LJ g wrestling: Roman wins one at CIF

Ella Roman (left) practices a move on teammate

Matisse Pickett in warmup for Clairemont/

Canyon Hills tri-meet Wed., Jan. 2.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

I don't believe I've ever written the heading "LJ g wrestling" (see above top) for an entry before.

History-making as they are, Ella Roman, at 139 pounds, and Matisse Pickett, at 108, took the long trip to Brawley in East County Sat., Feb. 5, to compete in the girls CIF wrestling meet for La Jolla.

Pickett had a rough draw, losing her two matches by pins. She keeps her head up, though. She has applied herself methodically to training during this winter of wrestling.

Roman tasted victory at the meet. She decisioned Elisha Zugman of Clairemont, 8-1, after her defeat in the first round (by a pin).

That advanced Ella in the consolation bracket, where she lost by a narrow 5-4 decision to Eva Barbosa of Montgomery, completing her day. Barbosa advanced toward the consolation championship match with that win.

Matisse Pickett (right), an LJ freshman wrestling at

108 pounds, goes through her paces with

teammate Ella Roman (left, kneeling)

before Feb. 2. tri-meet at La Jolla High.

Pickett (center) jogs during warmup in front

of Sebastian Rivera (right) in LJ wrestling

room.