State Basketball |
Unity wins state third-place game, 86-61

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Unity's Brayden Henry strips the ball from Farragut's Delonte Cook as goes up for a first half shot during their Class 2A third-place game at the IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals. Cook finished the game with four points, eight rebounds and six steals on Lou Henson Court at the State Farm Center. Henry, who finished with 15 points, helped the Rockets win 86-61 to earn the best finish in program history. Game recap and more photos coming soon.

Box Score

FINAL: Unity 86 - Farragut 61

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Unity	9	25	24	28	86
Farragut	11	16	12	22	61

TAGS:

State Basketball |
Last quarter surge pushes Rams past Rockets

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Unity's Dane Eisenmenger drives to the basket, trying to get around Manual's Rico Booker. Eisenmenger finished with a team-high 14 points but it wasn't enough to help hold off the Rams in their Class 2A semifinal game on Thursday. The Rockets fell in a heartbreaker 62-47. More from this game coming soon.

Box Score

FINAL: Manual 62 - Unity 57

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Unity	15	13	16	13	57
Manual	14	12	14	22	62

TAGS: Unity basketball plays for championship spot, Peoria Manual defeats tough Unity program, best Class 2A teams play at state, Rockets fall to Manual at IHSA state basketball tournament

Another season, another trophy, Rockets take third at state!

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Members of the Unity Rockets basketball team hoist their third-place trophy after defeating Farragut in the consolation game 86-61. After losing their semifinal to Manual High School hours earlier, Unity, who was the Class 3A runner-up on football, exhausted the remainder of their tanks to add another boys state trophy to their collection. The Rockets finished the season with an impressive 34-3 record.

Unity survives supersectional thriller 77-70, Rockets set sights on state title

Unity defeated Bishop McNamara 77-70 Monday night at the Pontiac Supersectional to advance to the IHSA Class 2A state semifinals for the first time since 2002. The Rockets' victory sends them to face a storied opponent in Peoria Manual, a five-time state champion entering the semifinal on a nine-game winning streak.

Photo: Sandy Gorman for the Sentinel

Tyler Henry erupts after the Rockets secure their Class 2A berth for the 2026 IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals at the Pontiac Supersectional on Monday. The Unity basketball program is just two wins away from a state title.

PONTIAC- If you haven't heard the news, Unity is heading back to the state tournament for the first time in more than two decades after surviving a high-scoring supersectional battle Monday night.

The Rockets defeated Bishop McNamara 77-70 to win the Pontiac Supersectional and secure a berth in the IHSA Class 2A boys basketball semifinals at State Farm Center. Unity, now 33-2 on the season, will face Peoria Manual at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Unity trailed early in the contest and worked its way back into the game after falling behind 16-10 at the end of the first quarter. The Rockets trimmed the deficit and went into halftime down just one point at 31-30.

The momentum shifted after the break. Unity surged ahead in the third quarter, building a 55-47 lead with a balanced scoring effort from several seniors who were also part of the program’s Class 3A football state title appearance in November. Dane Eisenmenger and Colton Langendorf combined for 12 points during the stretch, while Mason O’Neill added five and Tre Hoggard chipped in four as the Rockets gained control.

Bishop McNamara tried to close the gap in the fourth quarter, outscoring Unity 23-22, but the Rockets’ nine-point advantage created in the third period proved enough to hold off the late push.

Photo: Lori Garrret for the Sentinel

Unity's Dane Eisenmenger and teammates celebrate near center court after knocking Bishop McNamara out of the postseason, extending the team's 24-game win streak.

Hoggard led all scorers with 22 points in one of his strongest performances of the season. The senior converted 6 of 8 free throws and went 5-for-6 at the line in the fourth quarter alone while scoring nine points in the final period. Hoggard entered the postseason averaging eight points per game but has elevated his production during the playoff run.

Tyler Henry added 16 points for the Rockets, including seven in the fourth quarter, while Eisenmenger finished with 14 to give Unity three players in double figures.

