Senior Zuleyka Echevarria started out planning to serve as manager for the Riverside Brookfield High School wrestling teams. Her interest and quest to be involved now has her competing.
“I was a manager for a good three weeks. But then I got convinced and [RBHS girls coach Dan Verr] knew I wanted to do wrestling,” Echevarria said. “I still record because I have good angles whenever I’m next to the coaches [on the sidelines], but I’m not a manager anymore. I’m a wrestler.”
Echevarria’s decision is among the reasons the girls team made history while beating visiting Glenbard South, Dec. 11.
In their fourth official season, the Bulldogs had wrestlers for all 14 weight classes in a match for the first time after coming as close as 12 in Verr’s memory. They also won a 42-42 tie on criteria by receiving two forfeits while having none with the full lineup.
“Having everyone have their own match, have their own spotlight and everybody being a participant was a big deal,” said Echevarria (2-2) after the Bulldogs’ 72-12 win over Elgin Dec. 17. “It was a very proud moment. We were very happy about it and especially for me (I was) because it’s my first year.”
Riverside-Brookfield’s Heidi Velazquez wrestles Elgin’s Valeria Guzman at 115 pounds during a Upstate 8 Conference match Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Erica Hill wrestles Elgin’s Bethany Torres at 235 pounds during a Upstate 8 Conference match Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Maria Escobar wrestles Elgin’s Melissa Viveros at 100 pounds during a Upstate 8 Conference match Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
Seniors Heidi Velazquez (115) and Danely Villagomez (155), junior Emily Anaya (170) and sophomores Valerie Galvez (110) and Chloe Gonzalez (125) won with pins. Junior Erica Hill (235) and freshman Gia Esposito (190) received forfeits.
Galvez, who nearly considered not finishing the season, trailed when she pinned her opponent. Junior M’Gelina Brito, another team newcomer, competes in the lightest weight class at 100.
“[Echevarria and Brito] were talked into [wrestling] and without them, we wouldn’t have a full lineup.” Verr said.
“I’m super-proud of [Galvez] because wrestling’s a tough sport. Making that decision [to continue], the whole team benefitted by winning that dual. It really is a team effort and that’s what I’m trying to instill in these girls.”
Echevarria also plays badminton. Brito played junior varsity soccer last season.
“My friends really wanted me to join [wrestling] and then when I got to the open mats and stuff, I realized that I really liked it,” Brito said. “It’s been really fun, really enjoyable. I’m just happy to be part of that [full lineup] experience.”
On Saturday, senior Estefany Bejarano (190) and Villagomez (155) were champions at the Lady of Lane Tournament. Villagomez won her title with a pin in just 11 seconds after two pins and a 1-0 victory in her opener. Bejarano won her title with a pin in 2:38 following pins in her other three matches.
Velazquez (115) was fifth and Echevarria (135), Anaya (170) and Hill (235) were sixth. The Bulldogs finished fifth (125 points).
LTHS girls wrestling
Lyons Township senior Sofia Turek (135) and sophomore Jhania Wickert-Harris (105) were repeat champions in the same weight classes at the Lakes Snow Brawl Friday.
Both won their title matches by pin.
Junior Zoe Connelly (125) was second, sophomore Mariah Zalapa (110) was third and junior Mari Sorce (130) and sophomore Gabby Jackson (140) were fourth. The Lions were fourth (100.5 points).
