Riverside Brookfield High School senior Eleanor Aphay knows about challenges.
After becoming the Bulldogs’ first individual state qualifier for girls wrestling in 2022, she is making the push for her third berth in the 125-pound weight division after two trips at 120.
“I don’t know if I’d say it’s a big difference, but I feel the strength is different and a little bit of technique is different within this weight class,” Aphay said.
“I think I’ve definitely gotten a lot stronger physically and definitely my mat knowledge and wrestling knowledge in more intense matches has improved. [In the offseason] I mostly worked on strength and keeping my cardio up throughout all of my matches. Also, just my knowledge of more difficult competition.”
Aphay was out of town during winter break but returned to action Saturday in typical fashion, winning her three matches to capture the 125C title at the Conant Invitational with a first-period pin and two technical falls by 19-4 margins, including the final.
Junior Danely Villagomez (140C), a first-time state qualifier in 2023 at 135, and sophomore Estefany Bejarano (155C) rolled to titles with three first-period pins. Third-place junior Emily Cunningham (170C) and sophomore Mariella Hutar (120C) and sixth-place freshman Emily Anaya (145B) each won once.
Because of a seeding snafu, the Bulldogs mostly competed in the C Division rather than the top A or B divisions. Aphay made the best of the situation, especially with this being her first matches since Dec. 16.
“I tried basically new techniques to last the whole six minutes and maybe trying moves I would have in [an A division] match,” Aphay said. “It helped keeping the pace when I was in neutral instead of looking for those easy pins. [RBHS coach Dan Verr] encouraged me to get at least five takedowns. That helped me work more on my feet.”
The real work is coming. The Shepard Individual Regional is Feb. 3, followed by the Schaumburg Sectional Feb. 10 and state Feb. 23-24 in Bloomington.
“When she’s on and she’s confident, oh my gosh, she can move,” first-year RBHS coach Verr said. “She’s definitely got a high ceiling.”
Verr was a two-time all-state wrestler for RBHS himself. He was enthused when he quickly sensed the high standards established in the wrestling room by Aphay and Villagomez, who also motivate each other as practice partners. Both were 1-2 at 2023 state.
“I ask all of the girls what would be a successful season for you and both and they said they plan on placing [top six at state] this year,” Verr said.
“I’m hoping to see [Aphay] at state and definitely on the [all-state] podium. Once you make it there, if you have a really good tournament, anything can happen.”
Aphay has been a trailblazer for the program and a mentor for the newcomers, like Villagomez last season. Aphay now is the lone senior for a roster than has grown to 13.
Missing several winter break matches, Aphay has a 10-2 record. Villagomez (18-2) also won at the Oak Forest Invite Dec. 27 as well as junior Natalia Arauz (5-2). Bejarano (17-4) was second.
Other top records include junior Frankie Abasta (11-4) and Cunningham (6-10). Arauz and Cunnigham are first-year wrestlers. Bejarano sang the National Anthem before the Bulldogs’ home invite Dec. 23.
Aphay’s aggressiveness when needed comes with a calm demeanor that she established while competing in jiu jitsu, the martial art that paved the way for her joining wrestling as a sophomore.
“Even in intense matches, I tend not to get very emotional,” Aphay said. “I try to keep my composure and remain calm even with intense matches and intense competition.”
Aphay’s only losses are at the Waukegan Tournament Dec. 2 to Waukegan senior Noelani Rodriguez, 1-2 at state at 125 in 2023, and an early-season match at 130, basically two weight classes highest from all her previous experience.
Aphay came back for third at Waukegan with five victories, four pins and a 14-4 decision in her final match. She’s considered it her best test so far this season.
Now comes the high-powered Hoffman Estates Invite Friday and Saturday.
“I hope to just face harder competition and work on just keeping my technique and maintenance up so I can be prepared for the state series,” Aphay said.