Bishop McNamara also placed three players in double-digit scoring. Coen Demark led the Fightin’ Irish with 20 points, while Karter Krutsinger added 18 and Richie Darr contributed 14.

The victory sends Unity to the state finals for the first time since 2002, when the Rockets finished fourth after losses to Herrin and Bureau Valley.

Standing in Unity’s way Thursday is Peoria Manual, a program with a deep history in Illinois high school basketball. The Rams, who enter the semifinal at 23-9, finished fourth in last year’s state tournament after falling to Dyett 54-50 in the semifinal and losing to Christ of the King 55-44 in the third-place game.

Manual owns five state championships and has collected 12 additional state trophies since its first appearance at the state tournament in 1913. Competing against larger enrollment schools during the regular season, the Rams are members of the Big Twelve Conference and with student enrollment of just over 650 students.

Manual enters Thursday’s semifinal on a nine-game winning streak. The Rams’ closest postseason game came in a 46-43 regional semifinal win over Tri-Valley. Each of their other eight victories during the streak has come by at least 16 points.

Unity will have a short trip to the state stage, traveling roughly eight miles from campus to State Farm Center in Champaign.

In the other Class 2A semifinal, Quincy Notre Dame will face Farragut. The losers of the two semifinal games will meet Friday at 8:45 p.m. for the third-place trophy, while the winners will advance to Saturday’s state championship game scheduled for noon.

Unity Rockets state basketball 2026 semifinals, IHSA Class 2A boys basketball State Farm Center, Tre Hoggard 22 points supersectional, Unity vs Peoria Manual state semifinals Thursday

IHSA Super-Sectional Final Scores |
Statewide boys' basketball scores from Monday

Here are the results from IHSA super-sectional basketball game from round the state.

Local team results

Tolono Unity 77, McNamara 70

1A Scores from around the state

Lawrenceville 48, LeRoy 26
Goreville 60, Routt 43
Chicago Marshall 45, Indian Creek 31
Eastland 47, Tremont 45

2A Scores from around the state

Quincy Notre Dame 55, Benton 36
Farragut 49, Crane Medical 47
Tolono Unity 77, McNamara 70
Manual 75, Johnsburg 41

3A Scores from around the state

Leo 54, Hyde Park 33
Kaneland 49, Morton 47
Deerfield 51, 7St Francis 36
East St Louis 51, MacArthur 49

4A Scores from around the state

York 58, St Ignatius 56
Benet 69, Rockford Auburn 42
DePaul 57, Hersey 45
Marist 56, Richwoods 53

TAGS: Unity beats McNamara in supersectional finale, QND heads to state tournament, East St. Louis beats McArthur for berth to state, York beat St. Ignatius for a shot at state title

2025-25 Illini Prairie All-Conference Wrestling Team

St. Joseph-Ogden and Unity dominated Illini Prairie Conference wrestling honors, combining for eight of 15 first-team spots as 22 area athletes earned all-conference recognition.

St. Joseph-Ogden's Cam Wagner wrestles at state

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Cam Wagner wrestles Murphysboro's Julien Tanner durin their first-round 285-pound match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals in February. Wagner, who fell 4-1 in his first-ever state appearance, was named to the Illini Prairie All-Conference Wrestling First Team

ST. JOSEPH - Area wrestling programs made a strong showing on the Illini Prairie Conference postseason honors list this season, with 22 athletes earning all-conference recognition.

St. Joseph-Ogden and Unity led the area contingent, combining for eight of the 15 spots on the all-conference first team.

SJO placed four wrestlers on the top squad, including sophomore Ben Wells at 113 pounds, junior Cam Wagner at heavyweight and senior standouts Coy Hayes at 165 pounds and Vance McComas at 175 pounds.

Unity matched the Spartans with four first-team selections. Seniors Hunter Shike at 144/150 pounds, Abram Davidson at 165 and Chason Daly at 215 earned the recognition, while freshman Hayden Smith rounded out the Rockets’ first-team honorees.

