Highland turned in a strong postseason performance at the girls wrestling sectional, placing fourth as a team and advancing eight wrestlers to the regional round.
The IHSAA Girls Sectional took place Jan. 2 at Illiana Christian High School, where the top four finishers in each weight class earned advancement to regionals.
Highland produced two sectional champions to lead the effort. Isabella Robledo and Aleksandra Bastaic each claimed first-place finishes in their respective brackets, advancing through the field to secure sectional titles. Melody Vazquez followed with a second-place finish, earning her spot in the next round after reaching the championship bout.
The Bulldogs added depth across the lineup with multiple podium finishes. Kennedy Stephens, Taylor Basset, Sammi Ralph, and Bianca Lomeli each placed third, securing regional qualification through placement-round victories. Angelina Lawrence rounded out the qualifiers with a fourth-place finish, earning the final advancement position in her weight class.
The combination of championship runs and consistent placement finishes allowed Highland to accumulate points across several weight classes and secure a fourth-place team result. The performance reflected continued progress as the postseason field narrowed and pressure increased throughout the day.
The team is scheduled to return to action next on Jan. 16 at 3 p.m. at the IHSWCA Girls State Finals.
