Harley Zimmerman and Gavin Meyers each claimed individual regional titles at the 5A Regional Tournament in Valley Center on Saturday. Each moved into the championship round by winning matches on Friday.
The top eight in each of the two regionals make the state tournament. By the end of Saturday, Hays had eight collecting that honor.
The Indians placed 7th as a team at 127 points. Goddard won the titles at 223 followed by Newton (181.5) and Maize (161.)
At 132 pounds Zimmerman moved to 38-2 on the season with a 2-1 decision over Keton Patterson of Maize. He pinned his first two opponents on Friday and made the championship with an 8-5 decision.
Gavin Meyers pinned his way through the regional. His first three matches lasted a total of 99 seconds. Meyers defeated Bronx Wood of Andover Central by fall at 3:24. Meyers is 33-0 on the year and is the only undefeated 5A wrestler headed to state.
Elijah McCullough (25-15) will compete at the state tournament with a 5th place finish at 106 pounds. He won his first match by fall then had to wrestle through the backside of the bracket following a second round loss. McCullough won his next two matches to earn a spot and ultimately landing in the 5th place match where he won 7-1.
Brayden Hines (18-10) of qualifies with a 6th place finish at 120. Hines received a bye in the first round then suffered a defeat in the second. Hines won his next matches by fall to guarantee a trip to state. He ended up in the 5th place match were he lost by fall.
In the 126 pound weight division Cyrus Vajnar (21-12) heads to state with a 7th place showing. Vajnar opened his tournament with a win and then loss to land on the backside of the bracket. He finished his tourney with a victory by pin in the 7th place match.
Aaron Weigel (26-11) will represent Hays at 152 pounds after finishing in 7th place. Weigel had to wrestle his way to state after losing an opening round decision 6-2. He had to win his next three matches to secure a spot in state. He did exactly that and eventually landed in the 7th place match where he won 7-4.
At 160 pounds, Dalton Dale (21-16) finished 7th to qualify. Dale like many of his teammates won the first round and lost the second. He won a 5-1 decision before landing in the 7th place match where he won 5-2.
Gavin Nutting (38-3) heads to state with a 4th place finish at 285 pounds. Nutting won his first match in just 23 seconds but lost on a late pin in the second match. He pinned his next three opponents in 2:28, 1:20, and 1:16. Nutting lost a 10-3 decision in the third place match.