Two additional area wrestlers also earned first-team recognition. St. Thomas More freshman Jamir Woods was honored at 126 pounds, while Rantoul Township senior Brandon Almanza was selected at 165/175 pounds.

Unity added five wrestlers to the second team, highlighting the depth of the Rockets’ lineup this season. Vince Abon, A.J. Daly, Ben Mullins, Devin Glik and Bradley Smith were each recognized for their performances on the mat.

Spartans’ Cam Getty and Nathan Daly also received second-team honors, while Rantoul senior Michael Anthony completed the area’s list of second-team selections.

Several of the conference honorees also competed on the state stage this season. St. Joseph-Ogden’s Wagner and Wells, along with Unity wrestlers Davidson and Daly, qualified for the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals. Unity’s Josh Heath was also a state qualifier and received honorable mention recognition from conference coaches.

Illini Prairie Conference
All-Conference Wrestling Team

1st team:

Nick Litchfield, 132-pounds
Senior, Monticello

Will Osborne, 144-pounds
Junior, Monticello

Lucas Maier, 175-pounds
Sophomore, Pontiac

Brayden Quas, 157-pounds
Sophomore, Pontiac

Jack Voigts, 126-pounds
Freshman, Pontiac

Brandon Almanza, 165/175-pounds
Senior, Rantoul

Ben Wells, 113-pounds
Sophomore, St. Joseph-Ogden

Coy Hayes, 165-pounds
Senior, St. Joseph-Ogden

Vance McComas, 175-pounds
Senior, St. Joseph-Ogden

Cam Wagner, 285-pounds
Junior, St. Joseph-Ogden

Jamir Woods, 126-pounds
Freshman, St. Thomas More

Hunter Shike, 144/150-pounds
Senior, Unity

Hayden Smith, 144/150-pounds
Freshman, Unity

Abram Davidson, 165-pounds
Senior, Unity

Chason Daly, 215-pounds
Senior, Unity

2nd team:

Owen Moser, 175-pounds
Senior, IVC

Aiden Komnick, 120-pounds
Sophomore, Monticello

Kellan Lamb, 126-pounds
Sophomore, Monticello

Drake Weeks, 150-pounds
Senior, Monticello

Max Sinkosky, 175-pounds
Senior, Monticello

Hunter McCullough, 285-pounds
Junior, Pontiac

Andrew Patino, 113-pounds
Sophomore, Prairie Central

Michael Anthony, 215/285-pounds
Senior, Rantoul

Cam Getty, 126-pounds
Senior, St. Joseph-Ogden

Nathan Daly, 150-pounds
Senior, St. Joseph-Ogden

Vince Abon, 106-pounds
Sophomore, Unity

A.J. Daly, 138-pounds
Freshman, Unity

Ben Mullins, 157-pounds
Junior, Unity

Devin Glik, 150/157-pounds
Senior, Unity

Bradley Smith, 190-pounds
Sophomore, Unity

Honorable Mention:

Maison Toliver, 165-pounds
Junior, IVC

Hunter Toliver, 126-pounds
Junior, IVC

Malikai Bremer, 215-pounds
Senior, IVC

Weston Hicks, 138-pounds
Freshman, Monticello

Luke Andruczyk, 144-pounds
Junior, Monticello

Zach Perry, 157-pounds
Sophomore, Monticello

Noah Davis, 138-pounds
Junior, Pontiac

Braden Opperman, 150-pounds
Freshman, Pontiac

Trey Zimmerman, 106-pounds
Freshman, Prairie Central

Elijah Mowery, 190-pounds
Sophomore, Prairie Central

Harley Schultz, 175/190-pounds
Senior, Rantoul

Tyler Seals, 165/175-pounds
Junior, Rantoul

Alex Nutter, 215/285-pounds
Senior, Rantoul

Alex Mager, 190/215-pounds
Sophomore, Rantoul

Aiden Hundley, 138-pounds
Junior, St. Joseph-Ogden

Yashua Walker, 132-pounds
Freshman, St. Thomas More

Lane Sexton, 157-pounds
Junior, St. Thomas More

Josh Heath, 175-pounds
Senior, Unity

Illini Prairie Conference wrestling all-conference 2026, St. Joseph-Ogden Unity wrestling honors, area high school wrestling awards Illinois, IHSA state wrestling qualifiers all-conference

