The Oak Park and River Forest High School girls wrestling team concluded its first IHSA-sanctioned season at the individual state meet Feb. 25-26 in Bloomington at the Grossinger Motors Arena with three Huskies placing in the top six.
For OPRF coach Fred Arkin, it was the culmination of a years’ long fight to get girls wrestling recognized by the IHSA. And he was pleased with what he witnessed in Bloomington.
“It was awesome,” he said. “This was not fluff. All the girls came to compete and they did at the highest level.”
Although she didn’t medal, OPRF senior Bentley Hills (20-9) made history by being the first winner of an IHSA state tournament match, pinning Autumn Oregon-Williams of Addison Trail at 1:24 at 100 pounds.
OPRF ended the tournament with three medalists – those finishing in the top six. Sophomore Trinity White (24-2) placed fifth at 170 pounds, senior Tiffany White (30-4) placed fourth at 190 pounds and sophomore Sarah Epshtein (17-4) placed fifth at 235 pounds.
Trinity White (right) placed fifth at 170 pounds for OPRF at the IHSA girls state wrestling championships on Feb. 26. | Photo provided by Fred Arkin 
In her first year as a wrestler, sophomore Sarah Epshtein placed fifth at 235 pounds at the state finals while racking up an overall record of 17-4. | Photo provided by Fred Arkin
“Sarah did great,” Arkin said. “She had never competed before this season, and we’re going to be excited for her to continue.”
Arkin thanked the school and community for the outpouring of appreciation the Huskies received this year. He noted that OPRF Athletic Director Nicole Ebsen was especially supportive, coming to watch several matches including those downstate. State Sen. Don Harmon, an Oak Parker and the Senate Majority Leader, and the General Assembly issued a proclamation on Feb. 25 that declared the day as Illinois Girls Wrestling Day.
Ephstein, junior Keydy Peralta, and Trinity White will be OPRF’s leading returnees for next season.
“We’re excited to move forward with them,” Arkin said. “And we’re just going to keep growing.”
Arkin would like to see the sport grow more in Illinois. The IHSA didn’t have a team state tournament, as it does for boys, which Arkin called disappointing. He thinks if one instituted next season, more schools will participate.
“The IHSA deliberately decided not to have a state team tournament, which I think is wrong,” he said. “If they start giving team awards, I think you’ll see more teams. These girls were the first ones [at an IHSA-sanctioned tournament] and their teams should be in the record books forever.”