It’s often said that quality is better than quantity.

Emmaus only sent one wrestler to the girls Southeast Regional Championships. But the one Hornet at the event will now move on to the state championships.

Junior Olivya Kroope finished third in the 155-poiunbd weight class Sunday at the regional tournament, held at Quakertown High School.

She was the lone member of the Green Hornets program to participate in the event.

“I’m happy with how I finished,” said Kroope. “I think I could’ve done better, but I wasn’t feeling great. It is what it is though. There will always be a winner and a loser and I thought overall I am happy with how I finished.”

Kroope was not at 100 percent or her normal self, due to being under the weather, but still pushed through and competed at a high level. She won her first match in the quarterfinal round, and came out on top in her last two matches after falling in the semifinal round to ChaseMarie Ryan of Quakertown.

“I think I had a higher expectation for myself coming in,” Kroope said. “My dad likes to say when you lose, it lights a fire in your belly. So this will motivate me moving forward.”

Kroope recorded a 9-3 decision against Yasmina Ergashova of William Tennant in the quarterfinals, pinned Kai Czaplicki from Strath Haven in the consolation semifinals and then pinned Kaitlynn Arnold of Avon Grove in the third-place match.

Kroope, who is in her second season of wrestling, is 25-1 overall this season and has won district gold and bronze at regionals. She has had plenty of good support and coaching along the way, especially from her father, one of the Emmaus coaches.

“I’ve had a lot of support from my parents, my dad especially, who started the program,” said Kroope. “My coaches have been great. I can always count on them for instruction and support.”

She advances to the PIAA Girls Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey next weekend.

“Going to states has been a dream of mine since I started wrestling here at Emmaus,” Kroope said. “So going out there, I’m not sure what to expect. Of course, being a state champion is the goal, and I think I can do it, but I have to make sure I do my best and compete at 100 percent. I’m hungry for it.”