Her eyes were deadlocked on the task at hand.

From the opening whistle, Crestani wrestled with controlled aggression, using downward momentum to pull her opponent, Juniata’s Katelynn Krepps, to the mat with her and strength to work her way back on top. With a headlock already implemented, she waited for Knepps to work backward to try to escape, carrying that momentum into a sub-minute pin.

The fall was met with boisterous applause, the BEA Invite’s loudest moment by a country mile. And that effort, coupled with respective final runs from Eden Eveleth and Addison Tice and a fourth-place finish from Lily Spicer, helped the Eagles take fifth amidst the talented-filled, 34-team tournament.

“It definitely puts a lot of pressure on me, but it also helps a lot just knowing so many people are out here to support me,” said Crestani on the crowd. “My school’s tournament title definitely feels better (and) I think we’ve come a long way since the beginning of the season.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle Area senior Grace Crestani works a pin against Juniata's Katelynn Krepps in the 190 title during the BEA Invite girls wrestling tournament on Saturday at Bald Eagle Area.

This was a gauging tournament for Crestani as well, who moved up from the 170 to 190 weight class to see if it was a better fit.

Though it took some time to adjust, with the senior earning two particularly close wins in her quarter and semifinal rounds, she put it all together where it mattered most. Overall, Crestani was satisfied with the performance and will look to improve where necessary prior to potentially wrestling at that weight for postseason.

“If I wouldn’t have done well, I would’ve probably stayed at 170 but I think this solidifies my decision of moving up,” said Crestani. “It was worth it. I got a lot of experience. I know what I need to work on and definitely need to get in the weight room tomorrow.”

Despite suffering tough losses in their respective finals at 106 and 112, senior Eden Eveleth and freshman Addison Tice chose not to dwell of them following their runs, seeing the positives in their performances while also recognizing where they’ll look to improve.

The pair combined for six first-period pins, with Eveleth opening her day with a fall that came in just 13 seconds. Both were coming off tough runs at Mid-Winter Mayhem, so prevailing at another large tourney in front of their home crowd was a confidence boost heading into February.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle Area senior Eden Eveleth wrestles against Hanover Area's Santina Saraka during the 106 final at the BEA Invite girls wrestling tournament on Saturday at Bald Eagle Area.

“Yeah, I was coming into it a little angry because I was ready for some blood after a not-so-good tournament. I think I got what I was looking for,” laughed Eveleth on the shake back. “Had a moment where I got caught in my last match but it’s not where it counts. Right now, districts is coming. I’m ready.”

“I feel everyone did well overall and I thought I did good tonight even though I lost my last match,” said Tice. “There’s always stuff I have to work on, but I feel like I did good at being aggressive and actually stepping towards the person, not being scared.”

And after coming into the tournament unseeded, Lily Spicer didn’t let that dictate her overall performance. The junior prevailed on the way to her best tournament showing to date, upsetting No. 3 seeded Claire Gyle (Hanover Area) in quarters and falling on sudden-victory takedown short of claiming bronze.

That performance helped Bald Eagle finish with 94 team points, good for best in the area and fifth best in the entire tournament behind Dallastown (189), Boiling Springs (139.5), Shikellamy (120.5) and Williamsport (98). Next on that area list was Central Mountain, who claimed seventh with 74 team points.

The Wildcats were led by consistent standouts in Kendall Wagner, Austynn Falls and Ashlyn Miller, who each built on strong Mid-Winter Mayhem outings with top-three finishes on Saturday.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle Area freshman Addison Tice wrestles against Redbank Valley's Iris Reitz during the 112 final at the BEA Invite girls wrestling tournament on Saturday at Bald Eagle Area.

Wagner replicated her success at her previous tournament, getting all the way to the finals at 170 before falling to defending state champion Jael Miller. Though Falls was caught off guard in her respective final at 148, the sophomore managed to make it two straight top three finishes after taking third at Mid-Winter Mayhem. And after falling to consolations in quarters at 235, Miller posted three straight sub-minute pins to dominate her way to bronze.

Jersey Shore also saw multiple placements, ultimately placing 15th behind top-three finishes from senior Addison Dangle and sophomore Isabella Gotschall.

In her championship semifinals match, Dangle quickly shook off a 3-0 deficit against No. 2 seeded Roslyn Snyder (Shikellamy), converting a first-period reversal into a six-point move before pinning her opponent midway through the second.

That win meant a lot to her, having previously lost to Snyder twice this season. Though she’d conclude her run on the receiving end of a second period fall against state-ranked Makayla Taylor (Clearfield), the Bulldog put together a great performance, finishing with three pins.

