That’s obvious in the eyes of both its competitors and onlookers. But even with months to go over what to expect leading up to the season’s exhilarating finale, it’s a challenge to prepare athletes for its unforgiven nature, as tough draws, tightened room for error and nerves from the buildup and atmosphere add to the challenge.

Even the most ambitious and talented fall victim to it, and that proved to be the case for Bald Eagle senior Grace Crestani and Central Mountain sophomore Austynn Falls.

With expressed aspirations of landing on the podium and both heading into the event ranked in the top eight of their respective weights, it’s safe to say expectations were high. Crestani was looking to build on an eighth place showing from last year and though Falls was making her debut, there was a reason she peaked at No. 5 in the state.

However, a combination of those three aforementioned aspects held them back, ultimately seeing them eliminated on Day Two in second-round consolations. Though the moments following their eliminations were filled with emotion and disappointment, they spoke with pride when discussing their runs, having each earned a win in the Giant Center to keep their runs alive past Day 1.

CHRIS MANNING/For The Express Bald Eagle Area’s Grace Crestani wrestles during Friday’s PIAA girls wrestling championships in the consolation round.

“Little disappointed, I had a great run, you know? Being ranked in two different weight classes. I could have done better but this is where my run ends,” said Crestani, who closed out her career with three PIAA wins. “I’m just thankful I got the chance to be here. It definitely wasn’t an easy run, but I did the best that I could.”

“It felt really good,” said Falls. “I won a match in the Giant Center as a sophomore, and it just feels good to finally be here knowing that I still have two more years to prove myself to everyone.”

Following her opening loss, Crestani had managed to bounce back and stood on the cusp of back-to-back wins, cradling her opponent out of top to start the second and beginning to work a pin.

But in the process of going for it, her hips ended up out of position and her opponent, Reading’s Esmeralda Tellez, took advantage. She’d flip the playing field with a reversal before carrying it into a pin.

“Maybe if I had my grip tighter I would have gotten that pin,” said Crestani. “It was there.”

It was an unfortunate, anticlimactic sendoff for the most decorated wrestler in the program’s short history. But neither her nor teammate Eden Eveleth’s early departure takes away from what the pair of have accomplished together, each qualifying for the tournament twice.

“Grace and Eden are the first two four-year who wrestled since ninth grade for us. Two seniors that started our program; they are pioneers of our program,” said Bald Eagle girls wrestling head coach Ed Hockenberry on the pair. “Overall, I couldn’t be happier just to see them get better over the years. Fortunately for Grace she placed last year, first PIAA place winner for the girls, something special she’ll always have.”

For Falls, her highlight came on Friday.

After falling in her opening bout, she stood on the brink of an 0-2 debut past the midway point of the second, down 11-1 against Northern Lebanon’s Dakota Dengler and struggling to find her offense. But a quick escape gave her a semblance of momentum and with head coach Dylan Caprio giving her to go ahead to shoot for a headlock, she was able to secure a takedown before working it into a pin.

I saw that I could get out and saw her coming up high. I just went out there and did what I could, and I ended up getting the pin,” said Falls.

“It felt really good going out there and doing what Caprio told me to do, and she was good. I got down on myself halfway through but I got happy to come back and as soon as I beat her, I was happy I finally got a win at the Giant Center.”

Though the conclusions of their runs weren’t what they had in mind, they greatly enjoyed having the opportunity to compete at the Giant Center. Falls heads into her junior season already searching for ways to improve and Crestani and Eveleth, though unsure about their future in wrestling, were happy ending their careers there of all places.

“I’m thankful for my entire career,” said Eveleth. “I wish it would have gone better, but it was unlucky. It was a great opportunity wrestling (at states).”

“I definitely want to work on staying composed. Just going out there and having confidence,” said Falls. “I didn’t have any confidence this season, I think I need to have more confidence and to stay in wrestling room all summer. Just lift and get myself in shape for next season.”