A week after crossing “district champion” off of her to do list, Aeriel Stallworth can now do the same with “state qualifier.”

The Catasauqua junior wrestler pinned her way to the girls Southeast Regional final and came home with a silver medal and the traditional Hershey bar given to those who will be wrestling for state medals at the Giant Center next week.

Stallworth opened her regional tournament with a dominating pin against Irelynn Cahoone of William Tennett in the quarterfinals. She built up a 14-0 lead with a pair takedowns and 4-points nearfalls before finishing off her opponent with a pin in 5:05.

Her semifinal win was perhaps even more impressive. She went up against Angelina Spachman of Parkland, who had gone into last week’s districts as the top seed at 142. The Trojan junior had also beaten Stallworth 8-0 earlier in February.

After a scoreless first period, the Roughie standout put up 8 points Spachman in the second. Stallworth then delivered the Hershey-clinching fall a little over halfway through the final period.

Even her finals loss to Jenny Gautreau of Owen J Roberts showed growth. Gautreau had won their previous meeting at the Coal Cracker with a pin in 52 seconds. The championship bout went the distance, finishing 8-0.

“She’s just really good on top,” lamented Stallworth.

“My original goal this year was just to make it to regionals and then today to get to states. Now I want a Hershey medal. I was really upset after the match, but you just have to keep working. Next time I’m going to get her. Just watch. She’s the only I lost too that haven’t eventually beat so far,” a determined Stallworth affirmed.

Head coach Mike Rusnock summed up his star’s progress, “The first goal was to get that district championship, which we reached. Second goal is to make to states. This is what she’s worked for all offseason. She’s doing her best wrestling at the best time. Very proud of her. Very happy for her. Excited for Hershey in two weeks.”