CORONA — Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart has joined an exclusive group of girls wrestlers. It was not easy for Stewart, however. Nothing is simple when competing at Corona High School’s Queen of the Hill invitational. Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, pins Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, to wi n their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Liberty’s Anna Bozanic, top, competes against Downey’s Katherine Luna, bottom, during their 235 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Bozanic defeated Luna 7-3. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Colony’s Mia Hernandez, left, and Daniella Vazquez, from Garces, compete in the 100 pound weight class during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Colony’s Mia Hernandez, right, and Daniella Vazquez, from Garces, compete in the 100 pound weight class during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Colony’s Mia Hernandez, top, and Daniella Vazquez, from Garces, compete in the 100 pound weight class during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Colony’s Mia Hernandez, top, and Daniella Vazquez, from Garces, compete in the 100 pound weight class during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Colony’s Mia Hernandez is announced the winner of the 100 pound weight class after defeating Daniella Vazquez, from Garces, 10-0 during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Kiem-Ai Pham, right, competes against Nohea Booth, from Marina, during their 105 pound weight class division during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Kiem-Ai Pham defeated Nohea Booth 12-4. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Kiem-Ai Pham, right, competes against Nohea Booth, from Marina, during their 105 pound weight class division during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Kiem-Ai Pham defeated Nohea Booth 12-4. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Kiem-Ai Pham, top competes against Nohea Booth, from Marina, during their 105 pound weight class division during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Kiem-Ai Pham defeated Nohea Booth 12-4.(Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Marina’s Aubree Gutierrez, top, attempts to pin Stockdale’s Kamila Cerna, bottom, during their 115 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Gutierrez defeated Cerna 16-0. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Poway’s Noemi Cordero, top, competes against San Clemente’s Irini Poka, bottom, during their 120 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Poka defeated Cordero 5-1(Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Central East’s Me’Kala James, right, competes against Etiwanda’s Sussette Bell, right, during their 125 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. James defeated Bell 11-6. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Central East’s Me’Kala James, right, competes against Etiwanda’s Sussette Bell, right, during their 125 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. James defeated Bell 11-6. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Central East’s Me’Kala James, top, competes against Etiwanda’s Sussette Bell, bottom, during their 125 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. James defeated Bell 11-6. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Central East’s Me’Kala James, top, competes against Etiwanda’s Sussette Bell, bottom, during their 125 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. James defeated Bell 11-6. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Newbury Park’s Madison Black celebrates after defeating April Gao, from St. Francis following their 130 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Tiffany Bell, left, pulls down Rio Mesa’s Brooklyn Bittner, right, during their 170 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Bell defeated Bittner. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Tiffany Bell, left, pulls down Rio Mesa’s Brooklyn Bittner, right, during their 170 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Bell defeated Bittner. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Tiffany Bell, left, attempts to pin down Rio Mesa’s Brooklyn Bittner, right, during their 170 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Bell defeated Bittner. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Tiffany Bell, left, pins down Rio Mesa’s Brooklyn Bittner, right, for the win during their 170 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Bell defeated Bittner. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Tiffany Bell is declared the winner after pinning Rio Mesa’s Brooklyn Bittner during their 170 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Bell defeated Bittner. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, competes against Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, during their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, right, competes against Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, left, during their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, competes against Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, during their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, attempts to pin Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, during their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, attempts to pin Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, during their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, competes against Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, during their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, attempts to pin Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, during their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, competes against Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, during their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, attempts to pin Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, during their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart, top, competes against Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza, bottom, during their 135 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Stewart defeated Zaragoza 1-0. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart, top, competes against Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza, bottom, during their 135 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Stewart defeated Zaragoza 1-0. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Liberty’s Anna Bozanic, left, competes against Downey’s Katherine Luna, right, during their 235 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Bozanic defeated Luna 7-3. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Liberty’s Anna Bozanic, top, competes against Downey’s Katherine Luna, bottom, during their 235 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Bozanic defeated Luna 7-3. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, attempts to pin Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, during their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart, top, competes against Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza, bottom, during their 135 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Stewart defeated Zaragoza 1-0. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Liberty’s Anna Bozanic, top, competes against Downey’s Katherine Luna, bottom, during their 235 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Bozanic defeated Luna 7-3. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart, right, competes against Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza, left, during their 135 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Stewart defeated Zaragoza 1-0. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart is declared the winner over Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza following their 135 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Stewart defeated Zaragoza 1-0. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart, top, competes against Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza, bottom, during their 135 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Stewart defeated Zaragoza 1-0. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart, top, competes against Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza, bottom, during their 135 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Stewart defeated Zaragoza 1-0. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart, top, competes against Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza, bottom, during their 135 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Stewart defeated Zaragoza 1-0. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart, top, competes against Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza, bottom, during their 135 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Stewart defeated Zaragoza 1-0. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 44Corona’s Jestinah Solomua, top, pins Sheldon’s Josylyn Glass, bottom, to win their 145 pound match during the Queen of the Hill girls wrestling invitational at Corona High School in Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Solomua defeated Glass. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Expand Billed as “the main event” of Tuesday afternoon’s championship round, Stewart and Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza squared off for the 135-pound title, a showdown between a pair of returning CIF State champions. Stewart scored a point via an escape in the second period and then rode out Zaragoza throughout the third period to hang on for a thrilling 1-0 championship win. Stewart is just the sixth wrestler in the Queen of the Hill’s 12-year history to claim three individual championships. She joined the likes of Sugey Ceja (Corona), Cheyenne Bowman (Rowland), Katie Gomez (Birmingham), Anaya Falcon (Walnut) and Isabella Maria Gonzalez (Clovis East) as three-time champions. Stewart won at 120 pounds in 2023 and at 125 pounds last season. “It’s nice winning three years in a row. It means I’m not getting worse,” joked Stewart, last year’s 125-pound state champion. Stewart planned to compete at 130 pounds but was moved up after coming in above that weight. That also meant the path to a third title would be even more challenging, with the No. 1 seed being Zaragoza, the state’s defending 135-pound champion. Both wresters took shots during the championship match but neither Stewart or Zaragoza were able to score any takedowns. Stewart started in the bottom position after a scoreless opening period and quickly earned the escape point. Zaragoza was in the bottom position for the third but was unable to break free from Stewart’s grasp during the 2-minute period. Zaragoza did make a move in the final seconds of the match and nearly scored a winning reversal, but Stewart did not surrender control. “I’ve been doing it for a long time, but it takes a lot of practice,” Stewart said of riding out an opponent from the top position for an entire period. “I knew it was short time, and I expected her to try something. I just made sure I did not get caught out of position.” It was a banner day for Inland wrestlers, as Stewart was 1 of 6 representing area schools to bring home an individual title. Orange Vista’s Tiffany Bell  captured her first Queen of the Hill championship after pinning