Brayden Henry lifts Rockets past Teutopolis 59-58

Unity overcame early-season losses to Teutopolis, winning the sectional final 59-58 on a buzzer-beater. Unity moves one step from a state tournament berth, facing Kankakee McNamara on Monday.

Photo: Lori Garrret for the Sentinel

Brayden Henry holds up the net while celebrating with teamates and fans after the Rockets' epic victory over Teutopolis on Friday.

MONTICELLO - Unity had already seen Teutopolis twice this season, and both times the Wooden Shoes walked away with the win. Friday night in the Monticello Class 2A sectional championship, the Rockets finally got their revenge and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Brayden Henry drove to the basket and delivered a layup at the buzzer, lifting Unity to a dramatic 59-58 victory and sending the Rockets to the Pontiac Supersectional.

The win sends Unity (32-2) one step from the state tournament, marking the program’s deepest postseason run since 2002. The Rockets will face Kankakee McNamara on Monday in Pontiac with a trip to the IHSA state finals on the line.

Friday’s matchup carried the intensity of a rivalry built over the course of the season. Teutopolis had claimed the first two meetings, defeating Unity 56-50 in the season opener and edging the Rockets again 37-36 on Dec. 31. With a sectional title at stake in the third meeting, the Rockets delivered when it mattered most.

Unity started quickly, building a 16-11 lead in the opening quarter behind seven combined points from the Henry twins and four points from senior Tre Hoggard. Teutopolis rallied in the second quarter and carried a 25-23 lead into halftime.

The Rockets reclaimed the momentum in the third quarter and opened the fourth with a 41-36 advantage, setting the stage for a tense finish.

Teutopolis mounted a late charge behind Isaac McWhorter, who finished with a game-high 23 points. McWhorter sparked the Wooden Shoes in the fourth quarter with three 3-pointers and two field goals, while also converting both of his free-throw attempts. Gavin Addis added 13 points, including two field goals and a perfect 3-for-3 performance from the free-throw line in the final quarter. Layndyn Thoele contributed nine points, all in the first half.

Unity answered with balanced scoring. Henry led the Rockets with 20 points, scoring in every quarter before delivering the game-winning basket. Dane Eisenmenger and Tyler Henry each finished with 10 points, while Mason O’Neill added two free throws. Eisenmenger was perfect from the line at 3-for-3, and O’Neill went 2-for-2.

The victory extends Unity’s winning streak to 23 games and moves the Rockets within one win of the state tournament.

Kankakee McNamara (25-5) awaits Monday in the Pontiac Supersectional after defeating Yorkville Christian 69-56 in overtime at the Seneca Sectional. The Fightin’ Irish enter the matchup averaging 61 points per game while allowing opponents about 45 points per contest.

TAGS: Unity Rockets Teutopolis Class 2A sectional recap, Brayden Henry buzzer-beater Unity vs Teutopolis, Monticello Class 2A basketball sectional results, Unity Rockets supersectional 2026 preview, IHSA Class 2A boys basketball playoff coverage

Boys' sectional championship basketball scores from March 6

The Unity Rockets defeat Teutopolis, advancing to the Pontiac supersectional on Monday. Here are the results from Friday's high school sectional championships from around the state.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Brayden Henry blocks a pass attempt by Warrensburg-Latham's Alex Hardin during the Christie Clinic Shootout game in January. Henry saved the day in the Rockets' sectional title game, taking the ball down the court for a successful layup as time expired for a 59-58 win over Teutopolis and the sectional title at Monticello earlier this evening.

