Connellsville鈥檚 Nobles wins to avenge last year鈥檚 PIAA defeat
HERSHEY 鈥� One good way to crush a lingering bad memory is to wipe it away with a good one.
That鈥檚 what Connellsville seniors Janayah Nobles did Thursday in the first round of the PIAA Girls Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Last year in this tournament, Nobles had an 8-0 lead on her opponent but lost it when she was pinned. It was a heart-breaking situation but one she learned a lot from.
She avenged that loss yesterday with a dominating performance in a 12-4 major decision over Emma Arnold of Avon Grove in the 136-pound division.
鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 say I was nervous (for this opener). I鈥檇 say butterflies,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou never know what can happen. I never wrestled her before. I watched some films of her so we knew what to do and what to stay out of.鈥�
Nobles used her strength to score the first three takedowns and forge a 9-3 lead.
鈥淲inning here was much better than last year,鈥� Nobles said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to get the win.鈥�
Nobles wrestles Charlene Hunt of Philipsburg-Osceola in the quarterfinals today.
鈥淚 want to stay hydrated,鈥� Nobles said. 鈥淜eep my nutrition up and weight down. Then I鈥檒l be good to go.鈥�
In other action for the Falcons, junior Trinity Moore鈥檚 season came to a close after she dropped her first two bouts. Sophomore Olivia Shultz lost both her matches as well, including her opener to top-seeded Jael Miller of Punxsutawney.
Southmoreland鈥檚 Zoey Murphy won a wild 9-13 decision over Samaraa Bailey of Crestwood to advance to today鈥檚 quarterfinals. Murphy, a junior, needs one more victory to place.