The girls wrestling season is already underway. Check out our team-by-team previews with top returners, newcomers and info on each team in the Northwest Herald area for the 2025-26 season.

Crystal Lake South's Annalee Aarseth, last year's Northwest Herald Girls Wrestler of the Year, highlights our five girls wrestlers to watch in McHenry County for the 2025-26 season.

Girls wrestling was officially sanctioned four years ago by the IHSA, and the sport has continued to explode since then.

Meet the 2025 Northwest Herald All-Area girls wrestling team.

Crystal Lake South's Annalee Aarseth overcame struggles during the season to finish runner-up at the state tournament, tying McHenry County's highest placement. For her efforts, Aarseth was named the 2025 Northwest Herald Girls Wrestler of the Year.

Crystal Lake South sophomore Annalee Aarseth took second in the 110-pound bracket at the IHSA girls state wrestling championships on Saturday in Bloomington, while Hampshire had three medalists to take second place in the team standings.

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Images from the 2025 IHSA girls wrestling state championships in Bloomington on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

The stages are set for both the boys and girls wrestling IHSA individual state tournaments. Here is a list of McHenry County-area wrestlers who will compete in their respective state tournaments.

Illinois high school wrestling has entered its most exciting month of the season. Here are some of the key postseason storylines to watch for McHenry County-area teams this month.