Two senior athletes from Fairfax County Public Schools have been recruited to join a collegiate wrestling team, just two years after Varsity Girls Wrestling became an official high school sport in the district, according to a June 1 announcement.
Kaelyn MacKay, a graduate of McLean High School, began wrestling when it was first offered as an official varsity sport for girls. “When I found out my junior year there would be a women’s wrestling team at my high school, I wanted to give it a shot,” MacKay said. She had previously competed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu since age nine and described the transition between the sports as natural due to their similarities. MacKay credited wrestling with boosting her confidence and helping her overcome social anxiety experienced during middle school. “Wrestling is high-paced and aggressive, and you are competing in front of 100 people. After that, speaking in front of a classroom of 25 others is nothing,” she said.
MacKay set goals early on to qualify for the state tournament but was initially set back by injury. She achieved her goal as a senior and has been recruited by Ithaca College’s women’s wrestling team for the upcoming year.
Oakton High School’s Kate Crockett will also join Ithaca College alongside MacKay. Crockett earned All-American status during her senior year after beginning wrestling through open mat practices at Oakton following eighth grade. “I really like being able to compete for both myself and for a team,” Crockett said. She noted that hard work leads directly to results in wrestling regardless of body type or size.
Crockett practiced with Oakton’s boys’ team until girls’ wrestling received its own varsity designation—a change she welcomed along with other female wrestlers at the school. “We were putting in a lot of hard work, so we were so happy to have that be recognized,” she said.
David McClary, head coach at Oakton High School’s program for five years, commented on training practices: “The mat is the great equalizer, you come in, and you wrestle,” he said. He added that official recognition from FCPS helped provide resources and legitimacy: “For the county to be ahead of the state in backing girls’ wrestling was a great message.”
Crockett expressed appreciation for institutional support: “I think that this school, FCPS in general, has supported girls’ wrestling as it has grown,” she said.