In the championship semifinals, a win would mean earning a state bid no matter the next result. A loss, while not the end of the world, would pit her against No. 5 Maddison Miller (Honesdale) in a win-or-go-home scenario.

But that wasn’t on her mind as action resumed, as she instead focused on what she had going for her. Despite facing a solid opponent in No. 11 Shelby Shirley (Bradford) and being forced into overtime, Falls had defeated her opponent before at districts and knew she could do it again.

“I knew she got tired, and I knew that I could keep pushing myself longer than she could,” said Falls. “I think it just came down to who was in better shape, who had the best technique in the end. Then just me, doing everything that I need to do.”

With that insight, she’d pull through, wrestling aggressively and ultimately forcing her opponent into a matching-winning stall call. Though a bout against one of the best wrestlers in the state would soon await, she had time to breathe knowing that her season would remain alive, taking the next few moments after the match to celebrate with her coach and teammates.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Austynn Falls of Central Mountain has her hand raised after a bout at this year’s Queen of the Mountain tournament. Falls qualified for the PIAA girls wrestling tournament this year, her first trip to Hershey.

“It feels really good coming back from last year when I placed fifth at districts and sixth here, not making it,” said Falls on the accomplishment.

In the process, she once again proved just how much she’s improved in such a short time.

It’s one thing to clinch your first state bid as a sophomore, with over two years still left to improve and an unknown number of steps away from your pinnacle. It’s another to accomplish what Falls has while only harboring about four years of experience.

Despite picking up wrestling in seventh grade, Falls burst onto the scene, picking up an affinity for well, falls, and winning 11 matches in a row to kick off her high school career. She even picked up three victories as an eighth grader at the previous year’s Queen of the Mountain, just one year removed from getting started.

As a freshman, she set the mark to improve upon high, finishing with a 22-8 record and medaling at her debut District 6 and Central Regional tournaments. And one season later, she’s built on that success, heading into states with seven more wins and four more losses than last season, with the most wins (29) and a tie for the most pins (19) on the team.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Central Mountain’s Austynn Falls wrestles against Shikellamy during a match at the Bald Eagle Area Invite this year.

“I’m improving, my record’s better this year and I’m just going out there and having confidence,” said Falls.

“The biggest key (to improving) is probably just wrestling with the boys in the wrestling room and wrestling against girls that are bigger than me, learning new technique and having a coach that walks us through his stuff and makes sure we know what we need to know before a tournament.”

She’s gone on to win over 80% of her career bouts, surpassing 50 wins and 40 pins as a sophomore.

Of her four losses this season, all have come against upperclassmen with win totals of 25, one which came against a three-time state champ in Bishop McCort’s Jordyn Fouse and two occurring at the hands of 2024 state medalist Sayona Harris-Haye (Greater Johnstown) in the District 6 and Central Regional finals.

“I think it’s just merely starting late,” said Falls on those matchups. “I just don’t have the technique and the mindset yet that these older girls have that have been wrestling their whole lives. I’ve just got to keep my mind and keep working with my teammates, work with the boys to learn new moves and just keep getting better.”

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Austynn Falls of Central Mountain is all smiles after winning a bout at this year’s Queen of the Mountain tournament.

Those losses are a reminder that there’s still room to improve. But as it stands, the Wildcat’s quick rise is notable, a product of consistent hard work, passion for the sport and dedication to improvement.

Heading into this week, Falls hopes to add a state placement to her District 6 and Central Regional silvers. There, she’ll kick off her run with a first-round matchup against standout Upper St. Clair freshman Grace Nasman, who’s state-ranked one slot below Falls at No. 8.

“I’m looking forward to going (to states) since I was cut short a little bit last year,” said Falls. “Going in there, I hope to place top eight.”