Over the past two years, Catasauqua’s Aeriel Stallworth logged many hours in the wrestling room to become the school’s first female district champion.

Stallworth won the 142-pound weight class at the Class 2A districts at Easton Middle School in impressive fashion. She recorded an 8-1 victory and a pair of falls at districts, recording a fall in 26 seconds to win the title. The team finished 16th overall, and freshman 155-pound Ashley Giron advanced to the third round of consolations.

However, Stallworth drew the inspiration to get there from her teammates, many of whom are new to the rising sport.

“The whole experience was amazing,” gushed Stallworth abut districts. “I was really nervous at districts, especially since it was most of the girls’ first year, but being there with my team motivated me to become better. Watching them try to achieve their goals inspired me. Initially, getting first at districts wasn’t a goal of mine, but when my coach said I could do it if I didn’t overthink, it changed my mindset.”

At regionals, Stallworth lost in the finals to Owen J. Roberts’ Jenny Gautreau, 8-0. Stallworth previously recorded two pins to reach the final.

From there, Stallworth advanced to the state tournament. She defeated Manheim Township’s Laila Colon, 7-2, in her opening match. But Stallworth then suffered a pair of defeats that eliminated her. However, Stallworth wasn’t at full strength.

“At states, I wrestled a girl in the first round and won 7-2,” said Stallworth. “But the next day, I got injured while warming up and couldn’t recover. I ended up going 0-2 that day and finished the tournament 1-2 overall.”

“I feel Aeriel saved her best wrestling for the postseason,” said head coach Mike Rusnock. “She had a tough matchup in quarters and never put herself in a bad position.

“She avenged a loss vs. Spachman (Parkland) at the regional semis. She dominated her before winning by fall. She worked on having a shot from her feet, movement on bottom and getting to her sit out and working her power half on top going into the postseason.

“She is a much better wrestler for it this season than last season and it showed in the postseason.”

Stallworth is anxious to get back on the mats next year and reach a new level.

“Despite that, I’m grateful for the experience and I’ll definitely be back next year,” boasted Stallworth. “The experience I had was extremely positive. I have great coaches who kept pushing me, even when I felt like I couldn’t go any further. I’m really grateful for everyone who believed in me and kept motivating me.

“In the future, my goals are to strengthen my mindset, keep working out, and become one of the best. I want to outwork everyone in my weight class.”