Rio Mesa’s Brooklyn Bittner at the 5:10 mark of the 170-poind championship match. Bell was clinging to a 1-0 lead and started the third period in the top position. Bell, a Queen of the Hill runner-up as a freshman last season, eventually overpowered Bittner and secured the pinfall. “I was second last year and kind of expected the same this year,” Bell said about facing the top-seeded Bittner for the title. “So I surprised myself a bit by winning and that’s exciting. I’m focusing more on my technique and just being more patient.” Liberty’s Anna Bozanic was unable to defend her 235-pound championship at last year’s Queen of the Hill after suffering a season-ending ACL tear. She reclaimed her crown with a 7-3 victory over last year’s champion, Katherine Luna of Downey. Bozanic, who has twice placed third at the state meet, scored a pair of takedowns in the opening period to build a 6-1 lead. “It was a lot of hard work, but it feels really nice to be back,” Bozanic said of returning from the knee injury. “I think winning here is very important because it’s a good way to start my season. This really is a benchmark tournament to compete at.” Corona produced a pair of first-time Queen of the Hill champions with Kiem-Ai Pham and Jestinah Solomua. Pham scored takedowns in all three periods and added more points with an escape and a reversal en route to a 12-4 major decision over Marina’s Nohea Booth in the 105-pound title bout. “This means a lot to me. It’s shows I’ve been working hard and improving, and everything is starting the pay off,” Pham said. Solomua, a two-time state placer, was the top-seeded wrestler in the 145-pound bracket and claimed that title after pinning Sheldon’s Josylyn Garcia. Solomua took the early lead with a takedown in the opening period before securing the pin in the second (2:59). Solomua also was selected the event’s Champion of Champions (top overall wrestler). “I was second as a freshman and fourth last season, so winning this year was a sweet moment,” Solomua said. “I’ve been training a lot more in the offseason to be more consistent. I’m working more on technique rather than muscling every move.” Colony’s Mia Hernandez was among a handful of “bracket busters” at this year’s tournament. Hernandez was seeded fifth at 100 pounds, but she defeated top-seeded Marlene Garcia of Birmingham (5-3 decision) in Tuesday morning’s semifinal. Brimming with confidence, Hernandez raced to a 10-0 lead in the final before pinning Daniella Vazquez of Garces (3:03). “I didn’t place at all last season, so this shows the work and all I have accomplished,” Hernandez said. “I didn’t realize that (Garcia) was the No. 1 seed and ranked No. 2 in the state. I didn’t know how to react, but I felt like nothing could stop me.” Poway captured the team championship, with Etiwanda, Corona, Sunnyside (Arizona) and Marina rounding out the top five. Etiwanda was led by the second-place finish of Sussette Bell at 125 pounds. Bell, wrestling in just her second tournament of the season after transferring from Rancho Cucamonga, gave top seed Me’Kala James of Fresno Central East a battle from start to finish, but James scored a takedown late in the third period to put the final touch on an 11-6 victory. Bell was one of five Etiwanda wrestlers to finish on the podium (top eight). “We’ve known this was going to a pretty good year for our girls for a long time,” Eagles coach JJ Everard said of his team’s runner-up finish. “This is the hardest these girls have ever worked. We had five place here and four of them are juniors. They keep rising to the challenge and answering the call.” QUEEN OF THE HILL RSULTS 100 pounds — Championship: Mia Hernandez (Colony) pinned Daniella Vazquez (Garces) 3:03. Other Inland placer: 5. Kylie-Ann Thach (Roosevelt) 105 — Championship: Kiem-Ai Pham (Corona) major decision Nohea Booth (marina) 12-4. Other Inland placer: 8. Jacelun Casas (Norco). 110 — Championship: Sophia Gonzales (Clovis East) pinned Angelica Serratos (Santa Ana) 1:38. Inland placers: none. 115 — Championship: Aubree Gutierrez (Marina) technical fall Kamila Cerna (Stockdale) 16-0. Inland placers: 5. Olive Lechiara (Temecula Valley), 8. Savannah Gutierrez (Redlands East Valley). 120 — Championship: Irini Poka (San Clemente) decision Noemi Cordero (Poway) 5-1. Inland placers: 4. Itzel Herrera (Corona), 5. Evelyn Lopez (Hamilton). 125 — Championship: Me’Kala James (Central East) decision Sussette Bell (Etiwanda) 11-6. Other Inland placers: 4. Lei’ani Jaime (San Dimas), 6. Emma Goodland (Roosevelt), 7. Taylen Chanley (Temecula Valley). 130 — Championship: Madison Black (Newbury Park) pinned April Gao (Saint Francis) 1:30. Inland placers: none 135 — Championship: Zahra Stewart (Orange Vista) decision Lauren Zaragoza (Brawley) 1-0. Other Inland placer: 6. Sophia Cardenas (Roosevelt). 140 — Championship: Jaylean Alfaro (Tucson Sunnyside) major decision Madison Worden (Las Vegas Centennial) 12-1. Inland placer: 8. Tatiana Chavarin (Ayala). 145 — Championship: Jestinah Solomua (Corona) pinned Josylyn Glass (Sheldon) 2:59. Other Inland placers: 4. Daniella De La Vega (Etiwanda), 6. Annalese Arroyo (Norco). 155 — Championship: Symone Jewell (Northgate) pinned Eva Garcia (Marina) 1:10. Inland placer: 6. Maiya Bradley (Vista Murrieta). 170 — Championship: Tiffany Bell (Orange Vista) pinned Brooklyn Bittner (Rio Mesa) 5:10. Other Inland placer: 8. Isabella De La Vega (Etiwanda). 190 — Championship: Estefany Caballero (Orange) decision Emily Carvalho (Redwood) 4-2. Inland placers: 5. Aubryelle Baeza (San Dimas), 6. Sonia Ibarra (Etiwanda). 235 — Championship: Anna Bozanic (Liberty) decision Katherine Luna (Downey) 7-3. Other Inland placers: 4. Sofia Ibarra (Etiwanda), 5. Gia Coons (Orange Vista). 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