Local team results

Tolono Unity 59, Teutopolis 58

1A Scores from around the state

Indian Creek 46, Ottawa Marquette 44
Goreville 47, Waltonville 44
LeRoy 62, Decatur Unity 58
Lawrenceville 59, Altamont 45
Chicago Marshall 55, Fenger 48
Tremont 47, Deer Creek-Mackinaw 45
Routt 49, Brown County 45
Eastland 48, Pecatonica 41

2A Scores from around the state

Crane Medical 57, Hope Academy 55
Farragut 64, IIT Math & Science 53
Manual 57, Warsaw 41
Johnsburg 68, Rockford Lutheran 50
Tolono Unity 59, Teutopolis 58
Benton 58, Carterville 43
Quincy Notre Dame 72, Rochester 64
McNamara 69, Yorkville Christian 56

3A Scores from around the state

Hyde Park 43, De La Salle 40
Leo 72, Hillcrest 64
St Francis 69, Wheaton Academy 62
Deerfield 46, Lake Forest 35
MacArthur 66, Normal University 42
Morton 61, Kankakee 48
East St Louis 69, Centralia 51
Kaneland 51, Crystal Lake South 41

4A Scores from around the state

York 37, Glenbard East 36
Benet 51, Bolingbrook 44
St Ignatius 71, Curie 65
Marist 76, Homewood-Flossmoor 64
Hersey 73, Fremd 66
Richwoods 59, Edwardsville 58
Rockford Auburn 74, Guilford 68
DePaul 55, Evanston 42

TAGS:

IHSA Sectional Semifinals |
Statewide boys' basketball scores for Wednesday

Here are the results from Wednesday's high school playoffs locally and around the state.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Tre Hoggard goes up for a shot in the Rockets' Christie Clinic Shootout Game at St. Joseph-Ogden High School in January. The senior scored 17 points to lead all scorers in the team's 51-32 supersectional victory over Fairfield at Monticello on Wednesday. The Unity (31-2) advances to the title game to face Teutopolis for a third showdown this season. The Rockets only two losses this season have been at the hands of the Wooden Shoes.

Local team results

Tolono Unity 51, Fairfield 32

1A Scores from around the state

Indian Creek 58, Woodland 43
Goreville 66, Sparta 63
Decatur Unity 44, Ridgeview 39
Lawrenceville 30, Casey-Westfield 29
Chicago Marshall 77, St Francis de Sales 64
Deer Creek-Mackinaw 41, Brimfield 40
Brown County 48, Calhoun 46
Eastland 49, Dakota 31

2A Scores from around the state

Hope Academy 73, Clark 64
Farragut 74, Corliss 71
Johnsburg 51, Aurora Christian 47
Tolono Unity 51, Fairfield 32
Carterville 46, Breese Central 43
Rochester 52, Staunton 49
Yorkville Christian 50, Pontiac 44

3A Scores from around the state

De La Salle 59, King 55
Wheaton Academy 46, Providence 40
Deerfield 65, Wauconda 56
Normal University 64, Springfield 54
Kankakee 59, East Peoria 53
East St Louis 82, Jacksonville 50
Crystal Lake South 92, Sycamore 73

4A Scores from around the state

York 58, Glenbard North 44
Bolingbrook 68, Neuqua Valley 53
St Ignatius 50, Simeon 49
Marist 59, Lockport 33
Evanston 77, Loyola 70

TAGS: Illinois high school basketball scores, Unity basketball score, Loyola Academy defeats Evanston by seven, basketball semifinal scores for all four IHSA classes, Goreville ends Sparta basketball season

Molina advances at state wrestling

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - Unity's Phoenix Molina celebrates her pin after 235-pound quarter final match against Sycamore's Jasmine Enriquez at the IHSA Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals on Friday. Molina advances to Saturday morning's semifinal, where she will face Wheeling's Jasmine Rene for a shot at her first state title.

