Lincoln-Way Co-Op enters the girls’ wrestling season with high expectations after being ranked No. 2 on Steve Millar’s Chicago Tribune list of top programs to watch.
According to the report, this recognition follows a dominant 19-0 dual record last year and an Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association girls dual team state championship. The program’s depth, which was its defining strength last season, remains intact and is poised to elevate the co-op even further.
Senior Zoe Dempsey, who competes in the 115-pound category and finished third at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state finals, returns as one of the team’s anchors. Sophomore Sadie Sparks, competing in the 120-pound category, aims to build on her strong postseason performance after reaching the blood round and finishing just one win shy of a state medal. Junior Ella Giertuga, another state qualifier in the 140-pound category, adds veteran presence in the middle weights.
Meanwhile, junior Riley DePolo is viewed as a potential breakout competitor and one of the lineup’s rising forces in the 170-pound category.
With a blend of proven state-level talent and developing wrestlers expected to take the next step, Lincoln-Way Co-Op appears well-positioned to remain among Illinois’ elite. The team’s combination of depth, experience, and competitive toughness makes its No. 2 preseason ranking both well-earned—and possibly just the beginning.
