Lockport junior Claudia Heeney understands the intense scrutiny that follows her.
Heeney, a reigning state champion who has a career winning percentage of .963 for the Porters, never takes anything for granted, either.
“My whole mentality is anything can happen and anybody is beatable,” she said. “Knowing that helps me get more aggressive because I know people want the same opportunities I’ve had.”
Heeney has been virtually unbeatable this season and that continued Saturday with a third-period pin of Prospect’s Viola Pianetto in 135-pound championship match of the Schaumburg Sectional.
Sophomore heavyweight Rebekah Ramirez (42-9) won three times by falls for the sectional title. Junior Sophie Kelner finished fourth at 190 pounds to also qualify for the individual state meet.
The highlight for Lockport, though, came with Heeney (42-2) beating an undefeated Pianetto. The bout was scoreless until Heeney earned an escape in the closing seconds of the second period.
“As much as it’s nice to win all of these matches, I really like to fight and have a match,” said Heeney, who is undefeated against in-state competition.
“Now, you know your limits and what to work on and what to expect getting ready for state.”
For Lockport’s girls wrestling program, Heeney is the gold standard with a 105-4 career record.
After losing in the state championship match at 125 pounds as a freshman, Heeney captured the state title at 130 last season as a sophomore.
“Claudia’s a huge mentor and role model to all of us,” Ramirez said. “I think part of what makes her so great is she is so knowledgeable.
“You could do a wrong move in practice and she can tell you exactly how to fix it. She does it in a way that encourages you. That’s just the person she is.”
Kelner said Heeney’s success is the benchmark every wrestler in the program wants to reach.
“Claudia is the whole reason I got into wrestling,” she said. “When we were freshmen, she was encouraging, patient and wise. She picked me up when I was down and had a lot of doubts.
“At the same time, she told me never to be too cocky but always stay confident. All the girls look up to her for her character and leadership.”
If victory has been a constant in her high school career, Heeney is young enough to remember when that was not always that case. It accounts for her rigorous and tenacious approach.
“When I was younger, I got beat by the boys every day,” she said. “The reason I understand wrestling better and why I can wrestle through every position is because I’ve lost so much.
“The success that everybody sees now wasn’t fast. I think that has helped me stay humble and know what it’s like to be in that other position.”
Since bursting onto the high school scene two years ago, Heeney has demonstrated moxie, toughness and strength. And she never panics.
Saturday’s first period was a good example, with a bad shot nearly leading to a takedown by Pianetto. The rare defeats also have been more illuminating than haunting.
“Those losses have helped push me in the practice room,” Henney said. “I’ll watch them and work on stuff I need to get better at.
“I also watch matches I won so I know what I did well at and where I can fix things that didn’t go as well.”
Returning to the state stage of Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington has its own rewards.
“Being able to push myself to a breaking point and overcome adversity is a privilege not many other people get to experience in a lot of other sports,” Heeney said. “As much as I’d like others to have those same opportunities, I also want more.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
