Olivya Kroope has been taking her senior wrestling season one day at a time, one match at a time.

But there was one event she’d been eager to return to for the past year.

Sunday at Quakertown High School Kroope (155) won three straight matches and the first PIAA Southeast Regional title of her career.

She pinned two opponents and nearly pinned a third in finals, before settling for a win by technical fall.

After what she felt was a disappointing third-place finish as a junior, Kroope was unstoppable through her three regional matches Sunday.

“I’m beyond excited,” she said. “That was my goal. I just wanted to get first at regionals to prove something to myself. I’m beyond proud of myself. I’m just really happy.”

After pinning Irelynn Cahone (William Tennent) in 2:40 in the first round, Kroope put Catasauqua’s Ashlie Montano-Giron on her back in 56 seconds in the semifinals.

In finals she had Neshaminy’s Annette Barry on her back several times, but Barry wriggled out or the period ended before Kroope could earn the mat slap.

She finished off the final with a 20-4 technical fall in 4:35 to earn her second trip to the state championship meet, scheduled for March 5-7 in Hershey.

Emmaus’ first girls wrestling state qualifier could become the school’s first girls state medalist.

“Olivya has always had the capability, but it was getting her to believe in herself,” said Hornet head coach and Olivya’s father, Steve Kroope, whose two other daughter Stella and son Steve were competing also competing in wrestling tournaments last weekend. “Being a senior this year I know she really wanted to punch her ticket. Her next goal now is states.

“We’ll see if she can make it to the podium. Last year she just fell short. She lost in the blood round. I hope she can get on the podium this year and set another record for Emmaus.”

Emmaus freshman Nitzana Jamaica also competed in the regional tournament.

The 100-pounder won her first match with a major decision over Upper Merion’s Madison Schulze, 14-5. She fell to eventual champ Ashley Stank (Quakertown) in semifinals and dropped a consolation bout to Neshaminy’s Mia Nesbitt.

Jamaica bounced back with a pin of Keyra Seville in the fifth-place bout.

“Nitzana’s performance overall was very good,” said Steve Kroope. “Making it this far in regionals is a success in itself for a freshman. Her family is very proud of her. I’m proud of her. Her coaches are proud of her. Her teammates are proud of her.”