Extra Effort: Bailey Lusch growing her sport, teams at East Peoria

EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — As she gets ready to wrestle at state for a third straight year, Bailey Lusch realizes she is a trailblazer at East Peoria.

“As a young girl that didn’t have any role models,” Lusch said. “I just strive to do that.”

The senior is growing the wrestling program at her school. Last year she was the only girls wrestler for the Raiders at state.

This year she is one of three, with sophomore Kennedy McMenimen, and freshman Dezyrae Murray joining her.

“One day when little girls are saying, ‘I can’t do this or I can’t do that,’ I love that they will have a role model to look up to,” Lusch said. “I try to do that with my girls here.”

Lusch is not just leading on a wrestling mat.

She’s an honor roll student taking college-level courses in English and art. As a sculptor, she’s active in the local art scene.

And she’s also a four-year member of East Peoria’s Color Guard, again growing that team.

“My freshman year we had nine girls. This year we had 23,” Lusch said. “It’s grown so much, like wrestling. I think it’s nice to see that you don’t have to be a girl girl that always wears pink. But you can beat whatever personality you want.”

After finishing fifth at state as a sophomore and sixth last year, Lusch is hoping for a top four finish this year. But her team already understands her impact on EP girls wrestling is large no matter how she finishes her high school career.

“She’s an absolute inspiration,” said EP assistant wrestling coach Natalie Cregger. “She is a leader, a great captain and all the girls look up to her. Everything she does turns gold. She succeeds in everything she does and that’s amazing.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.