Class 2A regional basketball scores from around the state

Kaden Wedig drives to the basket against Central Catholic

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Kaden Wedig drives to the basket during the second half of St. Joseph-Ogden's home game against Central Catholic back on February 13. Wedig and the Spartans were eliminated from the postseason on Friday night after losing their regional championship game to Warrensburg-Latham, 63-44.

Sentinel area teams

Warrensburg-Latham 63, St Joseph-Ogden 44
Tolono Unity 53, Maroa-Forsyth 49

Other scores from around the state

Aurora Christian 61, Byron 57
Yorkville Christian 80, Chicago Christian 56
Benton 36, Murphysboro 35
IWarsaw 36, llini West 31
Staunton 56, Carlinville 37
Christ the King 62, Holy Trinity 46
Crane Medical 71, Wells 54
Farragut 80, Phillips 71
Breese Central 46, Mater Dei 29
Manual 62, Bloomington C Cath 29
Farmington 72, Sherrard 62
McNamara 66, El Paso-Gridley 52
Johnsburg 56, Richmond-Burton 53
Pontiac 63, Paxton-Buckley-Loda 39
Rockford Lutheran 62, Winnebago 58
Carterville 47, Massac County 45
Nashville 59, Pinckneyville 44
Teutopolis 61, Newton 40
Oregon 68, Mendota 52
Riverdale 71, IVC 54
Fairfield 67, Vandalia 56
Quincy Notre Dame 54, North Mac 49
Rochester 50, Williamsville 41
Wilmington 54, Seneca 43

State wrestling preview: Local athletes chase quarterfinal spots in Champaign

The road to a state medal starts now. Twenty-one area wrestlers will be competing at the IHSA Individual State Finals on Thursday. Here are the athletes in the medal hunt.

Cam Wagner wrestles in a regular season meet

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Cameron Wagner wrestles South Vermillion's Baylen Curry in a 285-match in January. Wagner, who won by tech Fall 18-3, is making his first trip to the state wrestling tournament.

Area wrestlers from both Class 1A and Class 2A will take the mats Thursday at the State Farm Center, where twenty-one qualifiers aim to push through the opening round and secure spots in the quarterfinals at the Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals.

Oakwood leads the local contingent with six state qualifiers emerging from the Olympia Sectional. Steven Uden enters the 113-pound bracket at 39-6, while Weston Frazier (35-4) competes at 120, Pedro Alberto Rangel (27-14) at 126, Mason Swartz (39-6) at 132, Devin Ehler (42-1) at 138, and Tyler Huchel (36-6) at 144. Uden and Ehler, both consistent performers throughout the postseason, arrive with momentum and are viewed as strong medal contenders.

Unity's Abram Davidson wrestling at 2025 state tournament

St. Joseph-Ogden advanced two wrestlers to Champaign. Ben Wells carries a 42-7 record into the 113-pound division, and Cam Wagner brings a 31-8 mark into the heavyweight bracket. Unity qualified three athletes, with freshman AJ Daly (38-13) at 138, Abram Davidson (44-7) at 165, and Josh Heath (39-13) at 175 all advancing out of Olympia. Davidson is a two-time qualifier for the Rockets.

Ben Wells qualifies for the IHSA state wrestling tournament

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

SJO's Ben Wells, a sophomore, makes his first appearance tomorrow as a state qualifier at the State Farm Center.

In Class 2A, Champaign Central will be represented by three wrestlers who advanced from the Granite City Sectional: Rylan Poeta (32-7) at 126, Talin Baker (32-4) at 138, and Trae Griffiths (25-5) at 157. Champaign Centennial sends Sergio Baity (34-6) at 190.

Mahomet-Seymour qualified five wrestlers from Granite City, led by Gideon Hayter (33-12) at 126, Justus Vrona (42-9) at 144, Garrett Waisath (40-13) at 150, Talon Decker (37-7) at 165, and Marco Casillas (45-3) at 190. The group brings a blend of experience and postseason success into a deep Class 2A field.

