MISSION — Sharyland High’s Jerilyn “Abby” Peralez was an accomplished multi-sport athlete during her days with the Rattlers.
But her sports — cross country and wrestling — are far from similar. In fact, they’re on complete opposite sides of the sports spectrum.
Still, Peralez found a way to excel at both as a state qualifier in both.
At the next level, Peralez will focus on one sport, however, as she signed to continue her wrestling career at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah, on Tuesday surrounded by family and friends.
While Peralez was thankful for the moment and everyone in attendance, her heart and mind were with her late grandmother, Leticia Caballero.
Peralez was wearing a pin with a picture of Caballero over her heart as she signed her national letter of intent.
“I want to do what I can and make this day for her. I try my best and try my hardest for her,” Peralez said while overcome with emotion.
She finishes her career at Sharyland High as a four-year letterman in wrestling, a three-year letterman in cross country and two-year letterman in track and field.
As a wrestler this season, Peralez reached the UIL State Wrestling Tournament in the 95-pound division, the second time in her career, and was named the Sharyland High Girls Wrestling Most Valuable Player. She also is a two-time district champion and four-time regional qualifier.
But wrestling wasn’t her first sport. Her mother and aunt were cross country athletes growing up, so that’s how Peralez started out. When she got to high school, however, she gave wrestling a go.
“Wrestling just came out of the blue and surprised my mom because I’m not aggressive. But when she saw me, it was a whole different person,” she said. “I’m always positive, never negative. I try my best. If I hurt my opponent, it’s by accident. I didn’t mean to. I’m a very kind person, but if you see me wrestle, it’s like, ‘OK, where did this come from?’ I flip a switch.”
Competing in the 95-pound division, opponents often underestimated Peralez. But when it came time to lock up, she consistently proved doubters wrong.
At the UIL State Wrestling Meet in February, Peralez finished in eighth place out of 16 wrestlers in her weight class. She went 1-2 in her matches, losing to the eventual second- and third-place finishers to earn eighth place at 95 pounds.
“Everyone is always shocked because they see I’m underweight and think I’m easy, but no. I go out and put up a fight and do my best,” she said.
Now, Peralez will be headed to Dixie State University, an NCAA Division II school, which is in the process of becoming an NCAA Division I University and will be joining the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). On July 1, their move to the WAC will become official.
The Lady Trailblazers have just recently added women’s wrestling to their athletic programs, so Peralez will be a key building block for Dixie State wrestling.
“They’re getting a wrestler who’s always positive, always smiling and trying to lift everyone up,” she said.