“I was pretty proud of that,” said Dangle on the win over Snyder.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain junior Kendall Wagner wrestles against Punxsutawney's Jael Miller during the 170 final at the BEA Invite girls wrestling tournament on Saturday at Bald Eagle Area.

Like Miller, Gotschall saw her championship run in quarters before bouncing back seamlessly. She’d post four straight first-period falls on her way to bronze, capping off the streak by avenging her quarterfinal loss to Brianne Irvin.

Sugar Valley’s Olivia Johnson bounced back from an even earlier defeat, falling to Bellefonte freshman Ella Johnsonbaugh before rattling off four straight wins – all by fall – to make it to the third-place match and ultimately taking fourth. And Johnsonbaugh rounded out the area’s placements by taking sixth, building on what’s already been a strong freshman season.

All in all, it was an excellent turnout for Bald Eagle’s second instance of hosting a tournament, producing many great matches, bringing much of the region together and running smoothly from start to finish. It was another representation of the continued growth of girls wrestling within the state of Pennsylvania.

“Us coaches really love this sport and it’s good to see the interaction, amount of girls here, the growth of the sport, the level of competition and just seeing how much better it’s gotten since being sanctioned,” said Bald Eagle Area head coach Ed Hockenberry on the turnout. “So, could not be more pleased.”

TEAM RESULTS: 1. Dallastown 189; 2. Boiling Springs 139.5; 3. Shikellamy 120.5; 4. Williamsport 98; 5. Bald Eagle Area 94; 6. Clearfield 93; 7. Central Mountain 74; 8. Hanover Area 71; 8. Trinity 71; 10. Punxsutawney 68; 11. Bedford 65.5; 12. Juniata 63; 13. Philipsburg-Osceola 62.5; 14. Mechanicsburg 60; 15. Jersey Shore 56; 16. Redbank Valley 50.5; 17. Sugar Valley 48.5; 18. Palmyra 46.5; 19. Curwensville 44; 19. Muncy 44; 21. Benton 42; 22. Towanda 41; 23. Moon 33.5; 24. Bradford 29; 24. United 29; 26. Meyersdale 24; 27. Line Mountain 22; 28. Wyalusing 17; 29. Warren 15; 30. Nativity BVM 12; 31. Bellefonte, 11; 31. Huntingdon 11; 33. Midd-West 3; 34. State College 0.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore senior Addison Dangle wrestles against Clearfield's Makayla Taylor during the 155 final at the BEA Invite girls wrestling tournament on Saturday at Bald Eagle Area.

TEAM KEY (34 teams): BEA- Bald Eagle Area; BED-Bedford; BEL-Bellefonte; BS-Boiling Springs; BRA -Bradford; CM-Central Mountain; CLF-Clearfield; CURW-Curwensville; DAL-Dallastown; HAN-Hanover Area; HUN- Huntingdon Area; JS-Jersey Shore; JUN-Juniata; LM-Line Mountain; MECH-Mechanicsburg; MEY-Meyersdale; MW-Midd-West; MOON-Moon; MUN-Muncy; NAT- Nativity BVM; PAL-Palmyra; PO-Philipburg-Osceola; PUNX-Punxsutawney; RV-Redbank Valley; SHIK-Shikellamy; SC-State College; SV-Sugar Valley Rural Charter; TOW-Towanda; TRI-Trinity; UN – United; WAR-Warren; PORT-Williamsport; WYA-Wyalusing.

FIRST-PLACE BOUTS

100: Alexis Pancoast (MECH) pinned Danica Bacorn (PORT), 1:48. 106: Santina Saraka (HAN) pinned Eden Eveleth (BEA), 2:54. 112: Iris Reitz (RED) pinned Addison Tice (BEA), 3:31. 118: Lillian Rumsey (PORT) tech fall Chloe Stiles (UN), 21-6 (1:52). 124: Kallie Bower (MECH) maj. dec. Rylee Champbell (SHIK), 17-4. 130: Haley Smarsh (MOON), pinned Callie Hess (BEN), 1:22. 136: Charli Hunt (PO) tech fall Ryleigh Giants (SHIK), 15-0 (2:00). 142: Avery Baldwin (DAL) maj. dec. Shelby Shirley (BRAD), 14-3. 148: Shayla Carl (PAL) pinned Austynn Falls (CM), :49. 155: Makayla Taylor (CLF) pinned Addison Dangle (JS), 2:52. 170: Jael Miller (PUNX) pinned Kendall Wagner (CM), :40. 190: Grace Crestani (BEA) pinned Katelynn Krepps (JUN), :51. 235: Mylah Steinbuch (BED) maj. dec. Emily Dolan (BS), 9-0.

