Even then, she started dreaming of a PIAA state title when girls high school wrestling was sanctioned for the first time.

She’s on her way after winning the District 10 title at 136 pounds on Saturday at Sharon High School. She pinned her way to West Regionals on March 1 at North Allegheny High School.

Connolly pinned Youngsville’s Ellie Shellhouse in 24 seconds before pinning Fort LeBoeuf’s Emma Salmon even quicker, 21 seconds, to advance to the final. It took a bit longer to pin Corry’s Koda Kuzma in the second period (2:40).

“I started thinking about placing at D10 districts last year,” said Connolly. “I wasn’t even in high school yet, but I already had it in my mind. I would like to place at regionals and, if not, at least win a match.”

Submitted photo Warren freshman Kaelon Connolly is pictured on the podium after winning the 136-pound District 10 girls wrestling title on Saturday at Sharon High School.

This is not Warren’s first taste of girls wrestling success with two D10 champs at last year’s inaugural event. The Lady Dragons placed fifth as a team on Saturday, and Connolly won’t be traveling alone. Sophomore teammate Abbie Darr (190) took second and sophomore Bryn Lindell (118) finished third. They’re also moving on to West Regionals. The ultimate goal is to advance to the PIAA championships from March 6-8 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

It hasn’t been easy for Connolly.

“I am always nervous going into tournaments and matches,” she said. “Especially going into the finals match against an opponent I’ve won and lost to.

“I was out with a concussion for three weeks,” added Connolly. “I realized I would be cleared two days before the tournament. I had one day of contact practice before going into districts. I was worried I wouldn’t be prepared, but my coaches believed in me, and I succeeded.”

Technically, Connolly has prepared for this for 13 years.

“She was three,” said her mom, Sarah, of Kaelon’s start. “I took her to practice one day to pick up my son, Braxton, and there was a boy on the elementary team who was too small to wrestle the other kids. The coach asked her if she wanted to try and she said, sure. And then I had two kids going to practice.”

Kaelon fell in love with the sport.

“I played softball and football growing up, but am unable to play football because of concussions,” said Kaelon.

Mom’s not surprised she’s doing so well.

“Not at all. She’s very athletic overall, always has been since she was little,” said Sarah. “She has done softball, track, and volleyball, but her heart has always been on the wrestling mat.”

Kaelon is already thinking about wrestling at the next level, but only because the freshman doesn’t have plans to stop any time soon.

“My family has been my biggest supporter since the day I started,” said Kaelon. “My mom went from being scared of me wrestling, and now she’s the loudest one in the crowd. There have been many times that I have thought about quitting. I wasn’t where I wanted to be and I never thought I could get somewhere, but I used that as motivation and pushed forward.”

Her sport has changed a lot since she began wrestling.

“I think it’s absolutely incredible how much this sport has grown,” she said. “I love that I’ve been in this sport since it wasn’t known as a female sport and now it’s becoming bigger and bigger each year.

“I love this sport because I have to keep a strong mind to be able to keep a strong body, and I’m constantly getting pushed past my limits and getting better each day I put in work,” said Kaelon, whose confident and bold personality comes out when she’s on the mat. “I dislike cutting weight and having to travel so far away for weekend tournaments, (but) I constantly think about state and my goal is to come out on the top of the podium.”