By Fred Kroner

Sophomore Maddie Wells qualified for the IHSA girls’ sectional wrestling tournament based on her performance on Friday (Jan. 26) in the Mount Zion Regional.

The 130-pound Wells won three of her five regional matches and placed fourth individually. Wells (22-21 overall record) won twice by pin.

She will return to action on Friday (May 9) at the Peoria Richwoods Sectional.

SJ-O had one other entry in the girls’ regional tournament. Lily Rice (125 pounds) did not advance. She had a 1-2 tournament record and registered a pin for her win.

This is the third year that the IHSA has sponsored a state series for girls’ wrestling. A total of 356 schools statewide are participating, nearly double the total (180) from 2022.