Red Raiders rule girls wrestling regional

HUNTLEY — Huntley pulled ahead of Wheeling and Woodstock to return home with the Girls Wrestling IHSA Regional championship, and hoped to keep the momentum going at the sectional round.

The Red Raiders put together a solid second day of matches at Hampshire on Feb. 1. HHS totaled 150 points to Wheeling’s 140 and Woodstock’s 131.5.

Senior 130-pound repeat champion and state qualifier in 2024, Aubrie Rohrbacher, will lead the group of seven Huntley individual qualifiers to sectional, Feb. 14 and 15 at Schaumburg. The other returning qualifier is Grecia Garcia, who was third at 145 pounds.

“We did a great job in the ‘blood round’, winning six of six matches, then took care of business for third and fourth place,” HHS head coach Gannon Kosowski said.

Also advancing will be: Sara Willis, third place at 235 pounds; Brianne Felde, third place at 190; Natalie Aguirre, third, 170; Donna Garcia, fourth, 115; and Isabelle Singer, fourth, 120.

Kosowski said there is much leadership in the wrestling room to bring that success.

“We have a bunch of great leaders in the room, who set the tone for workouts and take in all I say,” Kosowski said, mentioning Nariah Adams, 140, as a senior leader with Garcia and Rohrbacher. “Greca Garcia is constantly improving and had a great work ethic.”

“The pressure is a privilege, keeping everyone’s head up,” Rohrbacher said.

Rohrbacher, who placed third at state last season, improved to 41-7.

“I feel good, but it’s a long day,” Rohrbacher said. “I have had good stamina though. I have been working a lot on the offense and the simple things. I feel I am on the right path, after winning regional finishing second at sectional and third at state last season.”

Rohrbacher raced through four opponents to the title, earning a win by pin over Jessica Perez of Maine West, in 1:39.

“Rohrbacher came in and took care of business at regional, but we’re striving for state,” Kosowski said.

Greca Garcia, 33-11 record, also won by pin to qualify, in her third place match at 135.

Willis, 31-15, was thrilled to beat Natalie Hernandez of Lake Zurich twice, in the opener and for third place.

“It’s amazing, that was my goal, to qualify for sectional, 100 percent,” Willis said. “It’s been harder being the top seed on my side of the bracket. I’ve been ill a lot this season, but pushing through it, not wanting to miss any practices.”

Wills, like Felde, gives up several pounds to most opponents, and said she relies on quickness.

Felde, a junior, 28-15, won her third place match by pin in 1:16.

Willis and Felde are also on the girls track and field team, competing in shot put and discus throws.