Lincoln-Way co-op, freshman, 120: Won two matches at state, finishing just one victory shy of the podium in her high-school debut. Went 34-10. Regional champion.
Maggie Zuber, Mother McAuley, senior, 140: Finished 30-5 and as a state runner-up. Became the first wrestling state medalist in school history.
Honorable Mention
- Saja Bader, Andrew co-op, senior, 120.
- Tatum De La Vega, Andrew co-op, sophomore, 105.
- Sam Fontaine, Marist, junior, 190.
- Nina Hamm, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, 115.
- Carmen Jackson, Ag Science, junior, 110.
- Sophie Kelner, Lockport, junior, 190.
- Izzy Locascio, Marist, junior, 135.
- Molly O’Connor, Lemont, junior, 125.
- Iyobosa Odiase, Oak Forest, junior, 145.
- Quincy Onyiaorah, T.F. South, senior, 135.
- Mila Rocush, Shepard, sophomore, 130.
- Veronica Skibicki, Lockport, sophomore, 110.
- Jalah Wilson, Thornton, senior, 130.
- Ariel Woodfin, Thornton, junior, 100.
