BLOOMINGTON — Alex Sebek tried her hardest to put aside the heartbreak long enough to look at the big picture.
The Oak Forest senior lost the 100-pound state championship match Saturday at Grossinger Motors Arena, falling 9-4 to Huntley’s Janiah Slaughter.
It was Sebek’s second runner-up finish, the first coming her freshman season. In between? Two postseasons she could not compete in because of injuries.
That timeline certainly created some perspective.
“I’m just really grateful to have the opportunity to be back,” Sebek said. “I know there are some injuries that people have that cost them to lose their entire career. Being able to wrestle again has definitely brought me my joy back.
“I definitely wanted that championship so badly and it stinks that I couldn’t get it, but I’m proud to be here.”
Sebek was certainly not alone in coming up just short on what ended up being a bit of a disappointing day for Southland wrestlers.
Aside from Lockport’s Claudia Heeney winning her triumphant third title, there were multiple stories of missed opportunities. Tears were certainly shed.
But ultimately there was plenty to be proud of as we look at a few Southland storylines from the weekend.
Starting with more on Sebek, who nearly completed the fairytale comeback.
She returned from two ACL tears in her right knee. The first ended her sophomore year just before the postseason and wiped out most of her junior season. The second came a week after she returned in January 2025.
When I talked to Sebek in November, the day she was officially cleared to return, she was noticeably apprehensive.
The fear caught me a bit off guard, coming from someone who I had watched dominate just about every competitor I had ever seen her wrestle.
But it was definitely warranted. She knew another severe injury would end her high school career and could jeopardize her future in the sport — not to mention create havoc in her daily life away from wrestling again after she had already gone through two major rehabs.
Sebek thought she might not wrestle much during the regular season, taking things slow. No one could have imagined things going quite this smoothly. She was able to wrestle in 34 matches. She won the first 33 before losing in the state final.
“I was expecting to have some setbacks and maybe some problems with the injuries, so I’m just grateful for how the season went and grateful for everyone who has supported me,” Sebek said.
And Sebek certainly had plenty of support in Bloomington. Her younger brother, Jacob, also competed at state as Oak Forest’s boys team advanced to the Class 2A quarterfinals before losing 43-28 Friday night against Chatham Glenwood.
Their father, John, who formerly coached the girls team, was on hand and thrilled to watch both of his kids compete in the same arena.
“It’s great,” he said. “If they have any questions, they can ask each other and they are very, very supportive of each other. It’s something that, as a father, I couldn’t love any better.”
More Top Picks Best Gundam Model Kits
Alex Sebek helped Oak Forest finish third as a team to win the program’s first state trophy. Freshman Rain Scott was also a runner-up at 125 for the Bengals.
Oak Forest coach Jamie Hubbard was ecstatic.
“I really almost have no words,” Hubbard said. “These girls have grinded it out the entire season, and this is huge.”
Like Sebek, Lincoln-Way co-op senior Zoe Dempsey was heartbroken not to win state in her final attempt.
Dempsey (49-3), who attends Lincoln-Way West, lost in the semifinals but responded impressively with two pins to finish third.
“I wanted more than anything to win a state title,” Dempsey said. “After losing, I kind of just had the mindset that I am a state champion, whether it says so on the podium or not, and I’m going to wrestle like one.”
Dempsey and Sebek may have not won a championship, but both certainly left their stamp on the foundational years of girls wrestling in Illinois.
Be proud, girls.
Oh, and there’s one more prominent runner-up finish to talk about.
Providence’s boys team finished second in Class 2A. Yes, there were some missed opportunities in the championship dual against IC Catholic, which probably should have been closer if the Celtics wrestled to their potential.
But make no mistake about it, Providence wrestling is back. And all their top individuals should return.
Here’s an early prediction. If this team remains together and stays healthy, the Celtics will win a state championship next winter.