Bell County eighth-grader Emma Winkler is the 13th Region Girls’ Tennis – Singles Regional Runner-Up. This marks the first time a girl representing Bell County High School has reached the regional final and qualified for the State Tournament.

The 13th Region Tournament was held at North Laurel High School from May 16 through 22. In the quarterfinals Winkler defeated Corbin’s MaryAlice McVey 6-1, 6-1. Then Winker came from behind to defeat Clay County’s Ella Rader 4-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-3 in the tiebreaker).

Winkler fell to the tournament’s top seed, seventh grader Bella Lopez from Corbin, in the finals.

Winkler will be competing in the State Tennis Tournament, which starts on May 28 at Berea College.