It’s the usual suspects, and they’re back for more.
Freeport’s Cadence Diduch, Hononegah’s Angelina Cassioppi, Boylan’s Netavia Wickson — all defending IHSA state champs — and Rochelle’s Dempsey Atkinson will get another shot at it after qualifying for the girls state wrestling tournament again on Saturday at the Geneseo Sectional.
“It’s still pretty exciting; even after I’ve done it a few times,” Diduch said after she advanced to IHSA state for the third straight time, winning it each time she’s gone. “And being a senior, this is going to be my last tournament as a Freeport wrestler, so I have to make it count.”
Local girls wrestlingTrio of returning regional champs lead 9 Rockford-area girls into wrestling sectionals
Diduch also won the IWCOA state title the year before the IHSA started holding state tournaments for the girls, so she’s actually shooting for her fourth straight state title. And all four girls advanced to state last year as well, with Diduch and Cassioppi winning their second straight IHSA titles, and Wickson avenging a runner-up finish in the first ever IHSA state meet with a title of her own. Atkinson will be shooting for her first state medal this year after advancing and not placing last year.