Press release by Evan Myers, assistant wrestling coach Freezing weather, gloomy skies, and dozens of hungry opponents were not enough to snuff out the fiery ambition of the Lady Red Devils this Saturday, December 30th. Following a nail-biting battle, Jeffersonville High School took second place as a team at the Indiana High School Girls Wrestling Association (IHSGWA) regional girls wrestling championship held at West Washington High School. Despite falling behind the Jennings County Panthers, who scored 121 team points, Jeffersonville more than held their own against the remaining competition, securing three champions, three runners-up and 107 team points in the 22-team tournament. In third place, Columbus East trailed behind Jeffersonville with 75 team points. Sophomore Aubrey “Assassin” Cummings, a state finalist last year as a freshman, took first place in the 130 lbs weight class, grabbing victory by fall in the second period of the championship round. Sian “Ruthless” Rogers, the Lady Red Devils’ team captain and returning state finalist, swiped a victory from the jaws of defeat, winning by fall in the 135 pound weight class despite trailing behind by 7 points in the second period. Rogers’ win against her Switzerland County rival secured her record at 20-1 on the season. In a heart stopping conclusion to the tournament, Jeffersonville cemented their spot on the podium. Nelly “Pulverizer” Bayyoud, Jeffersonville’s surprise ringer and first year wrestler, pinned her opponent from Jennings County in the first period of the finals. In addition to three champions, Jeffersonville boasted three runners-up. Venus “Lightyear” Plamp at 120 lbs, Kaylea “Firestorm” Beauchamp and Abby “The Lemonader” Lemon each fought their way to second place with impressive displays of skill, cunning, and power. Jeffersonville led the tournament in total points scored in matches (94 points). Out of 14 weight classes, 12 Jeffersonville wrestlers qualified for semi state, with Ava Steffey, Lynn Padgett, Jo Eimes, Scarlett McRae and Abril Andres also punching their tickets to Semi Finals next weekend. This marks the second consecutive year that Jeffersonville has taken 2nd place at Women’s Regionals. This follows an impressive three-day streak for Jeffersonville wrestling overall, with the boys’ team winning back-to-back on Thursday and Friday at the Fern Creek Gladiator tournaments in Kentucky. The Lady Red Devils will continue on to Semi-State Finals on Friday, January 5th at Franklin Community High School.