Just two years ago, Fairfax County Public Schools launched varsity girls wrestling. Now, three Fairfax County seniors have been recruited to compete at the collegiate level.

Oakton High School's Kate Crockett will wrestle at Ithaca College in New York this fall. Crockett earned All-American honors her senior year, according to FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid, who highlighted all three recruits in her weekly reflections. Reid called them "our first participants in this new athletic offering" to reach the college level.

Joining Crockett at Ithaca is Kaelyn MacKay of McLean High School. The third recruit, Ashley Lopez of Lewis High School, will compete at Marymount University.

"I'm so proud to have been there as girls' wrestling was developing, getting a chance to lead other athletes into this sport," Ashley said. "Girls are putting in the work and we deserved a chance to compete equally on a field against other female athletes. I'm pushing the other girls on the team to realize even though they are in a male dominated sport, they need to keep their head up, don't be afraid to show off and to realize they can do more than they think they can."

MacKay, who had trained in Brazilian jiu jitsu since age 9, said the new FCPS program opened a door she didn't expect. "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 told the Vienna Connection. "I went from being a leader in jiu jitsu, knowing everything, all the moves, to a complete novice. Since they’re both grappling sports, the transition was similar enough that I took to wrestling and discovered I loved it too."

The transition worked. Both MacKay and Crockett appeared on Fox 5 and WTOP Radio to discuss what formal recognition of girls wrestling meant for their development as athletes.

“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,” MacKay said. “I have learned how to endure stressful environments outside the wrestling room as well. It has taught me a lot of grit and even helped in other ways, like making my high-pressure, fast-paced job as a server at Rocco’s Italian restaurant feel easier.”

The FCPS girls wrestling program now fields varsity teams at every county high school. The three college commitments mark the fastest turnaround from program launch to collegiate recruitment in any FCPS sport added in the past decade, according to the district's announcement.

For Oakton fans, Crockett's path validates what the program can produce: a wrestler who joined a brand-new varsity team and earned national recognition within two seasons. She reports to Ithaca College this fall to join the Bombers' women's wrestling roster.

“I was sort of used to quitting sports, but found wrestling was a really good fit for me,” Crockett said. “I really like being able to compete for both myself and for a team. In wrestling, you can be any shape or size, and if you put in the hard work, you will see results pay off.”