Kaneland junior Angelina Gochis never allows the past to interfere with her present state of mind.

Despite a remarkable performance her first two years, the 120-pound wrestler isn’t taking anything for granted. Not even after winning back-to-back state championships.

“I still get nervous before every match,” Gochis said. “But then I just think about my motivation and hard work I’ve put in. If I’m doing all of this stuff and putting in time, I always want to do well.”

And that desire hasn’t changed.

Gochis captured her second straight individual state title with a win by technical fall over Crystal Lake South’s Annalee Aarseth in the 110-pound championship match last season.

Finishing with a 37-0 record against girls, Gochis also led the Knights to the first state trophy in program history with a third-place finish. She also went 9-2 wrestling against boys.

Two-time state champion Angelina Gochis works over Kaneland coach Josh West during practice in Maple Park on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon News)

The wiry, dynamic Gochis is 93-7 in her first two seasons, with only one loss against another girl. According to junior 190-pounders Sadie Kinsella, Gochis’ execution goes beyond the norm.

“What makes Angelina elite is her amazing wrestling IQ,” Kinsella said. “It’s her ability to not only plan what she’s going to do but what her opponent is going to do.

“Off the mat, she’s outgoing and uplifting to everyone — an amazing friend and teammate.”

Praise, however, isn’t something Gochis easily accepts.

Two-time state champion Angelina Gochis and Kaneland coach Josh West review a recording of a match in Maple Park on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon News)

“She’s very humble,” Kaneland coach Josh West said. “She doesn’t like to talk about herself. She likes to have the wrestling do the talking for her.”

Wrestling is the family passion, and Gochis has ascended to the top of the hierarchy. Her father, Chris, was her earliest coach and mentor. Her oldest brother, Alexander, is a freshman wrestler at Aurora University.

Her older brother, Apollo, is a senior and the top-rated wrestler at 190 pounds for Kaneland.

“My brothers have always been big supporters,” she said. “I was probably about 8 years old when I started going to their practices and watching.

Two-time state champion Angelina Gochis, right, works against Kaneland coach Josh West during practice in Maple Park on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon News)

“I started wrestling on my own and I just fell in love right away. I felt like it was a good thing.”

From the start, Angelina revealed poise along with toughness and technical skill. Her strength and power are formidable, plus she has great balance and footwork.

“I stick to what I’m good at and everything tends to work out fine,” she said. “I think I’m definitely better at controlling the match. With all the training I put in, I shouldn’t be losing to anybody.”

Her confidence and authority are demonstrated physically instead of vocally.

“She likes competing and she likes winning,” West said of Gochis. “I think a lot of this has been ingrained with her, with her father. She picks my brain and asks me about different situations.

“I also see the more personal side to her. You have to get her out of her comfort zone.”

Kaneland’s Angelina Gochis, right, holds onto the leg of Huntley’s Janiah Slaughter in the 105-pound final of the girls wrestling state meet in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / The Beacon-News)

According to West, Gochis is a naturally balanced elite athlete who stays on top of her grades and goes out of her way to offer advice and encouragement to the other wrestlers on the team.

Her accomplishments also aren’t limited to the local or state level. In August, she finished seventh in freestyle at a prestigious national tournament in Fargo, North Dakota.

“When I win, that’s always a big thrill,” Gochis said. “What I love the most are just all the family support every time I go out.”

And following her brother’s path, she’s pursuing wrestling opportunities at the college level.

“Every season is a chance to show my growth,” Angelina said. “I think I’ve gotten a lot better and more technical. I feel like I could do anything.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/angelina-gochis-kaneland-ihsa-girls-wrestling/