Grant’s Ayane Jasinski does what her father didn’t and brother hasn’t yet: ‘I definitely have bragging rights’

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois — Ayane Jasinski started wrestling because she was tired of watching her brother do it.

But the Grant junior has stuck with the sport for one simple reason: She’s really good at it.

“The winning is what I like about it,” Jasinski said. “Getting your hand raised. People cheering you on.

“The people supporting you really makes it worth it.”

Jasinski took her winning to the highest level on Saturday, becoming a state champion by beating Lincoln-Way Central’s Gracie Guarino 2-0 in overtime of a dramatic 110-pound championship match at Grossinger Motors Arena.

“It’s really amazing,” Jasinski said. “She was really good. It was a really good fight. It just feels so good to be a state champ.”

Jasinski (21-3) had to delay her celebration and wait out one of the longest minutes of her life to see whether she had actually won the title because the match ended in a bit of controversy.

With the first wrestler to score in overtime winning the match, Jasinski shook off a takedown bid from the previously unbeaten Guarino (13-1) and managed to get her to the mat.

Jasinski was awarded a takedown for the winning points, but the Lincoln-Way Central coaching staff protested the close call adamantly, and the referees had a prolonged discussion before confirming the call.

At last, Jasinski could breathe a sigh of relief and soak in the joy of knowing she was a state champion.

“That was intense,” she said. “It was really nerve-wracking. When it first happened, I slapped the mat, and I was like, ‘Oh, my God, yes.’ Then the coaches started yelling, and I was like, ‘What’s happening?’

“So it was a long wait. But when I knew I had won, it was such an amazing feeling.”

Grant coach Mark Jolcover gave Jasinski credit for making the decisive move in such a pressure situation with the state title on the line.

“That’s why the officials make the call and we don’t,” Jolcover said. “Those guys are the best. We have the best officials here at state. We obviously like the call.

“Ayane really hustled to that go-behind, had the leg in and was under the arms. She hustled and took it.”

In the process, Jasinski managed to top her father Charlie, who finished third for Grant at 130 pounds in Class AA in 2000.

Her brother Vince is a freshman who cracked the Bulldogs’ starting lineup this season. She has set a high bar for him.

“I’m the first state champ in the family,” Ayane Jasinski said. “I definitely have bragging rights now. It’s really great.”

She finished fourth at 100 as a sophomore at the Illinois High School Association’s inaugural girls state meet last season. Her shot at a title ended when she was pinned by T.F. South’s Dutchess King in the semifinals. That moment was the ultimate motivator.

“I think she had her eyes on the prize,” Jolcover said. “She got great experience being here last year but wasn’t satisfied. So to be able to come back and take home the title, obviously that’s the goal.

“It feels really great, and we’re so excited for her. She’s a really hardworking kid who does things the way you ask.”

Jasinski was in the Grant boys team’s starting lineup all season, which she felt helped her immensely.

“I had to practice a little bit harder this year,” she said. “It was a really good push. My practice partners helped me a lot. Being in the varsity lineup wrestling with my brother and working with the coaches really pushed me to get better.”

It all paid off with a championship.

“It feels great to be on top of the podium,” Jasinski said. “The sport is really growing, and everyone’s getting better and better, so I know I have to come back strong next year to have a chance to do it again.”

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.