Great Bend coach Zachary Bartel is confident the Panthers will compete at the 5A Salina tennis regional. The Panthers finished runner-up in the Western Athletic Conference.
“Kaylin Wahlmeier (22-11) doesn't have a signature direct win over anyone in the regional, but she may have some indirect wins that could help her seeding,” Bartel said. “That, along with her overall resume, should give her a chance at a top 6 seed. If she gets a decent seed and plays like she played at WAC, a state berth is a realistic possibility.”
Bartel said the doubles bracket appears to be a challenge.
“Sam and Taylor (17-17) have a couple of wins that could benefit them with an indirect win over a regional competitor,” he said. “They’ll get a better seed than last year and be in position for a winnable first round match. If No. 2 singles or No. 2 doubles don't get a top seed, they could push for a first round win.”
Larned’s Abigail Holt (22-4) and doubles partners Arianna Hemken/Breanna Hemken (22-7) and Central Plains Oiler Lauren Oeser (19-8) will compete for return trips to the 3-1A state tennis tournament. Larned competes at Hesston Friday. Central Plains travels to Phillipsburg Friday.
Holt placed fourth at state last year. Oeser is a past state doubles qualifier.
REGIONAL GOLF – Hoisington will compete at Goodland Monday featuring state veterans with 14th-place Tricia Schremmer, 44th-Lexus Petersilie, 48th-Ally Karst and 51st-Kaylee Shives from last year’s fifth-place state finisher at Hutchinson’s Carey Park Golf Course.
GIRLS TENNIS REGIONALS
TOP 6 QUALIFY FOR STATE
3A HESSTON 10-6—Cimarron, Ellinwood (Lydia Porter 3-17; Sofie Odelmark 4-4; Grace Sturtz D12-7/Vivian Klepper D11-11; Gracyn Dombroski D3-1/Shelby Steffan D13-10), Ellsworth, Kiowa County, Haven, Hesston, Hillsboro, Hutchinson Trinity, Larned (Abigail Holt 22-4; Cassie Manry 24-3; Arianna Hemken/Breanna Hemken 22-7; Isabella Bailey/Reese Watkins 26-3), Lyons, St. John (Jennifer Gracia 9-5; Cora Martin/Jazlene Ramirez 12-7; Evelyn Lopez/Giselle Ramirez 2-3; Lopez/Melea Hearn 2-9), Sterling, Phillipsburg
3A PHILLIPSBURG 10-6—Central Plains (Lauren Oeser 19-8; Charlee Schlessinger 8-14; Grace Lamatsch/Ryann Metro 16-9; Kylie Kempke/Makenzie Foulger 8-14), Colby, Goodland, Hoisington (Reese Merlau 10-13, Claire Crutcher 14-13; Lauren Higgins/Hailey Petersilie 10-11; Carly Delzeit/Piper Jacobs 8-13), Norton, Osborne, Phillipsburg, Russell, Tribune-Greeley County, Victoria, WaKeeney-Trego
5A SALINA 10-7—Emporia, Great Bend (Kaylin Wahlmeier 22-11, Paige Stacey 13-8, Taylor Lashley/Samantha Mayers 17-17; Mac Lindberg/Darcy Feist 14-7), Hays High, Hutchinson, Newton, Salina Central, Salina South, Valley Center
