Lahainaluna’s Ira Navarro found herself in a tough match against Baldwin’s Tianna Fernandez in the 107-pound clas at the Pa’ani Challenge, but got through it for a 6-3 victory.
Navarro is the reigning 97-pound state champ who beat Fernandez in the state final last year. Navarro is also No. 4 in Hawaii Prep World’s pound-for-pound rankings, and Fernandez is No. 10.
Navarro got a late takedown to make it a three-point margin at the end. Fernandez remained close the whole way.
“She shot on me and I sprawled and I got behind her and that’s how I got the (last) two points,” Navarro said. “We’re always wrestling against each other and it’s always tough, so I’m used to it. And I’m sure we will continue to wrestle against each other. “She is really good (and tough to move) in the neutral position.”
Navarro will wrestle teammate Sami Saribay in the final.
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