HAYS - Sarah Zimmerman notched a lot of "firsts" in her time wrestling at Hays High School. The first four time state qualifier. The first four time state medalist. The first state champion.
Today she is the first from the girls' wrestling program at Hays High to sign a National Letter of Intent. Zimmerman has signed with Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.
Zimmerman capped a stellar four-year career with a state title at 110 pounds this past week at the 6-5A State Tournament. She recorded three pins and a technical fall in her four matches. She finished 31-1 on the season.
Sarah Zimmerman
Zimmerman also finished as a medalist her freshman season but didn't get wrestle the final match. At that time, the girls tournament was held in one day. By rule, a wrestler has a limit of matches in one day. She had met the limit in the round prior to her medal round.
As a sophomore and junior Zimmerman found herself in the championship match, but did not secure a title. A wrestler that shows little emotion after matches, finally let out the emotion that had been building all season long following her 2023 championship.
Coach Heath Meder
Coach Heath Meder listed off Zimmerman's accomplishments which included 111 victories. A feat not easily accomplished considering there were few tournaments for Zimmerman to attend early in her high school career. The Kansas State High School Association made girls wrestling in Kansas a recognized sport just in time for Zimmerman's freshman season.
Meder said the on the mat accolades were the easy things to list. It was Zimmerman's ability to help lead a brand new girls program that was invaluable. Zimmerman had years of experience prior to high school. Her freshman season was Meder's second as the boys head coach and Zimmerman's strong work ethic on and off the mat made him a better coach.
Zimmerman chose Simpson College because of not only the academics but also the strong wrestling program that is in place, saying she want to wrestle as much as she can as long as she can.