Brian Hagberg
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Kaelon Connolly is a state champion.
Connolly, a Sheffield 8th-grader, pinned her way to the top of the podium at the PJW state tournament on Saturday and Sunday at the 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown. She finished 3rd at the state tournament in 2023.
Seeded fifth at 137 pounds, Connolly had a first-round bye. She pinned her second-round opponent, Bethany Watt (Glendale), in 57 seconds. She then earned a 13-8 decision over Laura Volpe (Parkland) in the quarterfinals.
In a high-scoring semifinal bout, Connolly picked up a third-period pin over Piper Jones (Chambersburg) to advance to the championship. Connolly squared off with Upper St. Clair’s Grace Nasman for the championship. Connolly earned a pinfall in the second period to claim the state title.
