Two wrestlers represented Glenbrook North at the state wrestling competition. Read below to learn about their experiences. 

Dobin’s experience:

Trailing by three points at the IHSA Girls Wrestling State Semifinals, sophomore Ariella Dobin felt the pressure as she made eye contact with an opponent who she had lost to earlier in the season.

“At first, she took me down,” said Dobin. “She was up at first, and in my head, I was like, ‘I have to do everything I can to beat her,’ and, ‘I have to do everything I can to win.’ I [wanted] to get that revenge and show her that I’m better, so I just kept pushing.”

According to head wrestling coach Scott Taylor, Dobin pinned her opponent in the third period and beat the opponent she had lost to all year.

Dobin won the semifinal match 11-4, securing her spot in the final round of the IHSA state tournament, but lost her final match 7-0.

“Throughout the [final] match, I was losing, and I felt the adrenaline, and I was starting to feel like I was running out of time, and I needed to win,” said Dobin. “In the end, I messed up and I was really disappointed.” 

Dobin’s favorite memory from the state competition came after her semifinal win, especially since she had not qualified the previous year, she said. 

“I jumped into my coach’s arms after the match [because] I was so happy,” said Dobin. “I remember hugging my parents … my training partner, and I remember we were all hugging each other, all smiling and all really excited about it.”

Onixt’s experience:

When senior Shane Onixt went for a sweep single in the second match of the IHSA Boys Wrestling State Finals, his shoulder popped out of place.

“I was kind of reaching and pulling [my opponents] leg in, and because I was extended, my shoulder just [popped out],” Onixt said.

Onixt’s shoulder naturally went back into place, but later in the match, it continued to shift, popping in and out several times, he said.

Onixt won that match 17-4.

“The one match that I won, [my adrenaline] really helped me not focus on my shoulder,” Onixt said.

Even while feeling tired and in pain, Onixt remembers looking around at the stands and taking in the crowd, he said.

According to Taylor, the tournament drew between 2,000 and 4,000 spectators.

“It’s just a different environment, a lot louder, severely bright lights when you get down there,” said Taylor. “It’s just different than wrestling anywhere else.”

Onixt started on the offensive and remained aggressive throughout the competition, Taylor said.

“He got hurt in that second match, so when that third match came around, it was a little difficult for him,” said Taylor. “So he wrestled tough. He did everything I could ask for.”

Onixt finished the state competition 1-2, ending his season 37-7.

“[My reaction was] more so like ‘Thank [gosh] it’s over, my arm hurts,’ rather than joy,” said Onixt. “But it was cool, winning a match at state.”