THIRD-PLACE BOUTS

100: Bryn Evalns (BS) dec. Lily Spicer (BEA), 15-12 SV. 106: Ellie Boderhorn (PUNX) dec. Brandy Sterner (BS), 5-2. 112: Eva Nagel (MUN) pinned Evelyn Neale (PUNX), 3:12. 118: Madison Bryner (JUN) won by forfeit. 124: Mykia Petruskevich) PORT pinned Adlelyn Dreistadt (SHIK), 3:22. 130: Kenna Hoffman (DAL) dec. Aubrey Rebuck (SHIK), 4-3. 136: Amanda Delevan (BS) maj. Dec. Olivia Johnson (SV), 16-3. 142: Alexia Ashby (TRI) pinned Jordana Steffen (JUN), 2:36. 148: Elaina Ashby (TRI) dec. Emma Koontz (SHIK), 15-9. 155: Amelia Smith (DAL) pinned Alivia Spicer (TOW), :34. 170: Isabella Gotschall pinned Brianne Irvin (BS), 1:28. 190: Tessa Henise (DAL) pinned Noelle Murray (BED), 3:12. 235: Ashlyn Miller (CM) pinned Nolan Knott (DAL), :29.

FIFTH-PLACE BOUTS

100: Mackenzie Gipson-McDonald (DAL) pinned Mariah Hershberger (BED), :47. 106: Audrey Wrinkle (DAL) won by forfeit. 112: Erin Talmadge (NAT) dec. Reliant Hernandez de la Cruz (HAN), 12-6. 118: Aurora Comfort (MEY) dec. Libby Rapp (RED), 5-3. 124: Angela Rougeaux (CLF) pinned Kenzie Brown (TOW), 1:33. 130: Kaidence Ankner (HAN), pinned Lynnsey Ashby (TRI), 2:10. 136: Alara Quickel (CLF) pinned Ella Johnsonbaugh (BELL), 2:48. 142: Tessa Queen (CURW) pinned Alyssa Posey (BEN), 2:04. 148: Alexa Jayne (WYA) pinned Jersey Herb (SHIK), 2:39. 155: Roslyn Snyder (SHIK) pinned Arianna Irvin (BS), 3:59. 170: Shelby Gipson-McDonald (DAL) pinned Aylee Johnston (CLF), 3:41. 190: Miley Rivera (BS) pinned Emily Neeper (CURW), 1:18. 235: Santina Guajardo-Prieto (LM) pinned Daisy Glessner (PO), :48.

CHAMPIONSHIP

SEMIFINALS

100: Alexis Pancoast (MECH) maj. dec. Bryn Evans (BS), 15-3. Danica Bacon (PORT) pinned Lily Spicer (BEA), 3:10. 106: Santina Saraka (HAN) pinned Veda Kephart (PO), 2:18. Eden Eveleth (BEA) pinned Brandy Sterner (BS), :53. 112: Iris Reitz (RED) tech fall Evelyn Neale (PUNX), 17-1 (2:52). Addison Tice (BEA) pinned Eva Nagel (MUN), 1:38. 118: Lillian Rumsey (PORT) pinned Aurora Comfort (MEY), 1:15. Chloe Stiles (UN) pinned Libby Rapp (RED), 3:59. 124: Kallie Bower (MECH) pinned Angela Rougeaux (CLF), 2:30. Rylee Campbell (SHIK) maj. dec. Mykia Petruskevich (PORT), 10-0. 130: Haley Smarsh (MOON) pinned Aubrey Rebuck (SHIK), 4:21. 136: Charli Hunt (PO) tech fall Amanda Delevan (BS), 17-0 (2:59). Ryleigh Ziants (SHIK) pinned Ella Johnsonbaugh (BELL), 1:14. 142: Avery Baldwin (DAL) maj. dec. Alexia Ashby (TRI), 17-3. Shelby Shirley (BRAD) pinned Tessa Queen (CURW), 4:33. 148: Austynn Falls (CM) maj. Dec. Emma Koontz (SHIK), 11-3. Shayla Carl (PAL) pinned Elaina Ashby (TRI), 3:11. 155: Makayla Taylor (CLF) tech fall Amelia Smith (DAL), 16-1 (4:33). Addison Dangle (JS) pinned Roslyn Snyder (SHIK), 3:09. 170: Jael Miller (PUNX) pinned Shelby Gipson-McDonald (DAL), :27. Kendall Wagner (CM) pinned Brianne Irvin (BS), 4:27. 190: Grace Crestani (BEA) pinned Noelle Murray (BED), 5:25. Katelyn Krepps (JUN) pinned Tessa Henise (DAL), 5:29. 235: Emily Dolan (BS) pinned Santiana Guajardo-Prieto (LM), 3:27. Mylah Steinbuch (BED) pinned Daisy Glessner (PO), 2:00.

