TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Tonawanda senior Bailey Crouse has always wanted to wrestle in college. On Monday, that dream came true.
Crouse signed a wrestling scholarship with Gannon University and will be a member of the school's women's wrestling team. She's the first female wrestler from Tonawanda High School and one of the first from Western New York to sign an athletic wrestling scholarship.
"For girls to have the opportunity to wrestle in college on an all girls team, it gives them that sense that they're included in their own team and everything so they don't have to worry about being the only girl on the team," Crouse said. "I feel like it brings us all together."
Crouse wrestled at Sweet Home High School from 8th grade to 11th grade before transferring to Tonawanda High School. She's earned a Varsity letter in the sport every year. She hopes that her signing will encourage others to one day follow suit.
"I know there are some other seniors this year who are thinking about wrestling in college but to be able to actually do it myself, it means a lot to me," she said. "I feel like more girls are gonna be confident enough to do it."
Earlier this year, Crouse won her division in the NYSPHSAA inaugural girls wrestling invitational.
