It's not about a change in diet but rather a new wrestling technique.
Up 4-2 with a minute to go, Joshua held the top position against Scotts Valley's Haylee Childs when she tried for the arm bar move known as a chicken wing.
 Half Moon Bay's Rebecka Joshua, right, had control of Scotts Valley's Haylee Childs early in the third round. Childs was able gain control to win the Northern California Regional title. |
The two qualified for the state tournament, taking place this weekend in the Central Valley community of Hanford.
Joshua, a freshman who is ranked fourth in the state, made quick work of her first three opponents, taking each match by pin. She finished off Ari Aspelin of Montgomery in 36 seconds in her semifinal match.
Childs also made quick work of her opponents in her preliminary matches.
The two met once before, with Childs prevailing in a match in Manteca.
"She is an amazing wrestler," Childs said. "She has improved a lot since we first met. She has a great stance and some great coaching. This was one of the best matches I have had all year."
Joshua held the lead with a minute to go in the third round when she went for the chicken wing move.
It backfired.
"I was able to get into a half and reversed her," Childs said. "I tried to roll her on her back," Joshua said. "I should have stayed in the same position."
The results were similar to the first time the two met last month.
"I was leading her by three with about 30 seconds left in the match," Joshua said. "She reversed me and pinned me."
The two are freshmen and expect to battle each other for years to come.
"I have to keep practicing my technique and get stronger," Joshua said. "I have to get better than her. I am going to take what I learned from this match and move on."
Morgan Davis was the only other Half Moon Bay participant in the tournament. She lost both of her matches at 103 pounds.
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