Sophomore 135-pound Nakita Lawrence entered the KSHSAA Class 4-3-2-1A Regional C Tournament held in Rossville on Saturday, Feb. 11, with a glossy 19-4 record. When the tournament concluded on Saturday evening, Lawrence added three more victories to her record and a tournament championship gold medal to her resume.

Lawrence pinned all three of her opponents on her journey to the title.

“I am extremely proud of her and how smart Nakita wrestled,” said Girls Head Coach Trenton Cox. “Nothing beats seeing the excitement on her face from a performance like that and I am really looking forward to watching her wrestle at state.”

Lawrence qualified for the state tournament last year and has become the first two-time state qualifier for girls wrestling at Sabetha. 

“I got a really good seeding at the tournament and I just went out and wrestled,” Lawrence said. “This is really exciting for me winning the championship, and this will also give me a better seed at the state tournament and it would be awesome to place at state.”

Three other Jay wrestlers competed at the regional tournament – freshman 130-pound Naomi Pearson, sophomore 105-pound Claudia Grimm and sophomore 155-pound Ellyannah Clinton. Grimm picked up one win at the tournament while Clinton went 2-2 on the day, but neither were able to qualify for the state tournament.

Lawrence will compete in the KSHSAA Girls Class 4-1A State Wrestling Tournament held on Wednesday, Feb. 22, and Thursday, Feb. 23, in Salina at the Tony’s Pizza Event Center.