Andrew co-op’s Piper Booe got into wrestling after a decade of competing in judo, a sport in which she has attained success in international competitions, including winning a bronze medal in 2024 at the USA Judo Junior Olympics. Booe’s journey started under far less than ideal circumstances, but it’s all worked out just fine. “It’s kind of a sad story,” Booe said. “When I was younger, I used to get bullied, so my parents put me in judo for self-defense. “But that all led me to the Junior Olympics and led to me becoming a wrestler.” Booe, a sophomore 115-pounder who attends Sandburg, isn’t getting bullied on the wrestling mats. She continued her strong season Wednesday night, picking up a pair of pins as the host Thunderbolts beat Lockport 52-30 and St. Laurence 47-28 at the Andrew Jamboree. “This season is going well,” Booe said. “Last year, I didn’t really take my shots and I didn’t have that much confidence. Now, I’m willing to take risks and chances. Andrew co-op's Piper Booe looks toward the official as she tries to pin Lockport's Bella Romando at 115 pounds during the Andrew Jamboree in Tinley Park on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown) “I’ve gotten so much better with my offense because I’m willing to put in the work.” Booe led a strong performance for Andrew co-op — which also features wrestlers from Sandburg and Stagg — in the win over Lockport. The Porters, ranked No. 2 in the state by Illinois Matwomen, were a bit shorthanded, but it was an impressive showing for the Thunderbolts, who are the defending state champions but are currently unranked. Reese Kreun, Tatum De La Vega, Jade Hardee, Brynnley Krauchun, Anastasia Dvorak, Bella De La Vega and Talah Hamed all had pins against Lockport. Booe (29-3) is on a mission this season after falling one win short of qualifying for state as a freshman, losing in the blood round in the sectional. Andrew co-op's Tatum De La Vega, left, pins Lockport's Alaina Churnovic at 105 pounds during the Andrew Jamboree in Tinley Park on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown) “It kind of stunk because I was an alternate at state so I was down there like, ‘That could have been me,’” Booe said. “So, now that’s my goal for this year.” Hardee, who placed third at state last season, definitely envisions Booe getting there this winter. “I’ve been partners with her a lot this year and I’m really happy to see her accelerate in the sport,” Hardee said. “She’s also a very uplifting person and she really motivates all of us.” Going from judo to wrestling is a natural evolution for a lot of athletes, but it did not go smoothly at first for Booe. Andrew co-op's Jade Hardee, left, takes control against Lockport's Camila Mendoza at 110 pounds during the Andrew Jamboree in Tinley Park on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown) “I did a month of wrestling in seventh grade and I didn’t like it so I quit,” she said. “I wasn’t good. “But I decided to try again in high school.” Still, even as she made the decision to give wrestling another shot, Booe acknowledged that she still felt some uncertainty. “I was a little afraid because I was like, ‘I know some of these girls have been doing this since they were 4 or 5 years old and they have so much more experience than me,’” Booe said. “But I knew that as long as I kept that dedication, I could get just as good as them. “I think it was just the positive environment around this team, too, that made me want to do it.” Andrew co-op's Piper Booe, right, takes down Lockport's Bella Romando at 115 pounds during the Andrew Jamboree in Tinley Park on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown) That environment may soon be changing. A recent Illinois High School Association amendment proposal passed that will ban co-op teams from schools whose combined enrollment is greater than 3,500 from competing for team awards. Starting with the 2026-27 season, Andrew co-op will have to split up or stay together without a chance to compete for a team trophy. Andew co-op coach Liz Short confirmed the schools haven’t made a decision yet, but Booe and her teammates aren’t taking their time together for granted. “We’re working even harder to help each other grow mentally and physically in case we’re all separate next year,” she said. “We want to keep that connection and that friendship.” ...read more read less