Noble’s Hannah Perro, top, and Marshwood’s Kelsie Strong wrestle in the duals state championships Feb. 1 in Sanford. Perro won her third straight girls state championship and second straight New England girls title. Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald

Hannah Perro has shown off her skills on a wrestling mat throughout her career at Noble High School.

This year, Perro also showed off her toughness.

Perro, a junior, won her third girls state championship and went on to capture her second consecutive New England girls championship. Also a wrestler on the Noble co-ed squad, Perro once again reached the podium at the Class A championships, placing fourth for the second straight year, and helping the Knights to the Class A team title.

And she did all of that while fighting a torn labrum in her shoulder, which required surgery after the season.

“I feel really accomplished and proud of myself,” Perro said. “I feel like I had a lot of pressure going into the season, just because I felt like I had to defend what I did last year. But I’m definitely proud of myself and happy that I was able to do everything I did all over again. It just kind of solidifies (my accomplishments). It makes me feel better knowing that I’m able to do it two times (for New Englands) and three times for states.”

For her accomplishments, Perro is the 2024-25 Varsity Maine Girls Wrestler of the Year.

Perro believes she injured her shoulder during last year’s New England championships.

“I found out after last year that I partially tore my labrum,” Perro said. “I wasn’t ready to get a surgery yet, because I had track (in the spring) and that would ruin track season. I’m pretty sure it’s totally torn now.”

Perro managed to make it through the entire wrestling season with the injury. She said the biggest obstacle was the mental aspect of knowing she wasn’t 100%.

Noble’s Hannah Perro wrestles Massabesic’s Remington Grunhuvd in the 106-pound final at the Class A South championships in February. Brianna Soukup/Portland Press He

“Obviously, it (physically) hurts really bad,” Perro said. “During my matches, (the pain) goes away, and then after the match is when it’s bad. I just tried to get into a mental spot where I don’t think about how bad (the pain) is going to be and instead just focus on my match.”

Added Noble coach Kevin Gray: “We didn’t necessarily limit her matches, but we picked and chose what we wanted her to do because (of the injury). It was great that she was able to accomplish all of her goals on top of that, that was huge for her. … She’s a phenomenal wrestler, a phenomenal athlete. I’m super proud of what she did this year.”

Even with her injury, Perro dominated. Between the girls state meet and New Englands — seven matches, in total — Perro allowed just one point and won all seven matches by pinfall. Even though Perro controlled the competition, she still felt the pressure in each match.

“It’s definitely heavy on me, especially going into a finals match,” Perro said. “I’m always nervous, but I don’t really show it. Before my New England finals match, I was definitely nervous, just because it was a big moment. But when I step on a mat, I’m focused on that one thing and not anything else. I just visualize what I want to do.”

Lightweight wrestlers are usually known for speed and quickness. But Perro takes pride in her strength on the mat, and using it to her advantage.

“Definitely my throws (are a key). I think throws are usually more common for heavier weights,” Perro said. “When I’m wrestling and randomly throw a head and arm, people don’t expect it. That’s the advantage. I’m very aware of where I’m at and when I can do things like that. I feel like lightweights are more technical and speedy.”

Gray said that Perro spent a lot of time on strategy this season.

“What we really worked on with her is her understanding the entire match,” he said. “What she does well is her counter-attacks are great, especially not being 100 percent. You don’t have to push the pace (in a match) to get yourself in a bad position. You’ve always got that knockout punch in your back pocket, so let’s utilize that and work your counters, let (opponents) take some bad shots, use your speed and quickness, not necessarily to go after the takedown but to utilize it as a counter-attack.”

Perro also had a successful run on the co-ed side. She was the Class A South runner-up, falling by third-period pinfall to Massabesic’s Remington Grunhuvd. She nearly placed third at the Class A meet, but lost by third-period pinfall to Cony’s Corbin LeBlanc and finished fourth. In both situations, Perro’s points helped the Knights to regional and Class A team titles, the 16th state championship in program history.

“I was a lot prouder this year than last year, because I made it to the regional finals,” Perro said. “I had a little slip up there, but it’s OK, I got fourth (at states) last year as well. Wrestling guys than girls is a lot different, but I hold myself really high, knowing how successful I was in the girls division. Knowing I can compete with the guys and place in those postseason tournaments (is huge). I love being a part of the scoring for my team. My school is really successful at wrestling. I love being a part of it and knowing I gave points to my team.

“I want to perform better at (co-ed) states next year,” Perro added. “I know what the postseason looks like now and with all the experience now, I know what I need to do (in the future) to get what I need out of it. I already can’t wait for next year.”