Meet the 2025 Herald-News All-Area Girls Wrestling Team

See who we thought the best of the best were from this past season

Claudia Heeney of Lockport Township celebreates her 135-pound championship match victory over Viola Pianetto of Mt. Prospect in the IHSA Girls Individual State Finals on Saturday, March 1.

Girls wrestling season has come to an end. So of course, it’s time to unveil the 2025 Herald-News Girls Wrestling All-Area Team. Here’s who made the cut.

FIRST TEAM

Alicia Tucker of Plainfield Central

Alicia Tucker, Plainfield Central, sr.: The 170-pounder finished her career with a record of 103-5. A three-time state finalist, Tucker went 33-1 and won her second state championship this season.

Claudia Heeney of Lockport

Claudia Heeney, Lockport, sr.: The 135-pounder advanced to her third consecutive state championship match, winning her second straight state title. She went 42-2 this season and is 106-4 in her career.

Lincoln-Way Central junior Zoe Dempsey

Zoe Dempsey, Lincoln-Way co-op, jr.: Dempsey was sensational at 110 pounds, going 47-4, winning a regional championship, finishing runner-up at sectionals and taking third place at state.

Alejandra Flores of Bolingbrook

Alejandra Flores, Bolingbrook:, jr.: Flores went 33-6 at 115 pounds and took fourth place at state following a sectional runner-up finish and regional championship.

Grace Laird

Grace Laird, Joliet Catholic, sr.: The senior and lone girls wrestler for the Angels finished her career in style, taking third place at state in the 130-pound category.

Avery Crouch of Dwight

Avery Crouch, Dwight, fr.: The freshman started her career with a bang, finishing in fourth place at state with a record of 11-3 on the season at 135.

Teagan Aurich

Teagan Aurich, Plainfield South, sr.: Aurich capped her career with a splash, finishing in third place at state in the 155-pound bracket.

Rebekah Ramirez of Lockport.

Rebekah Ramirez, Lockport, so.: Ramiez finished her second season of high school wrestling with a record of 48-9, winning a regional championship and a sectional championship at heavyweight and qualifying for state.

Sadie Sparks

Sadie Sparks, Lincoln-Way co-op, fr.: Sparks went 34-10, winning the Oak Forest Invite and a regional championship before qualifying for state. Not bad for a freshman 120-pounder.

Layla Spann of Plainfield South

Layla Spann, Plainfield South, fr.: First-year wrestler went 30-11, qualifying for state, where she won a match at 170 pounds.

Catalina Pacheco

Catalina Pacheco, Seneca, jr.: Pacheco went 42-7 on the season, winning five tournament championships, including the regional title. She finished third at sectionals and fell in the blood round at state at 130 pounds.

Chloe Wong of Joliet West

Chloe Wong, Joliet West, sr.: A three-time state qualifier, the 105-pounder finished in the top eight at state this year and took second at regionals and fourth at sectionals.

Morgan Congo

Morgan Congo, sr., Morris: The 190-pound senior qualified for state after going 33-9 on the season, winning her regional and sectional.

Daniela Santander of Romeoville.

Daniela Santander, jr., Romeoville: She went 36-8, winning three tournament championships including the Southwest Prairie Conference title at 100 pounds. She was fourth at regionals, third at sectionals and won a pair of consolation matches at state.

Veronica Skibicki of Lockport, right, tries to take down Eva Hermansson of Woodstock in the 110-weight class  championship match on Saturday Jan. 4, 2025, where Veronica took a 4-3 decision during the Aaron Dundley invite held at Oswego East High School.

HONORABLE MENTION

Veronica Skibicki, Lockport, so.; Sophie Kelner, Lockport, jr.; Averi Colella, Lockport, sr.; Sammie Geisen, Seneca, jr.; Molly O’Conner, Lemont, jr.; Mia Lemberg, Minooka, jr.; Briahna Klobnak, Joliet West, jr.; Mikaela Najera, Bolingbrook, jr.; Henessis Villagrana, Romeoville, so.; Angie Nettey, Plainfield East, so.; Ella Giertuga, Lincoln-Way co-op, so.; Alisa Carter, Joliet Central, jr.

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