Manhattan High\u2019s girls wrestling team proved it belongs among the state\u2019s elite Saturday, punching 13 tickets to state and finishing runner-up at the Class 6A West Regional at Wichita South.<\/p>\n
The Indians totaled 239 points, finishing just 8.5 behind team champion Garden City (247.5) in one of the toughest regionals in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt actually taught us a lot,\u201d head coach Shawn Bammes said. \u201cWe were closer than we thought at the beginning of the year to running Garden City down. So we learned a lot from it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The West Regional featured over half of the top 10 teams in 6A, making advancement a battle from start to finish.<\/p>\n
\u201cWest Regional is always really, really tough,\u201d Bammes said. \u201cIf we make it through that one, there\u2019s a very good chance to place at state. The competition is good for us. We like seeing kids have to work to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manhattan\u2019s senior leaders delivered. Alayna Slifer (135 pounds) and Sophia Hoeme (140) each captured regional championships, leading a group that put six wrestlers into title matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey both had good solid days,\u201d Bammes said. \u201cThey\u2019ve been feeling their best and still went out there and put on performances and brought home regional championships. I\u2019m proud of the girls, proud of our senior leadership with this group, and those two both kind of leading the way for us.\u201d<\/p>\n