By Bobby Narang
Saturday, Feb. 24 marked the final day of the high school wrestling season.
It was certainly a day to remember.
The girls individual state wrestling season featured several local champions, including three-time State champions, Batavia’s Sydney Perry, and Glenbard North’s Gaby Gomez.
Perry (41-0) ended her high school career with an undefeated record by capping off her stellar run by winning the 145-pound class with ease at Grossinger Arena in Bloomington.
It’s been a great run,” Perry said. “It has been great seeing our program grow as it has since I came to Batavia,” Perry said, still uncertain about her college selection.
Gomez won the championship at 115 pounds to finish her season with a 38-0 record by beating Loyola Academy’s Harlee Hiller in a thriller in the finale. Glenbard West’s Alycia Perez (35-0) claimed the 100-pound championship by earning a 1-0 decision over West Aurora’s Kameyah Young (32-4). Kaneland freshman Angelina Gochis (47-5) snagged the title at 105 pounds for the program’s first State championship. Burlington Central’s Victoria Macias secured her third state championship at 115 pounds.
On the team front, Lakes won its first team championship with 61 points by edging Lockport, which finished with 58 points.
At boys teams State wrestling, Washington defeated Montini Catholic, 30-28, to win the 2A dual-team State championship.
“You have to give credit to Washington,” Montini head coach Mike Bukovsky said. “They’re a great program, and they really wrestled hard and very well. Our kids really wrestled hard, and they had a great attitude the whole season….Washington was the more disciplined team.”
St. Charles East fell short of winning a second straight 3A championship, to open the door for a new champion.
Mount Carmel defeated Yorkville, 59-6, to win its fourth State championship in program history. The Saints beat Libertyville in the third-place match, 37-22, led by four-time State champion, Ben Davino to end his season with a 54-0 record.