A few weeks ago the Sun Devil wasn’t a move Olivya Kroope had in her arsenal.

It might soon become one of her go-to moves on the wrestling mat.

The Emmaus junior used it to win an East Penn Conference title Saturday, beating an old nemesis in the first-place match at the league championships.

“I learned it two weeks ago,” Kroope said of the Sun Devil, which she used to put Northampton’s Mylea Lambert on her back in the second period of the 155-pound final. “We went over it last year but it never really stuck for me. It’s one of those moves you hit once in a match and if it works, it works. I normally do like a hammer lock or a butcher or that kind of thing.”

In two meetings against Lambert last season, Kroope lost by fall both times.

“I didn’t know what to expect going into those matches and it was like ‘wham, she pinned me,’” said Kroope. “This year I was like ‘OK, go in there and be smart. Last six minutes of the night. Do your best. Whatever happens, happens. Use it for districts.’”

Kroope entered the tournament at 13-0 this season and was the No. 2 seed behind Lambert, who was also unbeaten this season heading into the event.

Kroope pinned her first two opponents at the tournament, which was held at Liberty High School. She dispatched of Easton’s Jamile Ramirez-Galvez in 19 seconds in the quarterfinals then put Anaya Velez (Freedom) on her back in 1:59.

Kroope showed Lambert the lights in 3:27 in the title bout.

“I got in position for the Sun Devil,” Kroope said. “It’s now or never. If you’re going to pin her you’re going to pin her right now.”

Emmaus finished sixth out of 14 teams at the EPC Championships.

Kroope was one of four Hornets to earn a league medal, which went to the top four finishers in each weight class.

Senior Katherine Soto-Acuna finished third at leagues. She pinned her first opponent before falling in the semifinals. Soto-Acuna wrestled back with a win by decision in the consolation semifinals to earn a place in the 235-pound third-place match, where she pinned Allen’s Karla Montes De oco Grullon in 3:54.

Hornet freshman Haily Laible (148) and junior Jocelyn Vargas (170) also earned medals Saturday. They both lost in third-place matches to finish fourth.

Three other Hornets came one match away from wrestling for a medal as Peyton Schneck (100), Brynn Koberlein (136) and Petra Perez (190) lost in consolation semifinal bouts.

Parkland won the team title with 154 points. Easton was second at 138.5.

Team Standings

1. Parkland 154, 2. Easton 138.5, 3. Liberty 135.5, 4. Pocono Mountain West 128, 5. Pocono Mountain East 123.5, 6. Emmaus 102, 7. Nazareth 96, 8. Northampton 81.5, 9. Freedom 77, 10. Pleasant Valley 74.5, East Stroudsburg South 50, 12. Stroudsburg 23, 13. Allen 17, 14. Bethlehem Catholic 15.

Championship finals

100 - Ella Hesener (Parkland) pinned Chelsea Dressler (Nazareth), 1:43

106 - Morgan Hyland (Easton) pinned Lily Snook (Parkland), 1:28

112 - Juliette Trout (Pleasant Valley) pinned Jaida Onyango (Northampton), 1:10

118 - Autumn Kanas (Pocono Mountain West) dec. Keziah Wilson (Pocono Mountain East), 7-3

124 - Danielle Williams (Easton) dec. Elaina Mercadante (Pocono Mountain East), 5-1

130 - Doniya Anwari (Liberty) pinned Olivia Capra (Easton), 2:26

136 - Aubre Krazer (Easton) pinned Luisyana Ortiz (Bethlehem Liberty), 2:23

142 - Angelina Spachman (Parkland) pinned Addison Greger (Nazareth), 3:11

148 - SummerRose Footit (Pocono Mountain West) pinned Ellia Sales (Easton), 3:13

155 - Olivya Kroope (Emmaus) pinned Mylea Lambert (Northampton), 3:27

170 - Gracie Haflich (Liberty) pinned Neysa Lynch (Pocono Mountain East), 1:53

190 - Maura Case (Easton) dec. Lizkarla Grullon Vasquez (Parkland), 4-3

235 - Addyson Munro (Bethlehem Liberty) pinned Brianna Gold (Nazareth), 0:17