Mia Palumbo becomes first female to win a match at state

Photos by Becky LaMont / Illinois Matmen

Mia Palumbo of Richards made history on the opening day of the IHSA Individual State Tournament in Champaign by becoming the first girl to win a match at state with a 4-2 decision over Kaeden Kinison of Springfield in the Class 2A 106-pound bracket.

Palumbo and Dunbar’s Quiovany Santos entered this year’s tournament as only the third and fourth female state qualifiers in the 81 year history of the IHSA state finals joining Glenbard North’s Caitlyn Chase and Carbondale’s Alli Ragan.

Santos lost her Class 1A 106-pound opening round match by fall in the second period.

Mia will now set her sights on becoming the first female state placer in IHSA history.