North Montgomery girls wrestling will once again be featured at the State Finals on Friday. Sophomore Sophia Shea and junior Hailey Kunz will represent the Chargers as both will end their seasons on the final day of the girls wrestling season. As usual the State Finals will take place at Kokomo’s historic Memorial Gym and will get underway at 11 a.m. on Friday.
Kunz is coming off a semi-state championship at 145 pounds and comes into the State Finals ranked at No. 3 in her weight class with an overall record of 26-3 on the season. Kunz finished her sophomore campaign a year ago with a sixth place finish. Shea is wrapping up what’s been a great first season with the Chargers. After a 3rd place finish at 130 pounds last weekend, Shea will bring a record of 18-13 into her first State Finals appearance.
“I’ve always put in as much effort as I can when I’m wrestling and that’s a big reason why I’m back here,” Kunz said. “Doing that allows me to be ready for whoever I might run into when I get to state. I know I’ll be facing the best and so always being prepared and locked in is what I’ve focused on this week to have a better showing than last year.”
Kunz will square off with Highland’s Kate Robinson in the opening match of the day. With a win she’ll either face the No. 7 ranked Laine Peppler of Rochester or the 10th ranked Eden Knight of Columbus East in the quarter-finals. A run-in with the No. 1 ranked Elly Janovsky (30-0) of Lake Central is likely in the semi-finals barring an upset. Janovsky has handed Kunz two of her three losses this season but Kunz isn’t going to be back down if or when the two square off for a third time.
“I’m really using last year’s experience to help me know what to expect this year,” Kunz added. “It is a little nerve wracking being ranked as high as I am but also exciting because it shows that others are seeing the work I’ve put in. I know what moved (Janovsky) likes to do since I”ve wrestled her twice now and I feel like if I do get to wrestle her a third time, I’ll be as prepared as I’ve ever been.”
For Shea she can say in first season of girls wrestling, she’s one of the top 16 wrestlers at 130 pounds. While being at the state finals isn’t necessarily something that she envisioned when the year began, now that the time is here, it’s about soaking it all in and going out and wrestling her best.
“I’m going to be nervous and that’s normal for it being my first time at state,” the sophomore said. “I never really expected much from this season since it was my first year. I was just focusing on working hard and trying to get as far as I can. I’d like to win at least one match, Hailey and I are really close outside of wrestling so to have someone be there with me who knows what’s it’s like and help guide me throughout everything.”
Shea will open her day wrestling the No. 4 ranked wreslter at 130 lbs in Huntington North freshman Aubrey Troutner (29-2).
Charger coach Lincoln Kyle is looking forward to both of his girls having a good showing and also knows that competing at the state finals against the best in the sport is a reward for all the hard work they’ve put in to get to this point.
“Both of them have been girls all season who really don’t let the nerves get to them,” Kyle said of both of his girls. “As soon as that whistle blows they’re ready to compete hard. Hailey has a great opportunity to go out and place very well and compete for a state title. Her draw is great but at the same time we’re not going to be overlooking anyone. I’m confident in her abilities that if she does get the No. 1 girl that Hailey can come out on top. For Sophia to get this accomplishment in her first season is huge too. Having Hailey in her corner the entire day will be a huge boost for her.”
Both Kunz and Shea have continued the great tradition that the Charger girls wrestling program has built and they look to cap off their great seasons with strong showings Friday.
Stay tuned to JR_Sports on Twitter as we’ll have live updates throughout the day on results of both Kunz and Shea’s matches.
