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Hawks win nail-biter
Markhams pin propels CV girls wrestling past LB
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Ellena Markhams second-round pin of Dariana Robles propelled the Hawks past the Tigers last week. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

A newcomer to the sport of varsity girls wrestling, Central Valley High School junior Ellena Markham performed like a veteran during last week's Western Athletic Conference dual meet versus visiting Los Banos.

Markham's pin of Dariana Robles with 1:19 remaining in the second period of their 121-pound bout propelled the Hawks past the Tigers, 42-33, on Jan. 9 in Ceres.

Central Valley was clinging to a 36-33 lead heading into the final match of the night.

"This is her first year wrestling," Hawks' head coach Rob Beckhart said. "She's not super technical. She's scrappy."

Central Valley improved to 1-0 in the WAC standings.

Los Banos dropped to 1-1.

The Tigers, Pacheco Panthers and Livingston Wolves finished in a three-way tie for first place in the WAC last winter. "I'm pretty happy with how they did tonight," Beckhart said. "It was a big test for them. I knew it was going to be a challenge."

Central Valley's Emily Mendoza, Olivia Chaboya, Vanesa Contreras, Esther Esceverri, Alexis Ramirez, and Nayeli Pelayo also collected victories against Los Banos.

Mendoza won by pin (5:54) versus Kiana Daniels at 126 pounds.

Chaboya won by pin (5:19) versus Madison Avila at 189 pounds.

Contreras (101s), Esceverri (143s), Ramirez (160s) and Pelayo (235s) all won by forfeit.

Central Valley's Julia Avila (111s), Brianna Quiroz (150s), Carla Martinez (137s), Aryanna Jimenez (116s), Natalia Torres (170s) and Isabella Pelayo (131s) dropped their respective matches.

Avila lost by decision (9-6) to Daisy Briceno.

Quiroz lost by decision (5-2) to Linda Pelayo.

Martinez lost by decision (5-1) to Maelani Adams.

Jimenez lost by pin (1:42) to Hailey Ballez.

Torres lost by pin (1:11) to Klaudet Zevada.

Isabella Pelayo lost by pin (1:07) to Destiny Torres.