TOP 50 IKWF GIRLS FOR 2026/2027
Part 5: The Final Countdown — Nos. 10–1
Illinois Matwomen
Forty wrestlers have had their spotlight. Ten remain. The final installment of Illinois Matwomen’s Top 50 reaches a group whose records include repeated IKWF championships, success in the Senior division, a USA Wrestling national title and a historic IESA achievement.
Eight of these ten girls won an IKWF championship in 2026. Another earned a Senior bronze after winning that division the previous year. At the top of the list is a wrestler who followed an IESA championship with another state final and added outstanding national results in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.
There is considerable history behind those most recent accomplishments. Nora Rauen, Adriana Ragona and Norah Shick each bring three consecutive IKWF titles. Brooklyn Rauen and Ava Willock have won back-to-back Novice championships. Michelle Gabel and Elizabeth Thomas carried Novice titles into Senior championship seasons. Leila Linton completed a three-year climb from third to second to first. Kelianna Larkin has remained in the top three while collecting medals in Novice and Senior competition.
Part 4 ended with Ella Anderson at No. 11. This week, we begin with Linton at No. 10 and work toward Kayleigh Vest at No. 1, completing the five-part preseason countdown.
The criteria remain consistent. IKWF State results provide the foundation, with championships, repeated success, division and recency all contributing. Comparable results receive greater weight in older divisions, and the most recent season receives additional consideration. IESA accomplishments, national competition and results in other styles help complete the evaluation. The ranking reflects the full record, rather than a simple count of first-place finishes.
As throughout the series, historical weights and divisions identify where an accomplishment was earned. They do not establish where a wrestler will compete in 2026/2027. This is Illinois Matwomen’s preseason assessment across weights and youth divisions, with another season of opportunities ahead.
The final ten have already given Illinois wrestling plenty to recognize. Here are the athletes closing out the countdown.