First-round action begins at 11 a.m. with Class 1A matches. General admission is $13 plus fees per session, and all-session passes start at $60. The state finals will be streamed live on the NFHS Network.

TAGS: IHSA Individual State Finals wrestling preview, area high school wrestlers at State Farm Center, Class 1A and 2A Champaign Counte wrestling qualifiers, Oakwood and Mahomet-Seymour state wrestling competitors, local wrestlers competing at IHSA state tournament, two SJO wrestlers qualify for state

Area girls wrestling qualifiers

Champaign Central, Oakwood, St. Joseph-Ogden, Unity and Urbana will all be represented at the state meet. Several wrestlers captured titles or placed high to secure advancement.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Urbana's Lily Disanto pins Lockport's Rebekah Ramirez during their first-round 235-pound match on Friday, February 28, 2025, on her way to a fourth-place finish at state her junior year. The senior returns to Grossinger Motors Arena for another shot at a state title.

VIRDEN - Nine area wrestlers are headed to the state stage after qualifying at sectional competition, earning berths in the Illinois High School Association Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals set for Feb. 27-28 in Bloomington at Grossinger Motors Arena.

The group represents programs from Champaign Central High School, Oakwood High School, St. Joseph-Ogden High School, Unity High School and Urbana High School, with each wrestler navigating a deep postseason bracket to extend her season.

At Champaign Central, sophomore Iy'Jah Grant advanced at 170 pounds after battling through the consolation side of the bracket. Grant rebounded from a loss to Granite City’s Demi Barnes, pinning Mahomet-Seymour’s Weitekamp at 4:37 to secure her state berth. She later defaulted due to injury during her bid for third place, but her earlier win guaranteed a spot in Bloomington.

Oakwood will be represented by two qualifiers. Freshman Kate Wochner earned a state bid at 115 pounds, while senior Taylor Owens captured the 155-pound sectional title. Owens, the No. 3 seed, defeated Addison Mabry of Benton and Nahima Mateo of Murphysboro before her opponent could not continue in the championship match’s second period.

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Maddie Wells advanced at 155 pounds with a resilient run through the bracket. After a quick first-round win, Wells dropped into the consolation side following a loss to Freeburg’s Grace Stratton. She responded with three consecutive pins — against Champaign Central’s Onisty Murphy, Civic Memorial’s Izabella Darr and Murphysboro’s Mateo — to clinch a state berth before finishing fourth.

Unity will send two wrestlers to Bloomington, led by junior Ava Beldo at 130 pounds. Beldo went 3-1 at sectionals, advancing to the title match with wins by technical fall, major decision and sudden victory before finishing second to Mt. Zion’s Sidney Cannon. Senior Phoenix Molina remained unbeaten at 235 pounds, going 4-0 to claim the sectional championship and secure her fourth trip to the state finals.

Urbana, which placed third in the team standings, qualified three wrestlers. Senior Tamya Terry earned a fourth-place finish at 135 pounds, while junior Rickasia Ivy dominated the 140-pound bracket with three falls, including a first-period win over Granite City’s Audrey Barnes. Ivy, now a three-time state qualifier, also surpassed the 100-win mark for her career. She is the first female Tiger to surpass the milestone. At 235 pounds, senior Lilly Disanto finished second after a finals loss to Molina.

Team results underscored the depth of the sectional field. Edwardsville captured the North Mac sectional title with 132 points, followed by Collinsville and Urbana. The state finals later this month mark the fifth installment of the IHSA girls wrestling championship, with the Illinois High School Association continuing to see participation and competitive depth grow across the state. Lincoln-Way Central will send the largest contingent to Bloomington with seven finalists.

Unity's Phoenix Molina wins her match at Saturday's state finals

TAGS: IHSA girls wrestling state qualifiers Bloomington Illinois, Champaign Central Oakwood Unity Urbana girls wrestling state, area high school girls wrestling sectional results Illinois, Bloomington Grossinger Motors Arena girls wrestling finals, local girls wrestling state tournament qualifiers Illinois

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