Engels, Jasinski dominant at Berman Classic
The sport of girls wrestling has grown exponentially since the Sally Berman Holiday Classic first began three years ago.
During that short period of time, the area has produced some wonderfully talented wrestlers, several who have gone on to claim state medals after the IHSA fully sanctioned the sport.
Fans of the sport would have the opportunity to watch some of the best in the state compete in this third annual stop on the wrestling tour. Many of the wrestlers have the chance to not only advance downstate, but to reach the podium in late February in Bloomington.
Reigning state champions Emma Engels (Bartlett, 20-1) and Ayane Jasinski from Grant proved unstoppable on Saturday with Engels winning easily at 110, while Jasinski was the same at 115 pounds.
Engels moved her record to 23-1 following a 11-4 decision over Victoria Macias (22-2) from Burlington Central just ahead of Jasinskis' marvelous effort against two-time state qualifier Ireland McCain (20-5) of Round Lake which ended with a pin at 5:12.
"I feel like I am physically and mentally stronger than a year ago, and more than ready to go after another state title," said Engels, who won 37 last season en route to her state title at 100 pounds.
Jasinski, who just a day earlier would compete at the 68th boys Berman Holiday Classic, finished fifth overall at 113 pounds. She showed little worse for wear less than 24 hours despite her four matches on Friday.
"The guys are obviously bigger, stronger, and faster. But I never feel intimidated against them, and to be honest, when I come back from a tournament like yesterday, I feel so much more physical and quicker than my opponents," opined Jasinski, who won her state title at 110 last winter.
Jasinki, Engels, and Ireland are currently the Nos. 3, 5, and 6 rated wrestlers in the state at 115 pounds.
Both Bartlett and Grant would finish far away from tournament champion Oak Forest who earned 211 points, 35 more than runner-up Andrew which collected 176.
Dundee-Crown (102.0), Zion-Benton (99.0) and Homewood-Flossmoor (95.0) would round out the five, with Lakes, behind an individual title from senior Olivia Heft (17-1) at 120 pounds, falling just short of fifth place with 94 points.
Heft, who missed all of last season to shoulder surgery after finishing runner-up at 115 pounds, pinned her way to her championship, including her final with Charlotte Pedroza (Oak Forest, 13-8) at 3:41.
"It's taken a lot of hard work to get myself back and ready to go for my senior year, and I feel like I get a little closer to where I want to be each time I go out," admits Heft, whose teammate Zaryia Mouton (19-4) was runner-up at 105.
Lilly White would join Emma Engels on top of the podium after the Hawks sensational sophomore pinned her way to the 125-pound title.
"I am having so much fun in my first year in this sport, and to be in a room with great teammates, and a great coaching staff makes it so much easier to improve," said White, now 18-1 after earning her second major of the year.
First-year Elgin coach Cynthia Sanchez was just beaming after watching her sophomore Briana Anselmo (9-5) defeat her rival from Dundee-Crown, Ruby Gavina (22-5), for the 130-pound crown.
"Briana is 100% (all in) this sport, she just never stops working," said Sanchez, after her 3-2 decision in overtime.
Callie Carr improved her record to 14-2 after four consecutive pins led to her lifting the championship trophy at 155 pounds.
Carr, who came into the tournament at No. 5 in the most recent state poll, was a state qualifier a year ago as a freshman, falling one match short of a state medal.
"It's been a good season thus far. (My) only two losses are to No. 1 Sydney Perry (nationally ranked senior from Batavia), so other than (that) I feel like I've improved a lot from the start of the season," said Carr, who won the Lakes Invite title earlier.
Burlington Central freshman Ryann Miller (170) continues to enjoy a terrific rookie season, albeit, still as a relative unknown, despite her success.
Miller would defeat No. 8 Sabrina Cargill (Palatine) in the semifinals, then state qualifier Ryann Reeves (Oak Forest, 17-1) with a pin a 1:50 to earn her fourth major title of the year.
"It's kind of exciting to win another championship, but I know I have to continue to work hard if I want to get downstate and have a chance at a state medal," said Miller, who now sports a sparkling 27-1 record.