QUARTERFINALS

100: Alexis Pancoast (MECH) maj. dec. Mackenzie Gipson-McDonald (DAL), 15-5. Bryn Evans (BS) dec. Morgan Osburn (HAN), 7-5. Lily Spicer (BEA) pinned Claire Gyle (HAN), 1:44. Danica Bacorn (PORT) pinned Mariah Hershberger (BED), 2:41. 106: Santina Saraka (HAN) pinned Haylee Younkin (MUN), :39. Eden Eveleth (BEA) pinned Kaitlyn McShea (SC), 1:04. Brandy Sterner (BS) pinned McKenna Grove (HUN), 1:04. Veda Kephart (PO) pinned Sophia Fomichev (SC), 1:54. 112: Addison Tice (BEA) pinned Kelianet Hernandez de la cruz (HAN), 1:11. Iris Reitz (RED) tech fall Sophia Genditzki Bedford, 15-0 (1:43). Evelyn Neale (PUNX) pinned Carolina Mcclain (TRI), 1:27.  Eva Nagel (MUN) pinned Cala Hipple (PAL), 0:38. 118: Lillian Rumsey (PORT) pinned Makenna Dobbins (DAL), :15. Aurora Comfort (MEY) pinned Skylar Wiest (SHIK), 2:36. Libby Rapp (RED) maj. dec. Tori Ward (BS), 10-2. Chloe Stiles (UN) dec. Madison Bryner (JUN), 4-1 SV. 124: Angela Rougeaux (CLF) pinned Molly Sowers (BS), 1:15. Rylee Campbell (SHIK) pinned Cayce Davison (PO). Mykia Petruskevich (PORT) pinned Caydence Ohl (MUN), 2:43. 130: Haley Smarsh (MOON) tech fall Mallory Wunder (CM) 17-1 (2:00). Aubrey Rebuck (SHIK) dec. Olivia Spotts (JS), 6-1. Kenna Hoffman (DAL) pinned Kaidence Ankner (HAN), 3:39. Callie Hess (BEN) pinned Hailey Thumma (BS), :43. 136: Amanda Delevan (BS) tech all Lea Borchardt (PORT), 17-0 (3:01). Amanda Delevan (BS) maj. Dec. Brooke Lindsay (TRI), 12-1. Ella Johnsonbaugh (BEL) pinned Alara Quickel (CLF), 1:47. Ryleigh Ziantz (SHIK) pinned Matilyn McCracken (CURW), :26. 142: Avery Baldwin (DAL) pinned Emma Brown (SHIK), 3:10. Alexis Ashby (TRI) pinned Annabelle Hunt (PO), 4:45. Tessa Queen (CURW) pinned Alyssa Posey (BEN), 2:44. Shelby Shirley (BRAD) pinned Savanah Bingaman (SHIK), :51. 148 Austynn Falls (CM) pinned Alexa Jayne (WYA), 2:59. Emma Koontz (SHIK) maj. Dec. Madisyn Flores (WAR), 13-5. Shayla Carl (PAL) tech fall Jersey Herb (SHIK), 17-0 (2:14). 148: Elaina Ashby (TRI) pinned JP Scheller (SHIK), :30. 155: Makayla Taylor (CLF) pinned McKylee Vollman (PORT), 1:55. Amelia Smith (DAL) pinned Alivia Spicer (TOW), 3:01. Addison Dangle (JS) pinned Madilyn Dikun (WAR), :20. Roslyn Snyder (SHIK) tech fall Arianna Irvin (BS), 18-1 (5:54). 170: Jael Miller (PUNX) pinned Danielle Bottiger (SHIK), 1:20. Shelby Gipson-McDonald (DAL) pinned Aylee Johnston (CLF), 1:57. Brianne Irvin (BS) pinned Isabella Gotschall (JS), 5:00. Kendall Wagner (CM) pinned Olivia Clester (SV), 1:40. 190: Grace Crestani (BEA) dec. Kirsten Grubbs (SHIK), 5-1. Noelle Murray (BED) pinned Mia Davis (PORT), 3:00. Tessa Henise (DAL) pinned Marrin Clester (SV), 1:50. Katelynn Krepps (JUN) pinned Adele Wecker (TOW), 1:39. 235: Mylah Steinbuch (BED) pinned Daelyn Norris (TRI), :52. Daisy Glessner (PO) pinned Ashlyn Miller (CM), 3:15. Santiana Guarjardo-Prieto (LM) pinned Noelani Knott (DAL), 1:39. Emily Dolan (BS) pinned Payton Peppermint (PORT), 1:11.