Spread the news, H-F’s Ini Odumosu brings home state title. But not in volleyball. ‘Wrestling sounds kind of fun.’

BLOOMINGTON — When she started high school at Homewood-Flossmoor, Ini Odumosu was looking for something new.

A simple browsing of the school’s athletics website gave her an idea that started a journey that she had no idea would lead to her becoming a state champion.

“I was looking at all the sports on the website and I was like, ‘Wrestling sounds kind of fun,’” Odumosu said. “It’s you on the mat, dictating if you win or lose. I played volleyball, which is obviously competitive with your teammates, but I didn’t get the feeling from volleyball that I do with wrestling.

“After I started wrestling, I realized it was something I really loved.”

Odumosu got in some wrestling as a freshman, but was limited by the pandemic. In her first full go-round last season, she took fifth at the inaugural Illinois High School Association girls state meet.

On Saturday, Odumosu earned her way to the top of the podium in resounding fashion. The junior pinned West Chicago’s Jayden Huesca-Rodriguez in the 190-pound state championship match at Grossinger Motors Arena.

“It felt so surreal,” Odumosu said. “After I heard the ref hit the floor, I looked at my coach and I’m like, ‘Did that just happen?’ I was screaming my lungs out. It was so exciting.

“It didn’t feel real for a few seconds, but my heart is still pumping.”

Odumosu (36-4) joined teammate Attalia Watson-Castro — who won at 130 for her second straight title — as the only champions from the Southland.

Although she was happy with a fifth-place finish last season after not expecting to reach the podium at all, Odumosu said it convinced her she should aim higher.

“The day after I was like, ‘I want to wrestle right now — let’s get on the mat,’” Odumosu said. “I remembered that feeling of thinking I could have done so much better. That feeling stuck with me and I didn’t want to feel it again. I thought, ‘That can’t be me.’”

Watson-Castro, on the other hand, was pleased about repeating.

She got the chance to become the first two-time girls wrestling state champion when 130 was selected as the starting weight in a random draw.

Watson-Castro (38-1) did not waste that opportunity, defeating El Paso-Gridley’s Savannah Hamilton 9-3 to go out as a champion again in her final high school match.

“I’m happy to be the first two-time champ,” Watson-Castro said. “I’m glad they started at 130. At first, I was very nervous when I heard that. I was like, ‘Why 130?’ But I was ready for it.”

Watson-Castro, who was one of six repeat champions, said she could block out the pressure associated with being a defending champ.

“There’s like a tunnel vision,” Watson-Castro said. “I feel like everybody’s looking at you, anyway, because you stand out. Whether you’re a defending state champion or you finished second or something, they’re still going to be watching you.”

Oak Forest freshman Alex Sebek (100), Lincoln-Way Central junior Gracie Guarino (110) and Lockport freshman Claudia Heeney (125) finished as runners-up.

Heeney (42-1) suffered her first high school loss, dropping a 12-2 major decision to two-time champion Cadence Diduch of Freeport.

“I really loved the experience,” Heeney said. “It was a lot of fun. I expect more next year and I’m ready to get back at it. I’m really proud of myself, but I’m not satisfied yet.”

Andrew co-op’s Alyssa Keane (135) placed third, while her sister Mickaela (170) took fifth and teammate Emma Akpan (235) finished sixth. H-F’S Nina Hamm (110) and Oak Forest’s Sabrina Sifuentez (140) also made the podium with sixth-place showings.

“It means a lot to me,” Alyssa Keane said. “I was surprised that I even got that far. I was really proud of myself for winning that last match and finishing third.

“Last year, I didn’t even place and now I’m already thriving. I think I can get higher next season.”

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.