WEST FRANKFORT — Fans who made it to Max Morris Gym in West Frankfort Friday or Saturday had front row seats to history. West Frankfort was one of the hosts for the very first girls wrestling regionals.
This is the third year for a separate postseason for girls who wrestle. The initial set up had four sectionals, with qualifiers advancing to state. Area wrestlers had to travel to Peoria for the sectional.
Two years ago, there was a total of 517 wrestlers take part in the initial postseason. Last year, that number nearly doubled to 908, making for not only long trips but long days of competition.
This year, that total number of wrestlers is 1426. With participation numbers nearly tripling in three years, the IHSA expanded its postseason. That postseason now includes eight regionals around the state which will feed into four sectionals.
128 wrestlers representing more than 30 schools from as far north as Carlinville and spanning from the Metro East to Lawrenceville joined area teams at West Frankfort this weekend. Despite the increased numbers, girls wrestling is still a one class sport, meaning wrestlers from Goreville or Trico, for example, could face opponents from Edwardsville or Collinsville, schools ten times their size.
The top six in each weight class advance to sectionals. The immediate area had three weight class winners–Anna-Jonesboro’s Zoee Sadler (105), Goreville’s Alivia Ming (145), and Mt. Vernon’s Faith Barret (190).
Other area qualifiers include Mt. Vernon’s Lily Davis (100), West Frankfort’s Nikolette Ronketto (105), Benton’s Halle Smith (115) and Mia Balota (120), Salem’s Greta Motch (115), Marion’s Alauni Muex (120), Mt. Vernon’s Deziare Jones (120), Murphysboro’s Gabriella Mason (125), Goreville’s Ariel Board (125), Marion’s Joelene Nappier-Feth (130), Murphysboro’s Roxie Royster (135), Marion’s Daisjha Cooper (140), West Frankfort’s Hannah Mullins (145), Mt. Vernon’s Derika Gradford (155), Trico’s Cynthia Macke (170), Goreville’s Liberty McBride (170), Salem’s Anna Dodson (170), Trico’s Maddie Ramaker (190),, Goreville’s Krista McBride (190), Marion’s Olivia McDermott (235), and West Frankfort’s Kaitlynn Childers (235).
The qualifiers will compete in the Peoria Richwoods Sectional February 9th and 10th.
Edwardsville ran away with the team title. Belleville West was second followed by Collinsville, Goreville, and Robinson.
Complete West Frankfort Regional results are here.
