JT Girls Wrestling making HER-story

Amya Casillas

Girls Wrestling is under way for the 2022-2023 winter season after an exceptionally successful season last year including a Joliet Central sectional win with 5 girls advancing to the first ever sanctioned IHSA Girls Wrestling Finals. This season Joliet Central and Joliet West will be combined as a JTHS girls team with Liz Short as Head coach and Giavanna Gomez as Assistant coach. To kick off the season JT hosted a triangular against the schools Plainfield North and Shepard. Facing Plainfield North first, Joliet township got off to a slow start with their first match being a loss to North by fall but quickly recovered with their following six matches coming out victorious. Ladies Emily Reyes, Veronica Kolbnak, Kassie Ruiz, Alexandra Rosas, Ana Franco and Alessandra C. all won their matches by fall alongside Briahna Kolbnak winning her match by points (12-9). At the conclusion of the Plainfield North match, Joliet Township came out on top with a 33-12 win. The second school in the triangular was Shepard who put up a tough fight for the girls. Starting off strong with a quick win from Chloe Wong by fall in the first period followed by Cassie Ruiz, Eliana Paramo, Betsy Avila, Kelcie Rainy, Wonderful Naw, Mayra Vinanco Ramos, Fernanda Miranda and Alexa Latham all coming out victorious by fall. Including a handful of losses, Joliet township still came out on top over Shepard 48-18. 

Traveling all the way to Normal, Illinois for the Normal Community Girls invite, Joliet Township ladies conquered all other teams winning 1st place overall. Helping with that victory, ladies Eliana Paramo, Itsel Vivanco, Callie Candrall and Janiya McMurty all placed 1st in their respective brackets. Alongside ladies Ana Franco, Chloe Wong, Briahna Kolbnak, Wonderful Naw, Alexa Latham, Nydia Martinez and Kimberly Baron all placing top 5 in their brackets. 

Most recent match being the Joliet Township duel against Minooka which was captivating to watch with two great teams battling it out. Both teams had a great fan turnout with a supportive atmosphere. After a tough fight, Joliet Township came out victorious once again with the score being 42-37. Keep up the good work ladies and keep this undefeated run!