Hays Post
TOPEKA - The Hays High girls finished runner-up at the 5A West Girls' Regional held at Topeka Seaman High School on Saturday. Kapaun Mt. Carmel took the team title with 218.5 points. Hays finished with 180.5.
The Indians qualified a program record ten individuals to the state tournament. Timber Lovewell, Lexi Barnett and Eleanor Stoffel all claimed regional championships.
Emersyn Copper (24-14) finished in fourth place at 100 pounds.
Kenlee Vehige (22-11) lost her semifinal match but bounced back for a third place finish with a 15-8 decision at 120 pounds.
Reese Vehige (15-9) qualified at 125 pounds with a sixth place finish.
Addison Nueberger (15-17) lost in the quarterfinals and battle back for a sixth place finish as well at 130 pounds.
Tionna Napue (17-5) placed third at 135 pounds. Napue along with several of the Indians have battled injuries during the year. Napue won four matches on the day, all by fall.
Ava Ruiz (22-7) placed 4th at 140 pounds. Ruiz made the championship semifinals before suffering her first loss on the day.
Timber Lovewell (27-7) made the championship match at 145 pounds with a pair of falls in the first two rounds. She then pinned her final opponent in 1:16 to win the regional crown.
Lexi Barnett (14-1) has also battled injury most of the season. She made the championship match at 155 pounds. Like Lovewell two matches before her, Barnett pinned her opponent in the finals.
Freshman Elanor Stoffel (23-7) pinned her way to the championship round. Her championship match was more dramatic. Stoffel won in a tie breaker 3-2.
Jenessa Carrillo (6-14) punched her her ticket to state with an eighth place finish at 235.
The 5A State tournament is held in Park City on February 28th and March 1st.