This last Friday, January 19th, 2024, the first ever All Girls Lakes County Conference Invitational was held at Grant Community High School. 15 different teams came to compete to be the best in Lake County, including our Lakes Eagles. They arrived at GCHS and began the process to become the first-ever Girls Conference Champions.
Weigh-ins and skin-checks quickly began and with a short break and some food in their system, the girls were hungry to start warm-ups. With over 100 different wrestlers trying to warm up, the mats were packed. The Lady Eagles with the help of some of their male counterparts got a quick practice and warm-up to begin the reign of dominance.
Senior Zaryia “Z” Mouzon started the tournament with complete dominance. Through her entire match, Mouzon punished her opponent with mat returns and slams until finally finishing the match with a half nelson for the pin. Shortly after, Oliva Heft dished out a pin in less than 30 seconds with Ava Babbs and Haven Sylves pinning in the second period. As well as Osmairi Alvarado getting her first-ever tech win to end the first round of matches.
Sophomore Tina Hanser also had a hard-fought pin in her second-round matchup. Mouzon, Medina, Heft, and Babbs, all won by pin. The team’s energy by now was electric, and the realization of placing first as a team started to set in. “We realized we needed to really lock in and get these wins,” said Olivia Heft, “and get as many points as we can.”
After a quick team meeting and a pep talk, the third round started. An all out brawl ensued between Zaryia Mouzon and Wauconda’s Liliana Aly setting the mood for the last round of matches. Both wrestlers gave it their all for all three periods. Pushing to almost complete exhaustion, Mouzon was able to pull out a low-scoring (5-1) victory.
Senior Davalyn Hampton trailed shortly behind with her match-up. Taking her to the second round, Hampton was able to secure a pin and give her team some much needed points. To close out the final round of matches, Heft, Babbs, and Hasner all claimed victory as well.
Overall, Lakes finished in first place as a team with two wins by decision, two technical falls, and 12 pins totaling 14 wins and over 119 team points. “[I’m] extremely proud, the girls continue to make history,” said coach Tortorice. “This girls team is truly special.”
With this big win at their back, the girls get ready to take on the IHSA Regional Tournament on Friday and Saturday the 26th and 27th. Followed by the IHSA Sectional Tournament on the 9th and 10th and finally the IHSA State tournament in Bloomington IL on February 24th and 25th.
