Zahra Stewart reigns again at Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational – Press Enterprise

CORONA — Zahra Stewart is competing for a new school this season, but she remains of the top girls wrestlers in the Inland Empire.

Stewart captured the 120-pound championship at the prestigious Queen of the Hill Invitational while wrestling for Yucaipa High School last season. Stewart has crossed county lines and now wrestles at Orange Vista in Perris. Saturday evening, Stewart joined a list of two-time Queen of the Hill winners, as she scored a 17-0 major decision over Poway’s Alyssa Jones to win the 125-pound championship at Corona High School.

Stewart opened eyes with her Queen of the Hill victory as a sophomore last season. She was not going to sneak up on anyone this year, as Stewart carried the No. 1 seed beside her name. Stewart showed dominance, with three pins, a technical fall and a major decision en route to winning the title.

“It’s a good feeling to know I still have it,” Stewart said after her championship victory. “I feel I’m getting better and stronger.”

Jones took a shot in the opening period of the championship match, but Stewart avoided a takedown. The match was scoreless head into the second period. Stewart chose the neutral position and took an 11-0 lead following a takedown and a pair of four-point near falls. Stewart ended the match early in the third period after scoring two points on a reversal and four more points on another near fall.

Orange Vista coach Jesus Rivera has been impressed with his new wrestler.

“We’re focusing on her strength, and her development in that area has been amazing,” Rivera said. “She just keeps getting stronger each day.”

Stewart’s championship capped a strong day for the Coyotes, who finished fifth in the team standings. Alyssa Guzman was the runner-up at 170 pounds, while freshman Tiffany Bell was the runner-up at 190 pounds. Ayana Contreras finished fifth in the 110-pound bracket.

“This is my fourth year, and the girls keep putting in the work,” Rivera said. “It’s a testament to them and the growth of wrestling in our area.”

Corona did not have a finalist Saturday, but the host school had seven wrestlers reach the final podium — most of any team — and claimed the team championship with 173 points, 37 more than Marina. The Panthers have won the team title eight times in the event’s 11-year history.

Leading the way for the Panthers on Saturday were Jasmin Taulanga (third at 235 pounds) and Jestinah Solomua (fourth at 145 pounds).

“I don’t know how we did it,” Corona coach and event organizer Jim Bowers said. “Our team, they’re really still babies and they’re still leaning.”

Chino’s Natalie Blanco was the fourth Inland wrestler to reach the finals Saturday. Blanco was seeded fourth in the 155-pound bracket but knocked off top-seeded Eva Garcia of Marina in the semifinals. Blanco was pinned by Tokay’s Kayleen Tuavao in the title match.

There were 26 Inland wrestlers who made the podium (top eight) Saturday.

Joining Taulanga as third-place medalists were Rancho Cucamonga’s Sussette Bell (125) and Citrus Valley’s Gia Coons. And joining Solomua as fourth-place finishers were Citrus Hill’s Natalie Rodriguez Romero (105), Roosevelt’s Sophia Cardenas (135) and Hemet’s Diara Pomares (170).

Glendora’s Samantha Sachs was chosen by coaches as the Champion of Champions after claiming the title at 130 pounds. Clovis East’s Isabella Marie Gonzales was the Lower Weight MVP after winning the championship at 120 pounds, her third consecutive Queen of the Hill title. Tuavao was the Upper Weight MVP after prevailing at 155 pounds.