celebrates

Three years ago, as a 14-year-old freshman, Slava Shahbazyan made it to Bakersfield for the state wrestling championships.

“It was good to get experience that young,” he said.

Then came Saturday night when he had a breakthrough moment, winning the state 165-pound championship as a 17-year-old senior for Birmingham High.

“It means everything to me,” he said. “It took four years.”

Shahbazyan, who transferred from Chaminade after his sophomore year, is set to attend Stanford and still in the hunt to be valedictorian at Birmingham. Coach Jimmy Medeiros said he was close to winning last season before finishing fourth.

“He got a lot better,” Medeiros said.

Shahbazyan has been wrestling since he was 8. “My father loves wrestling,” he said.

Two St. John Bosco wrestlers, Jesse Grajeda at 144 pounds and Michael Romero at 150 pounds, also won state titles.

Here’s the link to complete results.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

STACEY Solomon has shared an insight into her daughter Belle’s third birthday celebrations.

Marking her youngest’s special day, mum-of-five Stacey, 36, pulled out all of the stops with plenty of sweet treats and decorations.

Hosting a home party for the youngster, there was a three-tiered pink castle birthday cake, a mini donut wall, a stacked fruit cake, an afternoon tea spread of fancies and smaller cakes and a selection of sweet and savoury snacks.

Belle, who Stacey shares with husband Joe Swash, also had a giant balloon in the shape of the number 3, a giant teddy bear balloon and a number of pastel decorations.

Sharing pictures from the celebrations, Stacey gushed on her Instagram page: “Birthday Belle. And just like that our littlest pickle is THREE. Time is a thief.

“Happy birthday darling girl. The most confident, hilarious, sweet, strong, happy little pickle. “

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She continued: “The smallest but definitely the most mighty! If you ever wondered who the boss of pickle cottage is, she’s right here.

“To the moon and back beautiful Belle. And here’s to 3 years of me not being pregnant”.

Following the celebrations, Stacey’s husband Joe took Belle and her sister Rose, four, on a day out to further mark the big day.

Alongside their youngest girls, Stacey and Joe are parents to six-year-old son Rex.

Their blended family of six also includes Stacey’s sons Zach and Leighton, from previous relationships, and Joe’s son Harry, whom he shares with ex Emma Sophocleous.

Stacey and Joe gave fans a much closer look into family life last year with their eponymous TV show, a fly-on-the-wall look into their family life with their five kids. 

The series followed Stacey as she battled being a mum with her busy working life.

It also highlighted the spats Joe and Stacey have, which didn’t go unnoticed with fans. 

And following its popularity, the show is set to return for a third series, which is thought to air in late 2026.

It’s not known whether filming has begun yet, or whether fans will get to see milestones such as Belle’s birthday in the upcoming episodes.