WICHITA - Hays High's Sarah Zimmerman pinned her way through the 6-5A regional tournament at Wichita North High School on Saturday. Zimmerman, the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 109 pounds, had just one match go past the first round. She recorded falls in 1:28, 4:36 and 1:04, improving her record to 29-4.
Addison Otte was regional runner-up, losing by fall in the championship match at 120 pounds. Otte recorded a fall in her first match in just 1:44. A 3-2 decision in the semifinal round sent Otte to the gold medal round. Otte goes to the state tournament with a 18-14 record.
At 132 pounds, Katie Gutierrez secured a spot at the state tournament with a fourth place finish. Gutierrez lost her first match and then responded with back-to-back win to punch her ticket to state. The wins came via a fall and 6-5 decision. Gutierrez goes to state with a 18-13 record.
Lexi Burton finished with a bronze medal in the 143 pound class. Burton won her first match 4-3 before losing in the next round. She didn't lose again. Burton won by fall in 2:20 to secure a state spot then won the medal round with a 3-2 decision. Burton heads to the state tournament with a 22-14 record.
Alysa Brown and Mabel Brown also represented Hays at the regional tournament. None of the individuals that wrestled Saturday are seniors. Zimmeran is the lone junior. Otte, Gutierrez, and Burton are sophomores. Brown, Ruiz and Braun are freshmen.
The 6-5A Girls State Wrestling Tournament will be held at the Hartman Arena on February 23rd and 24th.