Free State High senior Lauren Thames won a $20,000 scholarship sponsored by Web site Zinch.com.

“I never expected this to happen,” said Thames, who will attend Baker University and play tennis. “I don’t know if the reality of a $20,000 scholarship has really hit me yet.”

The competition began in late February with more than 1,700 high school seniors hoping to advance out of their states and into a regional round.

Thames did both and then made her way through the field of 64 by winning six straight head-to-head matchups against other applicants.