As the 2025-26 IHSA girls wrestling season kicks off, Illinois’ Class of 2028 stands out as a powerhouse group of sophomores poised to build on their impressive freshman campaigns. Many of these athletes medaled at the 2025 IHSA Girls Individual State Finals or excelled on the national stage, representing the future of the sport in Illinois.
With a mix of state champions, All-Americans, and program trailblazers, this Top 25 ranking highlights their 2024-25 achievements, records, and potential to dominate in the years ahead.
Spotlight on the Top 10:
#10 • Layla Spann, Plainfield South High School
Spann has quickly emerged as a force in Illinois girls wrestling. At the 2025 IHSA Girls Individual State Finals, she qualified for the prestigious event and earned a key first-round victory. Earlier in the season, Spann captured individual titles at the Granite City Invitational and the Palatine Girls Tournament, while helping her team secure its first-ever championship at the Carson DeJarnatt Invite. She also finished runner-up at the Morris Wrestling Invitational, closing the season with an impressive 25-5 record.
#9 • Akira Schick, Rock Falls High School
Schick is one of Illinois’ most promising young talents at 155 pounds. In her debut season, she capped a remarkable campaign with a sixth-place finish at the IHSA Girls Individual State Finals—becoming the first Rock Falls girl to medal at state. Her run included opening-round victories and a strong showing in the consolation bracket, finishing 18-6 overall. Schick earned her trip to Bloomington by placing second at sectionals.
#8 • Bella Castelli, Hononegah High School
Castelli claims the No. 8 spot thanks to her technical skill and relentless style at 135 pounds. In her freshman season, she won the Geneseo Sectional and advanced to the state finals, where she placed fifth. Castelli finished the year with a stellar 26-5 record, cementing her status as one of Illinois’ elite young prospects.
#7 • Avery Crouch, Dwight High School
Crouch ranks seventh after a breakout season at 135 pounds. She qualified for the IHSA Girls Individual State Finals and delivered a standout performance in Bloomington, finishing fourth overall. Her success earned her a spot on the Herald-News All-Area First Team, marking her as a rising star from the Illinois Valley region.
#6 • Jade Hardee, District 230 Co-op / Andrew High School
Hardee’s freshman season was nothing short of dominant. She placed third at the IHSA Girls Individual State Finals with a 4-1 record, helping her team capture its first-ever IHSA girls wrestling team championship. Hardee finished the season 37-5 and added a seventh-place finish at the prestigious Women’s Ironman in Ohio, showcasing her ability against national competition.
#5 • Saya Hongmoungkhoune, Rockford East High School
Hongmoungkhoune stormed through her freshman season undefeated, claiming the IHSA Girls Individual State Championship at 100 pounds. Her flawless 28-0 record made her Rockford East’s first girls state champion and one of Illinois’ most dominant young wrestlers.
#4 • Khole Perez, Glenbard West High School
Perez earned the No. 4 spot after finishing fourth at the IHSA Girls Individual State Finals and compiling a 39-2 record. On the national stage, she reached the finals of the 16U girls 110-pound division at USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals, earning All-American honors.
#3 • Samantha Diehl, Hampshire High School
Diehl impressed at 190 pounds, placing third at the IHSA Girls State Finals and finishing 31-6 overall. She also represented Illinois at the Women’s National Duals in the 16U division, posting a 4-1 record against elite competition.
#2 • Allison Garbacz, South Elgin High School
Garbacz captured the 145-pound sectional title and entered the state series undefeated at 27-0. She finished fourth at the IHSA Girls State Finals and added a third-place finish at Fargo in the 16U division, along with a seventh-place showing at the Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals.
#1 • Chloe Skiles, Roxana High School
Skiles tops the Class of 2028 rankings after an unparalleled freshman season. She went 32-0, enroute to the IHSA Girls State Championship at 105 pounds, becoming Roxana’s first girls state champion. Nationally, Skiles won the 105-pound title at the Wonder Woman Girls Wrestling Tournament and enters the 2025-26 season ranked No. 14 nationally by Sports Illustrated.
| Rank | Wrestler | Class | School | 2025 IHSA Place | 2025 FARGO | USAW PIN Rating |
| 1 | Chloe Skiles | SO – 2028 | Roxana | 105 – 1st | Cadet – AA | 1187 |
| 2 | Allison Garbacz | SO – 2028 | South Elgin | 145 – 4th | Cadet – AA | 1177 |
| 3 | Samantha Diehl | SO – 2028 | Hampshire | 190 – 3rd | 1109 | |
| 4 | Khole Perez | SO – 2028 | Glenbard West | 110 – 4th | 1255 | |
| 5 | Saya Hongmoungkhoune | SO – 2028 | Rockford East | 100 – 1st | 1199 | |
| 6 | Jade Hardee | SO – 2028 | Andrew | 100 – 3rd | 1098 | |
| 7 | Avery Crouch | SO – 2028 | Dwight | 135 – 4th | 1091 | |
| 8 | Bella Castelli | SO – 2028 | Hononegah | 135 – 5th | 1069 | |
| 9 | Akira Schick | SO – 2028 | Rock Falls | 155 – 6th | ||
| 10 | Layla Spann | SO – 2028 | Plainfield South | |||
| 11 | Emma Rogers | SO – 2028 | Edwardsville | |||
| 12 | Demi Barnes | SO – 2028 | Granite City | |||
| 13 | Kira Thompson | SO – 2028 | O’Fallon | |||
| 14 | Chloe Hedges | SO – 2028 | Canton | |||
| 15 | Sadie Sparks | SO – 2028 | Lincoln-Way | |||
| 16 | Janylah Holman | SO – 2028 | Cahokia | |||
| 17 | Caitlyn Manier | SO – 2028 | Kaneland | |||
| 18 | Mia Nevarez | SO – 2028 | Oswego East | |||
| 19 | Sydney Stieb | SO – 2028 | St.Charles East | |||
| 20 | Londyn Long | SO – 2028 | Collinsville | |||
| 21 | Annibelle Juarez | SO – 2028 | Geneseo | |||
| 22 | Esmeralda Bustamante | SO – 2028 | Noble/ITW Speer | |||
| 23 | Gianna Mezzano | SO – 2028 | Ridgewood | |||
| 24 | Addyson Bailey | SO – 2028 | Collinsville | |||
| 25 | Elena Haugh | SO – 2028 | Chicago (A.S.) | |||
• CHRIS GOCHIS / LEAD WRITER FOR ILLINOIS MATWOMEN
