BLOOMINGTON — With the IHSA girls state wrestling meet increasing, it was only a matter of time for local girls to make an impact.
During this past weekend, Danville’s Yariah Shaw and Oakwood/Salt Fork’s Taylor Owens were able to place among the top wrestlers in the state.
The freshman Shaw ended up fifth at 125 pounds after winning her consolation third round match against Samantha Griesen of Seneca, lost her consolation semifinal to Elmhurst York’s Charlie Dolan and won her fifth place match against Lemont’s Molly O’Connor.
“She had a really good weekend, it was great experience for her and she did well,” Danville wrestling coach Marcus Forrest said. “It was not as good as she would have liked, but one of the best things with her was not using any excuses. She had a little cold and breathing was affecting her, but not one time she used it as an excuse. She just competed and when she had a tough match, she wanted to make up with it. She lost to the one that won the tournament (Glenbrook North’s Ariella Dobbin) and the one that ended up fourth (Dolan) and that’s something to shoot for next year.”
Forrest said Shaw’s experience can only help for next season and the seasons ahead in the weight class.
“I told her that being one of the top 16 was awesome, but to finish in the top six is great,” Forrest said. “For her to have an idea of what she is going to have to face in the future in the 125 pound class and to be a year stronger and a year smarter will be great.”
Shaw would get a police and fire escort back to Danville, giving more of a focus for the future and what her season means to girls in the area.
“She was able to see many people who were proud of her and was excited,” Forrest said. “She is a role model for young girls and even older women. She was able to do something that hasn’t been done. To come back and be celebrated gives her an idea of what she did. For her to go through all of that and to be celebrated by the crowd, gives her the motivation to be prepared for next year.”
Owens started Saturday’s action in the semifinals at 155, losing 6-3 to South Elgin’s Allison Garbacz. The senior then won by technical fall over Country Club Hills Hillcrest in the consolation semifinals, but lost to Darien Hinsdale South’s Callie Carr in the third place match to end up in fourth.
“Taylor qualified for state last year and she was our first-ever girls qualifier, so she became the first placer for the program this season. It is a pretty amazing accomplishment and it is well-earned,” OSF coach Mike Glosser said. “She started in youth with her dad and coach (Vince) Chambliss, so its something we were hoping she would get in her senior year and we are super happy for her.”
Owens’ success was built alongside the boys team as the Comets, like a few other teams, has started growing the girls program.
“We started growing the numbers of the girls team and we have seven to eight girls now,” Glosser said. “She (Owens) came up through this program like our boys did and she had a successful career. She didn’t get what she thought she wanted the last few years, so she was hungry and in the last five weeks, she was amazing. It was fun to see her compete and finish as an All-State wrestler.”
Forrest said the sport is only getting bigger and better and it brings a certain excitement.
“The sport of girls wrestling is growing and more are getting involved,” Forrest said. “To see just how physical these girls are is amazing.”