LHS Senior Earns Lemont Girls’ Wrestling’s First State Medal

LEMONT, IL — Making her third straight state finals appearance, Lemont High School senior Molly O’Connor made program history by earning the school’s first girls’ wrestling state medal, the school shared in a news release.

O’Connor placed sixth at 125 pounds at the 2026 IHSA Girls’ Wrestling State Finals, which were contested on Feb. 27-28 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. She is the program’s first-ever three-time girls’ wrestling state qualifier, LHS said.

O’Connor (44-12) split six matches to earn her medal. After falling in the first round, she won three straight contests – all via second period falls – in the consolation bracket. She reached the 40-win mark for the second straight season, according to LHS.

O’Connor was the runner-up in her weight class at the South Suburban Conference meet this season.

Earlier this year, O’Connor became the school’s first girls’ wrestler to reach the 100-win mark, and she closes her career as the program’s all-time wins leader, the school said. She established a school girls’ wrestling record for wins in a season when she went 45-9 in 2025. She competed at 120 pounds at the 2024 IHSA State Finals, and at 125 pounds in 2025.

Lemont’s head wrestling coach is Egan Berta, while Rob Hammerschmidt is the assistant coach who primarily works with the program’s girls’ wrestlers.